RADIO
We’re all set for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, as the Suns go for the early two-game sweep on their home floor before heading out to Fiserv Forum, where they figure to have much tougher sledding. Milwaukee surprisingly had Giannis Antetokounmpo available for Game 1 at what appeared to be full strength and the same is expected for Game 2, which, naturally, significantly enhances the DFS player pool for Thursday’s slate.
I’ll outline a pair of candidates for each of the three multiplier spots (MVP. STAR and PRO) in FanDuel’s single-game roster format, and I’ll also offer another two players to consider for the two Utility spots that accrue FanDuel points at a non-multiplier rate.
Read on to see my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 7/8/21. You can also check out DraftKings lineup picks and injury news before lineups lock. Good luck, RotoBallers.
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FanDuel DFS MVP Picks (2x)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF- at PHO ($16,000)
Antetokounmpo essentially looked like his normal self in Game 1, displaying what appeared to be normal mobility and finishing with 52.4 FD points on the strength of a 20-point, 17-rebound double-double. The big man shouldn’t be subject to any limitations in Game 2 and Antetokounmpo enjoys a significant size advantage over the 6-foot-6 Jae Crowder. He also had a tally of 68.7 FD points against Phoenix in one regular-season meeting, so the ceiling is certainly there for his rostering in the 2x spot to pay off.
Chris Paul, PG – vs. MIL ($15,000)
Paul rewarded those who rostered him in the MVP slot handsomely in Game 1, compiling 51.3 non-multiplier FD points across 37 minutes. That follows a haul of 66.8 in the series-clinching Game 6 WCF win over the Clippers. Paul has dished out no fewer than seven assists since Game 5 of the quarterfinal round against the Lakers, and he’s shooting a stellar 51.9 percent, including 48.7 percent from behind the arc, in his nine postseason games since the start of the semifinal-round series versus the Nuggets.
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FanDuel DFS STAR Picks (1.5x)
Khris Middleton – at PHO ($14,500)
Middleton led the Bucks with 29 points in Game 1, leading to 38.4 FD points. He acquitted himself reasonably well for the second straight road playoff game, going 12-for-26 from the field. That’s noteworthy considering the veteran wing was very poor with his offensive efficiency on the road for a stretch earlier in the postseason, and given his expected allotment of minutes, usage (26 shot attempts in Game 1 despite Antetokounmpo’s availability) and ability to check off every box on the stat sheet, he’s an excellent candidate for this multiplier spot.
Devin Booker – vs. MIL ($13,500)
Booker still carries that tantalizing ceiling despite his multi-game shooting woes, which have seen him drain just 35.2 percent of his attempts, including 22.2 percent from three-point range, since Game 2 of the WCF against the Clippers. The sixth-year wing hasn’t been shy about putting the ball up despite the struggles, however, chucking up 21.3 attempts per game over that span. He’s also managed to score 39.4 to 44.4 FD points during the last three contests in that six-game sample thanks to solid averages of 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals, keeping him as a candidate for this 1.5 x multiplier slot.
FanDuel DFS PRO Picks (1.2x)
Jrue Holiday – at PHO ($13,000)
Holiday has been prone to some inconsistency at times this postseason, and he had one of his shooting downswings in Game 1. The veteran point guard made just four of 14 attempts, leading to a relatively modest 28.9 FD points. Holiday has been under 40 FD points more often than not when Antetokounmpo has been present this postseason, which makes him more of a candidate for the smallest multiplier spot. However, it is encouraging that he managed to dish out nine assists and pull down seven rebounds in Game 1 despite the shooting woes, and at least a slight improvement in Game 2 would very likely lead to him eclipsing the 30-FD-point mark.
Deandre Ayton – vs. MIL ($12,500)
Ayton has made quite the statement this postseason, and he once again thrived in Game 1 with a 22-point, 19-rebound double-double that helped lead to 47.8 FD points. He’s now rattled off four straight double-doubles and is just two total rebounds shy of having accomplished the feat in 10 of his last 11 contests. Ayton should have little trouble winning more than his fair share of battles down low against Brook Lopez again Thursday, with the Suns likely to focus on executing that strategy frequently again in Game 2 after how well it worked Tuesday.
Utility Spot options to consider:
Brook Lopez ($11,500); Jae Crowder ($10,500); Cameron Johnson ($8,500)
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