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If there are only going to be four games on the slate, at the very least you want good games to choose from. You want a lot of points and, if you can be choosy, games that won't turn into blowouts by the middle of the third quarter.

Unfortunately, Thursday isn't that kind of day for NBA DFS. We should see a lot of points tonight, with three of the four games featuring over/unders of at least 200 -- the fourth, Utah at Houston, might reach that point with much of Utah's rotation in tatters and the Rockets' defense struggling all season long. Unfortunately, the spread in three of the four games is currently sitting at 8.5 or higher, so there's a lot of blowout potential on the board.

So, good luck predicting the rotations of the Lakers, Hawks or Rockets among other teams. That isn't necessarily a terrible thing for Fantasy, but it does mean this is likely to be a night with a lot of variance. A good night might see you play four lineups, with one struggling to hit 200 points and two others topping 325 or more. You need to take risks on a night like this, especially with so few high-cost stars on the board.

Today's Slate

L.A. Lakers at Sacramento
Fantasy points allowed: 425.31

The key to this one will be whether the Lakers can keep it close with the Kings, who are playing solid ball lately. If Rajon Rondo's back injury keeps him out, Darren Collison becomes a great play against a bad Lakers team.

Atlanta at Philadelphia
Fantasy points allowed: 408.82

Unlike with the Lakers, we probably don't have to question if the 76ers can keep this one close; they won't. Plan accordingly with your Hawks, who might not have to play much in the second half. Dennis Schroder seems to be back in coach Mike Budenholzer's good graces, and could be a fine tournament play with upside if the game gets out of hand.

Boston at Chicago
Fantasy points allowed: 397.96

The Bulls frontcourt has been a solid source of value since Joakim Noah's injury, and it's hard to see Boston slowing down a red-hot Pau Gasol, who has over 100 Fantasy points over his last two games.

Utah at Houston
Fantasy points allowed: 395.63

With Derrick Favors sidelined, both centers in this game should be solid plays. Jeff Withey has upside as a cheap play, while Dwight Howard is in the midst of his best stretch of the season and shouldn't have much competition in this one.

Injury Report

SF Omri Casspi SAC vs. LAL $5,700 (Back) - Questionable
SG Marco Belinelli ($4,300) would see more minutes

PG Rajon Rondo SAC vs. LAL $8,200 (Back) - Questionable
PG Darren Collison ($5,600) would see more minutes

PG Ty Lawson HOU vs. UTA $3,800 (Ankle) - Questionable
PG Jason Terry ($3,600) should see more minutes

PF Derrick Favors UTA @ HOU (Back) - Out
C Jeff Withey ($4,700) should see more minutes

Positional Rankings

PG

1. Ish Smith $6,100 PHI vs. ATL
2. Rajon Rondo $8,200 SAC vs. LAL
3. Darren Collison $5,600 SAC vs. LAL
4. Jordan Clarkson $6,100 LAL @ SAC
5. Jeff Teague $6,200 ATL @ PHI

SG

1. James Harden $9,900 HOU vs. UTA
2. Jimmy Butler $8,500 CHI vs. BOS
3. Kobe Bryant $6,900 LAL @ SAC
4. Rodney Hood $5,600 UTA @ HOU
5. Kyle Korver $4,000 ATL @ PHI

SF

1. Nikola Mirotic $4,800 CHI vs. BOS
2. Jae Crowder $6,200 BOS @ CHI
3. Evan Turner $5,700 BOS @ CHI
4. Gordon Hayward $7,600 UTA @ HOU
5. Rudy Gay $7,100 SAC vs. LAL

PF

1. Pau Gasol $8,900 CHI vs. BOS
2. Paul Millsap $8,500 ATL @ PHI
3. Nerlens Noel $6,300 PHI vs. ATL
4. Bobby Portis $3,900 CHI vs. BOS
5. Taj Gibson $5,400 CHI vs. BOS

C

1. DeMarcus Cousins $10,400 SAC vs. LAL
2. Dwight Howard $8,000 HOU vs. UTA
3. Jeff Withey $4,700 UTA @ HOU
4. Al Horford $7,400 ATL @ PHI
5. Kelly Olynyk $4,300 BOS @ CHI

Five More, Under $5,000

PG Patrick Beverley $4,300 HOU vs. UTA
SG Marco Belinelli $4,300 SAC vs. LAL
SF Corey Brewer $3,500 HOU vs. UTA
PF Trevor Booker $4,300 UTA @ HOU
C Amir Johnson $4,400 BOS @ CHI