We’ve got a Game 7 to close out the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Sunday afternoon when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Orlando Magic. The home team has won every game in the series, which bodes well for Cleveland heading into this decisive contest.
Here’s a look at one potential DFS lineup managers can build for Showdown contests involving Sunday’s game, including a captain’s pick, utility plays and some players to potentially stay away from in this matchup.
Captain Pick
Donovan Mitchell, $17,400
There aren’t any automatic captain picks in this game, but you can narrow your options to Mitchell, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. I think the veteran Cavaliers shooting guard is the most likely to show out in Game 7 at home, especially after dropping 50 points in Game 6 en route to 62.5 fantasy points. Mitchell was bothered by some sort of knee injury but ultimately played the whole game and is not on the injury report Sunday. He’s probably not at 100% but is still worth backing as the captain pick for Showdown contests.
Utility Plays
Franz Wagner, $10,200
Wagner and Banchero has produced similar results, but this forward comes in at a slightly lesser price point. The Magic will continue to rely heavily on their budding stars, who actually have good experience playing in high-stakes contests. Wagner has topped 30 fantasy points in all three road games so far in this series and seems likely to deliver a strong showing. If he can find his perimeter shot, he’ll truly take off in this matchup.
Darius Garland, $8,800
After staying quiet for much of the series, Garland hit 40.3 fantasy points in Game 6. The Cavaliers are going to rely on Mitchell to score, though he clearly needs some help after the Magic keyed in on him late in Game 6. Garland is most likely to be that secondary scorer for Cleveland, especially at home. He’s a more efficient offensive player at home and that makes him a good addition to Game 7 lineups.
Jalen Suggs, $7,800
As is the case with most role players, Suggs has generally performed better at home. However, his numbers in Cleveland in this series haven’t been too shabby at 26.8 fantasy points per game. Suggs has played in a national title game in college, so he knows about performing under pressure. His ability to hit the triple could be the difference in this contest and that gives him some upside at this price point.
Cole Anthony, $2,800
At the end of Game 6, Anthony provided some important energy and spaced the floor for Orlando. If Gary Harris remains sidelined, the guard might continue to see more playing time given his ability to create shots for himself and attack the basket. He tallied 16.8 fantasy points, which is more than enough value at this price.
Markelle Fultz, $2,400
Fultz started off this series looking like he was going to be phased out of the rotation. However, the former No. 1 overall pick has quietly tallied double-digit fantasy points in each of the last four games. At this price point, Fultz just needs to be solid in the 12-15 minutes he’ll get to deliver strong value.
Fades
Evan Mobley, $9,800
Even if Jarrett Allen is unable to suit up for this game, Mobley is not worth rostering at this price point. The Magic have done well to contain the big man offensively, and Mobley’s defense alone isn’t going to rack up fantasy points. He has had some good showings at home, highlighted by 45.3 fantasy points in Game 5. However, I think this is a bit of an overpay for a player who is going to be third option in this offense at best.
Jonathan Isaac, $4,800
This is actually a decent price tag for Isaac given his ability to break out but there’s just too much inconsistency to believe he’ll rise to the occasion in Game 7. After going for 32.3 fantasy points in Game 4 to help the Magic level this series, Isaac hasn’t gotten to 15 fantasy points in each of the subsequent two games. He did log 30.8 fantasy points in Game 1 but I think he stays relatively quiet Sunday afternoon.