Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: Best NBA DFS DraftKings Lineup for May 24, 25
Sunday and Monday's DraftKings NBA slate is a dangerous game for all daily fantasy players.
The Eastern Conference Finals is littered with injuries. Kyrie Irving's status for Sunday looms as an especially large unknown. His absence boosts his teammates' value, particularly replacement Matthew Dellavedova.
Furthermore, some price adjustments will challenge everyone's patience while assembling a lineup. With James Harden's price up $1,000 following Game 2, teaming him with LeBron James proves a tougher chore.
After examining every possible lineup combination, this unit seeks value in understudy guards with a chance to seize the spotlight.
| PG | Dennis Schroder, ATL | $4,700 |
| SG | James Harden, HOU | $10,500 |
| SF | LeBron James, CLE | $11,400 |
| PF | Draymond Green, GS | $8,000 |
| C | Andrew Bogut, GS | $5,000 |
| G | Matthew Dellavedova, CLE | $3,500 |
| F | Andre Iguodala, GS | $4,400 |
| UTIL | Kent Bazemore, ATL | $2,500 |
Note: Stephen Curry also costs $10,500, so feel free to swap him for Harden and move Bazemore to shooting guard.
PG Dennis Schroder ($4,700) and SG Kent Bazemore ($2,500), Atlanta Hawks
Adding injury to insult, Kyle Korver suffered an ankle ailment near the end of Game 2's loss. According to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the pinpoint shooter is out of action indefinitely:
The laundry list of injuries increases for Atlanta, who watched DeMarre Carroll battle through a knee injury to generate just six points on Friday. With Al Horford also battered and Paul Millsap struggling, the Hawks need to muster offense somewhere.
That makes guards Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore intriguing value plays. Schroder has attempted double-digit shots in each of the last six games, giving him 23.5 DraftKings points per game during the short stretch.
Bazemore, meanwhile, could supplant Korver in the starting lineup. Although a far different contributor from the lights-out shooter, anyone in line to receive big minutes warrants a look at $2,500.
PG Matthew Dellavedova ($3,500), Cleveland Cavaliers
As of Sunday morning, Irving's availability for Game 3 remains undetermined, according to the Associated Press' Tom Withers (via Yahoo Sports). Yet with the Hawks hobbled and the Cleveland Cavaliers jumping to a 2-0 lead with Irving watching on Friday, there's no reason to rush Cleveland's second star back.
After playing hurt throughout the postseason, the 23-year-old's injured knee finally forced him off the court. "I just don't have it right now," he admitted to NBA.com's Shaun Powell.
The smart money is on Irving either taking a seat or playing limited minutes. That opens a path for Dellavedova, who recorded 11 points, six rebounds and four assists during 37 minutes on Friday. Although afforded inconsistent opportunities, the pesky guard has made an impact during the three playoff games in which he logged more than 25 minutes.
| 5/6 | CHI | 36 | 9 | 3-8 | 2-5 | 9 | 1 | 23.75 |
| 5/14 | CHI | 34 | 19 | 7-11 | 3-6 | 1 | 2 | 23 |
| 5/22 | ATL | 37 | 11 | 4-13 | 2-7 | 4 | 6 | 26 |
His defense also allows Cleveland to play Irving sparingly or save him for the NBA Finals altogether. While Dellavedova carries limited upside, he'll hit value if handed another 30 minutes.
SF LeBron James ($11,400), Cleveland Cavaliers
Continue to ride James, who delivered consecutive 30-point outings at Atlanta to start the series. After a productive, yet inefficient conference semifinal showing, he is 22-of-48 (45.8 percent) against the Hawks.
With Kevin Love out and Irving either gone or an active shell of himself, James will keep running the show. He directly contributed to over half of Cleveland's Game 2 scoring, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
Even at $11,400, James is too safe to fade. Flirting with a triple-double every night, he's worth every penny. Now if he can just start making some threes again.
PF Draymond Green ($8,000) and C Andrew Bogut ($5,000), Golden State Warriors
Despite price hikes, the Golden State Warriors' big men both remain playable against the Houston Rockets.
In three productive games, Green has averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 6.7 assists during the lopsided Western Conference Finals. Taking full advantage of Houston's undersized units, he compiled a playoff-high 16 shot attempts on Saturday night.
Dampened by illness to start the series, Andrew Bogut bounced back from a dreadful Game 1 to compile 38 DraftKings points in Thursday's tilt. While that breakout outing represents his best-case scenario, Game 3's 12 points and 12 rebounds would do just fine again for $5,000.
Besides, center isn't a treasure trove of opportunity at the moment. Horford is questionable, and Howard is dealing with knee issues of his own despite mounting consecutive double-doubles. That leaves Timofey Mozgov, who has averaged 7.0 points and 7.3 boards in his last four games.
A defensive stalwart, Bogut should keep receiving more playing time than Cleveland's center. Minutes are certainly no issue for Green, who played 39 minutes on Thursday night after receiving 43 to start the series. Even during Saturday's blowout, he stayed on the court for a team-high 36 minutes.
