NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Saturday 5/7/16
If you've never played daily fantasy basketball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every NBA night.
Our projections can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are in good spots, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, and this two-day slate could make injury news even more difficult to handle.
Oh, and if you're interested, check out our daily fantasy basketball heat chart for this slate. It's full of information like Vegas lines, team offensive and defensive efficiency ratings, pace, fantasy points against and so much more.
As for the picks for today's slate -- let's get to it.
The Best of the Best
Draymond Green (FanDuel Price: $9,600) - Green was owned by over 95 percent of the field in nearly all of the FanDuel tournaments three days ago, when this exact set of games was featured. After another 50-plus FanDuel point performance, he will be the chalk again tonight, assuming Stephen Curry sits out again. Through the first two games of the series, Green has nearly averaged a triple double, with a 20 point, 13.5 rebound, 9 assist, and 56.7 FanDuel point average. Among possibly the weakest position on the slate, Green should be a lock to make your lineup tonight.
Damian Lillard ($8,500) - Lillard continued his strong play in Game 3 and is now averaging 43.3 FanDuel points in 40.3 minutes over his past three contests. He should continue to see all the minutes and shots he can handle tonight, and in an up-tempo matchup against the Warriors, he'll likely remain productive. With Kyle Lowry struggling, Lillard remains the premier play at point guard.
Klay Thompson ($8,000) - Even in a horrible shooting performance, Thompson was able to put up 27 points and 33.1 FanDuel points. Through the first two games of the series, Thompson has averaged 38.5 minutes, 32 points, 24 shot attempts, 14 three-point attempts, and 42.8 FanDuel points. If Curry is once again ruled out, Thompson will be locked into tons of volume. He was owned by nearly 80 percent of daily fantasy players in Game 2 and will again be immensely popular tonight, and for good reason.
Top Mid-Range Values
Jonas Valanciunas ($7,000) - With Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan struggling mightily thus far through the playoffs, Valanciunas has really stepped up his game for Toronto. He has 30-plus FanDuel points in four-straight games and has averaged 46.4 FanDuel points and 39.5 minutes in his two games against Miami, both of which have went into overtime. He's unlikely to continue his torrid pace, but he is easily the best FanDuel points per dollar center option on the slate.
Al-Farouq Aminu ($5,600) - After Draymond Green, power forward basically comes down to either Luol Deng or Aminu. Deng was the far more popular option the last time these four teams played on a slate together, being owned by over 70 percent, but Aminu was eligible at small forward on that slate. If you're looking for the safe pick, Deng clearly is the way to go. Unlike Deng, Aminu has some upside -- with three 47-plus FanDuel point performances in his past 15 games. He is also part of a game with a much higher implied team total and saves you a bit of salary.
Joe Johnson ($5,100) - Johnson has turned back the clock for Miami and is going to be the chalk at a weak small forward pool. Johnson has reached 29 FanDuel points in back to back games, while playing at least 40 minutes in each. He's put up those numbers while shooting just 36.6 percent from the floor. If he is going to continue to shoot it over 20 times a game, he should continue to be a productive fantasy asset.
Basement Ballers
Shaun Livingston ($4,800) - Livingston continues to crush value at his price, averaging 27.4 FanDuel points and 28.7 minutes in six games since Curry's initial injury. For whatever reason, he continues to be underowned, though. He was just the third-most popular point guard last time out, trailing both Lillard and Lowry, while Goran Dragic was just behind. Assuming Curry sits again, Livingston is again the safest dollar for dollar play at point guard.
DeMarre Carroll ($4,800) - Carroll looked like the player we remember from last season in Game 2, putting up 36.5 FanDuel points in 40 minutes. He's played at least 37 minutes in three consecutive games, and is one of the safest plays at a weak small forward position.
Terrence Ross ($3,800) - Ross has played an expanded role in this series for Toronto, playing at least 27 minutes in both games, while averaging 20.7 FanDuel points. He has really eaten into Norman Powell's minutes, and is likely going to be called upon to provide some backcourt scoring with their starters struggling. He was able to knock down some big shots to help Toronto win Game 2 and will likely get 27-plus minutes again. He's far from a safe play, but is an interesting punt play if you don't feel comfortable paying up for Dwyane Wade or DeMar DeRozan.
