Filling In Your Thursday NBA Lineups
Here are theScore's sample lineups for Thursday, January 25's six-game slate:
Cash Game Without UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard (POR) | vs. HOU |
| PG | Brandon Jennings (ORL) | vs. GS |
| SG | C.J. McCollum (POR) | vs. HOU |
| SG | James Harden (HOU) | at POR |
| SF | Evan Turner (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| SF | Andre Iguodala (GS) | at ORL |
| PF | Thaddeus Young (BKN) | at PHX |
| PF | Derrick Favors (UTA) | vs. SA |
| C | Miles Plumlee (MIL) | at BOS |
This cash game lineup is strictly exposed around long-range shooters with favorable matchups. Due to his explosive tear, Lillard should be the foundation of all your lineups tonight, as he will be the highest-owned player. His partner-in-crime, McCollum, will also see high-ownership as he's registered back-to-back 30 points nights. Harden may have to keep pace with the fiery Trail Blazers and his high-floor is worth paying up for.
GPP Without UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard (POR) | vs. HOU |
| PG | Marcus Smart (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| SG | Khris Middleton (MIL) | at BOS |
| SG | Devin Booker (PHX) | vs. BKN |
| SF | Gordon Hayward (UTA) | vs. SA |
| SF | Andre Iguodala (GS) | at ORL |
| PF | Anthony Davis (NO) | vs. OKC |
| PF | Jabari Parker (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| C | Enes Kanter (OKC) | at NO |
Smart's a game-time decision Thursday night and his status should be monitored. Iguodala could be in for more of prominent role in Orlando with the Warriors on the tail end of a back-to-back. Parker has scored 20 or more points twice in his last three outings and his odds of returning value are high.
Cash Game With UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard (POR) | vs. HOU |
| SG | O.J. Mayo (MIL) | at BOS |
| SF | Jae Crowder (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| PF | Serge Ibaka (OKC) | at NO |
| C | Jared Sullinger (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| G | Russell Westbrook (OKC) | at OKC |
| F | Amir Johnson (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| UTIL | Wayne Ellington (BKN) | at PHX |
In order to employ Westbrook's high triple-double floor and Lillard's hot-streak means cutting costs at other positions. Johnson provides value in rebounds while Ellington has scored double-figures in three of his last four outings. Mayo starts at PG for the Bucks and will be allotted time at SG against the Celtics' middling defense.
GPP With UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard (POR) | vs. HOU |
| SG | Klay Thompson (GS) | at ORL |
| SF | Trevor Ariza (HOU) | at POR |
| PF | Serge Ibaka (OKC) | at NO |
| C | Nikola Vucevic (ORL) | vs. GS |
| G | Evan Turner (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| F | Amir Johnson (BOS) | vs. MIL |
| UTIL | Brandon Jennings (ORL) | vs. GS |
This GPP is well balanced to solidify every statistical category. Thompson, Lillard and Vucevic supply plenty of value in the points column while the rest of the players, including Vucevic, have double-double upside and if they hit, the return will be astounding. Ibaka has value in blocks as he ranks fourth among NBA big men.