Game 4 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals will take place Tuesday evening with the Dallas Mavericks hoping to sweep the Minnesota Timberwolves to advance to the 2024 NBA Finals. The teams have actually been quite close, as the three games have been decided by a combined 13 points. However, Dallas has been the superior team in clutch moments and will now look to close out the series.
Here’s a look at one potential lineup strategy DFS managers can employ for Showdown contests involving Tuesday’s game with a captain pick, utility plays and fades.
Captain Pick
Luka Doncic, $20,700
Is there any other choice for the captain? Doncic has been on fire in these playoffs, taking games over in clutch moments to deliver big wins for Dallas. He’s been a top fantasy producer as well, logging 60+ fantasy points in the last five playoff games. The usage is tremendous and the way Doncic is playing right now, it’s hard to imagine him struggling to the point where he doesn’t deliver on this price point.
Utility Plays
Kyrie Irving, $9,600
Surprisingly, Irving has actually been scoring more points than Doncic in the fourth quarter during this series. The veteran has been perfect in closeout games during his career, so there’s good reason to roster him ahead of tonight’s contest. Even though Doncic has been the shining star for Dallas, Irving is averaging 41.5 fantasy points per game in this series. He might start slow but he’s been able to turn things on offensively at a moment’s notice. He’s worth adding for Game 4.
Daniel Gafford, $6,600
After nine straight playoff games with at least 20 fantasy points per game, Gafford only logged 14.8 fantasy points in Game 3. However, he should be the lead big man for Game 4 with Dereck Lively officially being considered doubtful due to a neck injury. That means more fantasy points at a bargain price point.
Naz Reid, $5,200
The Sixth Man of the Year has been a consistent presence for the Timberwolves. He got hot in Game 2 and went for 34.5 fantasy points before falling back to Earth a bit with a respectable 21.3 fantasy points. There’s a solid floor here with Reid, who has averaged 27.1 fantasy points per game over the last five playoff games. With his ability to hit the triple, Reid offers some great upside in this price range.
Derrick Jones Jr., $4,600
Jones Jr. has been a bit quiet in this series, which has been disappointing for managers who rostered him after his big showing in Game 6 against the Thunder. The forward can do a little bit of everything but he has been slightly underwhelming in comparison to other players at this price point. However, it only takes one big game for him to get back on DFS radars as an automatic value add.
Kyle Anderson, $3,000
Anderson logged just four minutes in Game 7 against the Nuggets but has been more effective in this series. At this price point, DFS managers are just hoping for some level of production. Anderson went over 20 fantasy points in Game 2, and has logged at least 17 fantasy points per game in each contest. He’s a good add given the star power at the top of the lineup.
Fades
Karl-Anthony Towns, $9,200
Towns has been consistent with his fantasy production despite some terrible offensive numbers. He’s putting up at least 30 fantasy points per game in this series but his efficiency will scare some managers away. Towns hasn’t broken out yet and the Timberwolves might actually limit his minutes in favor of Reid as an adjustment. I’d leave him out of lineups tonight.
P.J. Washington, $7,200
I do think Washington will have a solid game. It’s the price point which makes this a tough sell. The Mavericks forward has been rebounding the ball well and that should continue, but his inconsistent scoring makes him a risky addition in DFS lineups. I’d keep him out for Game 4.