RADIO
The only game tonight is Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals between the Clippers and Suns. The Clippers are trying to fend off elimination again at home without Kawhi Leonard, who is still being evaluated (allegedly) on a game-by-game basis. He'll join Serge Ibaka in street clothes. The only other spot we need to watch is Ivica Zubac, who sat out Monday with a MCL strain.
We will stay in Showdown mode for DFS on DraftKings tonight. To build our rosters for this particular format, we need to identify a Captain and five utility players. It's just like the analytics nerds dreamt it up: positionless basketball. The Captain will earn 1.5 times the amount of points he regularly tallies, but it also drives up the price for your more prominent players.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/30/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. With COVID-19 a significant factor, remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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Phoenix Suns (EVEN, 215 total)
Chris Paul - PG (Captain: $14,400, Utility: $9,6o0)
Paul finally got some of his shooting touch back, going 8-19 from the floor in Game 5. That's still not anywhere close to his career mark or where he was against Denver, but baby steps. It's something to hang onto. Paul's assist numbers are still very good, even though Game 5 was his first game since Game 2 against Denver without a steal. CP3 is still the safest option for the Suns, but Devin Booker finally had another solid game. That could eat into Paul's production as well.
Deandre Ayton - C (Captain: $13,200, Utility: $8,800)
Ayton's score in Game 5 was under par for the series, but it still wasn't all that bad. However, it did highlight how much his value is tied to poor shooting on both sides. Sure, Boogie was a thorn in his side, possibly more than Zubac. Ayton still was efficient from the floor and had solid peripheral stats. I still think Ayton is the way to go in cash games, but for the first time in this series, I can see the allure of a GPP fade. This is especially true if Zubac is out again.
Cameron Johnson - SF/PF ($3,600)
As Rick Moranis so eloquently put it in Ghostbusters, "Yes, have some!" Johnson was the best the Suns had off the bench in Game 5 with 25 DraftKings points. DraftKings responded as only DraftKings can by lowering his price $400. You really can't make this up! I'll gladly take that discount on Johnson, who has been a big factor in all but one game this series. He's a lock for me at this price in any format.
Other options: Devin Booker ($10,200), Mikal Bridges ($6,600)
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Los Angeles Clippers (EVEN, 215 total)
Paul George - SG (Captain: $18,000, Utility: $12,0o0)
Honestly, George could be priced over $20,000, and I would still use him. He is the Clippers offense right now and quite honestly is the only chance they have to win this series. He was a superb 15-20 from the floor in Game 5 and racked up 72.25 DraftKings points en route to keeping the Clippers alive to get one more home game at the very least. George is far and away the best captain option on either team. Don't overthink this.
Reggie Jackson - PG/SG ($8,2o0)
Jackson had another strong game and his price also went down $400. Not that I'm complaining. We need some kind of value here, especially if you are entertaining the idea of going back to Booker. Jackson has been between 28 and 39 DraftKings points in every game of this series. He is the only Clipper that I truly trust besides George right now. Regardless of who you think will win this game, it's a given that George and Jackson are going to come through.
Marcus Morris - C ($4,000)
I briefly considered Cousins here, but there is no reason for him to be $800 more than Morris. Morris played 39 minutes to Boogie's 11 and outscored him by 7.25 DraftKings points. If Zubac is in, I can see the allure of Cousins because I think his role will largely be the same regardless of the status of Zubac. It's Morris that gets the much bigger boost if Zubac sits.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins ($4,800), Patrick Beverley ($4,600)
