These games are starting to get good. We’re getting into the guts of these series, and every game is more important than the last. We’re dipping into some Game 3s here, and it’s become must-win spots for some of these teams that are down 0-2!

There have been some massive blowouts the last two nights, but that’s not going to be the case here. We have two games that are expected to be extremely close, and it should lead to a fun slate. There’s plenty we need to discuss, though, so let’s get started with the schedule, odds, and injuries!

Schedule and Odds

BKN at BOS (BOS -3.5) O/U: 227.5
If Game 1 was an indication, this could be the best series of the opening round. Boston got a game-winner from Jayson Tatum, winning that matchup, 115-114

PHI at TOR (PHI -1.5) O/U: 214.5
Philadelphia obliterated Toronto in the first two games of this series. They lead 2-0 heading into this critical Game 3 for the Raptors.

CHI at MIL (MIL -10) O/U: 224.5
Game 1 was a grinder between these teams. Neither team could shoot, but Milwaukee prevailed, 93-86.

Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros

Injury Report

• Ben Simmons (who knows) OUT
• Joe Harris (ankle) OUT
• Robert Williams (knee) OUT
• Matisse Thybulle (vaccine) OUT
• Scottie Barnes (ankle) Questionable
• Gary Trent Jr.(sickness) Questionable
• Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT

Core Plays

Kevin Durant (PF – BKN): $10,000 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I believe Durant is the best player in the NBA. This guy is the best pure scorer and is quite the stud on defense as well. That’s on full display when you see that KD has at least 53 DraftKings points in 11 of his last 14 games, averaging 55 fantasy points per game in that span. You might be worried about him facing the top-ranked Boston defense, but Durant dropped 61 DK points on them in their final regular-season matchup!

Pascal Siakam (PF – TOR): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Siakam has been in this article all season, and it’s easy to understand why. He’s scored at least 44 DraftKings points in 10 of his last 11 games, generating a 52-point average in that span. Posting a 30 percent usage rate while playing 40 minutes will lead to absurd numbers like that, and he’ll need to do even more here with Barnes expected to sit yet again. He’s killed Philly all year, too, scoring at least 45 DK points in all five of their matchups, en route to a 51-point average.

Cash Game Considerations

Jayson Tatum (PF – BOS): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Boston has been the best team in the east for the last three months, and Tatum is the primary reason why. The All-Star has scored at least 34 DK points in each of his previous 35 games, posting a 49-point average in that span. He’s had some of his best performances against this 20th-ranked Brooklyn defense, averaging 54 DK points per game in their last three meetings.

DeMar DeRozan (PF – CHI): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
DeRozan had a horrific shooting night in Game 1, but he still had 42 DK points. That shows his true floor, scoring at least 27 DK points in 73 of 76 games this season. He’s one of the safest bets for 40 minutes, 20 shots, 10 free-throw attempts, and a 30 percent usage rate, making him one of the best cash game options on the board. Facing Milwaukee is challenging for most, but DD has scored at least 42 DK points in four of their five matchups this year!

GPP Targets

Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $4,800 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
It took Lopez forever to return from his back injury, but he’s finally getting a full workload. He’s scored at least 23 DraftKings points in each of his last five games, averaging over 30 DK points per game in that span. That’s all you can ask for from such a cheap player, and we certainly don’t mind that he’s finally getting his minute total in the 30s. His best games have also come against this 24th-ranked Bulls defense, averaging 34 fantasy points per game.

Patrick Williams (SF – CHI): $4,000 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel
Williams is one of the most talented sophomores around, and it looks like Chicago is letting him loose now. He got a rare start in Game 1, 1marking his fifth-straight game in the starting lineup. He’s averaging 27 DK points per game across 31 minutes a night in that stretch, and you can’t hope for any more from a $4K player.

Value Plays

Marcus Smart (PG – BOS): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
Smart has remained too cheap all year. The Defensive Player of the Year has scored at least 42 DK points in two of his last three games, averaging nearly 35 DK points per game for the final month of the regular season. He constantly shows up when facing these star-studded Nets, too, scoring at least 32 DK points in all five matchups, providing a 36-point average in those meetings.

Precious Achiuwa (PF/C – TOR): $4,600 DraftKings, $4,200 FanDuel
Someone needs to step up in Toronto with Barnes out of the lineup. Achiuwa was handed the start in Games 1 and 2, playing at least 26 minutes in four of the last five games. If you look at the 34 games he’s played at least 25 minutes, Precious is flirting with a 30-point average. Good luck finding that from another sub-$5K player, especially one that needs to produce more in this critical Game 3.

Advantageous Pricing

• Kevin Durant (PF – BKN): $10,000 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
• Marcus Smart (PG – BOS): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
• Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
• Nic Claxton (C – BKN): $4,700 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
• Tyrese Maxey (PG/SG – PHI): $6,900 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
• Khris Middleton (SG/SF – MIL): $7,400 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel

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