The NBA playoffs continue Wednesday with a three-game slate. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Wednesday’s playoff action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Shootaround [100k to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic, $7,500
The Celtics are expected to be without Jayson Tatum (doubtful, wrist) for Game 2 and while Brown has been dealing with a nagging knee injury himself, this is the playoffs and the reigning NBA Finals MVP should step up with Tatum missing. Brown has made seven starts without Tatum this season, and he is leading Boston with 43.2 FPTS per game on those occasions. With Tatum off the floor this season, Brown’s usage rises 4.0 percentage points to 33.1% and his assist rate increases 9.0 percentage points to 29.6%, resulting in 1.3 FPTS per minute for the wing.
While the Magic rank second in defensive rating this season, Brown had 41.5 FPTS against the Magic without Tatum in December. This time around, Brown will be on his home floor, where he is scoring 5.1 FPTS per game more than on the road this season. Brown warrants a $9K salary with Tatum likely out, so he’s a must-play at only $7,500.
Other Options: Stephen Curry ($8,900), Donovan Mitchell ($8,300), Tyler Herro ($7,700)
Value
Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic, $5,500
Holiday is also a great target with Tatum doubtful. The Celtics look to Holiday for veteran leadership, especially in the postseason, and he should rise to the occasion in Game 2. In the six games Holiday has played sans Tatum this season, Holiday is generating 31.6 FPTS per game. With Tatum off the court this season, Holiday’s usage rises 1.6 percentage points to 17.7% and he amasses 0.9 FPTS per minute.
As we saw in Game 1, when Holiday racked up three steals, his prowess on the defensive end gives him strong upside. Holiday has a ceiling over 40 FPTS in Game 2.
Other Options: Derrick White ($6,900), Payton Pritchard ($5,700), Brandin Podziemski ($5,500), Davion Mitchell ($5,000), Ty Jerome ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics, $9,000
While the Magic came up short in this past Sunday’s Game 1 vs. the Celtics, Banchero was unstoppable with 61.25 FPTS. The forward logged a game-high 42 minutes and led the Magic with a jaw-dropping 40.5% usage rate. Orlando desperately needs Banchero to flourish as a scorer if it wants any chance of keeping up with the Celtics.
The forward has scored at least 54 FPTS in three of his past four playoff starts, so he should top 50 FPTS with Orlando looking to avoid a 0-2 deficit in this best of seven.
Other Options: Jimmy Butler ($8,500), Andrew Wiggins ($7,100)
Value
Haywood Highsmith, Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers, $3,700
The Heat have heavily relied on Highsmith with the stakes high in their last two games. After posting 35.5 FPTS across 40 minutes in the Heat’s Play-In Tournament win over the Hawks, Highsmith logged 31 minutes in the series opener vs. the Cavaliers this past Sunday, en route to 19.5 FPTS. The veteran ranks fifth for Miami in playing time during this stretch. If Highsmith sees over 30 minutes in Game 2, Highsmith should have no issues exceeding five-times value at this sub $4K salary.
Highsmith is averaging 24 FPTS per game over his last five games of 30 or more minutes.
Other Options: Jabari Smith Jr. ($4,600), Sam Hauser ($3,300)
Center
Stud
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers, $8,400
Adebayo scored 45.75 FPTS in Game 1 vs. the Cavaliers, and he is averaging 47.8 FPTS per game in four matchups with Cleveland this season. He is generating 1.2 FPTS per minute with a 23.9% usage rate this season. Adebayo has topped 40 FPTS in seven of his past 10 starts heading into Game 2.
The Heat center should receive over 40 minutes with the team looking to even this series up at one win apiece. Just three games ago, Adebayo was priced up to $9,800 on DraftKings, so this is great value at $8,400.
Other Options: Kristaps Porzingis ($7,300)
Value
Al Horford, Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic, $4,300
Similar to Holiday, Horford is a veteran leader for Boston who should step up in Tatum’s absence, likely as Tatum’s replacement in the Celtics’ starting five. Horford is producing 26.9 FPTS per game with Tatum inactive this season (seven games). He has also eclipsed 30 FPTS in each of the past two games that he has started.
The Magic aren’t an ideal matchup for big men, but Horford should 35-40 minutes with this being the playoffs. The veteran is way underpriced for this situation; Horford is amassing 0.9 FPTS per minute this season.
Other Options: Jarrett Allen ($5,900), Steven Adams ($3,500), Jonathan Isaac ($3,400)
