The NBA has a one-game slate for Sunday’s Finals 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
NAME (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
Kendrick Nunn (MIA) | LAL | $8,000 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Rajon Rondo (LAL) | MIA | $9,500 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Alex Caruso (LAL) | MIA | $7,500 | ⭐ | High |
Kendrick Nunn had himself another solid outing, this time coming up clutch for Miami to extend the series. Nunn played 27 minutes, his most since Game 2, scoring 14 points, grabbed four boards, and dished out three assists for 23.3 fantasy points. That’s twice Nunn has hit 23 fantasy points in this series, and he’s the best point guard option out there for a final utility spot for Game 6.
Rajon Rondo had a nice first-half but didn’t do much in the second for the Lakers. He finished the game with four points, five rebounds, and five assists. Rondo recorded 19 or more fantasy points in his last four games and should be more of a focal point with the offense in Game 6. I’d take Nunn before Rondo with the way he’s played since Goran Dragic went down.
Alex Caruso is another deep-dive in DFS but could save you a buck or two. He hasn’t combined for 20 fantasy points over the last two games, making him a risky play in Game 6. Nunn seems like the bunch’s safest pick, but Rondo has the upside with the lack of production from the Lakers bench.
Shooting Guard
NAME (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
Jimmy Butler (MIA) | LAL | $15,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Tyler Herro (MIA) | LAL | $11,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Andre Iguodala (MIA) | LAL | $7,500 | ⭐ | High |
Jimmy Butler was a monster in Game 5. If you watched and weren’t a fan of him before, you certainly are now. Butler led the game with 80.9 fantasy points on 35 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and five steals. He played all but 47 seconds in the entire game and recorded his second triple-double in the last three games. He should have three triple-doubles during that span, but he finished one assist short in Game 4. Throw Butler in your lineup as the MVP or STAR and enjoy the show.
Tyler Herro had his lowest fantasy output of the series with 15.7, but he’s a go for Game 6. I prefer cheaper options than Herro while pairing Jimmy Butler and LeBron James. Herro’s value makes it tough to balance your lineup, but he’s surpassed 25 fantasy points in four-of-six games. The emergence of Duncan Robinson makes it challenging for Herro’s value, so he’s a pass for me.
Andre Iguodala is playing crucial minutes for the Heat, as the most championship experienced player and LeBron’s nemesis when it’s come to NBA Finals over the last five to six years. He played 19 minutes in Game 5, recording 15.2 fantasy points, his highest since Game 1. I would dabble with Iguodala before Kuzma, Morris, and other Lakers’ role players.
Small Forward
NAME (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
LeBron James (LAL) | MIA | $16,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Jae Crowder (MIA) | LAL | $9,000 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Markieff Morris Sr. (LAL) | MIA | $8,000 | ⭐ | High |
LeBron James had one of those games that everyone will forget about because of Markieff Morris’ play and Jimmy Butler’s effort. LeBron totaled 71.1 fantasy points on 40 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists over 41 minutes, his most of the postseason. With Anthony Davis’ health in question, LeBron is a must-play for either of the top-two spots in DFS next to Butler.
Jae Crowder had his worst fantasy performance of the series, recording 13.1 points, but there’s hope for him in Game 6. Crowder scored 11 points, his fifth double-digit scoring performance of the series. With Butler playing all but less than one minute in the previous game, Crowder’s usage could be slightly higher if Butler’s decreases.
Markieff Morris is now linked to one of the worst plays in an NBA Finals game, in one of the most entertaining Finals games, in recent history. Morris finished the game with -1.8 fantasy points, and even if you believe he will ball out in Game 6, I’ll pass.
Power Forward
NAME (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
Anthony Davis (LAL) | MIA | $15,500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
Bam Adebayo (MIA) | MIA | $13,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High |
LAL | $7,500 | ⭐ | High |
Anthony Davis suffered a flareup to his heel injury in Game 5, hobbling the game’s final four minutes. Davis finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and three steals for 62.9 fantasy points. He’s still a threat for most points or rebounds each game, but his health is a red flag for Game 6. You figure he will play because of the importance, but how effective he will be remains unknown.
Bam Adebayo has averaged 14.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his two games back since his neck strain. He’s totaled 23.8 and 24.9 fantasy points in those appearances and played 33 and 37 minutes. He could be in for a more involved role offensively if Davis’ minutes are restricted for the Lakers. Keep an eye on Davis’ health, because LeBron, Butler, and Adebayo could be the threesome for Game 6, rather than LeBron, Butler, and Davis.
Kyle Kuzma has registered two games above 12 fantasy points out of the five in the series, but recorded 10 or more in all. If you’re playing Butler and LeBron, Kuzma could be a decent addition, but there are cheaper options that can lead you to DFS victory.
Center
NAME (TEAM) | OPPONENT | PRICE | MATCHUP | RISK |
Dwight Howard (LAL) | LAL | $7,000 | ⭐ | High |
Kelly Olynyk (MIA) | LAL | $8,,500 | ⭐ | High |
JaVale McGee (LAL) | MIA | $6,500 | ⭐ | High |
The three big men on this list are non-starts in DFS for Game 6. Dwight Howard played the mot of the bunch at 15 minutes as the Heat decided to go with a seven-man rotation in Game 5, leaving Kelly Olynyk out of the mix. Javale McGee has continued to ride the bench, so it’s Howard or nothing at the center position, and I choose nothing.
5 Studs Worth Their Salary
- LeBron James (LAL), $16,000: LeBron has now double-doubled in four-of-five games for the Lakers.
- Jimmy Butler (MIA) $15,000: There isn’t much else to say or do to convince you to play the man. He’s done it already.
- Anthony Davis (LAL), $15,500: Keep an eye on Davis’ health for Game 6, but he would be the third main play if he’s 100%.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (LAL), $9,000: KCP went off in Game 5, putting up back-to-back 25-plus fantasy points in Games 4 and 5.
- Kendrick Nunn (MIA), $8,000: Nunn player his best game since Game 2, and is worth consideration for one of the final spots in DFS.
5 Notable Players to Fade
- Dwight Howard (LAL), $7,000: Howard and the rest of the centers in this matchup are all worth a pass besides Davis and Adebayo.
- Kelly Olynyk (MIA), $8,000: Olynyk was left out of the Heat’s seven-man rotation and should be in Game 6.
- Danny Green (LAL), $8,500: Green missed the biggest shot of his career and finished the game with 12.7 fantasy points. All eyes will be on him and the next guy for Game 6.
- Markieff Morris (LAL),$8,000: Morris is the only player to record negative fantasy points in Game 5, and it doesn’t help he literally threw the game away. I’m sure he will be in the positives for Game 6.
- Alex Caruso (LAL), $7,500: Caruso is going to be on the short fade list for the Lakers. For the minutes he’s played, he hasn’t put up the production DFS players seek.
View consensus odds from all major sportsbooks for the NBA Finals at BettingPros
Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.