This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The Suns will once again try to close out the Clippers tonight, but for DFS purposes, we will be waiting on one major piece of news before we can be confident with lineups in Wednesday's single-game contests. For an in-depth look at various single-game strategies, read my recent article on the subject.
Let's begin by looking at a winning Game 5 lineup from a popular tournament contest.
2x Paul George 137.2
1.5x Devin Booker 64.95
1.2x Chris Paul 42.72
UTIL DeMarcus Cousins 24.9
UTIL Marcus Morris 30.6
Upon news of Ivica Zubac's (knee) absence, the Clippers' frontcourt replacements became a very popular Game 5 pivot, and they allowed for a loaded multiplier build due to their low prices. Zubac's status will be the big question as we go into Game 6. The absence of Zubac seemed to open up the Clippers' offensive scheme to a degree, and while I doubt Tyronn Lue would keep Zubac off the floor if he were healthy, there's no doubt that LA's Game 5 rotation proved to be the Suns' most serious challenge to date in the playoffs. For this article, we will go on the presumption that Zubac is active but potentially limited.
MULTIPLIER CANDIDATES
Paul George, LAC ($16,000)
Chris Paul, PHO ($14,000)
Deandre Ayton, PHO ($14,000)
Devin Booker, PHO ($14,500)
Reggie Jackson, LAC ($12,500)
Marcus Morris, LAC ($11,000) - If Zubac is out
FanDuel's prices will once again dictate where we can go with the multipliers tonight. Paul George will once again be the 2x favorite, but he comes at a $1,000 increase from Game 5. Going with a combo of the Top 4 will run you anywhere from $44,000 to $45,000, leaving only $7,750 to $8,250 per player in the utility builds. There are still viable utility combos at that level, but we should pay attention to other potential multiplier pivots if Zubac doesn't play. A pivot from an elite multiplier to Jackson or Morris provides some salary relief that opens up a few more UTIL options that we will discuss later. If you elect to go this way, I'm tempted to make Booker the more viable swap or Ayton if he is in the build where you choose to go unique. Unless we see breaking news to the contrary, I still like George and Paul firmly planted in the top two multiplier spots for cash lineups.
UTILITY CANDIDATES
Terance Mann, LAC ($9,500)
DeMarcus Cousins, LAC ($8,000) - if Zubac is out/limited
Cameron Johnson, PHO ($7,500)
Although FanDuel priced out Morris in a limited Zubac scenario, Cousins is still at a reasonable level with relation to a top-notch elite multiplier build. I even like Cousins if they get Zubac out on the floor, as his popularity will plummet if Zubac plays, and his potential value will be overlooked. Mann is viably paired with Cameron Johnson or in a multiplier load that features Jackson or Morris. If Zubac is out, we can play Mann and Cousins with little difficulty by swapping in Marcus Morris or Reggie Jackson. Cousins and Johnson would end up as your best utility options if you keep the multipliers as elites across the board.
ALTERNATIVE BUILDS
Obviously, the condition of Zubac will have a dramatic effect on builds today. If it's reported that he'll play with no limitations, he should be one of the most popular multiplier swaps at $12,000. I wouldn't necessarily be turned away from Cousins if Zubac plays, but we begin to see the potential for unique players like Mikal Bridges or Patrick Beverley to emerge as utility options thanks to the price decrease.
Other popular unique plays will continue to involve Jackson and Morris as multipliers and swaps between Booker and Paul in the 1.5-1.2x multipliers. If Zubac takes the floor, my interest in Ayton increases as he proved to have trouble opposite Cousins in Game 5. As per usual, it's best to play safely in cash games and go with the best elite multiplier build depending on Zubac's status, and take some calculated risks with a variety of less popular 1.2x options in tournaments.
