DFSGhost 
With the last two-game NBA slate of the season underway tonight, this will be the last edition of the NBA Gems; thank you to everyone for the continued support and I can’t wait to get back at it in December when we have another full NBA season ahead of us! Tonight’s slate sees a Game 7 between two rivals in Boston and Toronto, while the Clippers look to close out the Nuggets in Game 5. Let’s dive in:
The Lock: Kyle Lowry, PG ($8,900 FD / $8,600 DK)
Hopefully you were tuned in when called the Raptors taking Game 6 behind the “Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet show” live on air – tonight should be no different. Look for both guards to essentially never leave the court and soak up as much usage as they can on the offense end with Pascal Siakam continuing his struggles versus the Celtics; arguably one of, if not the most important players in franchise history, Kyle Lowry will continue to build on his legacy should he be able to lead the Raptors on a playoff run without Kawhi Leonard – and I think they do just that. He’s seen 40 or more minutes in every game that wasn’t a blowout, and when he gets hot from deep like he was last game and starts attacking the basket while drawing fouls on both ends of the floor, he’s a force. In the most meaningful game on the slate, lock him in.
The NBA Core Gems
Nikola Jokic ($9,900 FD / $10,000 DK)
If the Nuggets are to fend off the Clippers and live to see another day and a Game 6, the Joker will have to pull a vintage performance together. We’ve mentioned it time and time again that Jamal Murray is in tough with defensive matchups versus Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and/or Patrick Beverly, and this is Joker’s offense right now. Averaging 28/13.67/6 in 38.5 MPG in his last three, he’s walking triple double that will need to lead his team on offense if they want to stay alive.
Fred VanVleet ($7,900 FD/DK)
Not much to be said here that wans’t covered in the Lowry blurb above, but FVV is just as crucial to the Raptors winning Game 7 as his backcourt partner. There isn’t something that FVV can’t do on the court – he has the most volume along with Lowry on offense, he plays excellent defense and picks up both steals and blocks, and he rebounds/passes efficiently. While his shooting percentage is lower than I’d like in this series, he makes shots when it matters; the volume is undeniable, and neither is his ceiling.
Also Consider: Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown/Kemba Walker
The NBA Value Gems
Toronto/Boston Value
- Marcus Smart ($6,400 FD / $6,800 DK)
- OG Anunoby ($6,000 FD / $5,900 DK)
- Daniel Theis ($5,600 FD/DK)
- Norman Powell ($5,000 FD / $4,400 DK)
LA Clippers/Denver Value
- Michael Porter Jr. ($5,200 FD/DK)
- Jerami Grant ($4,900 FD / $ DK)
- Marcus Morris Sr. ($5,100 FD / $4,800 DK)
- Ivica Zubac ($4,700 FD / $5,000 DK)
- Gary Harris ($5,000 FD / $4,600 DK)
- Patrick Beverly ($4,800 FD / $3,800 DK)
- JaMychal Green ($3,900 FD / $3,600 DK)
A Quick Note on NBA DFS
While there are many different sports and various contests pertaining to DFS along with their respective strategies, we focus on the main approaches to build both reliable cash and GPP lineups for a successful NBA night including pace, the projected over/under, one on one matchups (DVP), a player’s usage rate, and a team’s defensive rating. Make sure to stay active when building NBA lineups – if you cannot be in front of a computer, tablet, or on your phone an hour before lock, do not throw your money away! NBA DFS lineups can change at the blink of an eye and are the most variable compared to any other sport in DFS; players get injured, some sit for load management, and others find themselves on the DNP list for other reasons; any of which can sway your lineup and where to find value. Stay alert on the WinDaily Discord chat to follow along with our updated plays. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
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