FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Sunday (9/13)

The NBA has a one-game slate for Sunday’s action in Orlando. There are plenty of FanDuel contests to enter 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

 
Jamal Murray had his best performance in Game 5, tallying 26 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists for 45.1 fantasy points. With their season on the line, he and Nikola Jokic are the two best bets to have massive games. Murray has averaged 19.4 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in the semifinals.

Patrick Beverley has returned to the lineup and brought a defensive attitude back to the Clippers. Sadly, Beverley’s return has impacted his teammates more than his own. He’s averaged 17.9 fantasy points over the last three games, but Landry Shamet — my No. 3 point guard today — only played 37 minutes combined in the past two games.

Shooting Guard

 
Paul George has recorded 40 or more fantasy points in three of five games in this series, and his Game 5 performance of 51.1 fantasy points was his highest. He totaled 26 points, six assists, and six rebounds in a series-high 42 minutes.

Lou Williams recorded his second game of fewer than 20 fantasy points this series during Game 5. He scored just four points and dished out five assists, disappointing numbers for DFS, but now he’s set up for a comeback game. Williams played 23-29 minutes in the first four games before playing a series-low 19 in Game 5.

Gary Harris scored double-digit points in three of five games and has been an excellent asset off the bench. He hasn’t earned much DFS trust yet with fewer than 20 fantasy points three times this series. Harris has recorded fewer than two rebounds and played less than 30 minutes in four semifinal contests.

Small Forward

 
Kawhi Leonard has scored 23 or more points four times during the semifinals, including a game-high 36 points in Game 5. He’s recorded 50 or more fantasy points in three-straight games, led by 73.7 fantasy points in Game 4. He’s the top option on the list and for the Clippers.

This position is all about Leonard tonight. Neither of LAC’s backups or Denver’s players are worth it. With Will Barton as the only Nuggets small forward, it’s Leonard or nothing.

Power Forward

 
Michael Porter Jr. has scored 25 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games. MPJ has been a breakout performer, and at this point in the series, he’s worth a stab. His three games of double-digit scoring have made him worth consideration in DFS formats.

Marcus Morris Sr. has scored double digits in five-straight games and six of the last seven for the Clippers. He’s played 31 or more minutes in three-straight games and totaled 20 or more minutes. He could be worth the play over MPJ, and both should be the top power forwards.

Jerami Grant has played 34 or more minutes in each of the last games, making him worth a play. Grant has started and exceeded expectations, taking over Paul Millsap’s role. He’s scored double digits in two of his last three games for Denver.

Center

 
Jokic has recorded 48 or more fantasy points in four straight and four consecutive double-doubles. He’s the top Nuggets player, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds in four of the last five games. He’s easily the only center on the slate guaranteed for a reliable performance.

Montrezl Harrell scored 10 or more points in four-straight games and had his worst performance in Game 5. Harrell is a bounce-back candidate who has played between 15-21 minutes in the semifinals. Ivica Zubac has recorded 20 or more fantasy points in two games this series and played 20 or more minutes in five straight, He’s a slight risk, but he’s recording nearly double the minutes then Harrell.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Nikola Jokic (DEN), $15,500: Jokic has averaged 24.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in the semifinals. 
• Kawhi Leonard (LAC), $16,000: Leonard scored a game-high 36 points and still lost Game 5. He’s liable to go for another 30 in Game 6 and is the all-around best option besides Jokic.
• Paul George (LAC), $13,000: PG13 has scored 20 or more points in three of five games, and he should do so again in Game 6.
• Montrezl Harrell (LAC), $8,000: The second-best big man on the slate tonight has scored double digits in four games this series.
• Jamal Murray (DEN), $12,500: Murray recorded 45.1 fantasy points in Game 5, his second-highest of the series.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Reggie Jackson (LAC), $7,000: Jackson hasn’t played a minute in either of the Clippers’ last two games.
•  Torrey Craig (DEN), $7,500: Craig’s last game was his first over 10 fantasy points, but that’s not enough to take him in DFS.
• Landry Shamet (LAC), $7,500: Shamet recorded 6.2 fantasy points for the second time in three games. Beverley’s return has severely impacted his fantasy outlook.
• P.J. Dozier (DEN), $7,000: Dozier hasn’t recorded any minutes since Game 1 for Nuggets, and now doesn’t seem like the time for that to change.
• Rodney McGruder (DEN), $6,000: McGruder is another Nugget who could be tempting if you’re going for star power in your lineup tonight, but he and Dozier aren’t the players to offset those expensive plays.

Create FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool

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.