Best lineup strategy for Bucks vs. Raptors NBA Showdown

The Bucks might have been looked ahead to this primetime matchup against the Raptors, blowing a 20-point lead in Washington on Tuesday night, but still escaping with a three-point victory in OT. Milwaukee sits as a 1.5-point road favorite in Toronto. The Raptors enter the contest red-hot, winners of 17 of their last 18. With the total sitting at 231 points, we should have plenty of fantasy production in this one.

Who should I use in the Captain’s spot?

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($19,200)

Paying all the way up for one of the most expensive salaries you’ll see on any showdown slate is a questionable call, but I think this game sets up as the appropriate spot to do so. While the second night of a road back-to-back is generally a negative, Giannis has something to prove entering this game. He did have 22 points and 14 rebounds, he turned the ball over eight times, and fouled out in just 25 minutes in Washington. Look for him to be fresh after playing so little. Giannis went for 77.25 DKFP in the previous face off against the Raps.

Who should I stack?

Pascal Siakam ($9,600)

Siakam will do his best to hang with Giannis, so I like stacking the two from a GPP perspective. The 26.25 DKFP Siakam scored in the previous matchup between these teams could scare away some ownership, but we saw last postseason that he can handle this team. Siakam has the type of tournament upside you want to see in this one. But if you’rew playing cash games, Kyle Lowry ($9,200), who’s topped 50 DKFP in three of his last four, is the safer call.

Where can I find value?

George Hill ($1,000)

Hill’s salary has been super low since he returned from injury, and we finally saw the first positive signs of progress on Monday in Washington. Hill played 24 minutes, scoring 18.5 DKFP. Him costing $1,000 is really a free square you need to take on this slate. He has 20-DKFP potential, which means 20X potential. His value also allows you to start jamming stars into your lineup. Maybe you don’t have to choose between Siakam and Lowry.

Who should I fade?

Ersan Ilyasova ($6,400)

Ilyasova’s salary is spiked from a couple of games Giannis sat out when his son was born, and for some reason it still hasn’t come back down. Ilyasova hasn’t scored more than 6.5 DKFP in a game since the break, and that includes the OT game against the Wizards with Brook Lopez out. There’s absolutely zero reason to play him. If you offered me Hill or Ilyasova at the same price, I’d roster Hill.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jedlow) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.