We talkin’ bout playoffs?! Indeed. It’s about that time, as the Western Conference side of the bracket is what constitutes Tuesday’s slate. The 9-seed Kings host the 10-seed Warriors, with the loser golfing. The 7-seed Pelicans host the 8-seed Lakers. The winner faces the 2-seed Nuggets while the loser faces the winner of the Kings/Warriors game, with that path leading to the 1-seed Thunder. The notable injury is Anthony Davis ($9.700), who is questionable with back spasms. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
DraftKings Sportsbook has the Pelicans favored by 1.5 points over the Lakers at home. The Lakers won three of four against the Pelicans during the regular season. New Orleans was 21-19 at home while Los Angeles was 19-21 on the road. The total is 224.5. The Kings are 2.5 home dogs to the Warriors. Sacramento went 2-4 against Golden State this season but with both wins in the two most recent contests. Sacramento was 24-17 at home while Golden State was 25-16 on the road. The total is 223.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
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Guard
Stud
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings ($8,700) – DK Sportsbook has the Warriors as 2.5-point favorites on the road. Curry is the conductor of the Warriors orchestra, so if the Warriors are going to play well, he will likely be a big reason why. He’s garnering a usage rate of 31.3 percent on the season, but that number has been 34.4, 32.9 and 33.1 percent in the last three games he’s faced Sacramento this season. In four games against the Kings, Curry has averaged 35.1 minutes, 31 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from downtown. In the two games in Sacramento, he put up 53.5 and 57.5 DKFP.
Other Options – De’Aaron Fox ($8,600), CJ McCollum ($7,700), Brandon Ingram ($7,300), Klay Thompson ($6,200)
Value
Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings ($5,200) – I’m not crazy about the price and thought about some of the lower-priced options, especially Ellis, but I feel comfortable knowing that Paul will have the ball in his hands when he’s out there on the court. The same can’t be said for Ellis. In addition, with this being the playoffs, the rotations will likely be shortened, which means there’s a chance that Brandin Podziemski ($4,700) loses some minutes, which could be scooped up by Paul since both he and Curry could play in the backcourt at the same time.
Other Options – Keon Ellis ($4.500), Jose Alvarado ($4,000), Davion Mitchell ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans ($9,400) – LeBron just put up 81.75 DKFP against these Pelicans on Sunday. In the three other meetings against New Orleans this season, he’s exceeded 50 DKFP in all. Health permitting, Lebron will likely play close to 38 minutes and garner a usage rate in the mid-30 percent range. He’s a threat to triple-double on any given night and, at 39 years old, LeBron knows that there aren’t many playoffs left for him.
Other Options – Anthony Davis ($9,700)
Value
Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings ($4,900) – It’s been an inconsistent few years for Wiggins, as there have been off-the-court things he’s been dealing with. In addition, the playing time range has been from 20 minutes to 32 minutes. While he has gone for 29.5, 28.75, 22 and 33 DKFP over the last four games, the range of outcomes still remains wide, as it wouldn’t surprise if he put up 15 DKFP or went for 40. That said, he does look more comfortable out there and the price is too cheap for someone who could play 30 minutes garnering a 30 percent usage rate and put up 20+ points.
Other Options – Rui Hachimura ($5,700), Keegan Murray ($5,500), Herbert Jones ($5,100)
Center
Stud
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors ($9,600) – Sabonis led the league in double-doubles with 77, besting Jokic by nine. He also had 26 triple-doubles, one more than Jokic. In four games against the Warriors this season, he played at least 35 minutes in all while putting up 50.5, 35.5, 49.25 and 59 DKFP. He’s the offensive hub for the Kings and currently has the highest projection on the slate.
Other Options – Draymond Green ($6,400)
Value
Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings ($3,500) – Looney may not play at all in this one, so don’t hunt me down and throw internet tomatoes at my head if he doesn’t. My thinking is that Sabonis is a beast down low, so Looney will be needed to make life difficult for him. In addition, Kerr may prefer his playoff experience over Jackson-Davis’s athleticism. We shall see how it plays out but Looney has put up at least 10 DKFP in six straight with a high of 33.75. Regardless, Looney is cheap and the ownership will likely be miniscule. Risk/reward seems favorable to me.
Other Options – Larry Nance Jr. ($4,200)
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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.
