Any fantasy GM that doubted LeBron James’ resolve heading in to Game 2 of their second round series against the Chicago Bulls learned the hard way that it is never wise to bet against the King when he is motivated. With his team facing the prospect of falling behind 0-2 in the series, LeBron helped the Cavaliers rally back to even the series with a game-high 33 points along with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in a 106-91 win. LeBron will undoubtedly try to carry over that momentum in to Game 3 on the road on Wednesday but he is also the most expensive player on the board. While he should be in most fantasy lineups, the key to wining could be figuring out the best value plays to help fit him in and stay under the salary cap. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Friday’s DraftKings NBA Daily Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Austin Rivers, Los Angeles
Salary: $3,300
Rivers’ price has shot up from $2,800 to $3,300 thanks to his starting role for the Clippers in the first two games of their second round series but that salary number is still low enough to fit him in as our PG – especially if Chris Paul remains sidelined. Paul is officially listed as questionable to play in Friday’s game as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury and while Rivers didn’t exactly shine in Game 2, he will continue to play big minutes if Paul is out. He should feel confident in front of a rocking Clippers crowd. Rivers still finished with 10 points, two assists and one three-ball despite only playing 25 minutes as he battled foul trouble, but with more minutes and a more level sense of urgency between the two teams, he should bounce back as a strong value play.
SG: Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles
Salary: $5,000
Crawford took on the bulk of the minutes that were taken away from Rivers in Game 2 but he struggled from the field hitting just six-of-22 shots including one-of-eight from beyond the arc. Crawford should bounce back with better shooting numbers in Game 3 back at home and if he gets those same minutes and opportunities to shoot the ball, he should bounce back with a better performance. Crawford still scored 19 points with five rebounds, five assists, a steal and a three-point shot in Game 2, so it makes sense to expect those numbers as a benchmark low moving forward to Game 3 back at home.
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Salary: $11,700
The money saved by plugging Rivers and Crawford in as our PG and SG gives us more to play with for these next two positions where we can lock up the two best players on the board. LeBron was a man on a mission in Game 2 when he finished with a game-high 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block and he realizes that with Love out there is even more pressure on him to lead the way. James is the most expensive option on the board for Friday night’s games but because we save money in other spots we can afford him as potentially the highest scoring fantasy player of the night Friday.
PF: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles
Salary: $10,000
As is the case with LeBron, it will be on Griffin to continue to will the Clippers to victory without Paul in the lineup. His numbers throughout the playoffs provide every indication we should continue to rely on him. Griffin has averaged 25.4 points, 13.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks for Los Angeles in these playoffs and he went off for 34 points and 15 rebounds in Game 2. There certainly isn’t any better options on the board for the position and considering his potential to absolutely dominate again it makes sense to plug him in here and lock up the two best players on the board.
C: DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles
Salary: $7,700
While the argument can be made for Dwight Howard as the best center on the board for Friday night’s action, we will go with Jordan as the less expensive option with home court advantage for a Clippers team that needs him to step up. Jordan was held to 16 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals in Game 2 but he played just 25 minutes and he will have every chance to improve those totals with more playing time on Friday. Jordan did hit four of his six free throws in Game 2 and if he can continue to sink his free throw shots, then it will provide a major boost to his fantasy stock.
G: J.J. Redick, Los Angeles
Salary: $4,100
We already have nearly every fantasy relevant Clippers player locked in heading in to their Game 3 at home where we have them projected as the highest scoring team on the board, so it makes sense to throw in Redick as well partially because of his relatively low salary cost. Redick was held to 12 points, two assists and one three-point shot in the Game 2 loss but Los Angeles will want to really come out firing in Game 3. They will need his pure scoring ability with Paul potentially out and Crawford coming off the bench. Redick has averaged 13.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.2 three-point shots in these playoffs and it makes sense to slot him in here at a very decent price.
F: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland
Salary: $5,000
Thompson hasn’t capitalized on the opportunity he has been given with Kevin Love out and Timofey Mozgov struggling, but he logged 35 minutes in Game 2 and could very well hit that number again in Game 3. Thompson was held to five points but he did grab 12 rebounds and an assist, so there is room for optimism that he could hit a double-double at some point. 10 points, 10 rebounds, a block and an assist would be an excellent stat line for a player that costs $5,000 so that’s what we are looking for from Thompson Friday.
FLEX: James Jones, Cleveland
Salary: $3,000
J.R. Smith’s return to the lineup could complicate things a little bit for Jones but he was excellent in Game 2 and probably deserves another chance to show what he can do. Jones had 17 points, two rebounds and five three-point shots in 22 minutes off the bench for Cleveland in Game 2. If he can provide a similar stat line in Game 3 he will be an absolute steal at a $3,000 price tag.
