In Game 3, the Spurs finally earned their first NBA Finals win. Now, it’ll be up to New York to make some adjustments tonight in Game 4. By now, you know the stars: Victor Wembanyama ($13,200), Jalen Brunson ($10,800), Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,600) and Stephon Castle ($8,800) are just a few of the big names taking the floor in this one.
Even in this star-studded matchup, Wednesday’s game likely comes down to depth. Whoever gets the most out of a few lesser-known names has an inside track at winning. It’s a similar story for fantasy managers looking to bolster their lineups. Unearthing a hidden gem or two could make all the difference tonight. Here are two bargains worth consideration in all DFS formats ahead of Wednesday’s Game 4 showdown.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $800K Finals Shootaround [$200K to 1st, 3PT Throne Eligible] (SAS @ NYK)
SG/SF Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs ($2,800)
San Antonio has made it to the NBA Finals in spite of poor play from Keldon Johnson. The newest Sixth Man of the Year has been middling at best this postseason. Through 2 playoff games, the wing is averaging 8.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists. During that time, he’s delivered lackluster 41/35/59 shooting splits. In Game 3, Johnson only managed to put up seven points and two rebounds over 17 minutes (10.5 FPTS). At this point, it’s difficult to know what you’re getting from the 26-year-old.
With that being said, this isn’t the worst matchup for Johnson on paper. The Knicks have given up 13.4 three-pointers made per game to opponents, 13th-most in basketball. Besides, even at his worst the Kentucky alum is still managing to get some shots up. San Antonio doesn’t have a ton of bench depth outside of Dylan Harper ($6,400). I’d be shocked if Johnson doesn’t garner at least 15 minutes of playing time in this one. That alone isn’t enough to predict a good game, but we’re looking for upside here. At just $2,800, a few three-pointers and a handful of boards could go a long way tonight.
SG/SF Jordan Clarkson, New York Knicks ($1,800)
Want someone even cheaper than Johnson? Look no further than Jordan Clarkson. The former Sixth Man of the Year has had an up and down season in New York. Despite his reputation as a score-first player, the 12th-year pro has become a gritty three-and-D type player. However, his shooting has been suspect all postseason (25% 3PT). Unsurprisingly, head coach Mike Brown has been more willing to ride the hot hand of Landry Shamet ($4,600) during these playoffs. Still, the Knicks aren’t afraid to get creative with their substitutions. Giving Clarkson more burn could be a slept-on Game 4 adjustment.
It helps that the wing is coming off of a stellar showing on Monday. Over 13 minutes, Clarkson notched ten points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal (17.2 FPTS). Most important, he drained both of his three-point attempts. At this time of year, confidence is everything. It’s easy to forget now, but a proven bucket-getter won’t be intimidated by an intense NBA Finals atmosphere. If Shamet and fellow bench piece Miles McBride ($3,000) aren’t at their best, even more usage should be given to Clarkson. Much like Johnson, there isn’t a ton of risk here either. A minuscule $1,800 price tag allows fantasy managers to go star hunting with their other lineup selections tonight.
