Last night the superstars took over. LeBron James (38 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 3 BLK) gave the Cavaliers a 3-2 series lead and James Harden triple-doubled (26 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST) to keep the Rockets alive. I didn’t use either, finishing out of the money in GPP tournaments at DraftKings, but still turned a profit thanks to 50-50 contests and Spencer Hawes.
Tonight’s action features two teams returning from huge road victories that evened their series. Atlanta has two home games in a best-of-three with the Wizards, whose chances depend on the pain tolerance of John Wall $8900 (wrist). Teams are notoriously secretive about injuries in the playoffs; we do know that Wall — who has five fractures — tried dribbling with that left hand yesterday, reported less swelling and is listed as “questionable.”
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The Hawks played their best game of the series in a must-win on Monday, as Jeff Teague $7300 asserted himself (26 PTS, 8 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL) and Paul Millsap $8500 appeared to be recovered from the flu, though his minutes were limited. Al Horford $8000 double-doubled (18 & 10) against an ineffective Marcin Gortat $6800 and my hunch play Dennis Schroder $4300 had another big night off the bench.
If Wall can’t go, Ramon Sessions $5300 will start again but he’s no match for Teague’s best. Bradley Beal $8200 had 34 points in Game Four and would again carry a huge load; veteran Paul Pierce $5500 hit five 3-pointers and blocked three shots in a losing cause. Nene Hilario $4500 has more than earned that salary in two straight games and might be able to keep it up.
Stephen Curry $10400 finally found the range (33 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL) and led the Warriors to a surprisingly easy win in Memphis — it was 61-44 by halftime. The MVP was capably supported by Klay Thompson $7400, Draymond Green $8000 and Harrison Barnes $4700, with Andrew Bogut $5300 and Andre Iguodala $4000 contributing defensively.
The Grizzlies had looked terrific in taking a 2-1 series lead, but Tony Allen $5500 (hamstring) played just 16 minutes on Monday and is questionable for tonight. While the Grindfather is as tough as they come and a huge part of their vaunted team defense, Jeff Green $4100 should get extra minutes again. Mike Conley $6000 (facial fractures) was the hero of Game Two; since then he’s 7-for-25 and was unable to contain Curry last game. Marc Gasol $8300 and Zach Randolph $7600 have been their best players throughout and are critical to their chances. Old man Vince Carter $2800 looked good in 24 minutes on Monday.
Lineup construction is an inexact science at the best of times. If Wall plays, he’ll be far from 100% and his teammates take such a fantasy hit, I’ll have to revamp my lineup. Beal, Pierce, Nene and Sessions have more individual value (and ironically, less chance of winning) if he sits.
PG is a tossup between Curry and Teague; SG between Beal and Klay. There are three excellent PF to choose from, $900 apart in cost. Green had been outplayed by Z-Bo until an inspired effort on Monday and Millsap should be ready for a normal workload after his illness. Horford or Gasol at C is another tough call — for the money, Bogut is not a terrible choice.
There’s one very scarce position. DeMarre Carroll $6700 deserves to be the top-priced SF but was limping and ineffective in Washington. Otto Porter $5800 comes next on the salary scale — a bench player who was quiet in Game Four, he costs $300 more than Pierce. Allen is hurt. Although The Truth hardly fits the typical profile of a must-start DFS player, he’s preferred over Barnes and Iggy.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10400 | Jeff Teague $7200 | Dennis Schroder $4300 |
| SG | Bradley Beal $8200 | Klay Thompson $7400 | Vince Carter $2800 |
| SF | DeMarre Carroll $6700 | Paul Pierce $5500 | Andre Iguodala $4000 |
| PF | Paul Millsap $8500 | Draymond Green $8000 | Nene Hilario $4500 |
| C | Marc Gasol $8300 | Al Horford $8000 | Andrew Bogut $5300 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.