The second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs will continue on Thursday and the only game on the slate will feature the Denver Nuggets visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves for Game 6 of their best-of-seven series. Tipoff for this Western Conference showdown is set for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game will air on ESPN.
Here’s a look at one potential lineup strategy DFS managers can employ for Showdown contests involving Thursday’s game with a captain pick, utility plays and fades.
Captain Pick
Nikola Jokic, $21,000
Jokic comes with a massive price tag at the captain’s spot and he’s absolutely worth every cent if you put him at the top of your lineup. The three-time MVP has taken this series over and has delivered three straight 60+ fantasy-point performances as the Nuggets have stormed ahead for a 3-2 series lead. He was particularly excellent in Game 5, 40 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds to earn 76.75 fantasy points for fantasy managers. With a chance to close this series out, I wouldn’t want anyone else in the captain’s chair.
Utility Plays
Aaron Gordon, $8,000
Denver storming back in this series can partly be owed to Gordon stepping up in a big way for the defending champions. He’s combined for 91.25 fantasy points through their last two games, averaging 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in those victories. He’s an excellent piece to pair with Jokic at the top of your lineups.
Mike Conley, $7,200
Conley had been a consistent presence for the Timberwolves in this series before missing Game 5 with an Achilles strain. Through the first four games, he averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 assists while going over 30 fantasy points twice during that stretch. He’s listed as questionable for this contest, but early signs are pointing towards him being able to go. If he’s able to play, he should play a huge role in Minnesota trying to keep its season alive.
Jaden McDaniels, $5,200
Also needing to step up for the Wolves is McDaniels, who has put up mere modest numbers from a DFS standpoint in this series. He was productive in their Game 5 loss on Tuesday, putting forth nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 31 minutes of action. I’d imagine he’ll get more minutes as the T-Wolves throw everything against the wall to avoid elimination, so he’s a good sleeper option for DFS lineups.
Christian Braun, $4,000
Braun has gotten significant burn off the bench for the Nuggets in the last two games and has made the most of the opportunity. He cracked double-digit points in those outings and Game 5 in particular saw him deliver five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. That was good for 25.25 fantasy points and at just $4,000, he’s absolutely worth taking a flyer on at the bottom of your lineup.
Justin Holiday, $2,800
The same goes for Holiday, who is averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds through an average of 18.3 minutes off the bench for the Nuggets. At the low price of $2,800, it will be worth putting him into your lineup if he can simply get double-digit fantasy points.
Fades
Jamal Murray, $9,600
Murray has been hit or miss throughout the series and part of that can be attributed to the calf strain he has been dealing with. He played a huge role in their victories in Games 3 and 4, but took somewhat of a backseat in Game 5, delivering just 16 points and four assists to the tune of just 24.25 fantasy points in DFS. While I expect him to be productive in a potential closeout game for the Nuggets, I’d avoid him with a regular price tag of just under $10,000
Rudy Gobert, $8,400
Game 5 was the first game of this series where Gobert had numbers you’d expect from the Defensive Player of the Year, putting up 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. He has had nothing for Jokic on both ends of the floor and I don’t see that changing as the defending champions go for the kill this evening. I’d avoid the 7-1 veteran in this critical contest.