This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
This is one of the toughest slates of the season, as we have a rare split schedule. That means FanDuel will be focusing its tournaments on the one game Saturday (GS-UTA) and the early game on Sunday (CLE-TOR). What makes that all the more difficult is the lopsided nature of these series, with Cleveland and Golden State both cruising. What we need to do is capitalize on injuries, with players like Kyle Lowry and George Hill both questionable for these matchups. Trying to guess on injuries is risky, but it can also lead to a big cash if you hit the right butons.
Stephen Curry, GS at UTA ($10,000): With such limited options on this slate, having reliability at a position like point guard is imperative. Curry has been one of the most consistent point guards over recent weeks, as he has at least 36 fantasy points in 30 of his last 31 games. He's been even better than that recently, averaging 48 fantasy points per game across his last 16 games. Even though the matchup is tough on the surface, Utah is actually allowing over 55 fantasy fantasy points per game to opposing point guards over their last 12 games.
Cory Joseph, TOR vs. CLE ($3,300): With Lowry's status up in the air, Joseph makes for one of the best value options on this slate. When Lowry is out, Joseph starts and almost always plays at least 30 minutes. That's evident by the fact that he is averaging over 25 fantasy points per game without Lowry in the lineup. He's done damage in the last two games too, accumulating 53.3 fantasy points in those two outings.
Shelvin Mack, UTA vs. GS ($2,700): Mack was quietly a huge role player foe the Jazz all year, as he filled in admirably whenever George Hill missed time. After George missed Game 2 due to a recurring toe problem, Mack started again and scored 25 fantasy points in 31 minutes. In games where Mack played at least 21 minutes, he averaged nearly 25 fantasy points per game. The only issue with Mack, as well as Joseph for San Antonio, is if Hill and Lowry play, as that makes both of them extremly risky to trust in this short slate.
LeBron James, CLE at TOR ($12,800): James has been a freak recently and if you haven't been using him, you've been losing money in DFS. Not only does he have at least 52 fantasy points in eight straight games, but James is averaging over 60 fantasy points per game in that span. This is the same situation as Russell Westbrook, as the price simply doesn't matter anymore with how many fantasy points he is accruing.
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. GS ($8,300): It's been a rough series for the Jazz, but Hayward has been a beast in these playoffs. Outside of the one food poisoning game, Hayward has scored at least 28 fantasy points in every postseason game thus far. It's his upside that truly makes him an intriguing though, as he hast at least 45 fantasy points in four of those eight games. Hayward should be looking at 40 minutes of action here too, with Utah playing for their live down 2-0 in the series.
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CLE ($6,100): Ibaka is coming off his worst game of the postseason thus far, but he'd been one of the Raptors' most consistent players prior to that. In fact, Ibaka had at least 24 fantasy points in seven of his previous eight games. That includes three games with at least 36 fantasy points, as Ibaka presents high upside as well. This is a game where Toronto's starters could be playing over 40 minutes, given the elimination situation.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. GS ($9,400): The center position is very tough on this slate, so getting the only reliable one in your lineup may be the best approach. What's most impressive is that Gobert is still posting solid fantasy numbers while struggling, as he has at least 31 fantasy points in four of his last five games. The only time he failed to meet that mark, Gobert left early due to an injury, so that appears to be his floor. No other center on this slate averaged more than 25 fantasy points per game for the season, so it's a safe bet that Gobert will be the highest-scoring center on this slate.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at TOR ($5,700): Thompson has quietly been a stud for the Cavaliers in this series, and he's owned the Raptors all year. Not only is he averaging 32 fantasy points per game for the series, Thompson averaged over 25 fantasy points per game in four games against the Raptors in the regular season. Those are easily the most consistent numbers of any center aside from Gobert, and that makes Thompson the bet of the day at center for how cheap he is.
