FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Sunday (8/23)

The NBA has a four-game slate for Sunday’s action in Orlando. FanDuel has plenty of contests to enter for the league’s double slate tonight, so let’s take a look at some lineup possibilities with value plays, studs, fades, and more!

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Value Plays: Point Guard

 
Mike Conley made his postseason debut for the Jazz and scored 27 points, four assists, and totaled 36 fantasy points. He surprised the Nuggets with his play, and for $6,200, he’s a steal alongside Donovan Mitchell. He only played 24 minutes in his debut and scored 27 minutes, two off from his season-high with the Jazz.

Landry Shamet totaled 25.6 fantasy points in 27 minutes off the bench f0r the Clippers. His 18 points are the second-highest point total in the bubble so far, and his 13 shot attempts are the most since Feb. 5. With Patrick Beverley potentially still out, Shamet is another solid DFS sleeper.

Brad Wanamaker has averaged 20 minutes in his last two games, and with the Celtics on the verge of a sweep, Wanamaker could see an increase in minutes. Kemba Walker has looked amazing the past two games, and Wanamaker has averaged six points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench in the previous two games.

Shooting Guard

 
Marcus Smart came up clutch for the Celtics in Game 3, sealing the victory with late free-throws and a big rebound. He finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Mr. Do-It-All did just that once again, and with a series-clinching game on the board, I expect Smart to surpass 30-minutes of action for the third time in four games.

Jordan Clarkson only played 24 minutes but recorded 26.6 fantasy points per game on 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Clarkson has been a series changing asset off the bench, and with three-straight semi-high scoring matchups between Denver and Utah, he’s worth a grab at his current value.

Norman Powell only played 22 minutes in Game 3 versus Brooklyn, so you might not want to draft him, but in Game 2, he showed what he could do. In Game 4, the starters could get some rest towards the latter end of the game, and a sixth-man like Powell could get access minutes. Powell has attempted 25 field goals and 10 triples in his last two games, and versus the Nets, he could light it up before having a few days off.

Small Forward

 
Jaylen Brown has scored 20 points in three-straight games and surpassed 30 fantasy points in all three games of the series versus Philly. Brown played 41 minutes in his last game, and he certainly won’t play nearly as many in Game 4 but should remain a threat to score 20 points and combine for 10 boards and assists.

Dorian Finney-Smith had his best fantasy outing of Game 3, recording 27.4 fantasy points on 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes. He’s played 30 or more minutes in all three meetings with the Mavs this series and should see more in a pivotal Game 4.

OG Anunoby posted 21 or more fantasy points in three-straight games of the series and played at least 33 minutes. The Raptors forward should see extended minutes in a Game 4 that’s likely going to be a blowout. He could be a wise DFS choice in a limited field for small forwards.

Power Forward

 
MPJ and most of the Nuggets are coming off limited minutes and a disappointing blowout. MPJ played 15 minutes, but in Games 1 and 2, he recorded 31.5 minutes, 20.5 points, and 7.0 rebounds. He’s a threat for a double-double Game 4, and if coach Malone unleashes him, he can reward DFS players everywhere after multiple career performances in the bubble.

Marcus Morris Sr. has had three stellar games in the Clippers and Mavericks series. He’s scored at least 14 points and six rebounds in all three games plus 32 or more minutes. Morris has totaled 28 or more fantasy points per game, and he’s averaging over 10 shot attempts in the series 21.2 points in four meetings.

Daniel Theis has struggled versus the 76ers for the most part, but in a clinching Game 4, he should play a key role in Boston’s success. Theis recorded 19.5 fantasy points on eight points, five rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in a series-high 26 minutes. With the series on the line, expect Theis to get 30-plus minutes, playing over Enes Kanter and Robert Williams.

Center

 
Ivica Zubac has recorded two games of 25 or more fantasy points in two of three games versus the Mavericks in the playoffs. Zubac put up a double-double in Game 1, and in his last performance, he played 29 minutes and 25.2 fantasy points.

Chris Boucher and Enes Kaner are both deep dives in DFS as their teams could blow out their opponents in a series-clinching game, meaning they both should see more minutes. They’re both high-risk players, but if their opponents call it quits, you could look like a genius selecting them.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Joel Embiid (PHI) $10,000: Embiid has been the sole heart and soul of the 76ers in the postseason. Without Ben Simmons, he’s double-doubled in all three games versus Boston.
• Nikola Jokic (DEN) $9,200: Jokic is due for a bounceback game versus Utah after scoring at least 28 points in four-straight versus them.
• Kawhi Leonard (LAC) $10,000: Leonard has totaled 50 or more fantasy points in three-straight games and worth any price in the postseason.
• Luka Doncic (DAL) $10,500: Doncic is a triple-double machine and has set history versus the Clippers through two games. In Game 3, he suffered an injury he’s expected to overcome and should be cleared for Game 4.
• Kemba Walker (BOS) $7,500: Walker has picked up his play over the last three games, and he’s looking completely healthy. He’s scored 19 or more in three games and added eight rebounds and four assists.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Serge Ibaka (TOR) $6,200: Ibaka is one player that could get more rest than minutes for the Raptors as they move on in the series.
• Jarrett Allen (BKN) $7,400: Allen has been a solid DFS player, especially on the boards through three games, but the Nets are a full fade in Game 4.
• Caris LeVert (BKN) $8,200: Levert hasn’t scored more than 20 points in four of his last five games versus the Raptors, and they locked him down in Game 3.
• Shake Milton (PHI) $4,500: Milton picked up his play in the last two games, but Marcus Smart will likely lock up Milton in Game 4.
• Tobias Harris (PHI) $7,300: Harris has struggled to score and shooting overall versus the Celtics. He hasn’t scored more than 15 points in the series.

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Beyond our daily fantasy basketball content, be sure to check out our Daily Fantasy Basketball Tools. From our Lineup Optimizer – which allows you to build winning DFS lineups in seconds for Cash and GPP contests – to our DFS Cheat Sheets – that helps you get a quick read on the day’s players – we’ve got you covered this fantasy basketball season.

Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.