We’re back for the first full slate of Saturday playoff action that starts with Bucks/Magic at 1PM and concludes with Lakers/Blazers at 8:30PM. As usual, we’ll go through the best value plays, studs to spend on, and notable players to fade. Thanks for reading, and best of luck with your lineups!

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Value Plays

Point Guard

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• Augustin has averaged 25 minutes per game off the bench through Orlando’s first two playoff games, and despite his 17.9 FD point performance in Game 2, he had provided over 32 FD points in his previous two outings. He won’t score a lot of points, but Augustin dishes enough dimes to be worthy of a cheap roster spot here.
• A fully-healthy Dragic has been reinstated as Miami’s starting point guard, and Kendrick Nunn hasn’t taken the floor in Miami’s two playoff games. Dragic has averaged nearly 35 FD points in 32.5 minutes per contest in that span.

Shooting Guard

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• Middleton has been hit-or-miss as of late, while mostly being “miss.” But for a guy who has a 50-point ceiling, I’ll pay for him here with his ownership likely down after Thursday’s clunker. The $6.6K price tag is too juicy to pass up.
• McCollum’s price is down to just $7K after two playoff performances that saw him average 23.8 FD points. He averaged 37 minutes in those games, and Damian Lillard could be limited after dislocating his finger Thursday. I love McCollum at this salary.

Small Forward

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• I’m not sure why Gordon’s price hasn’t risen significantly over the last two games, but he remains a solid option at his affordable price. With Russell Westbrook on the shelf, Gordon has started and averaged over 30 minutes per contest while going for 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in that time.
• Holiday has become a regular fixture in Indiana’s rotation, averaging 28.3 minutes over his last three games. In those contests, he’s averaged 9.3 points, 5.7 boards, and 3.0 combined blocks/steals. He can provide plenty of production for a player at his price point.
• After a double-double and 34.5 FD points in Game 1, Melo put up a putrid 0.5 FD points in Game 2 behind a two-point, one-assist, three-turnover stat line that likely left those who rostered him pouring another nightcap. Portland as a whole was terrible in this one, and Melo should get back on track today. He’s averaged over 30 minutes per game, and Lillard may not be at full strength or able to play at all, leaving Anthony to take on more offensive responsibilities.

Power Forward

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• With Aaron Gordon (hamstring) out for another contest, Clark should remain in the starting lineup. He’s been solid in his previous two outings, averaging 9.0 points, 6.5 boards, a block, and a steal over 29 minutes per contest.
• Noel won’t always see consistent minutes, but he’s certainly worth a dart-throw at his very affordable price. Steven Adams has had his way with Houston’s small-ball lineup, and if Noel can get some court time, he makes a solid value. I’ll take a chance on him in tournaments to fit some studs into my lineups.

Center

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• Adams has averaged 12.5 points, 11.5 boards, and 2.5 dimes over two matchups with Houston thus far, and he should continue to feast against the smaller frontcourt of the Rockets.
• As long as Whiteside remains at this price, I’ll keep going back to the well. With Zach Collins out and a big Lakers frontcourt to contend with, Whiteside has averaged 24 minutes of action in his first two playoff games after seeing just 16 minutes in his previous seven bubble contests.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Anthony Davis (LAL) $10, : Through two games, Davis has been the most consistent Laker, and I’ll keep paying up for him. A thinned-out Blazers frontcourt hasn’t given AD too much trouble thus far, and he’s in a good spot to keep producing.
• Jimmy Butler (MIA) $9 : Jimmy Buckets has been lights out for Miami so far in the playoffs, averaging 23.0 points, 5.0 boards, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 combined blocks/steals.
• Nikola Vucevic (ORL) $9 : Vucevic has been taking it to Milwaukee through two games, averaging 33.5 points, 12.0 boards, and 3.0 assists while dominating the paint. If you’re going to pay up at center, Vuc is your man.
• C.J. McCollum (POR) $7,000: McCollum should lead the offense tonight while Lillard deals with a finger injury.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $11,300: He’s averaged 56.2 FD points over his first two playoff games, and that’s with Milwaukee struggling in Game 1. After a spin move and huge dunk late in Game 2’s victory, Giannis was visibly fired up. He’s building momentum, and he has a great chance to break things open in Game 3.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Damian Lillard (POR) $9,500 : Lillard left Game 2 against the Lakers with a left finger dislocation, and it’ll be hard to trust him at his current cost given the uncertainty of his injury.
• James Harden (HOU) $11,700 : Yeah, it’s tough to fade Harden, but at this price, it’s also tough to get him into your lineup. His ceiling is sky high, but there are so many players on this slate who could provide a better return on investment.
• Chris Paul (OKC) $7,900: CP3 has played unbelievably well this season, but he’s not worth the almost $8K price tag with other values available.
• Eric Bledsoe (MIL) $6,000: Bledsoe has averaged just over 28 FD points per game in his first two playoff matchups, and even if he improves in Game 3, his ceiling isn’t high enough to warrant inclusion in your lineups.
• Victor Oladipo (IND) $5,900: Oladipo’s highest FD point total since the NBA returned is 34.9 points, though he’s consistently scored in the 20’s. Pass.

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