This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls: The Bulls/Cavs series doesn't have as many possessions as the Rockets/Clippers series. The Bulls/Cavs have averaged 87.5 possessions per game while the Rockets/Clippers have averaged 102.0 posessions per game. While you shouldn't patently avoid the Cavaliers and Bulls on Thursday, it's worth nothing that there will be less opportunities to record stats in this game compared to the Rockets/Clippers matchup.
Offenses to Use
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers have scored more points (581) through the first five games of the conference semifinals than any of the three other teams playing Thursday. The Rockets (531) have been outscored by an average of 10 points per game in their series, and the Cavaliers (486) and Bulls (474) have done a good job keeping each other south of 100 points. After taking the Rockets' best shot in Game 5, losing 124-103, the Clippers should be looking to re-establish the dominance they flexed in their two blowout wins in Games 3 and 4.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: None
Second game of a back-to-back: None
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Derrick Rose, CHI (vs. CLE), ($8,700):Chris Paul costs just $100 less at $8,600, but Paul is still getting over a hamstring injury that kept him out of the first two games of the series. Kyrie Irving is cheaper ($7,700), too, but he's also dealing with foot and knee issues, limiting his effectiveness for the majority of the serious. Paul and Irving produced well in their last games, but if you're looking for the safest and most consistent option, Rose is the man to roll with Thursday.
Other suggestions: Chris Paul ($8,600), Kyrie Irving ($7,700), Austin Rivers ($4,500)
Shooting Guard
Jason Terry, HOU (at LAC), ($4,200): You have to get some value in your lineup somewhere, and Terry is the best kind of cheap value to get right now, the reliable kind. The Rockets seem committed to Terry as their starting point guard. They've given him at least 27 minutes in every game of the conference seimfinals, and in his last three games, Terry has put up 22+ DK points, making him a solid play at his salary.
Other suggestions: Iman Shumpert ($4,600)
Small Forward
Trevor Ariza, HOU (at LAC), ($6,200):LeBron James only seems to really put his team on his back when their backs are against the wall, so with the Cavaliers up 3-2 in their series against the Bulls, I'm going with a cheaper option than James ($11,400). Ariza is the second-highest salaried player at small forward, and he comes at a $5,200 discount from James' salary despite Ariza performing exceptionally well over the majority of the Rockets/Clippers series. Except for a 16-DK-point dud in Game 3, Ariza has scored 36+ DK points in each of the other four games. At $6,200, if Ariza can climb north of 35 DK points, he'll be a good value.
Other suggestions: Josh Smith ($5,000) [Smith will likely start at power forward again, making him an intriguing play.]
Power Forward
Tristan Thompson, CLE (at CHI), ($5,300): If you've ever listened to our Fantasy Basketball Podcast, you know how much I hate on Thompson's limited game, but when looking at the options Thursday, he's one of the best players available. Blake Griffin is the preferred play at power forward, but due to Griffin's salary ($10,300), he's cost prohibitive and makes it difficult to lock in both Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose in a lineup due to the scraps you have to surround Griffin with. Thompson has played at least 30 minutes in each game of the conference semifinals, and he's in line to continue getting big minutes Thursday. The biggest question mark about Thompson is how the return of Pau Gasol (hamstring) will affect him.
Other suggestions: Blake Griffin ($10,300), Pau Gasol ($7,500) [Interesting risk/reward play.]
Center
Dwight Howard, HOU (at LAC), ($8,500): Howard is my stone-cold lock of the night. He put up a dud (15 DK points) in Game 4 but then came back with 46.25 DK points in Game 5 to help extend the series and send it back to Los Angeles for Thursday's game. Howard put up 59.5 DK points in Game 2, as well. He has the ability to be the best fantasy player on a given night, and he doesn't cost as much as LeBron James, Blake Griffin, and James Harden, making Howard arguably the best value play Thursday.
Other suggestions: None. You can roll with Joakim Noah($5,900) or Timofey Mozgov ($5,300) if you want, but Noah's ceiling has been too low in this series, and Mozgov's floor has been too shallow.
INJURY REPORT
Out
Kevin Love (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision
Pau Gasol (hamstring) will play, but it's unclear whether he'll start or not. He sat out the last two games with the injury.
James Harden (illness) is expected to play. He played through the illness in his last game.
