This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
PHX (-1) vs. LAC, O/U: 215
The Suns were expected to close out the series in Phoenix on Monday, but the Clippers pulled off the upset behind an outstanding performance from Paul George. Now they return home with some momentum and a legitimate chance to extend the series to seven games. George has carried the team in the absence of Kawhi Leonard and likely will have to do so again tonight if the Clippers are going to win. It's worth noting for fantasy purposes that all of the Suns have received salary discounts after disappointing performances across the board in Game 5. That status of Ivica Zubac (knee) will be important to monitor as the Clippers favored a smaller lineup in his absence on Monday. The game is projected to be competitive, so planning for a blowout one way or another would be a simple way to differentiate. So would rostering someone other than George in the captain spot.
Injuries to Monitor
Kawhi Leonard (knee): OUT
Leonard will miss his eighth consecutive game tonight due to the knee injury he suffered against Utah. The Clippers continue to evaluate his status on a game-to-game basis. Marcus Morris and Terance Mann have been starting in his absence.
Ivica Zubac (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Zubac missed Game 5 on Monday due to a sprained MCL and is listed as questionable for tonight. The Clippers reverted back to a smaller lineup and started Beverley, Jackson, George, Morris and Mann. Nicolas Batum played 30 minutes off the bench while DeMarcus Cousins saw 11.
Elite Players
Paul George ($12,000)
George was unstoppable down the stretch as he carried the Clippers to a Game 5 upset in Phoenix. He had 41 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and put up a massive 72.25 DK points. He's topped 55 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and will continue to see all the usage he can handle as long as Kawhi Leonard remains out. He's clearly the top option on the slate tonight from a fantasy points perspective, and I'd expect his popularity to reflect that.
Devin Booker ($10,200)
Booker is coming off a 31/4/3 line that helped him score 45 DK points in Monday's loss. Before that, he'd gone three consecutive games without reaching 30 fantasy points as he struggled mightily with his shot. He sees a significant drop in assist rate whenever Chris Paul is in the lineup, and that means he's incredibly scoring dependent when it comes to DFS viability. It makes him riskier and less popular, which makes him a decent leverage option in this range.
Chris Paul ($9,600)
Paul has disappointed in back-to-back games, shooting 0-for-9 from three-point range and failing to reach 40 DK points in either. He averaged north of 50 fantasy points in the Denver series, but it's been an inconsistent postseason for the most part. Comparing him with Devin Booker, Paul has a higher floor and a similar ceiling. He's also seen a $1,000 drop in salary. If choosing between the two Suns guards, I prefer Paul because he's cheaper and safer.
Expected Chalk
Marcus Morris ($4,000), assuming he starts
Paul George will definitely be chalky, but I wanted to highlight someone from the cheap range as well. Morris is coming off his best game of the series on Monday when he put up 31.25 DK points in 39 minutes. More importantly, his salary continues to fall significantly, as it's now been cut in half after DraftKings valued him at $8,000 for Game 1 of the series. If Ivica Zubac (knee) is out again tonight, Morris looks like the best cheap value on the slate, and his popularity would reflect that.
Value Picks
Deandre Ayton ($8,800)
Ayton had a double-double in Game 5 but scored a series-low 29.75 fantasy points in 37 minutes. He's been the Suns' best player in the series, and we've seen recent outbursts of 61 and 48 DK points. I'd expect him to bounce back tonight against a Clippers frontcourt that struggles to stop opposing centers.
Reggie Jackson ($8,200)
Jackson has topped 30 fantasy points in six of the last seven games. He continues to see upwards of 40 minutes per night, and his shot volume means that he always has upside. The slight discount in salary is nice as well.
Jae Crowder ($5,400)
There is a clear lack of value on this slate, and that's really the only reason to consider Crowder. His salary has fallen to its lowest point in 10 games, and he's still playing low 30s minutes in close games. Poor three-point shooting has limited his recent fantasy production.
Terance Mann ($5,000)
Mann re-entered the starting lineup on Monday as the Clippers reverted to a smaller rotation in the absence of Ivica Zubac. He's far from a safe option, but his upside is higher than the other players in this range. He can also be rostered at a discount tonight after being valued at $6,400 for Games 1 and 2 of the series.
Patrick Beverley ($4,600)
Beverley is coming off 19.25 DK points in 31 minutes on Monday as he started his fourth straight game at point guard. As I mentioned above, there isn't much to like when it comes to value on this slate, and because Beverley plays significant minutes and has an affordable salary, he becomes somewhat appealing.
