NBA DFS picks: Best strategy for Mavericks vs. Clippers DraftKings showdown in Game 5

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers meet in Game 5 on Wednesday night, with both teams looking to secure a lead in the series. The Mavericks and Clippers just played one of the best playoff thrillers of all time in Game 4, meaning the stage is set for a thrilling finish in what is now a best-of-3 matchup.

Here's a look at a possible lineup strategy that DFS Showdown managers could implement for this game.

Captain tips

Luka Doncic ($19,800) – Even though Kyrie Irving is the player fans remember after Game 4, Doncic continues to be the Clippers' biggest thorn in the side. The Mavericks' star point guard has scored over 50 fantasy points in every game, over 60 fantasy points in two contests and just missed the mark in a third. Irving could get hot, but Doncic remains the primary fantasy star in this rotation. Despite his knee injury, it is worth bringing him into your team as captain.

James Harden ($15,600) – This is a big series for Harden, who is seeking a new contract this summer. The Beard has been on fire so far, averaging 47 fantasy points per game. He scored 56 fantasy points in Game 4 and was brilliant in the closing moments to secure a win for the Clippers. With Kawhi Leonard sidelined indefinitely, he'll see significant action again, and it's hard to argue against his current form. Paul George is also an interesting option here, but I like Harden as captain tonight.

FLEX plays

PJ Washington ($7,200) – At some point, the Mavericks will need an offense outside of Irving and Doncic. The most likely candidate to step up without Tim Hardaway Jr. is Washington, who averaged 13.6 points per game with the Hornets before moving to Dallas. The striker has done a bit of everything so far in this series, but hasn't put in a big goal performance yet. Maybe Game 5 could be that moment. Since his stakes are low, there isn't much upside, but Washington has a top spot in fantasy basketball.

Ivica Zubac ($7,800) – Zubac got off to a good start in the series with 45.3 fantasy points in 33 minutes. The big man has slowed down a bit in his production but remains a consistent producer. Zubac only scored 23 fantasy points in 30 minutes of action in Game 4, but that was largely because George and Harden took over. I think the Clippers give Zubac a few more touches tonight, which will help him provide value as a flexible option.

Faded

Norman Powell ($5,400) – With Leonard out indefinitely, Powell was seen as someone who would obviously step up. Outside of Game 3, where he averaged 30.5 fantasy points, Powell has been largely ineffective in this series. His value comes from his three-point shooting, which has been poor so far in this matchup. Even if the price is cheap, Powell can hardly be trusted as a fantasy producer. I wouldn't put him in the lineup tonight.

Daniel Gafford ($5,200) – The Mavericks didn't give Gafford much leeway in the first two games, with the big man logging a total of 23 minutes. In Game 3 alone, he played 26 minutes and scored 23 fantasy points. Gafford's role is too inconsistent to be worth supporting, especially at a price that leaves you wanting more value. Even if Gafford were to get playing time, it's unlikely he would see any major action. It's best if he's left out of DFS lineups.

The result

The Clippers won both games in which Leonard was sidelined, suggesting there was some confusion about their roles as the star forward tried to play through knee soreness. That factor is gone now, but the Mavericks have a better understanding of how to approach this matchup after being forced out of the gym for most of Games 1 and 4. I think Dallas is slowing things down to get a better chance, but George and Harden are currently locked up. Both are looking for new long-term contracts and that will be a factor in their play, but the chance to take a 3-2 lead in this series is motivation enough.

Final result: Clippers 98, Mavericks 91