This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
As has been the case throughout the Finals thus far, FanDuel will continue to run contests with five roster spots that score based on the following: MVP (2x points), STAR (1.5x points), PRO (1.2x points) and two UTILITY spots. With that in mind, let's take a look at how I'm constructing my roster as the series shifts over to Cleveland:
MVP Candidate:
Kevin Durant, GS ($16,000): While I'd love to pay up for LeBron James in his home debut for the Finals, there's just no way I feel comfortable with his price, even though his upside is far and away the best on the slate. Instead, I'm pivoting to Durant as my top guy, who admittedly, has averaged roughly 13 FanDuel points less than James over the first two games of the series. That said, Durant is a full $6,000 less and allows me to pair him up with teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, giving me the coveted Warriors stack. Over the first two games of the series, Durant has averaged 26.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.5 blocks across 42.0 minutes.
STAR Candidate:
Stephen Curry, GS ($15,000): Curry has continued to step up his play as the importance of games has increased throughout the playoffs. Since Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, Curry has tallied more the 50 points in all four contests, averaging 29.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block across 42.0 minutes. He's also shot a blistering 45.6 percent from the three-point line during that stretch, while knocking down 6.5 per game. Some may argue that there could be an adjustment with the switch to the Cavaliers arena, but Curry is too good to really be fazed by that. The Cavaliers don't have the defensive firepower to stop all the All-Stars on this roster, so another monster game from Durant and Curry is expected.
PRO Candidate:
Draymond Green, GS ($13,000): Green put together one of his worst outings of the series in Game 3, notching just five points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and one block across 39 minutes. That was good enough for 28.1 FanDuel points, which was the least he's had since the team's playoff opening series against the Spurs. Green took a backseat offensively and put up a meager four shot attempts and will certainly need to up his scoring in order to hit value at this price. That said, he put up nine and 13 field goal attempts, respectively, in the two prior games, so he's got plenty of room for improvement on that side of the ball. Green has recorded more than 53 FanDuel points in two of the last four games, which demonstrates the upside he has despite the recent rough outing.
UTILITY:
Kevin Love, CLE ($12,000): Love finally appeared to show up during Game 2 on Saturday, specifically finding his stroke from downtown. The most encouraging part has been Love's willingness to get involved offensively, as he's now logged 18 and 20 field goal attempts, respectively, over the first two games of this series. Prior to the start of the Finals, Love had put up less than 15 attempts in seven of eight games, so he's clearly trying to establish himself as more of a scorer than just his typical presence on the boards. If that continues, Love could put up another one of those 20 and 10 double-doubles.
JaVale McGee, GS ($3,000): I clearly stacked the top of my roster with all the upper tier guys I could fit in and McGee is the reason I was able to do so. His minimum price is highly coveted, especially for a guy that just started Game 2 and tallied 17.4 FanDuel points. The potential return of Andre Iguodala (knee) does complicate things a bit and could hurt McGee's minutes, though it wouldn't be surprising if Iguodala was limited after such a lengthy absence. For that reason, McGee should still be in the rotation and has a chance at picking up a second straight start. While there's a decent chance of a flop here, his minimum price is too good for me to pass up.
Final Roster:
MVP: Kevin Durant ($16,000)
STAR: Stephen Curry ($15,000)
PRO: Draymond Green ($13,000)
UTL: Kevin Love ($12,000)
UTL: JaVale McGee ($3,000)
Total Salary: $59,000
