After what seems like a month off due to the All-Star break, the NBA finally returns Thursday with a three-game slate. What was set up to be a very competitive trio of games has been dashed a bit by Jimmy Butler‘s injury, and it’s a tough slate from a DFS perspective with little value to be had barring any big trades at Thursday’s afternoon deadline. Let’s take a look at the Vegas lines to get an idea of what to expect.

Vegas lines and totals

Utah @ Washington (-1) – total of 197
Chicago @ Cleveland (-12.5) – total of 207
San Antonio (-4.5) @ L.A. Clippers – total of 205.5

Bulls-Cavs is the highest-scoring game, but also has a chance to be over before the final five minutes, possibly stripping the starters of 5-7 fantasy points apiece. The Spurs-Clippers’ total has dropped a few points since it was released, and I still think the under is a good bet at the current total, but it should go down to the wire in L.A. I was surprised to see the Jazz as underdogs even on the road, as they’ve been great since returning to full health, but the total of that game is in line with my projections. Let’s take a look at the top plays at each position.

POINT GUARD

Kyrie Irving – If there’s one player not to fade Thursday night, it’s Irving. The Bulls are the worst team on this slate at defending the PG position, and Irving is coming off monster 30-point games against the Kings and Lakers heading into the break. It’s hard to think he’ll stay that hot, especially since Kevin Love was in and out of those games due to injury, but the matchup is right on a night where John Wall and Chris Paul face two of the NBA’s top defenses.

Derrick Rose – A lot of DFS players will be on Rose with Jimmy Butler out, but his recent price jump has settled his tag into the range it belongs when taking his increased usage rate without Butler into account. He’s averaged fantasy points in the mid-to-high 30s in three of his past four games with Butler out—the fourth was missing Pau Gasol too—and that’s reflected in his price. He’s still a solid bet for 35 fantasy points in a decent matchup with the Cavs, but I have a feeling he may be higher owned than he should be.

Cheap risk option: Assuming he returns to the court after missing most of early February, Matthew Dellavedova is the best bet among the cheap PGs on Thursday. Aaron Brooks hasn’t seen much of an uptick in Butler’s absence, while Trey Burke‘s minutes are uncertain assuming he’s back from illness. Delly performs far better at home than on the road and should be good for at least 15 fantasy points with the potential for more if the game becomes a blowout.

SHOOTING GUARD

Rodney Hood – Hood averaged 23 points per game in his last four leading into the break, and a matchup against the Wizards, who have been crushed by SGs all year, plays right into his hands. Washington is in the bottom six in points, three-pointers, assists and steals allowed to the position, which happen to be Hood’s four best categories. His floor is 25 fantasy points Thursday, and he’ll likely reach 30.

J.R. Smith – Smith finally slowed down as the Cavs beat up on the Lakers in their final game before the break, but he still averaged nearly 18 points per game in his last four. There is risk with Smith, who tends to play better when he’s in the everyday rhythm and could take a backseat if Kevin Love is fully healthy out of the break, but he always comes with tons of upside. The Bulls’ SG defense falls apart without Butler, making Smith a nice GPP pivot from Hood, and he’s my No. 4 overall guard in cash games.

Cheap risk option: Sticking with the Cavs, Iman Shumpert is another bench player who could put up a respectable score. After a tough slump, he had three straight games with at least 15 fantasy points before a bust against the Lakers. There isn’t much value available on Thursday’s slate, making Shumpert the best cheap option available at SG.

SMALL FORWARD

LeBron James – Stars in good spots are always nice targets on a short slate, and the only reasons not to set and forget it with LeBron are blowout concerns and the depth at SF on Thursday, along with his slate-high price. The Bulls are pretty much a mess all over the court without Butler but they’ve been giving to SFs all year, a trend that shouldn’t stop Thursday.

Kawhi Leonard – Leonard finally broke free after a slow couple of weeks, scoring at least 43 fantasy points in each of his last three games heading into the All-Star break. His price hasn’t increased either, making him an ideal DFS option for those looking to fade James. The Clippers have actually defended the position well this season despite starting Paul Pierce so often of late, but Leonard should still make a solid push to continue his streak of 40-point fantasy performances. Gordon Hayward against the Wizards is a very solid third SF option on this slate as well.

