There are two NBA games on Friday’s slate.
As for injuries, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter are questionable.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, CLE is -2 over IND on the road with the total at 229.5. OKC is -4.5 over DEN on the road with the total at 233.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets ($9,900): Donovan Mitchell saw a $600 increase from last game. He was almost rostered on 70% of teams and will likely be highly rostered again, since he put up 75.75 FPTS last game. I’m going to fade him, especially since there’s a chance Mobley, Hunter or Garland return to action, which would take some usage away. In addition, Indiana will make adjustments for Mitchell. As for SGA, he is the engine that powers, the stick that stirs, the fire that heats the OKC offense. Having lost home court advantage and this game being in Denver, I expect a close, competitive game, which means SGA will play a ton of minutes. In the first two games of the series, SGA put up over 30 points in each while dishing out eight dimes in both contests. It’s highly likely that he finishes with close to 60 FPTS in this one, barring blowout, injury or foul trouble.
Other Options: Donovan Mitchell ($9,500), Tyrese Haliburton ($9,000)
Value
Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,900): Mathurin played 23 minutes in Game 1 and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, an assist and a block, good for 21.75 FPTS. In Game 2, he received 20 minutes and put up 19 points, two rebounds and an assist, good for 23.5 FPTS. Mathurin has put up double-digit FPTS in 18 straight, with six over 30 and a high of 57.5 FPTS. Don’t expect Mathurin to get all the way up there, especially since he was playing over 30 minutes in those contests, but it does show that he has the ability. He is still priced under $4K.
Other Options: Andrew Nembhard ($5,600), Ty Jerome ($5,500), Aaron Nesmith ($5,300), Christian Braun ($5,200), Russell Westbrook ($5,100), Max Strus ($5,000), Alex Caruso ($4,600), Sam Merrill ($3,700) if he starts
Forward
Stud
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets ($7,000): In Game 1, Holmgren only played 28 minutes due to foul trouble. In Game 2, he received only 26 minutes due to blowout. I expect this game to be competitive, which means Holmgren could see playing time in the 30-minute range. Holmgren stuffs the stat sheet at both ends of the court and finished with 31.5 and 42.25 FPTS despite the depressed playing time. If he gets over 30 minutes, I like him for 40 FPTS.
Other Options: Jalen Williams ($7,600), Pascal Siakam ($6,900)
Value
Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,200): Toppin played 16 and 15 minutes in the first two games of this series, finishing with 15 and 19.75 FPTS. That is the likely outcome for Game 3, but this game is in Indiana, where he can get a boost. In addition, Toppin has these random games when he goes bonkers, flushing dunks in transition and knocking down open treys. He’s priced near the minimum and will likely play in the teens, but there’s some upside here.
Other Options: Aaron Gordon ($5,900), Aaron Nesmith ($5,300), Christian Braun ($5,200), Max Strus ($5,000), Bennedict Mathurin ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($6,300): Turner has put up 38.75 and 47 FPTS in the first two games of this series. He has literally stuffed the stat sheet. We know he stretches the floor and gets good looks from beyond the arc while protecting the rim on defense. He’s never been known as a great rebounder, though. Over the last three games in these playoffs, Turner has grabbed eight, 11 and nine boards. Over the last four games, he’s finished with at least 33 FPTS in all with two over 40 FPTS.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($11,000), Chet Holmgren ($7,000), Jarrett Allen ($6,800) if Evan Mobley is out
Value
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($5,900): Gordon finished with 20.25 FPTS last game, but that’s because he only played 27 minutes due to blowout and shot 3-of-12 from the field. He returns to the friendly confines in Denver, which should provide a boost. So far in these playoffs, Gordon has put up at least 20 FPTS in every contests with five over 30 and a high of 43.5 FPTS. He’s attempted double-digit shots in all but one game because Jokic finds him on cuts and defenses leave him open on the perimeter. Due to his defensive versatility, he also doesn’t get played off the court and will likely play close to 40 minutes if the game is competitive.
Other Options: Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,000), Obi Toppin ($3,200)
