This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're set for another single-game slate Friday night as the Grizzlies and Warriors do battle for the right to advance and play the top-seeded Utah Jazz in the quarterfinal round of the Western Conference playoffs.
With just one game on the ledger, we're dealing with FanDuel's single-game contest rosters, which are comprised as follows:
· MVP- (Garners points at 2x the normal rate)
· STAR- (Garners points at 1.5x the normal rate)
· PRO- (Garners points at 1.2x the normal rate)
· Two Utility spots- (Garner points at normal rate)
With the valuation also being different than in conventional FanDuel contests on multi-game slates and top players inevitably headed for heavy rostering, there are definitely strategic elements particular to single-game rosters. Finding key value plays for the two utility spots is undoubtedly key, as it enables you to fill out the multiplier spots with some of the top projected producers.
Slate Overview
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (Projected total: 221.5 points):
The Grizzlies were a notably more generous team on the road (113.9 PPG allowed) than at home (110.2 PPG) this season and surrendered totals of 116 and 113 points in two of three games to Golden State during the regular season. The Warriors averaged 116.4 points per home game and play at the league's fifth-fastest pace (105.3 possessions per game) while the Dubs have also surrendered an elevated 111.2 points per home contest. It's also worth noting Stephen Curry thrived in his matchup during the regular-season finale posting 46 points over 40 minutes on his way to 66.9 FD points.
Positional Breakdown
FanDuel single-game rosters don't have traditional positions that match those on a starting five, so we'll instead break down some candidates for the top three multiplier positions:
MVP (2x): There's no question Curry ($15,000) is the top selection for this spot after a spectacular season where he averaged a well-balanced line of 32.0 points, 5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals with over 50 FD points per contest over the last 25 games. Curry has already vowed to "come out swinging" Friday and posted the aforementioned elite score against Memphis to close out the campaign, making him a premium choice for this 2x multiplier spot. On the other side, Jonas Valanciunas presents as an interesting alternative at $14,500, as he's been a double-double machine during his career-best season and is coming off posting 51.7and 61.1 FD points in his last two - the former total coming versus these same Warriors.
STAR (1.5x): Whichever player doesn't make your MVP spot is naturally an excellent candidate for this slot, as is the Warriors' Draymond Green ($13,000) and Andrew Wiggins ($11,500), as well as the Grizzlies' Ja Morant ($12,500) and Dillon Brooks ($12,000). All four scored at least 29.6 non-multiplier FD points in the regular-season finale between these squads and will be heavily involved. Each is also capable of offering well-rounded contributions that make them especially valuable in a 1.5x multiplier spot, with Green unquestionably the top candidate after averaging 40.4 FD points over the last 12 games - including the play-in loss to the Lakers on Wednesday.
PRO (1.2x): Whichever two of the four players just mentioned don't make the cut for that spot will make for very strong candidates in this slot, as will Kyle Anderson ($11,000) and Jaren Jackson ($10,500). The two players posted 30 and 38.4 FD non-multiplier points, respectively, versus the Warriors in the regular-season finale and are also strong multi-category contributors who can help maximize a multiplier spot.
Injury Situations to Monitor
NOTE: Injury reporting is especially fluid in the NBA, where the status of multiple players can change during the course of a day. Therefore, although the following serves as a foundation for the latest injury report as of the time the article is written (usually late morning Eastern time), check back throughout the course of the day with RotoWire for the latest news regarding the status of all players on that night's slate.
Kelly Oubre, GS (wrist)/ Status: OUT
Oubre's ongoing absence should continue to lead to a starting opportunity for Kent Bazemore.
Other injuries to monitor:
Damion Lee, GS (COVID-19 protocols)/ Status: GTD
Elite Players
The three highest-salaried players on the slate are Curry ($15,000), Valanciunas ($14,500) and Green ($13,000). As alluded to earlier, all three are in excellent spots: Curry had no trouble with the Grizzlies' defense in his one matchup against them this season and will naturally sport sky-high usage; Valanciunas averaged 43.8 FD points in three games against the Warriors this season and Golden State finished the campaign ranked in the bottom half of the league in offensive efficiency surrendered to centers (32.5 percent); Green finished the season on a tear and is averaging 39.4 FD points per 36 minutes without Oubre on the floor.
Expected Chalk
With only one game, the trio mentioned in the previous section should be even more popular than usual, with the likes of Morant, Wiggins, Brooks, Anderson and Jackson also very highly rostered.
Key Values
Note: On a multi-game slate, I typically try to highlight players that would be considered under-the-radar plays in this section. Naturally, with such a limited player pool, there will be very few low-rostered players who are likely to also be viable from a DFS perspective, so I'll instead focus on two of the best candidates to provide a strong return relative to salary for the two Utility spots in single-game lineups:
Kent Bazemore, GS vs. MEM ($10,000)
Bazemore is averaging 29.5 FD points per 36 minutes with Oubre off the floor this season and has put up 24.2 FD points per contest during his current 18-game starting stint. He's shown an impressive ceiling during that stretch, posting one tally of 57.3 and eclipsing 30 FD points on four other occasions. The Grizzlies are allowing the eighth-highest offensive efficiency to threes (23.7 percent) as well and gave up 35.1 FD points per contest to the position over the last 10 contests.
Kevon Looney, GS vs. MEM ($8,500)
Looney's production undeniably fluctuates and he's naturally the last offensive option for the Warriors on any given play, but he's been able to post 20 or more FD points in six of his last eight games, topping out with 29.1 against the Lakers on Wednesday. The veteran big man also put up 22.7 versus the Grizzlies in the regular-season finale and is a viable candidate for double-digit boards any time he takes the floor.
