FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – May 23, 2018
![BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics attempts a jump shot against Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics attempts a jump shot against Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5ca46f2eea1e52752f69f7a3e1c60c2ef215bf863d086017063cac8e883834cf.jpg)
Cavaliers-Celtics (Series Tied 2-2)
With only one game on the schedule, your top option is FanDuel’s Single Game Boost. In single game leagues, you select five players (one from each team). The MVP (scores a 2x multiplier), the Star (scores a 1.5x multiplier), the Pro (scores a 1.2x a multiplier) and two positionless players.
In a one game league, you have to identify players who are going to play. That means any starter is a good bet.
LeBron James ($20,000) remains the salary leader and the best bet in Game 5. Given how the Cavaliers have played in Boston, they’re going to need a monster game from James once again. He’ll have to do more in the rebounding and passing department to really justify the salary because now Boston players have more value.
Kevin Love ($14,000) and Al Horford ($14,000) share a salary. Love didn’t shoot well in either game in Boston, which is worrying, but did chip in with rebounds. He played well in the first two games. When it comes to Horford, either you believe Tristan Thompson is his kryptonite or you recognize that he’s been mediocre at best on the road all postseason and a monster at home. I’m in the camp of the latter.
Terry Rozier ($13,000) was fantastic in Game 4. He’s been steady all series and showed his high ceiling on Monday. Jaylen Brown ($12,000) had a bounce back game. Chalk up Game 3 to an off-night for everyone on Boston and expect him to perform well once again. Jayson Tatum ($11,500) has been disappointing for the majority of the series, but the potential is there. It should be easy enough to save $500 and grab Brown instead.
I’m surprised Marcus Morris ($11,000) has a higher salary than Marcus Smart ($10,000). Smart does more in all categories (except scoring, when Morris has his shot going) and Morris’ playing time has taken a hit as Smart has proven he can body up LeBron and stay in front of him much better than Morris. This feels like a steal.
George Hull ($9,500) was better in Cleveland, but his abysmal showings in Boston remain at the front of my mind. Tristan Thompson ($8,500) and Aron Baynes ($8,500) offer more guaranteed value. And Thompson’s ceiling might be higher in Game 4 is any indication. Larry Nance Jr. ($8,000) made an impact in limited minutes, but be wary of him on the road.
Kyle Korver ($7,500) is still a better option than J.R. Smith ($7,000).