This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thanks to steady play from a few elites, we've been able to come away with solid cash game results in the LAC/PHX series. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we will follow a familiar strategy as the Suns attempt to punch their ticket to the Finals. For a more in-depth look at various single-game strategies, read my recent article on the subject.
Let's first look at the Game 4 winning lineup from one of the more popular tournaments on FanDuel.
2x Deandre Ayton 123.8
1.5x Paul George 78.3
1.2x Ivica Zubac 37.56
UTIL Terance Mann 18.8
UTIL Mikal Bridges 31.1
Even though Devin Booker fooled us with a massive evening for the Suns, it was not a night of accuracy for most players, as neither team looked their best in an anemic 164-point total. It's no surprise that the top two centers earned spots in the winning lineup as rebounds and points in the paint were easy to come by. With the series returning to Phoenix, the Suns appear to have the advantage once again. We learned a few valuable lessons at the Staples Center, but a more well-rounded shooting night for both teams will likely carry the day. With a combined shooting percentage of 34.3 percent in Game 4, the Suns and Clippers are bound to improve to some degree in Game 5.
MULTIPLIER CANDIDATES
Paul George, LAC ($15,000)
Deandre Ayton, PHO ($14,000)
Chris Paul, PHO ($14,000)
Devin Booker, PHO ($13,500)
Ivica Zubac, LAC ($12,000)
FanDuel did some tinkering with the salary numbers, so our decision-making at the top is due for a minor adjustment. The salary for Ayton has risen after an excellent string of games, while Booker's number has sunk slightly. PG is also at a more favorable salary, and it appears that he is once again a lock for one of the multiplier slots. Booker shed his protective mask (likely due to frustration) and started to show immediate improvement in his shot-making. Although he has failed to be a part of many winning lineups last time, I think he is worth a look for Game 5 in tournament settings. Paul is still the best guard for Phoenix when it comes to reliable and stable numbers, so I believe flipping to the veteran in cash games is a solid call.
George still has to be considered as the 2x multiplier as he continues to carry his squad, but a flip to Ayton in Game 4 turned out to be the optimal play. My most basic multiplier cash builds will also carry Paul and Ayton. MME players will need to do some serious mixing and matching among George, Ayton, Paul, Booker and Zubac in the multiplier positions because the floor below $10k is pretty static. Nailing down the best UTIL players has been a bit of a dart throw in this series because there is no particular leverage play to justify less spending at the top. Going beyond these five players in the multiplier slots will generate some uniqueness, but be prepared for some variance.
UTILITY CANDIDATES
Mikal Bridges, PHO ($11,000)
Terance Mann, LAC ($10,000)
Marcus Morris, LAC ($8,500)
Cameron Payne, PHO ($8,000)
Cameron Johnson, PHO ($7,500)
Our salary allotment for utility players will range anywhere from $8,500-$9,500 per player, depending on the multiplier build you select. Bridges finally showed up in this series with an excellent total, and it's reflected in his slightly elevated salary. A combination of Mann and Bridges isn't going to work this time around unless you slot in a combo like Zubac and Reggie Jackson into the multiplier mix. Going that route will leave too many points on the table, so your higher-priced utility call will probably come down to Mann or Bridges at the top. If Zubac is involved in your multiplier build, Bridges is easier to get to, while Mann is an easier fit in builds that involve George-Ayton-Paul or Booker.
You are locked into a Mann-Cameron Johnson utility duo in most circumstances that involve builds with George, Ayton and Booker. Swapping Booker for Paul puts you in Dario Saric/Torrey Craig country, a land that you really don't want to visit. A front-loaded Suns lineup that consists of George, Ayton and Paul is reachable with a combo of the Camerons (Payne and Johnson). However, I feel it's a bit more favorable to diversify with one more Clippers outside of George.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDS
Typically the unique builds involve flipping the script at the 2x multiplier or including a less popular player in one of the multiplier slots. Going for unique utility players isn't as profitable because the baseline for budget players in this series has been relatively static. Adding Jackson or Bridges to the multiplier group is one of the more unique options, while the 2x multiplier switch I prefer is either Ayton or Paul supplanting George at the top.
