This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a one-game playoff slate between the Bucks and Raptors on Saturday, May 25.
Because this is a single-game format, the following write-ups will be constructed different. For these contests, DraftKings allows you to roster a "captain" who collects 1.5 times the fantasy points. However, he also costs 1.5x the listed salary. From here, you'll have five remaining utility spots to assemble a lineup. The corresponding analysis will heavily consider the strategy within that while listing viable players to choose from.
TOP PICKS
Giannis Antetokounmpo – MIL vs. TOR ($11,600): Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard have been going back-and-forth as the top fantasy scorer throughout this series. Leonard held that title in Game 5, but I'm thinking Antetokounmpo will be the top dog tonight. Milwaukee now has their back against the wall after dropping Thursday's home contest, which serves as more motivation for the Bucks' superstar to pile up some insane numbers. This could be a defining moment in Antetokounmpo's young career, and I believe he'll answer the calling.
Kawhi Leonard – TOR at MIL ($11,800): As mentioned in the previous write-up, I'm looking towards Antetokounmpo as my showdown captain tonight. Leonard is the first utility player in my lineup, and taking these two top tier players should be a default strategy through all formats. They are head and shoulders above every other DFS commodity on this slate, and I believe you'll need both to compete on the DraftKings' leaderboard.
Kyle Lowry – TOR at MIL ($8,000): Lowry hasn't had many high-upside games this postseason, but he has been steady for the most part. That makes him a strong cash game staple while similarly priced players like Pascal Siakam and Khris Middleton are risk/reward tournament plays. Lowry has posted 41 and 37 fantasy points respectively over the last two games despite shooting 10-22 from the field. The difference has been a more aggressive approach while going 17-18 on free throws, and I'm expecting the Raptors' floor general to have that mentality again tonight.
BARGAINS
George Hill – MIL vs. TOR ($4,000): Hill is having himself an excellent series. He's consistently seeing 25-30 minutes per contest, and his role seems more stable with Nikola Miroic getting phased out of the rotation. Even if we take away Hill's 41 fantasy point outlier in Game 3, he's still averaging a respectable 21 FP in the other four games of this series. That represents serviceable value considering the nature of this one-game slate and clearance aisle salary.
Fred VanVleet – TOR at MIL ($4,800): Leonard has been magnificent for Toronto, but VanVleet may have put the Raptors over the top in back-to-back wins. The reserve guard has been seeing more playing time (37 minutes last game) while finally turning around his cold shooting. VanVleet was a combined 2-11 from three-point territory over the first three games of this series. He has gone 10-12 from distance over the past two. Yes, his fantasy production is directly tied to how well he's shooting the ball, and that introduces risk in daily fantasy. However, I'm willing to embrace the uncertainty given a spike in playing time.
Norman Powell – TOR at MIL ($3,800): Powell regressed with only 15 fantasy points in Game 5 after notching 31-plus in his previous two. However, he's still seeing 25-30 minutes while playing some excellent basketball. I'm guessing either VanVleet or Powell will record a nice fantasy line tonight, and they have proven the ability to coexist with a combined 57 fantasy points in Game 4. Powell is the cheapest option who actually sees reasonable minutes with a path to upside.