Cheap risk option: There really isn’t much to see here, but Mike Dunleavy is likely to start again Thursday. He’s been terrible and is obviously very rusty, but one game he’ll wake up and score in double digits. At minimum price, it’s a gamble that could pay off, but it’s far from assured.

POWER FORWARD

Kevin Love – I just might like the Cavs a lot tonight, but by no means am I suggesting you play four of their five starters—unless you’re playing the late slate, where it might be viable. Love is my top PF option on the night, but he’s also only my fourth-rated Cav on a dollar-for-dollar basis after he entered the break with a whimper thanks to injury. He’s a bit hard to trust without a “show me” game to prove he’s back to full health, and he’s a better GPP play than cash.

Derrick Favors – Favors is the PF I’m leaning towards in cash games, as his floor feels very safe and he has a nice matchup against a small-ball Washington team who would need to start Nene in order to combat the Favors-Rudy Gobert tandem. The Wizards are unlikely to do that unless they trade Jared Dudley before the deadline, making Favors a great option who should net you points in the mid-30s.

Cheap risk option: I don’t love him Thursday, but Bobby Portis is about the lowest I’ll go at PF. I think he’s more likely to score less than 20 points than above it, but he should see extra minutes if the game becomes a blowout. That’s what you’re mostly rooting for if you roster Portis on Thursday, unless Pau Gasol or Taj Gibson is traded out of Chicago.

CENTER

Rudy Gobert – Rudy Gobert is in a similar spot to Kyrie Irving as the No. 3 option at a position where the top two have tough matchups. Gobert is nowhere near the play Irving is Thursday, but center options are limited and he should return value on his price tag in an average matchup with Marcin Gortat. I’m probably not going to spend my resources at center, but Gobert is my choice if I do.

Tim Duncan – Duncan is finally back in the San Antonio lineup after an extended absence, and the Spurs’ frontcourt defense suffered greatly in his absence. He should see minutes near his maximum in a tightly contested game against the Clippers, who bleed fantasy points to opposing centers. Duncan can be a bit hit or miss, which hurts his projection, but he’s a solid bet for fantasy points in the low-to-mid 20s at a value price, which is hard to find on this slate.

Cheap risk option: This is the seventh Cavalier I’ve suggested in some capacity, but that’s what happens when you’re a double-digit favorite on a minuscule slate. Timofey Mozgov hasn’t recaptured his NBA Finals glory, but he did build a little momentum with some OK play heading into the break. If Love is at all limited Thursday, Mozgov should benefit, but I’m likely avoiding punting at center. When Mozgov is your best option in any fashion, it’s time to reevaluate.

CASH GAME RANKS

This isn’t necessarily an order of who will score the most fantasy points. Rather, the rankings are aimed to find the best price, value and production combo to help you win cash games, also taking into account potential ownership levels for each player.

PG
1) Kyrie Irving
2) Derrick Rose
3) John Wall
4) Chris Paul
5) Raul Neto
6) Matthew Dellavedova
7) Tony Parker

SG
1) Rodney Hood
2) J.R. Smith
3) E’Twaun Moore
4) Bradley Beal
5) Danny Green
6) Iman Shumpert
7) J.J. Redick

SF
1) LeBron James
2) Kawhi Leonard
3) Gordon Hayward
4) Otto Porter
5) Jared Dudley
6) Mike Dunleavy
7) Paul Pierce

PF
1) Derrick Favors
2) Kevin Love
3) LaMarcus Aldridge
4) Tristan Thompson
5) Taj Gibson

C
1) Rudy Gobert
2) Tim Duncan
3) Pau Gasol
4) DeAndre Jordan
5) Marcin Gortat
6) Timofey Mozgov

As always, I’ll do my best to update this article as news breaks throughout the day if at possible, especially with the trade deadline on tap, and follow me on Twitter @christripodi for last-minute updates and suggestions before the first game starts at 7 p.m.