The NBA has a two-game slate for Wednesday’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!
Create FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Value Plays: Point Guard
Lou Williams has scored double-digits in all three games in the semifinals, and he’s surpassed 24 fantasy points in his last two games. He’s played between 23 and 29 minutes in all three games, and if you’re taking a deep dive for value at point guard, which I don’t recommend on today’s slate, Williams may be the best option.
The NBA has a two-game slate for Wednesday’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!
Create FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Value Plays: Point Guard
Lou Williams has scored double-digits in all three games in the semifinals, and he’s surpassed 24 fantasy points in his last two games. He’s played between 23 and 29 minutes in all three games, and if you’re taking a deep dive for value at point guard, which I don’t recommend on today’s slate, Williams may be the best option.
Patrick Beverley has only recorded more than 16 fantasy points in two-of-three games since returning, but he has slowly seen his minutes increase. He played 20 in Game 3 after playing 12 and 15 in the first two of the series, and in Game 4, he could see 20-25 minutes. His scoring is worrisome for DFS, but he’s a hustle player, so rebounds and steals will come with his selection.
Monte Morris is the last of the value plays at a thin point guard position. Morris has recorded double-digit fantasy point performances in seven-straight playoff games but has only surpassed 20 one time. He’s a very high-risk player but could outproduce one or both of the Clippers guards if given the minutes.
Shooting Guard
Marcus Smart has registered 25 or more fantasy points in all five semifinal games while replacing Gordon Hayward, and he’s done a tremendous job. He’s scored double-digits in four-of-five and grabbed five or more boards in four. Smart’s also dished out four or more assists in four games, doing it all for the Celtics.
Since returning to the Nuggets, Gary Harris had his best game last time out, as he recorded 31.2 fantasy points on 10 points and six assists. He also added four steals and one rebound in 35 minutes, a significant increase from 20-29 minutes in his last four games. I’d rather play Smart in Game 6, but Harris holds more value and confidence than he’s had the whole series, which is hard to ignore.
Norman Powell is coming off his best game of the series, in which he scored 16 points and recorded 19.7 fantasy points. Both numbers are pretty shocking considering how efficient he was in the Brooklyn series and his ability to light it up from beyond the arc. He’s only played 20 or more minutes in two-of-five in this series and should be the last of your options. That’s because he’s still a high-risk pick even though he’s coming off his best game yet.
Small Forward
Jaylen Brown has recorded 39 or more fantasy points in three-of-five games in this series, and he’s played at least 35 minutes in four. For $7,800, he’s at a reasonable price for his production. Against the small forwards ahead of him, he could put up enough points and rebounds to compete. He could be the steal of the slate off a 27-point and six-rebound performance.
OG Anunoby scored 10 or more in four-straight games leading up to Game 5, and he recorded one double-double in the series. He’s gained momentum since his buzzer-beater, but coming off seven points and seven rebounds for 23.4 fantasy points is concerning. The Raptors injury report will determine his spot in lineups, and if you’re looking to save money, he’s certainly an option worth considering.
Jerami Grant did it all in Game 2 for 34.4 fantasy points, a postseason high, but he followed that up with 14.6 fantasy points in Game 3. He’s played 40 or more minutes in his last two games, which is an interesting statistic for a player worth only $5,000 on this slate. I’d back Grant over Millsap, Craig, and a few other Nuggets role players.
Power Forward
Daniel Theis has been successful in the Celtics center even though in DFS standards, he’s a pretty average player. He’s recorded 22 or more fantasy points in all five semifinals games and surpassed 30 twice. Theis scored a personal series-high 15 points in Game 5, and there’s a chance that Serge Ibaka could be out in Game 6. If so, Theis is absolutely worth a play and a double-double option.
Michael Porter Jr. recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds in Game 5, his first post-season career. MPJ totaled 39.5 fantasy points, and coming off a fantastic personal game, he should be worth a selection in Game 6. He’s only played 23 minutes twice in this series, but he’s an effective DFS option with his rebounding ability and three-point shooting.
Marcus Morris Sr. has scored double-digits in all three semifinal games, but he only surpassed 30 fantasy points in one game. He’s recorded five rebounds or more in one game, and he played between 26 and 34 minutes in the series. He’s an above-average option for tonight’s slate, but in a pivotal Game 5, look for the Clippers’ stars to handle more of the scoring and rebounding load.
Center
Montrezl Harrell and Ivica Zubac have been decent DFS plays in the semifinals, but neither has taken the other’s edge. Harrell has been more consistent with three games of 19 or more fantasy points in the series compared to Zubac’s one. Harrell has more upside as the better overall player, and he’s getting extra minutes against the Nuggets’ bench. The Clippers have out-rebounded the Nuggets in all three games, and if you’re passing on Jokic, Harrell would likely be the best play.
Robert Williams hasn’t played more than 15 minutes, but twice he’s recorded 16 or more fantasy points in limited time. He could have his best game yet with Serge Ibaka possibly out. His DFS outlook is based on that alone, and Theis should see a bump in production and minutes as well.
5 Studs Worth Their Salary
- Nikola Jokic (DEN) $9,900: Jokic has recorded two monster double-doubles back-to-back games for the Nuggets. He’s leading the series in points and rebounds, plus he’s second on the team in assists.
- Jayson Tatum (BOS) $9,400: Tatum has recorded at least eight rebounds in all five semifinals games and is averaging 22.4 points.
- Kawhi Leonard (LAC) $10,600: This is a no-brainer. He’s the most dangerous player in this series, and he could put up 30 points and 10 rebounds in any given game.
- Paul George (LAC) $8,200: PG13 dropped 32 points in Game 3 and found his stroke hitting 12-of-18 shots (66.6%) and 5-of-7 (71.4%) from deep.
- Kyle Lowry (TOR) $8,900: Lowry is the Raptors’ most savvy vet, and down 3-2 in Game 6, expect him to have the green light and then some.
5 Notable Players to Fade
- Reggie Jackson (LAC) $4,200: Now that Patrick Beverley is back, you can forget about Jackson as a DFS option.
- Landry Shamet (LAC) $4,000: Shamet is in the same boat as Jackson, but he holds a higher ceiling as a three-point specialist.
- Marc Gasol (TOR) $4,400: Depending on Ibaka’s health, Gasol could be worth a play, but Chris Boucher is the higher upside pick between them.
- Stanley Johnson (TOR) $3,800: Johnson has been one of the most irrelevant players off the Raptors bench in this series and could see more time with Ibaka out, but he’s still not worth playing.
- Paul Millsap (DEN) $4,900: Millsap’s minutes and production have taken a hit with the return of multiple players plus the emergence of Michael Porter Jr. this postseason.
Create FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
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Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.