We have three games tonight. CLE hosts ORL, NYK hosts PHI and DEN hosts LAL. All the home teams were victorious in Game 1 of their respective series. In the first round, 93.4 percent of teams (183 games) have won the series after going up 2-0, so a split is imperative if the lower-seeded teams want to have any chance of advancing. Joel Embiid ($10,500) and Tyrese Maxey ($7,900) are questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
DraftKings Sportsbook has all the home teams favored. CLE -5.5 over ORL, NYK -6 over PHI and DEN -7.5 over LAL. Both Eastern Conference games have a total under 210 – ORL/CLE (203) and PHI/NYK (206.5). The LAL/DEN game has a total of 224. During the regular season, CLE was 26-15 at home while ORL was 18-23 on the road. NYK was 27-14 at home while PHI was 22-19 on the road. DEN was 33-8 at home, tied for the best mark in the NBA. LAL was 19-21 on the road. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
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Guard
Stud
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($7,800) – The Nuggets have been a tough opponent for the Lakers. Well, duh. They are the defending champions. And they have arguably one of the best players in the league in Nikola Jokic. That said, It’s been Murray who has given them fits, as he has expertly sliced and diced the Lakers backcourt in pick-and-roll action like a Benihana chef. In last year’s playoffs, Murray averaged 41.4 minutes, 32.5 points, 3.8 treys, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.8 steals. In Game 1 on Saturday, Murray went for 22 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and a block in 39 minutes—good for 50 DKFP. In the two most recent regular season games against the Lakers, Murray put up 51 and 60.75 DKFP. The price is too good for the expected playing time, usage, matchup and ceiling.
Other Options – Jalen Brunson ($9,300), Donovan Mitchell ($8,500), Tyrese Maxey ($7,900)
Value
Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks ($4,400) – Lowry is an NBA champion and has 131 games of playoff experience under his belt. He was brought to Philadelphia for his playoff experience. At 37 years old, he wasn’t pushed during the regular season, but it’s go time now. In Game 1, he played 39 minutes and should continue seeing a ton of playing time. He went for 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, good for 31.5 DKFP.
Other Options – Kelly Oubre ($5,600), Max Strus ($5,500), Jalen Suggs ($5,000)
Forward
Stud
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets ($9,500) – Davis has the ability to dominate at both ends of the court and stuff the stat sheet. If the Lakers have any hope in this series, Davis will have to score, control the glass, be a playmaker and be a force on the defensive end. In Game 1, he played 45 minutes, garnered a massive usage rate of 34.4 percent and contributed 32 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. That was good for 65.5 DKFP. In a game back in February, Davis also went for 61.25 DKFP. He did finish with 41.25 and 36.5 DKFP in two other meetings with Denver, so it’s within the range of outcomes that he disappoints. As long as he remains healthy and stays out of foul trouble, I will side with the upper band.
Other Options – LeBron James ($9,400), Josh Hart ($6,900), Evan Mobley ($6,800), Franz Wagner ($6,500), Michael Porter ($6,200), Aaron Gordon ($6,100)
Value
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,500) – Isaac was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. At 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, he was viewed as a unicorn due to his ability to guard one through five and make it rain from downtown. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career. This season, he was limited to under 20 minutes for most of the season. In the last regular season game, though, he received the start at center and played 26 minutes. In Game 1 of this series, he once again received the start and played 29 minutes. He went for over 30 DKFP in both contests. Isaac is a low-usage player, but his prowess on the defensive end provides a relatively high floor.
Other Options – Kelly Oubre ($5,600), Max Strus ($5,500), Jonathan Isaac ($4,500)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($11,500) – I’m not able to comfortably get to Jokic on this slate, but if paying up at the position, he would be the path I’d take. The floor is incredibly high and he’s always a threat to mess around and put up the highest score on the slate. In Game 1, he played 40 minutes, garnered a 32.7 percent usage rate and put up 63.5 DKFP. In three regular season games against the Lakers, Jokic finished with 60.5, 59.25 and 70.75 DKFP.
Other Options – Joel Embiid ($10,500), Anthony Davis ($9,500), Jarrett Allen ($7,200), Evan Mobley ($6,800)
Value
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($4,200) – Robinson missed 51 games during the regular season. He played in 10 of the final 11 regular season games, but was brought back slowly, averaging only 15.5 minutes per contest. In Game 1 of this series, he received 31 minutes off the bench. Isaiah Hartenstein ($5,200) received the start, but only played 18 minutes and had three personal fouls. I’m not sure we can expect the same playing time distribution—more like 24 for each—but it’s also possible that Thibs feels more comfortable in Mr. Robinson’s neighborhood. I will take the $1,000 discount.
Other Options – Jonathan Isaac ($4,500)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
