On tap for Wednesday night is a three-game NBA playoff slate, and DraftKings continues to offer huge tournaments for DFS players. Below are some of my favorite targets at each position.
Point Guard
Stud
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, $8,500
Young was magnificent in his playoff debut this past Sunday afternoon, flirting with a triple-double en route to 56.75 DKFP in the Game 1 win. His usage rate was all the way up to 38.9% and DraftKings didn’t adjust Young’s price, making him one of the better guard values of this three-game slate.
Sunday was the fourth time Young has eclipsed 50 DKFP in his past six starts, and the Knicks have simply not had an answer for him this season. In four matchups, Young has torched New York for 50.9 DKFP per game.
Other Options: Ben Simmons ($7,300)
Value
Derrick Rose, New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks, $5,900
Regardless of his age and that he comes off the bench, Tom Thibodeau is going to run Rose into the ground this postseason. Finishing with 38 minutes this past Sunday, the former MVP led the Knicks in playing time, helping him score 32.75 DKFP. Rose is supplying 1.05 DKFP per minute this season, and 37.1 DKFP per game for the 11 contests he has cracked 30 minutes.
Young may bring the firepower on offense, but his defense can be very suspect, and Rose should expose him for over 30 DKFP in this must-win for New York.
Other Options: Mike Conley ($6,700), Lou Williams ($3,500)
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Shooting Guard
Stud
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies, $8,400
After being a surprise late scratch Sunday, Mitchell (ankle) will make his anticipated return for Game 2 Wednesday night. He was a full participant in practice Monday and considering that the Jazz are already trailing in this series, it would be surprising if Mitchell didn’t see a full complement of minutes in this crucial situation.
He is providing 43.1 DKFP per game at home in Utah this season and surpassed 50 DKFP in both of his matchups with Memphis. Mitchell should remind everyone that he is one of the best guards in the league tonight, and hopefully most DFS players shy away after the lengthy absence.
Value
Seth Curry, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards, $4,900
Curry received 32 minutes in Game 1 and this type of playing time is going to be the norm for him all postseason. At least 30 minutes of action has resulted in 25 DKFP per game for Curry this season, and the fast paced Wizards have been an optimal matchup for him this season.
In four dates with Washington, Curry is averaging 29.1 DKFP per game, and the sharpshooter needs to be included in your player pool at this friendly price.
Other Options: Kevin Huerter ($4,500)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $555K Wednesday Shootaround [$105K to 1st]
Small Forward
Stud
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers, $8,800
Beal lit the Sixers up for 55.5 DKFP on Sunday, putting his season average against the team at 50.4 DKFP per game across four meetings. Knocking down 56% of his shots and logging 41 minutes, this is the best Beal has looked since he straining his hamstring earlier this month, and the vast volume isn’t going anywhere with the Wizards trailing 0-1.
Game 2 in Philadelphia tonight presents the highest O/U game total of this three-game slate at 231.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Beal has produced 47 DKFP per game in totals above 230 points this season, and this is a very reasonable price tag for the All-Star tonight.
Other Options: Tobias Harris ($7,000)
Value
Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards, $4,000
Green is never an exciting player to roster, but given the size of this slate, we have to consider the veteran tonight. He finished with 23.5 DKFP across 31 minutes in Game 1 and Green’s season average against the Wizards is now at 24.2 DKFP.
At only $4,000, the three-time NBA champion is a safe bet for at least 20 DKFP in the slate’s top game environment.
Other Options: RJ Barrett ($6,200), Alec Burks ($4,600), Grayson Allen ($3,700)
Power Forward
Stud
Julius Randle, New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks, $9,400
With only 37 DKFP, Randle was a disappointment in Game 1, but the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year should respond in a big way in Game 2. He put most of the blame on himself following the loss, and Randle’s history against this Atlanta defense absolutely points to some positive regression for the forward Wednesday night.
Before Sunday, Randle had scored over 60 DKFP in all three of his previous matchups with the Hawks this season. It wouldn’t be shocking at all if Thibodeau had Randle play essentially the entire game with so much on the line, and the forward is a must play in my opinion for this short slate.
Value
Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers, $3,800
Bertans ranked fourth on the Wizards with 28 minutes in Game 1, helping him chip in with 25.75 DKFP. He fired up eight three pointers off the bench, knocking down half of these attempts, and another performance above 20 DKFP is certainly obtainable for Bertans in this possible shootout.
Relying on a player whose fantasy production essentially only comes from scoring is risky, but Bertans is a punt play worth mixing in if you are building multiple lineups tonight.
Other Options: Kyle Anderson ($6,000), Royce O’Neale ($4,100)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards, $10,100
Embiid only played 30 minutes Sunday, but this was a product of him picking up three early fouls in the first half. The center gained 20 minutes in the second half and barring early foul issues again, Embiid should finish in the 35-40 minute range Wednesday night. The superstar has been a beast with 58.2 DKFP per game in totals north of 230 points this season, and averages 53.6 DKFP per game on his home floor, which is a huge 7.7 upgrade from his results on the road.
Embiid should rebound with nothing less than 50 DKFP in Game 2, and squeezing in both him and Randle will be my primary strategy for Wednesday night.
Other Options: Clint Capela ($7,800), Rudy Gobert ($7,700)
Value
Nerlens Noel, New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks, $4,000
If active, Noel (questionable, ankle) is a very sneaky play tonight. He sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter Sunday and wasn’t able to return, but Noel received 15.1 minutes in the first half, putting him on pace for an encouraging 30.2 minutes.
The center collects 0.84 DKFP per minute this year, and generated 29.25 DKFP per game in his first two matchups with Atlanta before getting injured in Game 1.
Other Options: Daniel Gafford ($4,100)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $555K Wednesday Shootaround [$105K to 1st]
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