This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
This introduction will be brief, as I've moved to some notes in position categories to explain some of my opinions. Friday, Atlanta plays host to Cleveland once again after taking the 97-89 loss in Game 1. On Saturday, Houston now gets Golden State at home for Game 3 after losing by a total of five points in the first two games of the series. The only new major concerns in the injury front are DeMarre Carroll and Kyrie Irving. Both are listed as day-to-day and questionable for Game 2.
Friday-Saturday Value Plays
Point Guard
Jason Terry, HOU, $3,300
Terry has hovered around this price all playoffs long and has been playable for most of the postseason. His Rockets compatriot, James Harden, has been fierce in the first two road legs of this series, but after an impossibly frustrating end to Game 2 and with another day for the Warriors to prepare, one can only think he'll be limited in some capacity (granted, "limited" still likely means 40+ FPTs). Terry sees big minutes and has a relatively high floor, considering his price, with upside approaching 25 FPTs on nights Harden doesn't take on a massive scoring burden.
Stephen Curry, GS, $10,400
In Curry's postgame interview after Game 2 he suggested that he didn't play his best ball, saying that he "needs to improve." That's a scary thought coming from the MVP who's averaging 33.5 points per game in the series, but he's right. Curry committed six turnovers in the Warriors' narrow Game 2 victory and logged only six assists and three rebounds. Given what we've seen from Curry this season, it's clear he's capable of even more, and a 50+FPT night could be in his future.
Notes: It's very tempting to use Jeff Teague, ATL, $7,300 considering how well he's played of late. If Irving – or, to a lesser degree, Matthew Dellavedova, CLE, $3,400 – continue defending him, expect another big game. But the lingering possibility that Cleveland shifts LeBron James or Iman Shumpert onto Teague is enough reason to pause. Teague could still turn out to be an excellent play, but deploy him with caution. Also, Dellavedova is only worth playing if Kyrie sits out completely – sadly, effort points don't figure into FanDuel's scoring system.
Shooting Guard
Kent Bazemore, ATL, $2,400
Bazemore picked up some minutes for the injured DeMarre Carroll in Game 1 and played well, providing 10 points and four rebounds. At a sub-$3,000 price, Bazemore could be worth a punt with or without Carroll in the lineup, but, obviously, the chance Carroll misses the game or is limited with a bone bruise on his knee gives Bazemore huge potential upside. To clarify, if Carroll ends up on the pine, Bazemore is a must-play. If Carroll plays, Bazemore is an interesting GPP look.
Notes: James Harden, HOU, $10,100 is going to be hugely owned, and considering he's averaging well over 60 FPTs in the first two games of the series its hard to knock him. In cash games, I really can't talk you off Harden. Everybody will own him, so regardless of his performance it won't really hurt/help you. The notion that he once again puts up huge numbers and single-handedly knocks you out of 50/50's is not a worthy risk.
Now, GPPs are another story. The Rockets have not been overly dependent upon Harden throughout the playoffs, at times winning games without him having a major impact. Compound that with the fact that Golden State will be taking a new approach to limiting him in Game 3, and fading Harden in favor of some other, lesser-owned studs could pay big dividends.
Shooting Forward
LeBron James, CLE, $11,700
Without Kevin Love and with Irving hobbled, the Cavaliers' Finals hopes once again rest solely on the back of James. James didn't have his best game as a passer in Game 1, admitting to holding the ball too deep into the shot clock and forcing bad shots. Despite the shaky fourth quarter, he still rode 31points to a 47.6 FPT score. Atlanta, especially with Carroll's status in jeopardy, has no answer for James defensively. His price tag isn't ideal, but maybe its high enough that players will stay away when he flirts with another triple-double.
Andre Iguodala, GS, $4,000
Iguodala has surpassed the 20 FPT mark in four of his last five games. The $4,000 salary with that kind of production needs little justification. Harrison Barnes, at just $300 more, is an intriguing option, as well, especially considering he's a starter. An argument could be made that Barnes is even better for cash games given his slightly higher floor.
Power Forward
Tristan Thompson, CLE, $5,600
Thompson is now averaging over 40 minutes over the last three games, and that figures to continue as long as he keeps relentlessly attacking the glass. Another double-double with a block or two should grind out some nice value, and Thompson makes for an excellent cash game play with those kind of minutes.
Draymond Green, GS, $8,200
Green is the definition of a glue guy. His importance to Golden State is no secret , and he's averaging a near-triple-double in 41 minutes through the first two games of the series. When Golden State goes small, it's Dwight Howard who's often left with the task of guarding Green, something he struggles to do. If Green can get hot from behind the arc, he has the potential to post some very serious fantasy point totals.
Center
Both Andrew Bogut, GS, $5,000, and Dwight Howard, HOU, $8,900. have been battling through illness/injury, their respective ailments should be less prominent in Game 3. If you have the salary space, cough it up for Howard. He possesses by far the highest upside of any center available. That said, Howard on the court means more minutes for Bogut, who is the only Warriors player truly capable of matching up with Howard inside. Be safe, be smart: Take a center from the Golden State--Houston matchup.
