The magic that LeBron James produced for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of their second round series was just the type of thing that basketball fans have come to expect from him over the years. LeBron hit the game-winning basket in the final second of an 86-84 win over the Chicago Bulls to even their series at 2-2 heading back to Cleveland. Now the question for fantasy GMs is how to best put together a winning lineup on Tuesday night as James, Kyrie Irving and Pau Gasol all are banged up. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Tuesday’s NBA daily fantasy leagues.
PG: Austin Rivers, Los Angeles
Salary: $4,700
In order to make sure we can fit in LeBron’s inflated salary later on it makes sense to take the best value play for the point guard spot. That means locking in the Clippers’ backup despite that his salary continues to rise in DraftKings leagues. Consider that Rivers finished Game 4 against the Houston Rockets with 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks, a steal and two two-point shots compared to Chris Paul, who finished with 15 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, a steal and three three-point shots. That’s a difference of three points, 12 assists and a three-point shot in Paul’s favor but considering the value and Paul’s lingering injury concerns, it’s not enough to pay more than double the price for Paul rather than taking Rivers in this spot.
SG: J.J. Redick, Los Angeles
Salary: $5,300
Redick is another strong value play for the Clippers that we have consistently been preaching to have in the lineup. He delivered again in Game 4 when he went off for 18 points, two assists, a rebound and four three-point shots. That is excellent production for a player listed at $5,300. With the Clippers relying so heavily on his perimeter shooting, we feel very comfortable taking him here.
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Salary: $11,300
LeBron is the most expensive player on the board but with the series shifting back to Cleveland after his monster performance in Game 4, we feel very comfortable taking him in this spot as the superstar we will build our lineup around for Tuesday. James finished Game 4 with 25 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks a steal and a three-point shot and those numbers become even more impressive when you consider he really struggled from the field. He was just 10-of-30 including one-of-seven from beyond the arc. LeBron should post more efficient shooting numbers in Game 5 at home and that could mean an improvement on the already impressive numbers he registered for his fantasy GM’s in Game 4.
PF: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland
Salary: $5,000
Thompson has filled in admirably for the injured Kevin Love at the starting center spot, including in Game 4 when he finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Thompson hasn’t consistently filled in the other important defensive categories like blocks and steals the way that some have hoped for since taking over but at $5,000, he is still worth the investment here as a decent value play with the potential for another solid fantasy stat line.
C: DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles
Salary: $7,000
The Clippers absolutely dominated Game 4 thanks in big part to the game-high 26 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal that Jordan contributed. Los Angeles will need its star center to continue to play at a high level on the road in Game 5 and with Jordan playing for a new contract there is a good chance he will continue to produce at a high level.
G: Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles
Salary: $5,100
Crawford is the final of the three strong value plays we have locked in from the Clippers along with Rivers and Redick because at $5,100, he has the potential to put up very strong numbers. Crawford came off the bench for 13 points, four rebounds, an assist, a block and two three-point shots in Game 4 but he scored 19 in the last game of this series in Houston. Look him to be in the 15 and 5 range on Tuesday.
F: Trevor Ariza, Houston
Salary: $5,900
Ariza was among the Rockets’ best players in Game 4 when he scored 18 points with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and four three-point shots. With the potential to at least match those numbers back home in Houston with the series on the line, it makes sense to plug him in at a reasonable price here to leave just enough money for one more quality starter at the FLEX spot.
FLEX: Jason Terry, Houston
Salary: $5,600
Terry was also very good for the Rockets in Game 4 when he had 16 points with two assists, a steal and four three-point shots. Houston will need even more out of the veteran guard in order to avoid elimination at home and force a Game 6 back in Los Angeles.
