This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Guards:
Chris Paul, HOU at GS ($9,300): If you want an elite point guard, picking Paul over Stephen Curry is the way to go. Not only is Paul averaging 14 more fantasy points than Curry in the last four games, Paul is also $300 cheaper. That's quite the bargain, especially considering Paul is averaging 51 FanDuel points per game during that span. The stretch extends much further than that too, as Paul has at least 36 fantasy points in seven-straight games. CP3 plays some of his best ball against the Warriors and has averaged 45 FanDuel points per game in four outings against them this season.
Terry Rozier, BOS at CLE ($7,300): While the 21 fantasy points that Rozier scored in the most recent game may put fantasy owners off, it should be looked at as an encouraging sign. The fact that he did it in 27 minutes shows that he's on a similar pace as before, considering he was averaging close to 40 minutes a game in the postseason prior to that recent Game 3 blowout. His fantasy production has been incredible too, as he's averaging 35 FanDuel points per game in this postseason. He should be able to continue that success against this poor defense, as Cleveland allowed the second-most fantasy points in the league to opposing point guards in the regular season.
Marcus Smart, BOS at CLE ($5,900): Smart has been a pleasant surprise for the Celtics in this postseason and has developed into one of their most valuable players. Not only is Smart averaging 32 minutes a game in his last eight outings, he's also providing over 30 FanDuel points per game during that span.The matchup is very beneficial for Smart's value as well, as the Cavaliers finished the league 29th in total defense in the regular season. Not to mention, Smart is averaging 30 fantasy points per game in four meetings with the Cavs this season.
Forwards:
LeBron James, CLE vs. BOS ($13,500): Recommending James is obvious at this point, as he's the best player in fantasy right now. James has at least 60 FanDuel points in seven of his last eight games, while he's also averaging 67 fantasy points per game during that stretch. That's nearly 20 points higher than anyone on this slate, so James has to be used no matter what his price is. Something lights up in his eyes when he sees Boston green too, as he's averaging 53 fantasy points per game in six outings against them this season.
Marcus Morris, BOS at CLE ($5,600): Morris has been inserted into the starting lineup for this series to oppose LeBron James and it should do wonders for his fantasy production. The most recent blowout loss was an outlier, as Morris averaged 27 FanDuel points per game in the first two outings of this series before that Game 3 dud. That appears to be a much more likely baseline, considering Morris played 34 minutes in both of those games as well. This is a guy who's averaged more than a fantasy point-per minute for his career and that means a 35-point fantasy game is far from a stretch in this expanded role. The $5,600 price tag doesn't show that sort of upside and Morris also gets to face a Cleveland defense that allowed the most fantasy points in the league to opposing power forwards in the regular season.
Trevor Ariza, HOU at GS ($4,200): Ariza showed in the most recent game what he's capable of, as he had his best showing since the end of March. The 39 fantasy points indicate what sort of upside he can provide and Ariza is still playing over 30 minutes a game. This is a guy who was a consistent $6,500 player in the past as well, so we get quite the discount on him here at $4,200 with his recent struggles. Any player playing 30-plus minutes at this sort of price is worth a shot, especially considering he averaged 24 FanDuel points per game in the regular season, which happens to be 6X value at this diminished price.
Center:
Aron Baynes, BOS at CLE ($4,500): There are two clear-cut center options in Clint Capela and Al Horford but using Baynes as a contrary pick could be huge in tournaments. One main reason for that is the fact that Capela has a very difficult matchup, considering he faces a Warriors team that allowed the fewest fantasy points in the league to opposing centers in the regular season. While Horford has a better matchup, he's coming off a 20-point dud in his most recent outing and has shown limited upside throughout the second half of the year. That leaves us with Baynes as the only other viable option, as he's been destroying his price tag. Not only does he have at least 18 fantasy points in six-straight games, Baynes is also averaging over 22 FanDuel points per game in that span. The matchup is fantastic too, with Cleveland ranking 29th in defensive efficiency in the regular season.
