As NBA Run 3 continues to heat up, the key to success lies in maximizing player performance on specific days. This article takes a deep dive into the best paths to take for each day’s challenges, detailing the top players and how to strategically utilize them. From leveraging star power to balancing key stats, let’s explore the best ways to hit those thresholds and secure wins!
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Day 1: 25 Assists and 35 Rebounds
Legendary Path:
Sabonis (vs UTA)
Giannis (vs CHA)
Luka (vs SAS)
LeBron (vs NOP)
Wembanyama (vs DAL)
Total Projection: 32.12 Assists, 51.09 Rebounds
For Day 1, we're aiming for an all-star performance. Sabonis anchors the frontcourt, while Giannis and Luka bring dynamic playmaking to the table. LeBron’s versatility and Wembanyama’s defensive presence make this lineup formidable. The synergy here is exceptional, with each player contributing substantial numbers across both assists and rebounds.
Rare Path:
Sabonis (vs UTA)
Giannis (vs CHA)
Luka (vs SAS)
LeBron (vs NOP)
Wembanyama (vs DAL)
Total Projection: 32.12 Assists, 51.09 Rebounds
The Rare path mirrors the Legendary path almost identically, but with a slight variance in player flexibility based on availability. This strategy ensures consistent performance, although managing player rotations might require a little more attention in the long run.
Common Path:
Sabonis (vs UTA)
Lillard (vs CHA)
Anthony Davis (vs NOP)
LeBron (vs NOP)
Ingram (vs LAL)
Total Projection: 29.80 Assists, 41.56 Rebounds
The Common path requires careful consideration of player usage. Lillard and Ingram are fantastic choices to bolster your stats, but you’ll need to save your other stars for better matchups later in the run. This path involves calculated risks, as it’s all about striking the right balance without exhausting your top performers.
Day 2: 130 Points
Legendary Path:
Luka (vs OKC)
SGA (vs DAL)
Jokic (vs MEM)
Edwards (vs PHO)
LaMelo (vs CLE)
Total Projection: 141.46 Points
The Legendary path is stacked with scoring threats. Luka, SGA, and Jokic provide elite offensive production, while Edwards and LaMelo round out the lineup with their ability to light up the scoreboard. When hitting 130 points, these players deliver high efficiency and volume, making this path an excellent choice for Day 2.
Rare Path:
Trae (vs POR)
SGA (vs DAL)
Jokic (vs MEM)
Edwards (vs PHO)
LaMelo (vs CLE)
Total Projection: 137.38 Points
The Rare path involves trading Luka for Trae to ensure you save Luka for later days where he could provide even more value. The rest of the roster remains intact, giving you a strong chance to hit your point target while maintaining flexibility for future days.
Common Path:
Irving (vs OKC)
SGA (vs DAL)
Thomas (vs NYK)
Doncic (vs OKC)
LaVine (vs HOU)
Total Projection: 130.37 Points
Common paths often force you to make tough decisions, like starting players with less-than-ideal matchups. Irving and LaVine may need to exceed their projections to help make up for the absence of star players. You’ll need a bit of luck here, as players like Thomas and Doncic will need to outperform to help you reach the 130-point mark.
Day 3: 15 3s Made
Legendary Path:
Steph (vs LAC)
Herro (vs PHI)
Powell (vs GSW)
Lillard (vs HOU)
Trae (vs SAC)
Total Projection: 17.84 3s Made
Steph Curry leads this lineup, where his 3-point shooting is maximized. With Herro, Powell, Lillard, and Trae also capable of knocking down triples, this path gives you a high ceiling for Day 3’s 3-pointers challenge. These players are prolific from deep and should help you hit your target with ease.
Rare Path:
White (vs DET)
Herro (vs PHI)
Powell (vs GSW)
Lillard (vs HOU)
Trae (vs SAC)
Total Projection: 16.47 3s Made
In the Rare path, swapping out Curry for Coby White provides some cap space to prioritize other critical matchups. While White may not have Curry’s range, his role in this lineup still ensures a competitive total of 3-pointers made.
