This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: Cleveland Cavaliers, at TOR. Standard disclaimer: Don't fully avoid any defense in the playoffs. Especially this late in the process, with teams fighting for their future, any defense can get it. Go with your gut on certain matchups. That said, the Cavaliers are undefeated in the playoffs so far and the Raptors could be without Kyle Lowry (or with a hobbled version) yet again. If so, the odds are that the Cavs win again and the Raptors offense may not live up to expectations across the board, as has been the case throughout the series.
Offense to Use: Washington Wizards, vs BOS. Every game in this series so far has had lots of offense, and the home team has won all seven games between them this season. The Wizards, playing at home, torched the Celtics in Game 3 in a blowout so bad that many Wizards sat late in the game. The Celtics likely play better in Game 4, which sets the stage for another potentially explosive match-up between the two teams.
James Harden, HOU vs SA ($10,900): Harden broke out of his scoring slump with 43 points, five assists, five treys, three steals and two boards in 40 minutes of a Game 3 loss to the Spurs at home on Friday. On Sunday, the Rockets will be in a must-win game, at home, and Harden will be expected to lead them to victory. He has averaged 56.4 fantasy points in seven games against the Spurs this season.
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs CLE ($8,000): DeRozan once again bounced back from a putrid performance with a great one, scoring 37 points with three assists, three steals and two rebounds with zero turnovers in Game 3 without Kyle Lowry. However, the Raptors still lost and Lowry is still questionable (ankle) to play on Sunday. This all shapes up to make DeRozan the offensive focal point again Sunday, in a game that is literally win-or-you're-out for the Raptors.
Patty Mills, SA at HOU ($5,000): There are three point guard injuries that could lead to starter minutes for a backup, but both Kyle Lowry (ankle) and George Hill (toe) have a chance to play in this set of games. Tony Parker is done for the season, though, which sets up Mills to play starter's minutes again and build on the 27.8 fantasy points he dropped in the same role last game.
LeBron James, CLE at TOR ($12,200): This is the chalk pick, as James has been a consistent monster throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs. He scored 56 fantasy points in Game 3, is averaging 59.2 fantasy points in three games against the Raptors thus far, and actually averaged closer to 70 fantasy points in the first round against the Pacers.
Kevin Durant, GS at UTA ($8,700): Durant broke out for 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two combined steals/blocks in 36 minutes against the Jazz in Game 2. He appears to be back up to full speed after his injury last round, but is still priced a bit down from his norm, which could make him a relative bargain.
Trevor Ariza, HOU vs SA ($4,900): Ariza bounced back from a terrible Game 2 with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, five treys and a steal in 46 minutes of Game 3. Ariza has had quite a bit of success against the Spurs this season, averaging 28.8 fantasy points in seven games.
Draymond Green, GS at UTA ($8,200): Green tweaked his left knee in Game 2 against the Jazz but was able to come back and play afterwards. He is probable to play on Saturday, and if he does he continues a series in which he is averaging 47.1 fantasy points through two games. In the playoffs overall, Green is averaging almost 49 fantasy points.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs GS ($7,700): Gobert scored 16 points with 16 rebounds and two combined blocks/steals in 37 minutes of Game 2, seemingly back to full strength. He is now averaging 40.3 fantasy points in five games against the Warriors this season, and will be facing them at home on Saturday.
Clint Capela, HOU vs SA ($5,100): Capela scored 12 points with 16 rebounds, five blocks and three steals in 31.5 minutes of Game 3. He is now averaging 36.4 fantasy points in his last four playoff games, and is averaging 31.7 fantasy points in six games against the Spurs this season.
