:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67312564/usa_today_14805812.0.jpg)
The NBA will resume the playoffs with a three-game slate on Saturday. The action gets underway with the Bucks vs. the Magic at 3:30 p.m. ET and concludes with the Lakers vs. the Blazers at 9 p.m. ET.
Let’s take a look at some of the top studs and values at each position on DraftKings.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: NBA $500K Playoff Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Make sure to download the DK Live app to follow along with all of the news and injury updates. You also can also follow DK Live on Twitter @dklive.
Point Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC @ HOU, $7,400 – SGA is carrying one of the largest workloads in basketball at the moment. He’s logged at least 43.9 minutes in each of his past two games and he’s scored at least 44.5 DKFP in each of his past three. SGA has averaged 1.02 DKFP per minute this season, so that production doesn’t feel fluky given the sheer volume of minutes he’s playing. He should see another massive workload in a crucial Game 5 vs. the Rockets. The team that wins Game 5 of a 2-2 series goes on to win at nearly an 85% clip, so expect both teams to treat this like an elimination game.
Other Options – Chris Paul ($8,100), Eric Bledsoe ($5,800)
Value
Markelle Fultz, ORL @ MIL, $5,100 – The Magic will be trying to avoid elimination today vs. the Bucks, so don’t be surprised if Orlando leans on the team’s key players a bit heavier than usual. Fultz fits that description and he’s coming off nearly 31.5 minutes in his last game. Fultz has averaged 0.99 DKFP per minute this season, so he’s capable of paying off his $5,100 salary with a similar workload.
The Magic will also be without Aaron Gordon once again and Fultz has increased his usage rate by +1.4% with Gordon and Jonathan Isaac off the court this season.
Other Options – D.J. Augustin ($4,800), Anfernee Simons ($4,000)
Shooting Guard
Stud
CJ McCollum, POR @ LAL, $8,100 – McCollum will likely be asked to shoulder the scoring load in today’s contest. He’s increased his usage rate by +7.5% with both Lillard and Zach Collins off the court this season, resulting in an average of 1.23 DKFP per minute. That said, McCollum is dealing with an injury of his own, so the Blazers may exercise a bit of caution with him if this game gets out of hand early.
Other Options – James Harden ($11,400), Dennis Schroder ($6,400)
Value
Terrence Ross, ORL @ MIL, $5,000 – The Magic are begging for offense at the moment, so Orlando has started to lean a little harder on Ross. He’s coming off 31.2 minutes in his last outing – which was his top mark of the series – and Ross has averaged 0.93 DKFP per minute this season.
Other Options – Evan Fournier ($5,400), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($3,500)
Small Forward
Stud
LeBron James, LAL vs. POR, $10,800 – The Lakers’ offense got off to a slow start vs. the Blazers, but they’ve been absolutely humming recently. They’ve scored at least 111 points in each of the past three games, including 135 in their last contest. James has unsurprisingly been a big part of that production and he posted 57.0 DKFP over just 28.3 minutes in his last outing. He definitely has huge upside today if this game stays competitive but that is no guarantee with Lillard out of the lineup. The Lakers are currently favored by 13.5 points, so LeBron could be looking at another early exit in this one.
Other Options – Danilo Gallinari ($6,300)
Value
Carmelo Anthony, POR @ LAL, $5,900 – Melo isn’t exactly a “value” at $5,900 but there’s a lot to like about him today vs. the Lakers. Like McCollum, he definitely carries a higher ceiling with Lillard out of the lineup. He’s increased his usage rate by +3.2% with Lillard off the court this season, resulting in an average of 0.88 DKFP per minute.
Other Options – Gary Trent Jr. ($4,800), Mario Hezonja ($3,500)
Power Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. ORL, $11,300 – Antokounmpo has been his usual dominant self during the first round. He’s tallied at least 59.0 DKFP in all four contests and he’s scored at least 64.75 DKFP in three of them. He hasn’t even been asked to play that many minutes in those games, which makes his production even more impressive.
There are some blowout concerns with the Bucks today – they’re currently favored by 13.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook – but it’s not like any of their past games have been all that competitive. The Bucks lost by 12 points in Game 1 and have won each of the past three games by at least 14 points.
Other Options – Anthony Davis ($10,500)
Value
Gary Clark, ORL @ MIL, $4,200 – Clark is pretty reasonably priced at just $4,200 considering his recent production. He’s scored at least 20.25 DKFP in three of his past four games and he should continue to start with Gordon and Isaac out of the lineup.
Other Options – Robert Covington ($5,700), Markieff Morris ($3,300)
Center
Stud
Nikola Vucevic, ORL @ MIL, $9,200 – Vucevic has been one of the lone bright spots for the Magic during this series. He’s scored at least 50.5 DKFP in three of four games and he’s scored at least 62.0 DKFP in two of them. He’s commanded a large usage rate with Gordon and Isaac out of the lineup and he’s also been very efficient with his opportunities.
Other Options – Jusuf Nurkic ($8,600)
Value
Steven Adams, OKC @ HOU, $5,500 – Adams has one of the best possible matchups vs. the Rockets, who have been absolutely slaughtered on the glass after trading away Clint Capela. That said, the Thunder did limit Adams’ minutes in his last contest. OKC chose to go with a smaller lineup featuring Danilo Gallinari at center, so he may not play as much as expected today. Still, he has nice upside at just $5,500.
Other Options – Brook Lopez ($5,200), Hassan Whiteside ($4,900)
Set your DraftKings lineups here: NBA $500K Playoff Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
Curious about when major leagues and events will return? Check out our DraftKings Sports Calendar for the latest updates.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is mlamarca) 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 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.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ NH). NJ/PA/WV/IN/NH/IA/CO/IL only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.