Common Path:
White (vs DET)
Poole (vs NYK)
Powell (vs GSW)
Hield (vs LAC)
Trae (vs SAC)
Total Projection: 15.36 3s Made
The Common path sacrifices some star power, but it’s all about making the most of what’s available. White and Poole will need to step up, but it’s still achievable. The margin is slimmer, but with a couple of above-average performances, you can hit the target.
Day 4: 40 Field Goals Made
Legendary Path:
Davis (vs UTA)
Tatum (vs CLE)
Irving (vs NOP)
LeBron (vs UTA)
Jaylen Brown (vs CLE)
Total Projection: 46.09 Field Goals Made
This day’s focus on Field Goals Made rewards you with a lineup that can attack the basket and create easy scoring opportunities. Davis, Tatum, and LeBron are all excellent facilitators and finishers, while Brown adds a scoring punch. This path gives you the depth and consistency needed to rack up field goals.
Rare Path:
Davis (vs UTA)
Tatum (vs CLE)
Irving (vs NOP)
Mitchell (vs BOS)
Jaylen Brown (vs CLE)
Total Projection: 45.69 Field Goals Made
By swapping LeBron for Donovan Mitchell, the Rare path gives you a slight boost in overall offensive production. Mitchell’s scoring ability complements the core of Davis, Tatum, and Brown, providing solid depth across the board.
Common Path:
Wembanyama (vs OKC)
Tatum (vs CLE)
Jamal Murray (vs MEM)
Michael Porter Jr. (vs MEM)
Jaylen Brown (vs CLE)
Total Projection: 40.32 Field Goals Made
With fewer star players, the Common path requires creative thinking. Wembanyama, Murray, and Porter are all key contributors, but the challenge lies in ensuring their shooting efficiency against tough defenses.
Day 5: 45 Points in the Paint and 10 Offensive Rebounds
Legendary Path:
Zubac (vs ORL)
Drummond (vs MEM)
Ayton (vs OKC)
Towns (vs PHO)
Edey (vs PHI)
Total Projection: 14.95 Offensive Rebounds
Day 5’s challenge focuses on the big men who can dominate the paint. Zubac, Drummond, and Ayton provide excellent interior defense and rebounding. With a bit of luck, these players can help you reach the desired thresholds for points in the paint and offensive rebounds.
Rare Path:
Zubac (vs ORL)
Drummond (vs MEM)
Ayton (vs OKC)
Towns (vs PHO)
Edey (vs PHI)
Total Projection: 14.95 Offensive Rebounds
The Rare path mirrors the Legendary path for this day, with no major changes needed. The key will be managing their playing time and performance to ensure they hit the needed stats.
Common Path:
Zubac (vs ORL)
Drummond (vs MEM)
Ayton (vs OKC)
Towns (vs PHO)
Edey (vs PHI)
Total Projection: 14.95 Offensive Rebounds
While this path lacks variety, the consistency across the board offers a solid chance to meet the offensive and rebounding targets.
Day 6: 25 Assists and 25 Field Goals Made
Legendary Path:
LeBron (vs ORL)
Cade Cunningham (vs CHA)
LaMelo (vs DET)
Anthony Edwards (vs TOR)
Davis (vs ORL)
Total Projection: 31.56 Assists, 47.08 Field Goals Made
This lineup features players who excel both as playmakers and scorers, giving you ample coverage for both assists and field goals. LeBron and Edwards are versatile threats who contribute across the board, while Davis adds inside scoring. LaMelo and Cade bring creativity, helping to ensure a solid assist count. This path aims for a comfortable margin above the threshold, giving you some breathing room.
