This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Defense to avoid: Cleveland Cavaliers, vs BOS: This slot could have very easily gone to the Warriors, once again facing a Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs offense. In Game 2, the Warriors beat the Spurs by 36 while in Game 2, the Cavaliers beat the Celtics by 44 in Boston. In Game 3 the Warriors have to travel to San Antonio, while the Cavaliers return home. Both games currently project as blowouts, so the Cavs get the tie-breaker for playing at home.
Offense to Use: Golden State Warriors, at SA: As mentioned above, the favorites demolished the underdogs in both Game 2s and project to do so again in Game 3. But, since the Spurs at home, they maybe have a better chance to offer some resistance than the Cavs do. Resistance helps the offenses, because if the game is competitive the starters should play longer than they do in monster blowouts.
Stephen Curry, GS at SA ($9,100): Curry scored 60.8 fantasy points in Game 1, a 2-point win. He then scored 56.3 fantasy points in Game 2, a 36-point win. Curry's ability to put up points efficiently, in a hurry, makes him a strong play even if the game becomes a blowout.
Jonathon Simmons, SA vs GS ($5,200): Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is out again on Saturday. He has missed two of the last three games, and Simmons scored 26 fantasy points in 31 minutes in one of those games, and 30.8 fantasy points in 26 minutes of the other. He projects to likely start, and be productive, again on Saturday.
Dejounte Murray, SA vs GS ($3,500): The last two games that Kawhi Leonard sat resulted in Murray turning in games of 38 and 30 fantasy points in 24 and 27 minutes, respectively. Practically, without Leonard on Saturday the game projects as another Warriors blowout win. This would actually be a benefit for Murray, giving him more garbage time to work with and making him an interesting punt play.
LeBron James, CLE vs BOS ($12,600): James is by-far the most expensive player in the game, and his team projects to a massive blowout win. It doesn't matter. He has averaged 62 fantasy points in the two games of the series thus far, scoring 61 fantasy points in only 32.5 minutes of Game 2's 44 point win. James is averaging 61.9 fantasy points in six games against the Celtics this season, and is very difficult to fade in this two-game format.
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs GS ($7,600): Aldridge is the main offensive option for the Spurs again in Game 3, as Kawhi Leonard is out again with an ankle injury. Aldridge thrived in that role in Game 7 against the Rockets, scoring 53 fantasy points in a blowout win. Aldridge struggled in that role in Game 2 against the Warriors, producing only 22 fantasy points. But, Aldridge has been largely successful against the Warriors this season, averaging just under 40 fantasy points in his four meetings with them, and with Game 3 at home there is a decent chance for Aldridge to bounce-back.
Kyle Anderson, SA vs GS ($3,100): Anderson is another Spurs bench player that has recently played well with Kawhi Leonard out. Anderson scored 21.5 fantasy points in Game 7 against the Rockets, and returned for 24.3 fantasy points in 26 minutes against the Warriors in Game 2. You could do worse in a punt play.
Draymond Green, GS at SA ($7,900): Green only played 28 minutes in the 36-point win in Game 2, but he still managed 41.8 fantasy points and flirted with a triple-double. He has been excellent all playoffs long for the Warriors, and projects as another potentially strong game if the game is close enough to warrant the starters playing in Game 3.
Kevin Love, CLE vs BOS ($7,500): Love and Tristan Thompson ($5400) both have the ability to have their way with the finesse Celtics interior. Love has had big games in both contests so far, averaging just over 49 fantasy points. Thompson had a poor Game 2, but could easily bounce-back in Game 3. Both make strong plays in Game 3, though of course the projected blowout-nature of the game provides some element of risk.
JaVale McGee, GS at SA ($2,600): McGee is projected for a larger role in Game 3, as ZaZa Pachulia is out with a heel injury. Also, if Game 3 becomes a blowout like Game 2 did, McGee could get further extended run. He hasn't done much lately, but earlier in the playoffs McGee was becoming a popular punt play with efficient scoring and rebounding.
