Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in the books and after posting a winning roster in the opener, it’s no surprise that we look back to a similar squad. Kyrie Irving’s knee injury has changed the approach we take beyond the starting five positions in our lineup and once again, we have put together the perfect combination of superstar talent and strong value plays. Here is the optimal lineup for Sunday’s DraftKings NBA Daily Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State
Salary: $10,400
Curry scored 26 points with eight assists, four rebounds, two assists and two three-point shots in Game 1 and he probably would have scored more if it weren’t for a slow start and the fact that he has such a strong supporting cast. Curry should have a better start to Game 2 after working off the rust that would come from an extensive layoff and with Irving out, there is no doubt that Curry should be a lock at the PG position for Sunday’s Game 2.
SG: J.R. Smith, Cleveland
Salary: $6,000
If the Cavaliers are going to have any chance in this series, they will need Smith to step up with some monster performances. While that certainly wasn’t the case in Game 1 when he scored just nine points on three-for-13 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench. Smith missed seven three-point shots and if he hits even half of those, then he finishes with 21 points and seven threes. That’s a quality excellent fantasy stat line for a player that is available at under $7K. Smith simply has to be better in Game 2 and the combination of the price point and potential based on opportunity has us gong back to him in this spot.
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Salary: $10,600
LeBron’s game-high 44 points along with eight rebounds and six assists in Game 1 was impressive and it will be interesting to see what he has in store for Game 2 with even more pressure on him to perform. While that stat line looks good, the fact that James was 18-for-38 from the field including two-for-eight from beyond the arc is simply not good enough for Cleveland to win games. If LeBron can improve his efficiency even marginally for Game 2, he could put up the highest point total every for an NBA Finals game and there is no doubt that every single lineup will be built around him.
PF: Draymond Green, Golden State
Salary: $8,300
Green was quietly very good for the Warriors in Game 1 as he scored 12 points with six rebounds, three assists and two steals but the potential for better numbers in Game 2 is definitely there. If he can do a better job shooting from the field after going just four-of-13 including 0-for-three from beyond the arc in the series opener. Green’s value is in his ability to stuff the stat sheet across the board and if he can be more efficient from the field in Game 2, he could put up some big numbers.
C: Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland
Salary: $4,800
We took Mozgov over Tristan Thompson in Game 1 and it worked out for us as Mozgov scored 16 points with seven rebounds, two assists and a block while Thompson scored two points with 15 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block. Mozgov is very dangerous off the pick-and-roll and with Irving and Kevin Love both out, he will need to be even better at the offensive end of the floor in this game.
G: Matthew Dellavedova, Cleveland
Salary: $3,000
This is where our lineup becomes very different from Game 1 as we give Dellavedova the opportunity to prove himself in a bigger role for Game 2. Dellavedova was held without a point in just nine minutes off the bench in Game 1 but he will get more of an opportunity in Game 2 with Irving injured. At a discount price, we will take a shot on him in this spot.
F: Andre Iguodola, Golden State
Salary: $4,200
Iguodola was an absolute beast for the Warriors at both ends of the floor in Game 1 as he helped defend LeBron while also scoring 15 points with three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. If the Warriors can take advantage of the Irving injury and create some separation in this game, then it could mean even more minutes for Iguodola off the bench.
FLEX: James Jones, Cleveland
Salary: $3,000
Jones was also held without a point in Game 1 in 17 minutes off the bench but like Dellavedova, he will be asked to help pick up the slack with Irving injured and that means he will have to contribute at the offensive end of the floor.