Rare Path:
Franz Wagner (vs LAL)
Cade Cunningham (vs CHA)
LaMelo (vs DET)
RJ Barrett (vs MIN)
Chris Paul (vs UTA)
Total Projection: 32.34 Assists, 37.52 Field Goals Made
By swapping Edwards, LeBron, and Davis for Wagner, Barrett, and Paul, this Rare path lineup saves your heavy hitters for later days. Chris Paul is crucial in the assists category, and Wagner’s steady scoring complements the group well, though field goals may be slightly tighter here.
Common Path:
Franz Wagner (vs LAL)
Cade Cunningham (vs CHA)
LaMelo (vs DET)
RJ Barrett (vs MIN)
Austin Reaves (vs ORL)
Total Projection: 29.67 Assists, 39.85 Field Goals Made
This lineup builds on consistency rather than explosiveness, with role players like Reaves and Barrett providing valuable stats without using up top-tier players. This common path may fall closer to the threshold, but strong performances from Wagner and LaMelo can still push it over the edge.
Day 7: 130 Points
Legendary Path:
Giannis (vs IND)
Luka (vs DEN)
Tatum (vs WAS)
Jokic (vs DAL)
Steph Curry (vs NOP)
Total Projection: 143.39 Points
This is a powerhouse scoring lineup. Giannis and Luka provide high-volume scoring, while Tatum and Curry add three-point range and versatility. Jokic rounds out the group with his efficiency, making this lineup exceptionally well-suited for a high point total.
Rare Path:
Giannis (vs IND)
Damian Lillard (vs DEN)
Tatum (vs WAS)
Jaylen Brown (vs DAL)
Irving (vs NOP)
Total Projection: 135.04 Points
The Rare path saves Luka, Jokic, and Curry for later days, but it’s still loaded with talent. Giannis and Lillard lead the way in scoring, with Tatum, Brown, and Irving each capable of big nights. This lineup offers a solid chance to clear 130 points.
Common Path:
Giannis (vs IND)
Tyrese Maxey (vs BKN)
De’Aaron Fox (vs LAC)
DeMar DeRozan (vs LAC)
Jalen Green (vs HOU)
Total Projection: 124.52 Points
This Common path has a lower projected total, but it’s designed to make the most of available players. Maxey’s return from injury will be key, and Green and DeRozan may need to over-perform to hit the target.
Day 8: 12 3s Made and 45 Rebounds
Legendary Path:
Curry (vs SAS)
LaMelo (vs MIL)
Jokic (vs LAL)
Towns (vs UTA)
Wembanyama (vs GSW)
Total Projection: 15.4 3s Made, 45.19 Rebounds
This lineup leverages Curry’s elite three-point shooting while combining LaMelo and Towns for additional range. Jokic and Wembanyama ensure rebounding control. It’s a well-balanced team that should comfortably meet both thresholds.
Rare Path:
Curry (vs SAS)
Nikola Vucevic (vs MEM)
Jokic (vs LAL)
Towns (vs UTA)
Wembanyama (vs GSW)
Total Projection: 12.78 3s Made, 50.08 Rebounds
By adding Vucevic in place of LaMelo, you gain extra rebounding, though the three-point count becomes tighter. It’s a riskier but manageable setup to ensure you hit both targets.
Common Path:
Curry (vs SAS)
Vucevic (vs MEM)
Jokic (vs LAL)
Towns (vs UTA)
Markkanen (vs NYK)
Total Projection: 12.90 3s Made, 46.55 Rebounds
Adding Markkanen for three-point consistency ensures that you remain competitive, even without relying on primary scorers. This path can work with strong showings in three-point shooting and rebounding.
Day 9: 15 Free Throws Made and 25 Assists
Legendary Path:
James Harden (vs PHI)
Tyrese Haliburton (vs WAS)
Jayson Tatum (vs MIN)
Jimmy Butler (vs DAL)
Domantas Sabonis (vs BKN)
Total Projection: 24.25 Free Throws Made, 34.78 Assists
With Harden and Tatum leading the charge, this lineup is built for success. Sabonis and Haliburton provide assist consistency, while Butler’s aggressive playstyle will help meet the free-throw target.
