Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and Timberwolves will be in Minnesota on Monday. Below, I dive into three of my favorite DFS picks to consider for Monday’s Game 4 Showdown slate.
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PG/SG, Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, $11,200 ($16,800 CPT)
Edwards appears to have figured out the Thunder’s league-best defense. After Oklahoma City limited him to 35.25 FPTS in Game 1, Edwards scored 54.75 FPTS in both Games 2 and 3 of this best of seven. This postseason, the superstar is leading the Timberwolves with 1.3 FPTS per minute, a 30% usage rate and a 26.2% assist percentage. Edwards is also leading the team with 38.9 minutes per game and barring a blowout in Game 4, the wing should approach 40 minutes, as Minnesota is looking to even this series 2-2, instead of going down 1-3.
Edwards is a safe bet for over 50 FPTS in this situation and there is a strong chance of him leading this Showdown slate in FPTS, given Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s road struggles this postseason. In his six road starts during these playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander is only averaging 46 FPTS per game. Now, this doesn’t mean to not roster Gilgeous-Alexnader in a flex spot, but given the guard’s issues on the road, Edwards is the No.1 play on the slate and is the best option to roster at captain.
PG/SG, Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves, $4,000 ($6,000 CPT)
Wallace had a quiet showing in Game 3, scoring only 4.75 FPTS across 15.4 minutes in the 42-point blowout loss for the Thunder, but there is certainly reason to expect a bounce back performance from the guard in Game 4. Before Game 3, Wallace was averaging 20.5 FPTS in 30 minutes per game in his first five matchups of the season against the Timberwolves.
As you can see, Wallace has been a key player for Oklahoma City in this matchup with Minnesota and if the Thunder can keep Game 4 close like the oddsmakers are predicting – Oklahoma City is a three-point favorite for this tilt on DraftKings Sportsbook – Wallace should get back to seeing around 30 minutes off the bench, giving him a great chance to out produce his low salary. This season, Wallace is amassing 0.8 FPTS per minute and he is scoring 22.8 FPTS per game in spreads of five points or less (nine games).
SF/PF, Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, $7,800
With a larger role compared to the regular season, McDaniels has been excellent for the Timberwolves during these playoffs, producing 28.9 FPTS in 34.2 minutes per game. That playing time average ranks third for Minnesota and the forward is shooting an outstanding 53.9% from the field.
Mostly attributed to his tremendous defense, McDaniels is leading the Timberwolves in plus/mins this postseason, which guarantees him huge minutes in Game 4, barring a large blowout. McDaniels has 30 FPTS upside and he is a strong mid-tier target for this Showdown slate.
