May 5, 2017

Demetri Raftopoulos highlights the top FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks for 5/5/17, as well as a couple of sleepers to keep in mind while building your roster.

Two games make up Friday night's slate of NBA action. Two series' shift to different locations. Two teams look to take commanding leads over their opponents. How will that translate to the daily fantasy world?

In this article, I will be providing you with daily NBA lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/5/17. The picks will range from some of the elite players, to mid-priced options, and value plays.

Let's let tonight be our night.

FanDuel DFS Guards

Corey Joseph - PG, vs CLE ($3,300)

Starting point guard Kyle Lowry is questionable to lace up for tonight's matchup against the defending champions. Lowry remains a game time decision after tweaking his ankle in Game 2 of the series. An MRI revealed no serious structural damage, which means Lowry could very well play through the sprain, but I still believe Corey Joseph plays more minutes tonight. Joseph is coming off his best performance of the playoffs, and potentially the regular season, posting 22 points, six rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal over 25 minutes of floor time. With Toronto entering a must-win, look for another solid showing from Joseph.

Also Consider: Patty Mills - PG, @ HOU ($3,800)

Eric Gordon - SG, vs SA ($5,000)

The shooting guard position is tricky, as no one from tonight's slate has really broken out yet. Are we going to trust and expect a bounce back from James Harden after his 13-point showing in Game 2, especially listed at such a high price? Will DeMar DeRozan rebound as well, now with the team's offense potentially solely on his back? Who will emerge tonight out of Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, and Kyle Korver, as the three continue to share time? I'm going to stick with consistency and value. Eric Gordon has posted 20-plus fantasy points in two straight showings, quietly emerging as a key part of Houston's offense this postseason. He has posted double-digit scoring totals in five of seven playoffs games in 2017, and has become a trustworthy sixth man. Gordon should be used solely in tournaments.

Also Consider: Norman Powell - SG, vs CLE ($4,300)

FanDuel DFS Forwards

LeBron James - SF, @ TOR ($12,800)

Time to spend some money. The Cleveland Cavaliers, like their foe the Golden State Warriors, have not lost a playoff game yet in 2017. That is mainly in part to the out of this world play of their leader, their King. LeBron has scored 30-plus points in five of six games this postseason, has posted a double-double in five of six. He failed to do so in his most recent, but still managed to drop 59.2 fantasy points because of his stellar all around play. LeBron is running on all cylinders, hungry for that second straight title. It's hard to fade someone playing this well.

Also Consider: Kawhi Leonard - SF, @ HOU ($11,100)

Serge Ibaka - PF, vs CLE ($6,100)

I'm sticking with consistency at the four spot, and I'm sticking with Serge Ibaka. I suggested drafting him on Wednesday, and while his 24 fantasy points in Game 2 weren't anything to write home about, he has been steady. Ibaka has now scored 15 and 16 points respectively in Game's 1 and 2, now heading into a crucial Game 3. He has struggled from the field this series, but has been impressive with his work on the glass. A double-double is in the making.

Also Consider: Channing Frye - PF, @ TOR ($4,000)

FanDuel DFS Centers

Pau Gasol - C, @ HOU ($4,900)

Pau Gasol has not blown anyone away with his scoring totals, but still managed to drop 36.1 fantasy points after only scoring six points in Game 2. Gasol has been impressive down low, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking four in the second contest of the series, and will look to continue his production as the series shifts to Houston. He's an affordable, risky, option that has shown moments of brilliance this postseason.

Also Consider: Tristan Thompson - C, @ TOR ($5,700)

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