Rare Path:
Harden (vs PHI)
Haliburton (vs WAS)
Luka Doncic (vs MIA)
Jimmy Butler (vs DAL)
De’Aaron Fox (vs BKN)
Total Projection: 24.17 Free Throws Made, 37.05 Assists
Subbing Tatum for Luka brings a creative playmaker into the mix. Fox adds speed and penetration, giving the lineup depth in assists and free throws.
Common Path:
Harden (vs PHI)
Haliburton (vs WAS)
Darius Garland (vs TOR)
Julius Randle (vs BOS)
Paul George (vs PHI)
Total Projection: 18.04 Free Throws Made, 34.19 Assists
Without major stars, this path needs Garland and Randle to step up. A lower projection means this lineup might come down to player over-performance.
Day 10: 5 Blocks and 5 Steals
Legendary Path:
Daniels (vs DAL)
Myles Turner (vs NOP)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (vs POR)
Jalen Williams (vs SAC)
Jalen Suggs (vs CHA)
Total Projection: 6.01 Blocks, 8.02 Steals
This defensive-heavy lineup, featuring Turner and Jackson for blocks and Suggs for steals, should easily hit the target. Daniels and Williams add flexibility, making this lineup a reliable pick.
Rare Path and Common Path: Identical to Legendary
With the defensive capabilities required for blocks and steals, this lineup remains strong across all paths. The consistent projection means each path can rely on similar stats for Day 10.
Day 11: 20 Assists - Turnovers
Legendary Path:
Chris Paul (vs UTA)
LeBron (vs PHO)
VanVleet (vs MIN)
Damian Lillard (vs MIA)
Josh Giddey (vs WAS)
Total Projection: 24.22 Assists - Turnovers
This lineup ensures minimal turnovers with seasoned playmakers like Paul and LeBron. Giddey and VanVleet balance playmaking with control, keeping the assists-to-turnovers ratio strong.
Rare Path:
Paul (vs UTA)
LeBron (vs PHO)
VanVleet (vs MIN)
D’Angelo Russell (vs PHO)
Giddey (vs WAS)
Total Projection: 23.58 Assists - Turnovers
Swapping Lillard for Russell keeps the projection competitive while freeing up a higher scorer for another day. Russell’s efficiency will be key to maintaining turnover control.
Common Path:
Paul (vs UTA)
Conley (vs HOU)
VanVleet (vs MIN)
Russell (vs PHO)
Giddey (vs WAS)
Total Projection: 21.73 Assists - Turnovers
With Conley’s steady play and VanVleet’s floor control, this lineup focuses on minimizing risk. It’s a tighter fit, but still viable.
Day 12: 15 3s Made and 130 Points
Legendary Path:
Luka (vs NYK)
LaMelo (vs MIA)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (vs GSW)
Curry (vs OKC)
Jokic (vs UTA)
Total Projection: 15.38 3s Made, 139.30 Points
The final day calls for a stellar lineup. With Curry and LaMelo for three-pointers, and Luka, Shai, and Jokic for scoring, this setup is optimized to meet both thresholds without issue.
Rare Path:
Anthony Edwards (vs SAC)
Jalen Brunson (vs DAL)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (vs GSW)
Curry (vs OKC)
Tyler Herro (vs CHA)
Total Projection: 16.03 3s Made, 130.94 Points
Edwards and Brunson substitute for Luka and Jokic, but Curry and Shai remain. This path offers solid scoring with three-point capability.
Common Path:
Edwards (vs SAC)
Brunson (vs DAL)
Donovan Mitchell (vs ATL)
Paolo Banchero (vs CHI)
Herro (vs CHA)
Total Projection: 15.29 3s Made, 127.14 Points
This lineup faces a slimmer margin but can still hit targets if Banchero returns strong. Consistent shooting will be essential here to end on a high note.
By following these paths and strategically rotating players, you can maximize your chances of success throughout NBA Run 3. Good luck, and may your players rise to the challenge!