FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Thursday (9/3)

The NBA has a two-game slate for Thursday’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

Reggie Jackson has recorded 21 or more fantasy points in his last three games, but with Patrick Beverley coming back, Jackson’s numbers could take a hit. That said, he scored double-digits in three of four games and added at least six combined rebounds and assists in three-straight.

Brad Wanamaker is an insurance policy in some DFS leagues if Smart finally cools off or Toronto gets hot. Wannamaker played 28 minutes in Game 1 and scored seven points and six rebounds, but he only recorded nine minutes in Game 2 because it was a much closer game. Boston’s bench is outplaying Toronto’s right now, and he could be a sneaky play if you don’t think that Game 3 will be close.

Monte Morris averaged 10.0 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in the first round. He was an instrumental player off the bench and recorded 25.7 minutes per game for the Nuggets. His stock depends on whether or not Patrick Beverley can go in Game 1 and if Jamal Murray’s hamstring is still bothering him.

Shooting Guard

Lou Williams couldn’t have asked for a better team to face in the second round. He met Denver three times this season, scoring 17, 23, and 26 in the regular season. He’s coming off 16.0 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in the first round, and there are not many defenders on the Nuggets. They allowed 113.4 points per game in the postseason, but that number is skewed after the 80-78 victory in Game 7. Lou Will could light it up versus Denver, and I expect him to do so.

Marcus Smart has been the glue to the Celtics’ success in the series’s first two games. He’s made five and six three-pointers in each game and averaged 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He’s meshed well alongside Kemba Walker without Gordon Hayward. The Raptors have one of the best defensive backcourts in the league, but Boston’s is just owning them right now. I’m backing both Celtics guards in DFS for Game 3.

Norman Powell must step up for Toronto. The Raptors’ bench is dwindling, and outside of he and Serge Ibaka, no one is contributing. Powell has combined for 14 points, one rebound, and one assist in two games, and those are better than a few other bench players. If Toronto wants to win Game 3, Powell is one of the critical role players that could make a difference.

Small Forward

OG Anunoby has put together two strong performances against the Celtics so far. He scored 12 points in Game 1, and then he came back with 20 in Game 2, recording seven rebounds in both contests. His 38 minutes in his previous performance was a postseason and bubble high for him, and in Game 3, he may play even more.

Grant had an underwhelming Game 7, but he recorded between 16 and 30 fantasy points in six games against the Jazz. He is a sneaky play that holds some value for his price, and he could have favorable matchups with LA. The Clippers play small-ball as well, so Grant’s athleticism and ability to help stretch the floor could lead to more opportunities.

Jaylen Brown has scored 30 or more fantasy points in four of six games and holds a pretty good price. Brown has scored at least 16 points in each playoff performance and five rebounds or more. He’s a consistent play if you don’t want to spend the extra money for Kawhi Leonard.

Power Forward

Daniel Theis has recorded 24 or more fantasy points in his last three games and has been an underrated focal point of the Celtics success. He’s played at least 25 minutes in five of six games and recorded nine or more boards in his last two.

Serge Ibaka is the Raptors’ entire bench right now. He’s accounted for over half of the bench’s points, rebounds, and assists in two games versus the Celtics, and they haven’t come away with a win. Ibaka is averaging 16 points and nine rebounds so far, after 19.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in round one.

Michael Porter Jr. had a few quiet games in his first career postseason series, but now that he has the experience, let’s see what he does with it. MPJ averaged 12 points and seven rebounds in seven games and only played 25.9 minutes. Any game he went over 30 minutes, he balled out for Denver. He did it three times, and in those games, he averaged 18.6 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Center

Montrezl Harrell is only being considered because of the small slate and lack of alternatives. He only managed 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.3 minutes versus Dallas. He’s still working into game shape, and if you need to take a deep dive, he’s still a relevant enough player to post a double-double or at least double-digit points.

Ivica Zubac could be a decent value play here, but the matchup with Nikola Jokic is no joke. He averaged 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds versus Dallas, and against Denver this season, he’s averaged 10.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in three meetings. Zubac connected on 68.5 percent of his shots in the first round and is a possible double-double option with Harrell’s play as of late.

Robert Williams headed to the locker room twice and returned for the Celtics in their Game 2 win, looking fine. Whether or not he will be restricted for Game 3 is unknown, but he’s played well in two games. He’s averaging 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 18.5 minutes off the bench, stellar numbers for limited playing time. He and Ibaka have been quite the show off the bench and are both worth recognizing and considering this slate.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Kawhi Leonard (LAC) $10,500: Leonard was terrific during the Mavericks series, averaging 32.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. He was the leading scorer in four games and leading rebounder in five for the Clippers.
• Jayson Tatum (BOS) $9,200: Tatum once again put on a show, scoring 34 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in 42 minutes. He’s made 47 percent or more of his shots in five-of-six games.
• Kemba Walker (BOS) $7,600: Walker hit a clutch shot late for the Celtics to steal Game 2, and he’s played outstanding since Gordon Hayward went down with an injury. He’s averaging 18.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in two games versus Toronto.
• Nikola Jokic (DEN) $9,800: Jokic carried the Nuggets in Game 7 and, like Walker, hit a clutch shot late to win the game. He dominated the series with 26.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, and he’s been just as good versus LA this season, averaging 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.
• Paul George (LAC) $7,700: PG13 has been off-and-on in the postseason, but he could turn it around versus this Nuggets defense. Denver allowed over 113 points per game in the first round, but with that 80-78 win, that number is skewed. Expect a much better series from George in the second round.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Jamal Murray (DEN) $9,000: Murray dealt with a re-injured hamstring versus the Jazz, and he didn’t quite look the same afterward. He might be worth a watch before playing versus the Clippers.
• Patrick Beverley (LAC) $4,300: Pat Bev missed most of the playoffs so far, and returning for Game 1, he should be knocking the rust off his jumper. 
• Pascal Siakam (TOR) $8,200: Spicy P has shot below 38 percent in his first two games versus Boston with 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
• Paul Millsap (DEN) $4,100: Millsap hasn’t had more than 12 fantasy points in his last three games.
• Gary Harris (DEN) $3,900: Harris returned from injury and is still finding his groove. He won’t be worth a look in Game 1, but maybe Games 3 or 4.

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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.