Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Lineup Strategy for Nets vs. Celtics Showdown on May 30

After getting spanked in the first two games of the series, the Celtics took care of business at home on Friday to send the brooms back into the closet. They will try and even up the series today. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Nets favored by 7.5 points with the O/U at 228.

Let’s break down this Showdown contest on DraftKings.

Captain’s Picks

James Harden ($18,000 CP) - It’s really close between Harden and Kevin Durant ($17,400 CP; $11,600). In the three games in the series so far, Harden has gone for 53.75, 39.75 and 70.75 DKFP while Durant has gone for 52.5, 52.5 and 62.25 DKFP. Harden gets the slight edge because the ceiling is a little higher as he’s a threat to triple-double on any given night. Durant has 12 triple-doubles in his career while Harden has 61. Now, you may need Boston to keep it close in order for Harden to access a ceiling game. With the spread at 7.5 points in favor of the Nets, that’s no sure thing. That said, give me the potential ceiling if I’m paying this price. If utilizing Harden in the captain’s slot, then you are hoping that he scores the most raw points in the game because it will be very difficult to fit another stud alongside him.

Tristan Thompson ($9,900 CP) - Robert Williams ($8,100 CP: $5,400) sprained his ankle during Game 3 after six minutes of action. As a result, Thompson played 30 minutes and put up 19 points, 13 rebounds and an assist, good for 37.25 DKFP. Williams is doubtful for today, so Thompson should get most of the center minutes. During the regular season, Thompson averaged 0.9 DKFP per minute and the Nets boosted the FPPM to centers by 3.46% above the league average. Thompson was the cheapest option that I felt comfortable putting in the captain slot. With him in the captain’s slot, I was able to fit two studs with another decent option alongside them.

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $40K Pull Up Jumper [$10K to 1st] (BKN vs BOS)

UTIL Plays

Nicolas Claxton ($3,400) - Claxton has played 11, 18 and 16 minutes during the series and scored 15.75, 10.75 and 11.25 DKFP. I know, not exciting, but you need value and the rest of the options are g to the r to the oss. Claxton averages 0.96 DKFP per minute and he’s essentially rendered Deandre Jordan ($1,000) useless, as he hasn’t played since May 8.

Blake Griffin ($4,800) - Griffin averages 0.99 DKFP per minute and has played 20, 20 and 25 minutes in the first three games of the series. He’s scored 14.75, 20.75 and 13.75 DKFP. No one else under $5,000 will get 20 minutes on a regular basis and minutes are half the battle. Yo, Joe!

Marcus Smart ($8,000) - Smart is my favorite player in the tier below the studs. He’s played 40, 32 and 39 minutes and attempted 13, 13 and 11 shots, with eight 3-pointers hoisted in each game. He’s grabbed three rebounds in each contest while dishing out at least five assists. He also gets some steals as well. The floor is relatively high and he can access a ceiling if he shoots well. Smart has contributed 28.25, 37.75 and 38.25 DKFP in the series. With Kemba Walker ($8,600) hobbled with a knee injury, that increases the prospects for Smart.

Fades

Kemba Walker ($12,900 CP; $8,600) - As mentioned in the Smart section, Walker is dealing with a knee injury. There’s a chance he doesn’t play, but even if he can go, he won’t be 100%. In Game 3, he shot 3-for-14 from the field and put up 20 DKFP. There’s just too much risk for what looks like little reward to pay this price.

THE OUTCOME

For full transparency, I’ve been absolutely horrible at predicting outcomes, so you may want to go Costanza on me. If that doesn’t work, then Costanza the Costanza.

Will Tatum put up another 50-burger? I have my doubts. If he doesn’t, then I don’t see much chance for the Celtics to hang in this one. Brooklyn takes care of business and goes up 3-1 in convincing fashion.

Final Score: Brooklyn 122, Celtics 107

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $40K Pull Up Jumper [$10K to 1st] (BKN vs BOS)

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