The Toronto Raptors will head to South Beach looking to clinch their best-of-seven series with the Miami Heat on Friday after taking a 3-2 lead with a 99-91 win at home on Wednesday night. NBA fantasy players will have to keep a close eye on the injury news as the Raptors DeMarre Carroll is questionable but expected to play, DeMar DeRozan is playing but less than 100-percent, and Jonas Valanciunas remains sidelined. Meanwhile, the Heat will have zero sympathy for Toronto’s injury issues as they will likely be without the duo of Hassan Whiteside and Luol Deng, and remember that Chris Bosh is already out. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Friday’s NBA fantasy leagues whether you’re playing DraftKings or anything else.
PG: Kyle Lowry, Toronto
Salary: $8,000
Lowry exploded for 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in Toronto’s Game 5 win over Miami and Raptors’ fans have to be hoping that he can perform at that level again on Friday as they look to close the series out. Lowry has struggled mightily at times throughout this series but he is still the best option on the board on a quiet night so he should be a lock in every NBA fantasy lineup.
SG: Dwyane Wade, Miami
Salary: $8,200
Miami has been absolutely decimated by injuries to its top players and if this team is going to have any shot at forcing a Game 7 versus Toronto it will need a vintage playoff performance from Wade. The veteran shooting guard has been excellent to this point in the postseason averaging 21.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game and if he can even match those averages in Game 6 then he will be a strong play in DraftKings tournaments.
SF: Joe Johnson, Miami
Salary: $5,700
Johnson has torched the Raptors in the playoffs before and the Heat are hoping that he can turn back the clock again and deliver in an elimination game on Friday night. Johnson has averaged 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in the playoffs but we like his chances to top those averages in a desperate situation in Game 6.
PF: Patrick Patterson, Toronto
Salary: $4,000
Injuries have opened the door for Patterson to play at least 40 minutes in each of the last two games for Toronto and there is every reason to think he will top that mark again on Friday night. Patterson has averaged 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in those last two games while shooting just 6-of-20 from the field. If he can improve his field goal percentage and still get the same amount of touches then he will be a strong sleeper option in NBA fantasy games.
C: Bismack Biyombo, Toronto
Salary: $5,600
The injury to Valanciunas opened the door for Biyombo to make an impact in the series with Miami and he delivered in a big way in Game 6 with a monster performance. Biyombo finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four blocks and two steals in that game. With injuries absolutely devastating the center position in this matchup it only makes sense that Biyombo will be a lock for Friday’s DraftKings tournaments.
G: Goran Dragic, Miami
Salary: $6,200
Dragic flashed his ability to dominate in this series when he scored 26 points with six rebounds, two assists and three three-point shots in a Game 1 win. Miami will need a similar performance from him on Friday night to make sure they stay alive. Dragic has averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 three-point shots per game so far this postseason and we are banking on another outstanding performance from him in Game 6 versus Toronto.
F: DeMarre Carroll, Toronto
Salary: $4,600
Carroll’s wrist went numb when he hit the floor awkwardly in Game 5 but x-rays after the game revealed there was no structural damage and he is expected to be good for Game 6. Carroll has really turned it up for Toronto in the playoffs and as long as he is good to play in this contest we will be comfortable plugging him in here at a slim position. Carroll has averaged 9.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.5 three-point shots this postseason and he could easily top those averages with the Raptors looking to clinch the series in Game 6.
FLEX: DeMar DeRozan, Toronto
Salary: $7,300
With so much money left over to spend on our FLEX position we are forced to turn back to the Raptors and the best available player still on the board for Friday night in DeRozan. Like Lowry, DeRozan has struggled with consistency throughout the playoffs and part of the problem is an injured wrist but the upside is there and we already know he isn’t lacking confidence despite his struggles. DeRozan has averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 three-point shots so far in these playoffs and we can easily see him topping those averages with a more consistent stroke from the field in Miami on Friday night.
