There’s only one game Saturday in the 2024 NBA Playoffs but it marks the beginning of the second round as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the defending champions Denver Nuggets. These two sides met in the first round last year, with the Nuggets taking that series 4-1. The Timberwolves enter this matchup after sweeping the Suns in the first round, while the Nuggets took out the Lakers in five games.
Here we’re going to build a full Showdown lineup with a captain’s pick and utility plays while also looking at some players to stay away from in Saturday’s game.
Captain Pick
Nikola Jokic, $20,700
Anthony Edwards is more than $3k cheaper so I understand if he’s the choice but Jokic is the better all-around fantasy option. The Nuggets big man is more likely to deliver huge numbers in multiple statistical categories. He averaged 61.4 fantasy points per game this season, which went up to 67.6 fantasy points during the opening round against the Lakers. With Jamal Murray struggling to score, Jokic should continue to be the focal point of Denver’s offense. He’s an easy captain’s choice here.
Utility Plays
Anthony Edwards, $11,400
It makes sense to have the best players on each team, even if that compromises the overall makeup of the entire lineup. Edwards was on fire in the opening round and had a look of determination in his eyes. He’s clearly fearful of nothing and had tremendous success against the Nuggets in the first round a year ago. It’s hard to see Denver slowing him down too much in this series, so he’s worth rostering even at this price point as a utility option.
Naz Reid, $5,000
Reid had a relatively quiet series against the Suns, largely due to Edwards breaking out. However, the versatile big man continues to be an important part of Minnesota’s rotation. He’s able to shoot the triple and attack the glass, something the Timberwolves have benefitted from over the course of the season. At this price, he’s a nice addition since Edwards took up a lot of cash.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, $5,400
Denver’s starting shooting guard logs heavy minutes, which is why his price point is above $5k. He hasn’t really exploded as a scorer yet, but that’s not really his role in this team. Caldwell-Pope did manage 29 fantasy points in Game 4 against the Lakers so he does have the ability to break out. Since I’ve loaded up on star power with Jokic and Edwards, it’s worth taking a chance on KCP to have a nice start to this series.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, $4,600
Alexander-Walker was on fire against the Suns, topping 20 fantasy points in three of the four games and coming a few points off from making it four in a row. Granted, the forward was getting open looks from the perimeter on nearly every trip down the floor thanks to Phoenix’s lackluster defense. I do think the Nuggets will be better at defending Minnesota’s shooters but Edwards commands so much attention that Alexander-Walker should be good for at least a couple deep shots.
Reggie Jackson, $2,800
Of the remaining options to fit our budget, Jackson has the most upside. Murray is dealing with a calf issue and might have some type of minutes restriction, especially if the Nuggets start to pull away. Of Denver’s bench players, Jackson has the most experience and will be trusted in key situations. He did manage 15 fantasy points in 18 minutes in Game 5, and that’s going to be plenty at this price point.
Fades
Karl-Anthony Towns, $9,400
I actually think Towns is a good player but see him struggling in this particular contest. The Nuggets will want to limit his production knowing he can be the difference in the contest, and will likely attack him defensively to get him in foul trouble. Even though Towns has a favorable matchup with Denver ranking 23rd in fantasy points allowed to opposing bigs, I think he’s worth leaving out of the lineup tonight at this price.
Aaron Gordon, $7,800
Gordon had some impressive showings against the Lakers, highlighted by a 54.8-fantasy point showing in Game 3. However, the Timberwolves have been great at limiting power forwards when it comes to fantasy output. Similar to Caldwell-Pope, Gordon’s heavy minutes don’t always translate to big fantasy numbers, as seen with his 17.8-fantasy point showing in 42 minutes in Game 4. He’s an important player in Denver’s journey to repeat but I’d fade him in tonight’s game.