Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals is an elimination game in Los Angeles as the Nuggets took a commanding lead when they stole Game 3 on the Lakers' home floor. LeBron James has a long history of success in elimination games, but he like everyone else has never concurred a 3-0 series deficit. Will Game 4 and the series be salvaged by the Lakers on their home court or will the Nuggets continue to take the league by storm? Let's dive into my top plays of the daily fantasy basketball showdown slate!

 

Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers

Total: 224.5

Spread: LAL -3

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

Denver Nuggets Injuries

NBA DFS MVP/CPT Top Plays

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic had his first “bad” game in Game 3 and the Nuggets still won. That’s how well they’re playing right now. He was in early foul trouble and prior to Game 3, he had 70+ DKP in seven consecutive contests. He’s as good as it gets at the top of the position.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

We’ve seen time in, and time out, from LeBron James that elimination games are his cup of tea. In 25 career games, James has averaged 33.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists, on 48.8 FG% from the floor. Monster. He’s put up 50+ DKP in four straight games and has double-doubles, bordering triple-doubles.

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

I mean, Jamal Murray has been the best player in this series thus far. He’s been the X-factor. That’s significant considering he plays with Nikola Jokic and against LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Murray’s poured in 31+ points, 54+ DKP in three straight, and 60+ in two straight. The Lakers have no answers on the defensive end for Murray.

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Davis was great in Game 3, but we know how inconsistent he’s been for the Lakers this entire postseason. He has a higher ceiling more often than not than LeBron James but I prefer James to Davis today. No issue if you get to Davis at captain because we know how high of a ceiling he has, however.

Contrarian CPT/MVP Plays

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

I mean, Reaves continues to be fantastic. Arguably the Lakers most consistent player over the last two series. He’s had at least 22 points, five assists, and 36 DKP/game over his last four games and has put up 32+ DKP in six straight. Reaves will continue to be everywhere the Lakers need him to be.

Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

Porter stayed out of foul trouble in Game 3 and put up a double-double, his second of the series and fifth of the postseason. Porter Jr. has been good all around, but his ability to be the Nuggets' third go-to scorer and has put up 36+ DKP in six of his last eight games.

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

There’s no reason to think Hachimura isn’t a key piece of this Lakers rotation here once again. He’s topped 30 minutes in two straight and 28+ minutes in all three games. He’s topped 21 DKP in all three games and has been one of the team’s key scoring threats.

NBA DFS UTIL Top Plays

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope & Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets

Both guys play a significant role for the Nuggets and KCP and Brown have been awesome this series respectively. KCP has scored 17 and 21 points in two of the three games this series while Brown’s scored in double-figures in all three and in five straight. I’m OK getting to either guy here because both have a nice floor/ceiling. 

NBA DFS GPP Darts

Lonnie Walker IV, Los Angeles Lakers

We’re not getting the same Lonnie Walker as we were at the end of the Golden State series but we saw flashes of that guy in Game 3. We know Walker can fill it up offensively and he’s playing as many minutes as anyone else off the Lakers bench.

Dennis Schroder, Los Angeles Lakers

He continues to play, but continues to shoot poorly. When he’s not shooting poorly, he’s not shooting enough. Three times in the last four games he’s shot six times or fewer. He’s a decent value option at 4.4K.

Jeff Green, Denver Nuggets

Green’s coming in and spacing the floor when Nikola Jokic is off and if he can knock down the two three’s that’s going to come his way and grab a few rebounds like he did in Game 3, he could be the highest-scoring punt play we have tonight.

Mo Bamba, Los Angeles Lakers

This is a 1K punt play that could work because even if he doesn’t play, it helps you spend up and get three of the top guys. Could LA turn to Bamba for a few shifts to help try and throw size at Nikola Jokic? It’s possible.