May 1st has a pair of Game 6’s for the main slate tonight: Knicks vs. Pistons and Nuggets vs. Clippers. Between these four teams are tons of shooters, so it can prove difficult to find who to start for DFS. The guard position in particular features some heavy competition, since some underrated guards have been playing very well, and some superstar guards have been slacking. It’s important here to keep in mind which players are hot right now, not which have been good in the past.
Starting Guards
Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons
AT
New York Knicks
(3-2)
Cunningham has turned in phenomenal game after phenomenal game for Detroit, regardless of whether his team loses or wins. In Game 5 against New York, Cunningham went 11-12 from the free-throw line. That might make New York hesitate a little on defense, but they really shouldn’t, considering how good Cunningham is at driving to the hole and then fading back for that midrange. He is becoming a nuisance to defend, and he should have a good Game 6.
Jamal Murray
Denver Nuggets
AT
LA Clippers
(2-3)
43 points in a playoff game is nothing to sneeze at, and that’s how much Jamal Murray scored in Game 5. Looking at how the Clippers match up defensively, it’s a bit more difficult for them to defend Murray than it is to defend Jokic. The Clippers generally play better interior defense than on the perimeter, which is why Murray scored the 43 and why he’s poised to have a similar performance in Game 6 for the Main Slate.
Starting Forwards
OG Anunoby
New York Knicks
AT
Detroit Pistons
(2-3)
Game 5 was a chance for Anunoby to remind the world how well he played in the regular season. He did so by scoring 19 points, but more importantly, shooting 3-4 from three-point range. This shows Anunoby isn’t afraid to shoot from range, and that makes him a much more difficult player to guard. Look for him to drop another 19 in Game 6 for the Main Slate tonight.
Kawhi Leonard
LA Clippers
AT
Denver Nuggets
(3-2)
The reason why Kawhi is a good pick here is because of his situation. The Clippers are facing elimination, and in the previous game, James Harden only scored 14. That means that Kawhi might spread the ball around a bit less, instead taking the ball up himself to try and lead the team. He’s only scored around 20 in each game this series, so he might score 30 or even 40 in this new game tonight for Game 6.
Starting Center for Main Slate Game 6
Ivica Zubac
LA Clippers
AT
Denver Nuggets
(3-2)
In surprising fashion, Zubac was the leading scorer for the Clippers with 27 points in Game 5. While he hasn’t had a game that good all series, he usually scores around 20. Harden and Kawhi will still be drawing the double teams, so Zubac is adept at going under the radar. He can also shoot very well for a big man. A good strategy for DFS would be to save some money by starting Zubac (instead of, for instance, Jokic) and spending on the other positions.
