We have Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets on Monday, June 12th, and the Nuggets can close the series out and be world champions if they hold serve on their home floor. The Heat are likely getting Tyler Herro back and he averaged 20 points per game during the regular season and the Heat's offense has gone ice cole over the past two games. That is a big boost for them. Let's dive into my breakdown of today's NBA DFS Showdown Playbook for Game 2 of the NBA Finals and who my favorite daily fantasy basketball plays are for tonight's game!

 

Miami Heat @ Denver Nuggets

Total: 209.5

Spread: DEN -9

Miami Heat Injuries

Denver Nuggets Injuries

NBA DFS CPT/MVP Top Plays

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic had one of his worst shooting performances of the year and yet had 57.5 DKP in Game 4 because of his ability to literally do anything and everything on the basketball floor. That’s why he’s the best player in this series, in DFS, and in the league at present.

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Although he shot poorly in Game 4, Murray had a relatively solid fantasy outing once again thanks to his fourth straight double-digit assist outing. He’s now put up 40+ DKP in nine straight games and is obviously live to score every time he rises and takes a shot. Murray’s one of the best options in this game to use at the captain’s spot.

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

I know the shooting performances haven’t been great this series, but he keeps shooting because of the way Denver is guarding him. He has three double-doubles in four games this series and has scored 20+ points in each as well. Adebayo has taken 19+ shots in three of four games and there’s no reason to think that doesn’t continue. If he shoots like he did in the first two games of this series he could possibly approach 30 actual points here.

Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

Despite having a tough time having to guard Jimmy Butler this entire series, Aaron Gordon has been fantastic on the offensive end of the floor as well. He’s coming off a series-high 27 points and has double-digit points in each outing. Gordon’s ability to do a lot of things really makes him a valuable asset when he’s being used this much on the offensive end. He’s had double-digit points in all four games and has 34+ DKP in back-to-back games. 

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Aaron Gordon could be Jimmy Butler's kryptonite, his ankle could be really messed up, or a combination of both things could be leading to his passive play this entire NBA Finals. I mean, he averaged 40 PPG against the Bucks and this isn't the same guy at ALL in this series compared to that one. If you think Miami has any chance at stealing ANOTHER game in Denver, Butler has to play better. Plain and simple.

NBA DFS UTIL Top Plays

Gabe Vincent, Miami Heat

Will Vincent continue to shoot this poorly? It’s possible and if he struggles, the Heat could just turn to Tyler Herro for some extra run if Herro’s cleared to return. That said, Vincent was one of the primary reasons that propelled the Heat to a Game 2 victory in Denver. He’s a walking bucket at times and if he makes shots he could be in tonight’s winning lineup.

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

It’s nearly been two months since we last saw Tyler Herro in game action, so we’re not actually sure how much time he’s going to see if he’s actually cleared. It’s a hand injury, so his cardio should be OK, but we’re unsure if he’s in game shape and unsure how much he can endure during the course of a high level NBA game. He’s a GPP option but a risky one. If he starts, all bets are off and he’s simply too cheap.

Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets

If Michael Porter Jr. continues to play poorly, Denver’s just going to play more Bruce Brown. Plain and simple. Brown’s played 27-plus minutes in three straight games and was one of the primary X-Factor’s for the Nuggets in Game 4’s victory. Brown is normally a 20+ minute contributor anyways but can play upwards of 30 if MPJ isn’t playing well.

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat

This is a tricky one because he’s been playing well, but who’s going to lose the most time out there if Tyler Herro returns tonight? What if Gabe Vincent shoots the ball well? Both of those questions directly correlate to Kyle Lowry and how much he’s going to play. If Vincent struggles, Miami may turn to Lowry immediately in hopes he creates the same spark he has in the last two games.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets

KCP has not shot the ball well at all in this series and it really hasn’t been required of him, but he’s such a valuable asset on the defensive side of the ball Denver keeps him on the floor. Because of his five blocks/steals in Game 4, KCP put up 26 DKP and is now below 5K. GPPs for KCP.

Kevin Love, Miami Heat

One of the better values of this series, because there haven’t been many, is Kevin Love. After not playing in Game 1, Love has started three straight games and has even played 18+ minutes in two of them. He has 18+ DKP in those two games and is just 3.6K. If he spaces the floor well, he has a chance to approach 20 minutes.

Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat

Robinson is just the infinitely better option than Max Strus at this point and there’s no more messing around for the Heat. They’re down 3-1. Robinson played 25 minutes in Game 4 and they’ll likely turn to him faster if Strus can’t find his shot early. 

Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets

Braun has found his way into the lineup for 15+ minutes in the previous three games this series and outside of Game 4, vastly overperformed. He wasn’t going to make every shot for the rest of the series as we all knew, but he only took one shot in Game 4. He’s at his best when his hands are in the passing lanes and it leads to Denver in transition.