This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have a one-game Showdown featured on DraftKings for Saturday. The Lakers, up 3-1 in the series, will look to close out the Rockets and advance to the Western Conference Finals. With the playoffs winding down the showdown format will be the main contest option going forward. Two different schools of thought come into play when building a showdown lineup. You can go cheap at Captain and try to pack in as much upside as possible with the five utility spots, or spend up and hope you can identify enough value to roster someone like LeBron James or James Harden. I think both are viable strategies, especially with four elite caliber players available in this series.
Slate Overview
HOU vs. LAL (-6.5), O/U 215.5
The Rockets head into Game 5 on the brink of elimination. They will look to extend the series with a victory, but will have to find a way to stop the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, first. We have yet to see the Rockets' two superstars really step up, as neither have cracked the 60-fantasy-point plateau mark in any game of the series. While raw points matter in a showdown format, it's been the aforementioned tandem for Los Angeles that's been the more reliable source of fantasy production so far.
Injury Situations to Monitor
LeBron James, (groin) probable
The probable tag is merely a formality as this point as he's carried that designation in every game this series. He should suit up without any issues.
Anthony Davis, (ribs) probable
Much like James, Davis has held an injury tag throughout this series but hasn't missed any time as a result. That should be the case here as well, but always a good idea to check back in closer to lock.
Danuel House, (personal) OUT
House has left the bubble and will be out for the remainder of the postseason due to breaking protocol by having an unauthorized guest on the NBA campus. Austin Rivers could see an expanded role in his absence.
JaVale McGee, (ankle) probable
McGee was a healthy scratch as Frank Vogel opted to start Markieff Morris in his place. He's listed as probable for Game 5, but it remains to be seen if he will find his way back on the court going forward.
Captain Picks
LeBron James, LAL ($12,400) Captain: ($18,600)
We haven't seen the 70-fantasy-point upside James flashed multiple times against Portland in the first round, but he's always able to take it to that level any given night. The biggest standout in this series is his contributions on the defensive end. He's piled up eight steals and eight blocks and tends to flirt with a triple-double on a nightly basis. I think we can expect a vintage performance here in a closeout game with the Western Conference Finals on the horizon.
Anthony Davis, LAL ($11,600) Captain: ($17,400)
Coming in at slight discount to LeBron James, Davis has actually been the more consistent player in this series against the Rockets. Averaging over 50 fantasy points during the second round, he's posted a double-double in all four games. The Rockets have almost no inside presence to contend with Davis. PJ Tucker and Jeff Green are vastly undersized in comparison and it should continue to allow the Kentucky product to eat up rebounds and convert high percentage shots in the paint.
Expected Chalk
Russell Westbrook, HOU ($10,000)
It's nearly impossible to fit all four studs into a lineup, but you can definitely get three with little restriction. Harden and Westbrook have been fairly comparable in the postseason thus far, so taking the latter for $2000 less frees you up to add whoever you want in the utility spots. Westbrook clearly hasn't been the unstoppable force in Houston like he was in Oklahoma City but can still find ways to fill the stat sheet with steals and blocks. It was nice to see him get to the free-throw line more frequently in Game 4. When he's aggressive, getting those easy buckets at the charity stripe can really increase his chance at a ceiling game we know he's capable of producing.
Rajon Rondo, LAL ($5,200)
Playoff Rondo has been on full display since missing the entire series against the Trailblazers. Despite coming off the bench, he's averaging almost 30 minutes over the last four games. Normally just an assist machine, his scoring has been the brightest spot with double digits in three of four while draining seven shots from behind the arc. As a former NBA Champion, his experience should make him a key piece in the Lakers' quest to bring a title back to Tinsel Town.
Key Values
Jeff Green, HOU ($4,200)
Green isn't quite in a full time split with PJ Tucker but still plays around 25 minutes per game. They will continue to need his size to combat Anthony Davis, so his role should be secure in the short term. Green can score, grab rebounds and get the occasional steal and block, so at $4,200, he makes for one of the safer value plays on the board.
Austin Rivers, HOU ($4,000)
With the departure of Danuel House from the bubble, Rivers saw his most court time of the series logging 28 minutes while adding 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. He seems to have the edge over Ben McLemore for playing time, so as long as House is out, Rivers could see an uptick in minutes running the second unit behind Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
