NBA

NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Sunday 5/1/16

Kemba Walker put up 37 points in Game 6. Can he have a repeat performance tonight?

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.

Today's lineups can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, 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, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.

Oh, and if you're interested, check out our daily fantasy basketball heat chart for today's slate. It's full of information like tonight's Vegas lines, team offensive and defensive efficiency ratings, pace, fantasy points against and so much more.

As for today's picks -- let's get to it.

The Best of the Best

Paul George (FanDuel Price: $9,500) - Through six playoff games, George is averaging 45.6 FanDuel points. He's really put the team on his back in Indiana's last two games, and has went on record to say that he is ready to play all 48 minutes if necessary. He didn't have to in his last game, as he put up 47.2 FanDuel points in 40 minutes in a blowout win. With the series returning to Toronto, this game will likely be much more competitive, and George is in line for a monster performance similar to his 63.6 FanDuel point outburst in Game 5. Without much to like at the small forward position, and with few players to pay up for on this slate, George is as close to a must-play as there is.

Damian Lillard ($8,300) - After struggling for much of the first round, he finally put up a Lillard-like performance in Game 6, scoring 45.5 FanDuel points in 39 minutes. Lillard now gets an easier matchup against the Warriors, who allowed him to average 53.4 FanDuel points in four regular season games against them this season -- including games of 73.5 and 63.6 FanDuel points. This game easily has the highest over/under on the slate, and rostering Lillard is a great way to get exposure to that high total.

Kemba Walker ($8,300) - Walker did everything he could to keep Charlotte in the game after Nicolas Batum went down in Game 6, scoring 37 points and 50.1 FanDuel points in 39 minutes of action, which marked his third game of 40-plus FanDuel points in the series. With Batum questionable for this one, Walker may end up again being leaned on to carry Charlotte's offense. Don't expect Charlotte to win this game, but definitely expect Walker to go down firing. If Batum is out, Walker has the highest expected volume of any player on the slate.

Top Mid-Range Values

Klay Thompson ($7,800) - In three regular season games without Stephen Curry, Thompson averaged 32.4 FanDuel points per game. The first of those games was a horribly disappointing performance in which he saw fewer minutes in a 23-point loss. In the other two games, Thompson averaged 27 field goal attempts, 13.5 three-point attempts, and 42.3 FanDuel points. He should be locked into huge minutes tonight in a favorable matchup against Portland, who he averaged 39 FanDuel points against in four games this season.

Luol Deng ($6,600) - Deng has been a steady source of production for Miami and daily fantasy players through the first six games of the playoffs, averaging 30.2 FanDuel points and topping 25 in each. He's played at least 33 minutes in each game and should continue to see big minutes tonight. He also helps fill one of the most shallow positions of the day. Deng is a safe bet for production and should be a lock to be in any cash game lineups you make.

Myles Turner ($5,700) - One of the more surprising and overlooked story-lines of the playoffs has been Turner's breakout for Indiana. His imposing interior defense (multiple blocks in each game) has led to more minutes for the rookie, and he has turned those into fantasy production. He has really come on recently, averaging 28.2 FanDuel points and 31.5 minutes per game over his past four. He's more of a risk/reward power forward play than Deng, but the upside certainly makes him worth your consideration.

Basement Ballers

Jeremy Lin ($4,600) - This pick hinges on the health of Nicolas Batum, who again finds himself questionable. In 12 regular season games without Batum, Lin averaged 34.9 minutes and 27.3 FanDuel points per game. He flashed big upside during that time, with five FanDuel point totals of 35-plus, including 41.9- and 48-point performances. In Games 3 and 4 with Batum sidelined, Lin averaged 28.7 FanDuel points in 30 minutes per game. The floor is low, even if Batum sits. However, he offers unique upside for someone so cheap. Keep an eye on the injury news.

Andre Iguodala ($4,500) - Iggy is one of the main beneficiaries of Curry's absence, and comes at a nice discount tonight. He averaged 26.6 FanDuel points without Curry during the regular season, and 23.6 in three playoff games without Curry. The matchup against Al-Farouq Aminu is far from ideal, but Iguodala is a nice cheap way to get exposure to the highest implied team total on the slate.

Shaun Livingston ($4,500) - In three regular season games without Curry, Livingston averaged 22.1 FanDuel points. He's been even better in the playoffs, averaging 28 in three playoff games while starting for the sidelined Curry. Damian Lillard is Portland's weak link on defense, and Livingston should have no problem reaching value at this price.