The Lakers won Game 4 on Thursday, and now the Nuggets find themselves in a familiar spot: down 3-1. This team has come back from this precarious position in back-t0-back playoff series and will look to get the momentum rolling in Game 5 tonight. Meanwhile, LeBron James will do everything he can to get his team to the Finals and add another feather to his illustrious career cap.

For single-game contests on FanDuel, you’ll get $60,000 to spend on five players: MVP (2x value), STAR (1.5x value), PRO (1.2x value), and two utility (UTIL) players without multiplier bonuses. Today, I’ll be offering my favorite picks for the multiplier positions, cheaper options to target, and guys to fade for Game 5 of Lakers/Nuggets.

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MVP, STAR

LeBron James (SF – LAL): $16,000
James has averaged 28.3 points, 9.0 boards, 7.0 assists, and 2.7 combined blocks/steals across 47 career closeout games, and tonight, the Lakers have the chance to punch their tickets to the NBA Finals. James surely understands the gravity of the moment, as he can guide his third team to the Finals and get some rest in the process, while Miami and Boston face off in Game 6 on Sunday. The Nuggets have come back from a 3-1 series deficit twice in the playoffs, and the Lakers know how important it is to close out the series early. Though he’s averaged 48.9 FD points in this series and only topped 50 FD points once, a huge game from King James is on the table here.

Anthony Davis (PF – LAL): $15,500
After coming down awkwardly on his ankle Thursday, Davis is questionable for tonight’s contest, though he’s played through various injuries throughout the season. Davis has provided at least 50 FD points in three of four games in this series, and he’ll be needed here as the Lakers look to win the Western Conference. On the precipice of his first NBA Finals trip, expect Davis to play and handle his usual workload. If he is ruled out, Kyle Kuzma should see increased run, though all of the Lakers’ players should get a boost in usage.

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $15,500
The Joker has been up and down throughout this series, posting FD point totals of 30.2, 60.7, 42.5, and 35.4 in four games. His performances have been a mixed bag, but he and Jamal Murray will need to play their best basketball to help Denver avoid elimination once again. Jokic’s ceiling is massive, so he’s worth a look in the MVP or STAR spot, and if Anthony Davis is ultimately ruled out, Jokic gets a big boost.

Jamal Murray (PG – DEN): $13,500
After a rough Game 1, Murray has played huge for Denver in Games 2-4, and he’ll be called on to lead this team back from the brink again tonight. Over his last three, Murray’s averaged 49.8 FD points, and he deserves consideration for the MVP or STAR spots in this matchup. Murray has averaged 47.9 FD points in six elimination games this postseason.

PRO

Jerami Grant (SF – DEN): $11,000
Grant’s price has risen steadily over the last two games, though he’s only had one significant performance in that span. In four games against the Lakers, Grant has averaged just 22 FD points, though a big part of that was his 35.1-point performance in Game 3. He’s been on the floor for 34 minutes a night, and outside of Jokic and Murray, he’s seen the most consistent minutes of any Nugget.

Rajon Rondo (PG – LAL): $10,000
Rondo continues to play solid basketball, scoring at least 26 FD points in three of four games against Denver. He’s averaged 1.1 FD points per minute in this series, and if he can stay on the court for his typical 20-25 minutes, he can provide plenty of value.

Michael Porter (PF – DEN): $9,500
Porter has proven to be a boom-or-bust fantasy play this postseason, though he’s shown his upside in big games. MPJ has provided a game with at least 33 FD points in all three of his playoff series, and against the Lakers, he’s averaged 1.11 FD points per minute. If he gets a boost in playing time tonight, he can rack up the points.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG – LAL): $8,500
For a guy who continues to put up respectable numbers, KCP has a very affordable price tag tonight. He’s been on the court for 30 minutes per contest against Denver, and he’s gone for at least 20 FD points in three of four matchups. He’s a shooter who can heat up quickly, and he’s worth adding here due to the playing time and scoring upside.

Dwight Howard (C – LAL): $8,000
Howard was inserted into the Lakers’ starting lineup Thursday and topped 20 minute for just the second time this postseason. Across his 22 minutes, the big man racked up a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double and 29.7 FD points. He should see a similar workload in the decisive Game 5, as he’ll do his best to limit Nikola Jokic. If Anthony Davis is out, Howard becomes an even bigger value at just $8K.

Utility

Danny Green (SG – LAL): $9,000
Green has averaged less than 10 FD points across his last two games, logging at least 20 minutes in both contests. His waning production could be a result of the finger injury he’s dealt with, though it’s worth noting he averaged 27 FD points in Games 1-2 of this series. Green is a guy to play strictly in tournaments, as his ownership is likely to be low here.

Monte Morris (PG – DEN): $8,000
Morris’ playing time has been a bit unpredictable this postseason, but with Morris continuing to play solid basketball, he should log around 20 minutes off the bench here. Across his last two contests, Morris has averaged 18.6 FD points across 23 minutes, and while those numbers aren’t massive, for just $8K, he has 20-point upside and allows you to cram more studs into your lineup.

Alex Caruso (PG – LAL): $7,000
Caruso is a guy best reserved for tournaments, as his production has declined to just 12.5 FD points over his last two contests. He’s averaged 23.5 minutes in this series, and while his floor is low, he’s displayed a 25-30 point ceiling this postseason. At just $7K, he’s the lowest-priced player worth rostering on this slate.

Fades

Paul Millsap (PF – DEN): $8,500
Millsap has topped 20 FD points in just one of his last nine contests, and he’s just not producing enough right now to be worth $8.5K in this contest. He’s averaged 15.7 FD points in four games against the Lakers.

Kyle Kuzma (PF – LAL): $8,000
Kuz has become an afterthought in this offense, and he should be avoided unless Anthony Davis is ruled out.

JaVale McGee (C – LAL): $6,500
He’s averaged just 5.1 FD points through four games against Denver, and now that he’s been relegated to the bench, there’s little chance of that average increasing.

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