This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ATL (-4) vs. NY, O/U: 211
BKN (-7.5) at BOS, O/U: 227
LAC (-2) at DAL, O/U: 219
There is merit to targeting all three of tonight's matchups. Despite its low total, NY-ATL features solid value options on both sides and is likely to stay competitive after the first two this series were closely contested. BKN-BOS carries the most upside considering its total and elite options. It comes down to whether or not the Celtics can keep it close and that's a serious concern after getting blown out on Tuesday, not to mention Kemba Walker (knee) is considered questionable. The LAC-DAL matchup seems like the best target of the three. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are still significantly undervalued while Luka Doncic stands out as the slate's top overall play. The Clippers will be desperate for a win tonight in Dallas after dropping the first two at home.
Injuries to Monitor
Kemba Walker (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Walker is listed as questionable due to a bruised knee. He played 30 minutes on Tuesday, so it seems likely he will play. If Walker ends up missing, Payton Pritchard would be in line for extra minutes.
Serge Ibaka (back): QUESTIONABLE
Ibaka's a game-time decision due to a lingering back injury. He's played a combined 19 minutes off the bench in the first two games of the series.
Jeff Green (foot): OUT
Green will be reevaluated in 10 days after injuring his foot on Tuesday. Blake Griffin, Nicolas Claxton and Bruce Brown are candidates to see more minutes.
Maxi Kleber (achilles): QUESTIONABLE
Kleber continues to play through an Achilles injury. He's started and played mid 30s minutes in both games against the Clippers and seems likely to do so again tonight.
Elite Players
PG/SF:
Luka Doncic ($11,000) was outstanding in both wins over the Clippers in LA. He averaged 35/8.5/9 as he posted 71.5 and 61.25 fantasy points. He's the most expensive player on the slate but really stands out amongst the elite options, especially with Game 3 in Dallas. I'd expect Doncic to be quite popular considering there aren't as many places to spend salary.
Guard:
James Harden ($10,300) is coming off 39.75 DK points in 27 minutes as the Nets easily handled the Celtics on Tuesday. He hasn't shown consistent upside when Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are both healthy. It's hard to justify rostering Harden over Doncic considering the matchup against Boston carries significant blowout risk.
PF/C:
Julius Randle ($9,700) failed to reach 40 DK points in either of the first two contests this series. It's also somewhat surprising he only played 36 minutes in each game. Randle's the only spend-up option with center eligibility tonight and won't be overly popular considering the Knicks are road underdogs. There are plenty of better ways to spend salary, so I'll continue fading.
PF:
Kevin Durant ($9,600) put up 52.5 DK points while playing just 29 minutes in Tuesday's win. He's managed 50-plus fantasy points in three consecutive outings and remains a good option on any slate when under $10,000. The Nets are in one of the more favorable spots on the slate and Durant is my preferred option in the 9K range.
Jayson Tatum ($9,400) only played 21 minutes in Game 2 after being poked in the eye by Durant, but he's ready to go for tonight. He's only shot 9-for-32 from the field and has seven turnovers with six assists through the first two games. I'd still have some interest if Tatum isn't going to be overly popular as he could provide nice leverage as a pivot off Durant or paired together in a mini game-stack.
Expected Chalk
Kawhi Leonard ($8,500)
Kawhi has produced 55-plus DK points in both contests and for whatever reason his salary is still considerably low. He was chalky on Tuesday at $8,300 and smashed with 59.5 fantasy points. The Clippers are in desperate need of win to avoid going down 0-3 and it wouldn't surprise me if Leonard is the most popular player on the slate. It seems like good chalk to me, so I'll just roster him and find ways to get different in other spots.
Value Picks
Trae Young ($8,600)
Young posted 41.25 DK points as the Hawks only notched 92 points in Wednesday's loss. The matchup against the Knicks isn't ideal, but his salary is still discounted. Young had been valued as high as $9,600 as recently as May 5. Atlanta is expected to bounce back tonight at home and Young should see at least 35 minutes in a close contest.
Paul George ($8,100)
George is coming off a 28/12/6 line that helped him to 55 DK points in Game 2. He's played 40 minutes in both appearances to start the series and $8,100 is too cheap for that type of run. As such, George represents one of the more appealing options on the slate.
Derrick Rose ($6,400)
Rose saw a whopping 39 minutes off the bench in Game 2 while starter Elfrid Payton only played five minutes. Rose has topped 30 DK points in both games and continues to offer considerable upside for a relatively affordable salary.
Tim Hardaway ($5,500)
Hardaway put up 40.75 DK points in 38 minutes on Tuesday. His salary still reflects that he hadn't seen 30 minutes in any of the final six regular season matchups. It's hard not to like Hardaway again tonight with the series moving to Dallas.
Joe Harris ($5,100)
Harris torched the Celtics with seven three-pointers on his way to 43.5 DK points in Game 2. His minutes should be even safer now after the injury to Jeff Green and his salary is still lower than it was during the final weeks of the regular season.
De'Andre Hunter ($4,000)
Hunter has appeared in five games since coming back from a knee injury that kept him out for nearly two months. He encouragingly had his minutes bumped up to 32 on Wednesday while producing 26.5 DK points. Hunter has 35-plus upside if he sees that type of run tonight.
