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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – May 31, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Warriors
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Klay Thompson #11 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors react in the first half of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on May 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Cavaliers-Warriors (Series Tied 0-0)

With only one game on the schedule, your top DraftKings option is Captain Showdown. If you’re unfamiliar with Captain Showdown, it’s a one game league where you have six spots, positions don’t matter, salaries are inflated from your typical leagues, and you have to select at least one player from each team. There is a Captain spot, where the salary will cost you 1.5 times more, but that player scores 1.5 times more.

These two teams met twice in the regular season, with the Warriors winning both games. Don’t pay much attention to either game as they came before the trade deadline and Cleveland’s re-tooling.

LeBron James ($15,000 or $22,500) will need to be superhuman once again. On the road, I have full confidence in him, but almost zero confidence in those around him. For $15,000 as a utility player, you might be able to fit him into your lineup. But taking him as your Captain is a risky option because I’m not sure he’ll get enough help to post a game big enough to justify that salary.

Steph Curry ($16,500 or $11,000) or Kevin Durant ($15,600 or $10,400) are more cost effective options as Captain picks. Durant always takes this matchup with LeBron personally. Curry is the catalyst for everything the Warriors do well. If Draymond Green ($13,200 or $8,800) doesn’t play or is limited due to an ankle injury, Durant’s stock goes way up. Draymond is always a good bet because he’ll get a double-double and flirt with a triple-double. I like him less in Game 1 just due to the uncertainty around his ankle and the fact that he may not be needed all that much.

Klay Thompson ($11,700 or $5,600) will get his shots. The Cavaliers don’t have an answer for him and he should be good for at least 30 fantasy points with a chance he shoots lights out.

Kevin Love ($11,100 or $7,400) is questionable. There’s little reason to take a risk with him. He hasn’t shot well for the majority of the playoffs and who knows how he’ll play coming off a concussion. If he’s out once again, Jeff Green ($7,500 or $5,000) will draw the start once again. He was great in relief in Game 6 and then in Game 7, but the Warriors are a different animal. He’s still a good low cost option given his role on the team.

Tristan Thompson ($8,400 or $5,600) made his money a few years ago at the expense of the Warriors. But this a different Thompson and a different Golden State squad. He couldn’t sniff many minutes against them in the regular season, but is the best option if Love is out.

George Hill ($6,600 or $4,400) and J.R. Smith ($4,200 or $2,800) weren’t great on the road in the ECF. Smith stepped up in Game 7, but Hill was abysmal. I have more confidence in Smith. Famous last words. Kyle Korver ($4,800 or $3,200) is still a decent option due to the shots he’ll get. Larry Nance Jr. ($6,000 or $4,000) was a spark for Cleveland in the ECF, but didn’t play much in Game 7. Thompson is the better play in Game 1.

Andre Iguodala has already been ruled out for the Warriors. That means Kevon Looney ($5,100 or $3,400) will probably draw the start once again. He could see a boost in garbage time. However, Jordan Bell ($3,600 or $2,400) could provide more value. He played well in the regular season against the Cavaliers and stepped up in Game 7.

Shaun Livingston ($3,000 or $2,000), Nick Young ($2,400 or $1,600), and Quinn Cook ($1,800 or $1,200) might get garbage time minutes. Young may even get actual minutes in an effort to scare J.R. Smith. Jordan Clarkson ($2,100 or $1,400) is available.