This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have a four-game slate featured on DraftKings for Tuesday. The playoffs are underway, so it'll be another day of Game 1 action with the Magic set to face the Bucks at 1:30 EDT. Rotations tend to be far more predictable this time of year, which should help when trying to identify value, but it also means the high-upside star players are even more crucial to fit in your lineups since they won't be at risk of rest like they are during the regular season.
Slate Overview
ORL vs. MIL (-12) O/U 225
HOU vs OKC (-1.5) O/U 227
POR vs. LAL (-5) O/U 230
IND vs. MIA (-4.5) O/U 216
The Magic/Bucks game appears to be the only one with any kind of blowout risk. They were two of the better defensive teams in the regular season as well, so pace is something to consider when targeting any players from this matchup. Expect more up and down basketball from Rockets/Thunder and Trail Blazers/Lakers. The most unappealing game would be Pacers/Heat, but I still think a few options can be found in all four games since it is the playoffs.
Positional Breakdown
We have five players over 10k available today. Taking a balanced approach could be a contrarian way to separate yourself from the chalky two-stud builds that are sure to be a popular roster construction on this slate.
Injury Situations to Monitor
LeBron James (groin) and Anthony Davis (knee), LAL - QUESTIONABLE
They are both probable to play despite the injury designations.
Russell Westbrook (quadriceps), OKC - OUT
Westbrook is expected to miss a few playoff games, so James Harden will be looked upon to carry the load even more than usual in his absence.
T.J. Warren (foot), IND - QUESTIONABLE
Most likely precautionary. Warren is expected to suit up today for Game 1 versus the Heat.
Jimmy Butler (foot), MIA - QUESTIONABLE
Much like Warren, expect Butler to be good to go for Game 1 against the Pacers.
Myles Turner (wrist), IND - QUESTIONABLE
Turner developed a wrist injury towards the end of the regular season but should be available today against Miami.
Aaron Gordon (hamstring), ORL - QUESTIONABLE
Gordon went through practice Monday. The Magic will see how he's feeling prior to today's game. Expectations are that he will play.
Zach Collins (ankle), POR - OUT
Collins will not play in Game 1 versus the Lakers. Wenyen Gabriel will get the start in his place.
Elite Players
James Harden, HOU ($11,700)
Coming in as the most expensive on the slate, Harden will need to do it all for a Rockets team that will be without Russell Westbrook. Harden carries over a 40 percent usage rate when Westbrook is off the court this year. He struggled against the Thunder during the regular season however, "only" averaging 45.8 fantasy points in three games, but Westbrook played in all of those. Expect Harden to have a monster game here if the Rockets want to walk away with a Game 1 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL ($10,500)
At a $1,200 discount, Antetokounmpo becomes an attractive pivot off Harden despite a likely slower-paced game script. The Magic were top five in the league (108.3) in points allowed per game but face a Bucks team that had the fastest pace (107.2) and led the league (118.7) in points per game, so something has to give here. That should start with Antetokounmpo, as he has scored 60 plus fantasy points versus the Magic in three games this season and should have an opportunity to exceed that today if this game can stay close.
Expected Chalk
Jimmy Butler, MIA ($7,600)
Coming in under 8k, Butler should be extremely popular given his 25.7 percentage usage rate and overall disdain for this Pacers team. It's no secret that he and T.J. Warren aren't big fans of each other and Butler has thrived with the rivalry, averaging over 40 fantasy points in three regular season meetings with a 50-point explosion in their most recent clash. Expect Butler to go all out here to secure a Game 1 win for his team.
Eric Bledsoe, MIL ($5,400)
At this low price for a player of his caliber, I'd expect him to be a popular target today. His biggest concern is minutes, but 30 or more should definitely be in the realm of possibility, a figure he reached twice during the NBA restart. In three games against the Magic this season he's averaging over 30 fantasy points, with Orlando surrendering 50 fantasy points to the point guard position on the year.
Key Values
Jae Crowder, MIA ($3,900)
Crowder didn't start any games before the season shutdown but has since started every game in the bubble and is projected to remain in that role for Game 1 against the Pacers. This price is a little bit surprising as it's his lowest of the season, and he should be able to return value with him averaging over 25 fantasy points for the year. He also just dropped 36.5 fantasy points on this Pacers team a week ago.
D.J. Augustin, ORL ($3,500)
Another surprisingly low price for a player splitting court time with Markelle Fultz, regardless of whether he starts or not. It's probably better if Augustin doesn't start, as he would gain extra usage running the second unit for Orlando. In three games against the Heat he's averaging over 20 fantasy points, which would put him well clear of 5x value.
