This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid: Cleveland Cavaliers vs BOS. Both series have been blowouts, but at least the Spurs have shown some resistance and are playing at home. The Cavs blew out Boston by 44 points in Game 2, the game wasn't even really that close, and that was with Isaiah Thomas actually starting. Thomas is done for the playoffs, the game has shifted to Cleveland, and it is hard to find reasons to believe that this game will be competitive at all.
Offense to Use: Golden State Warriors at SA. Again, the Warriors and Spurs series has been the more competitive of the two, even with Kawhi Leonard out. But with that said, the Warriors are still clearly the favorites in Game 4, which would suggest that their offensive players should play better. However, if Leonard sits again, it should be noted that the Spurs are full of low-priced plays that could out-produce their tag.
Stephen Curry, GS at SA ($9,600): Curry is averaging 53.3 fantasy points in three Conference Finals games, and is by far the most productive guard. He has shown no sign of letting up, making him the only elite guard option with a good expectation to produce to his price tag.
Klay Thompson, GS at SA ($6,000): Thompson scored 29 fantasy points in Game 3, and is averaging 26 fantasy points in the series. Not stellar production, but the best that the shooting guard position has produced in these Conference Finals.
Terry Rozier, BOS at CLE ($2,700): Rozier was battling with Dejounte Murray ($4100) for this slot. Murray has a more established role at his higher price, but Rozier could get a lot of run as the back-up point guard now that Isaiah Thomas is out. Rozier played well when given minutes against the Wizards, and if the game gets out of control he may get even more run.
Kevin Durant, GS at SA ($10,100): LeBron James is the safest best in the game, but his $12,600 price tag is difficult to absorb in the DK format. He's still a good buy, but he also has risk if they unload on the Celtics the way they did in Game 2 but with Kyrie Irving as the catalyst instead of LeBron. Meanwhile, Durant has been over 55 fantasy points in two of his three games against the Spurs, and has that upside on Monday at a lower price.
Kevin Love, CLE vs BOS ($7,500): Love, Draymond Green and LaMarcus Aldridge all have similar price and expected value. But Love is the least expensive, and has also been the one to produce the most in the Conference Finals so far. He has the same blowout risk, but he scored 44 fantasy points in the massive Game 2 blowout so the risk is somewhat mitigated.
Kyle Anderson, SA vs GS ($3,600): Anderson scored 26.3 fantasy points in Game 3, and has been between 21.5 and 26.3 fantasy points in the last three games that Kawhi Leonard sat out. Spurs Coach Greg Popovich announced that it's unlikely that Leonard will play Monday, which would give Anderson another chance to produce.
Draymond Green, GS at SA ($7,900): Green scored 33.8 fantasy points in Game 3, and has averaged 35.4 fantasy points in the three games of the series thus far. He has been solid if unspectacular this series, on top of his outstanding playoff run thus far. His dual-eligibility makes him a better center option than Al Horford, who is the default best pure center but has serious match-up issues if his games keep being blowouts.
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs BOS ($5,400): Thompson only managed 10 fantasy points in Game 2, but that was coming off a 37.8 fantasy point effort in Game 1. In five total games against the Celtics this season, he is averaging 28.6 fantasy points in 31 minutes per game.
JaVale McGee, GS at SA ($2,700): McGee earned this spot on the strength of his extra-min price, and that he started in Game 3 while Zaza Pachulia (Q, heel) sat out. McGee scored 18.8 fantasy points in 12.6 minutes in Game 3, and he has shown the ability to top that. However, it should be noted that Pau Gasol ($4900) got more run and produced in Game 3, so he's another low-priced option at center.
