FanDuel NBA Lineup Advice: Tuesday (9/8)

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of FanDuel NBA lineup advice from the bubble. Once again, there are only two games on the slate tonight. The Bucks look to hang on against the Heat in the first game, and the Rockets and Lakers will break their series tie in Game 3. Even with just two games, there’s still plenty of players to value, target, and fade on Tuesday. Let’s dive in.

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Value Plays: Point Guard

Much of Tuesday’s slate hinges on whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo laces it up for the Bucks. Eric Bledsoe will play plenty of minutes whether or not the Greek Freak is a full go, but Donte DiVincenzo should be in store for a fantasy uptick if Antetokounmpo is less than full strength. He started in place of the 2019 MVP in the second half of Game 4, and he should see another boost in production if Antetokounmpo remains hampered with his injured ankle.

Shooting Guard

While teammate Duncan Robinson may provide more upside with his long-range shooting, Tyler Herro remains the safer play with his well-rounded basketball game. He carries a questionable injury tag headed into Game 5, but as long as he’s active, he should be in store for a full allotment of minutes Tuesday. 

Caldwell-Pope s a risky play that just might pay off. He’s averaged 26 minutes per game since the playoffs began, and if he happens to get hot Tuesday, he could be the key piece on winning lineups. 

Small Forward

Even with the Rockets at full-strenth, Eric Gordon has averaged 26 minutes per game in the playoffs, including 35 minutes per game in the conference semifinals. He shouldn’t have a problem paying off his $5,400 price tag Tuesday.

Jae Crowder has been a fantasy value so far during the second round against Milwaukee. He’s averaged over 33 minutes per game in the series and over 30 FD points per game over the last three. There’s no reason to fade him now.

Power Forward

Covington is the second most expensive power forward on today’s short slate, but he can still be considered a great value. He’s yet to put up the same big FD points against the Lakers as he did against the Thunder to close out the first round, but he’s seen 38 minutes in each of the first two games, and he could be primed for a big performance in Game 3.

Marvin Williams isn’t the sexiest play, but he’s the cheapest player at the position who could see enough minutes to be fantasy relevant. He can compile just enough stats to be worthy of your DFS lineup while you use the additional salary to pay up elsewhere.

Center

Brook Lopez may be the best value on the slate at just $5,800. He’s hit five times that value in five straight games, and there’s no reason to think that won’t happen again in Game 5 against the Heat tonight.

As an untraditional center, P.J. Tucker continues to rack up minutes and compile stats for the Rockets. If he hits a few of his signature corner threes, then he’ll once again pay off his reasonable salary tonight.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

Anthony Davis (LAL) $11,400: Now that Davis carries the center designation on FanDuel, he becomes even more valuable. He’s averaged over 55 FD points over the first two games of the series and easily has the safest floor and highest ceiling at the position tonight.

LeBron James (LAL) $11,100: Not much needs to be said about Playoff LeBron. He can take over a game in multiple ways and has a shot at a triple-double every time he takes the court.

Russell Westbrook (HOU) $9,000: Westbrook hasn’t put up big FD points yet in the playoffs, but he’s far too talented to be priced as low as he is tonight. It’s only a matter of time before his efficiency comes back and smashes his $9,000 salary.

Bam Adebayo (MIA) $8,500: Adebayo has averaged 18.3 points and 13.5 rebounds over the first four games of the series against the Bucks. He’s practically guaranteed another double-double tonight at the shallowest position on the slate.

Khris Middleton (MIL) $8,000: There’s little chance that teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing at full strength tonight, so Middleton will likely be carrying the load for the Bucks again. He nearly topped 60 FD after Giannis left Game 4, and we could see a similar game take place tonight.

5 Notable Players to Fade

James Harden (HOU) $10,800: Harden is one of the most expensive players on the slate and may have an extremely safe floor, but there are cheaper options who have just as high of a ceiling tonight.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $10,600: Even if Antetokounmpo plays through his injury tonight, he won’t be at full strength. He could be forced to leave the game early yet again if his ankle can’t hold up. 

Jimmy Butler (MIA) $8,300: It’s tough to forecast exactly what you’ll get from Butler on a given night. He comes with too much risk for his price tonight with the other options available around the same salary range.

Rajon Rondo (LAL) $6,200: Rondo had a nice showing with 41.1 FD points in Game 2 of the series, but a huge part of that was thanks to his five steals in the game. It’s tough to count on a repeat performance from him tonight with better options available at the position. 

Duncan Robinson (MIA) $5,300: Robinson topped 30 FD points for just the second time in the playoffs in Game 4 Saturday. He relies heavily on three-point shooting and is too volatile for his price tag tonight.

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Aaron Larson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @aalarson.