FanDuel Single-Game Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Nuggets at Lakers (Game 3)
In a traditional FanDuel NBA lineup, you have a $60,000 salary cap to roster nine players. The salary cap is the same in the single-game setup, but the lineup requirements are different.
You select five players of any position. One of your players will be your MVP, whose FanDuel points are multiplied by two. You also choose a STAR player (whose production is multiplied by 1.5) and a PRO (multiplied by 1.2). Two UTIL players round out the roster, and they don't receive a multiplier for their production.
This makes the five players you select essential in more than one way; you need to focus on slotting in the best plays in the multiplier slots rather than just nailing the best overall plays of the game.
Read this piece by Brandon Gdula for some excellent in-depth analysis on how to attack a single-game slate in NBA DFS.
| Team | Opp | O/U | Spread | Implied Total | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | LAL | 222.5 | 5.5 | 108.5 | |
| LAL | DEN | 222.5 | -5.5 | 114 | Davis, James probable |
Player Breakdown
At the Top
Nikola Jokic ($17,500): After four straight triple-doubles, Denver's versatile center is numberFire's top option on Saturday with 62.3 expected FanDuel points. In 84 minutes this series, "The Joker" is averaging a robust 1.74 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.1% usage rate.
Anthony Davis ($16,000): Despite Game 2's underwhelming offensive performance, the Lakers' big man is first among his team in fantasy production (1.49 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (28.6% rate) during the Western Conference Finals. Even at a salary standing second on Saturday, "AD" is third in value with a 3.31 rating and a 52.9 fantasy projection.
LeBron James ($15,500): In five total appearances versus Denver this season, Los Angeles' superstar has played well, producing 24.6 real-life points and 49.7 FanDuel points per game. The future Hall of Famer is second among his team during this series in fantasy output (1.46 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (28.1%).
Jamal Murray ($14,500): Denver's point guard has played a crucial offensive role against a Lakers' defense allowing 51.8 FanDuel points to his position this regular season, recording 34 real-life points per game this series while averaging 1.52 FanDuel points per minute.
In the Middle
Austin Reaves ($12,500): The Lakers' efficient long-range specialist is third on his team in fantasy production (0.92 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (20.0%) in 77 minutes this series. Reaves ranks fourth among today's single-game slate with 29.7 expected FanDuel points.
Michael Porter Jr. ($11,000): Despite an inconsistent 17.3% usage rate against Los Angeles, Denver's forward is averaging an efficient 0.93 FanDuel points per minute while logging 32.5 minutes per contest.
Bruce Brown Jr. ($10,000): Even in a second unit role, Brown Jr. has played a major role in Denver's rotation, accounting for 30.5 minutes per game and 0.85 FanDuel points per minute.
At the Bottom
D'Angelo Russell ($9,500): "D-Lo" has not played a major factor in the Western Conference Finals, producing 0.69 FanDuel points per minute and a 17.8% usage rate. The Lakers' guard still ranks sixth in value on Saturday with a 2.69 rating and a 27.2 fantasy projection despite his lackluster performances.
Aaron Gordon ($8,500): At a salary ranking ninth on Saturday, Gordon is second in value with a 3.43 rating and a 29.2 fantasy projection against a Los Angeles' team allowing 45.1 FanDuel points per game this regular season to power forwards.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($8,000): After producing 0.80 FanDuel points per minute this series, KCP is eighth in value with a 2.78 rating and a 22.3 fantasy expectation. Despite a low 13.3% usage rate during Denver's postseason run, the veteran has displayed an ability to accumulate peripheral statistics, recording 0.08 rebounds, 0.05 assists, and 0.04 steals per minute.
Rui Hachimura ($7,000): The Lakers' forward has been played a crucial role off the bench against the Nuggets, averaging 29 minutes and 19 real-life points in his last two games and 0.83 FanDuel points per minute.
Dennis Schroder ($7,000): Los Angeles' veteran guard is third in value among his team with a 3.01 rating and a 21.1 fantasy projection while recording 0.16 real-life points, 0.15 rebounds, and 0.08 assists per minute this series.
