Fansided

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

By Jeremy Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors defends against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game between the two teams on December 25, 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 Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors defends against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game between the two teams on December 25, 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 Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Warriors, Rockets
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 28: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second half of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on May 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Cavaliers-Warriors (Series Tied 0-0)

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.

These two teams played twice in the regular season, but both were before the trade deadline. They’ve also met in the last three Finals. At worst, the Warriors have stayed the same. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have probably gotten worse.

But they still have LeBron James ($18,888). The Cavaliers will need a big game if they hope to steal Game 1 and while I hate doubting LeBron, I can doubt the guys around them and their ability to step up on the road against the defending champions.

There’s more value in Kevin Durant ($16,500) and Steph Curry ($15,500). Durant always takes the one-on-one matchup with LeBron personally and when he’s playing within the Warriors system instead of trying to be the Warriors system, he’s absolutely unfair. Curry you don’t have to doubt about playing within the system. He’s going to put up numbers in all categories.

Draymond Green ($13,500) is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. My assumption is he plays since it doesn’t seem too serious. However, if he’s out, Durant’s value increases. Draymond is always a reliable option due to his all-around ability.

Kevin Love ($12,000) is also questionable. I won’t assume anything about his status because I honestly don’t know and concussions are tricky. If he plays, he’s a risk. He hasn’t shot well in the playoffs and there’s no telling how he’ll play after a week off while dealing with a concussion. Especially against a defensively stout team like Golden State and Draymond yelling at him.

Klay Thompson ($11,000) is also a good bet due to his role in the offense. He delivered in Game 1 of each of the first three series. Andre Iguodala has already been ruled out for Game 1. Kevon Looney ($8,000) will draw the start, but Jordan Bell ($6,000) outperformed him in Game 7. Bell also played well against the Cavaliers in the regular season. He’s a sleeper pick in this game.

Once again, it gets tricky with Cleveland role players. George Hill ($9,500) has been abysmal on the road and I see no reason to trust him. Tristan Thompson ($9,000) and Larry Nance Jr. ($8,500) are both inconsistent. Thompson will have more guaranteed playing time in Game 1. Nance Jr. barely got off the bench for Game 7 of the ECF, which has me worried about his playing time in Game 1.

Kyle Korver ($7,000) always gets his shots. The same goes for J.R. Smith ($6,500). Neither have proven to be reliable. Then there’s Jeff Green ($7,000) who was great in place of Love in Games 6 and 7. His athleticism should keep him on the floor in this series. But he’s still Jeff Green.

Shaun Livingston ($6,500), Nick Young ($6,000), and Jordan Clarkson ($6,000) should get some playing time if nothing else.