We’re getting to the best parts of these series! We have a Game 6 in every conference semifinal, and we couldn’t ask for any more as NBA fans. With that said, that means every game is an elimination game, and it’s going to leave these rotations extremely thin!
How strange was Wednesday? Boston and Milwaukee played one of the best matchups in the postseason, but Memphis and Golden State followed it up with the biggest stinker we’ve seen. It did extend the series, though, and we have to be thankful for that! With that in mind, let’s kick things off with the schedule!
Schedule and Odds
BOS at MIL (MIL -4) O/U: 211
Game 5 was incredible, with Milwaukee pulling out a road win to take a 3-2 series lead.
MEM at GSW (GSW -8.5) O/U: 219
Game 5 in Memphis was possibly the worst game in the postseason. Golden State didn’t show up and had their series lead cut to 3-2, trailing by over 50 points in that beatdown.
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
- Ja Morant (knee) OUT
- James Wiseman (knee) OUT
- Otto Porter (foot) Questionable
- Robert Williams (knee) Questionable
- Khris Middleton (MCL) Questionable
- Gary Payton II (shoulder) OUT
Core Plays
Stephen Curry (PG/SG – GSW): $9,200 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
Playing the motivation game can be dangerous in DFS, but this has to be a spot where Curry goes crazy. The former MVP was horrible in Game 5, but he had at least 38 DraftKings points in each of his previous eight games before that. He also provided a 46-point average in that span as well, but we genuinely believe that’s his floor in this spot. The Warriors have their final home closeout game in this series, and that alone should force Curry into one of his most prominent roles of the season.
Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $7,200 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
Horford has been outstanding since Williams went down. The big man has at least 35 DK points in five straight games, averaging over 45 fantasy points per game in that span. That’s tough to find from a player in this price range, and it’s clear that Big Al is one of the focal points of this offense right now. We love that his rebounds, minutes, and shot attempts have skyrocketed since the Rob-Will injury, making Horford one of the safest plays out there.
Cash Game Considerations
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,900 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
Fading Giannis is the biggest mistake you can make on this slate. Everyone will use him, but it’s because he’s going to be in every optimal lineup. The former MVP has at least 61 DK points in four of his last five games, which is amazingly close to his ridiculous season average. Just get those guaranteed 50-60 fantasy points and figure things out from there!
Tyus Jones (PG – MEM): $5,700 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
If you’re using Giannis on DK, you have to pair him with Jones. These two have been in every cashing lineup over the last two slates between these four teams, with Tyus being the best value out there. He’s got 37 and 47 DraftKings points since the Ja injury, and it’s clear he’s the primary ball-handler in his absence. Using a starting point guard who will play 40 minutes is simply impossible to fade in this price range!
GPP Targets
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF/C – MEM): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
JJJ has been too good to be in this section, but his duds worry us a bit. Those have been far and few between in this series, with Jackson scoring at least 28 DraftKings points in six straight games en route to a 40-point average in that stretch. It’s challenging to find that big of an upside from a player in this price range, but it’s easy to understand why. JJJ leads the team with a 32 percent usage rate, with Morant on the sidelines, averaging nearly 1.4 DK points per minute!
Bobby Portis (PF/C – MIL): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
Picking between Brook Lopez and Portis is tough, but this guy has been the better player for most of the year. He showed that in Game 5, scoring 39 DK points in a reserve role. BP had a 31-point average in a starting role during the regular season, and he’s simply one of the best bets for a double-double. The loss of Khris Middleton is a major benefit to his fantasy value, and it makes him one of the best GPP plays out there.
Value Plays
Pat Connaughton (SG/SF – MIL): $4,400 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel
Connaughton has become the de factor Sixth Man for this Milwaukee team. He’s played at least 31 minutes in three straight games, averaging 22 DK points per game across 31 minutes in that stretch. Any player this inexpensive should always be used if he’s going to play 30-plus minutes. You might be discouraged by the 22-point average, but it’s still a great value from a $4K player.
Steven Adams (C – MEM): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
Adams was just $3,400 on DK during Game 5? What were they thinking? In any case, his price hasn’t risen enough because he’s been one of Memphis’ best player in this series. Adams regained the starting role was Ja went down, scoring 28 DK points in Game 5 and 38 DK points in Game 4. He did that damage in fewer than 25 minutes a night, and he’s simply dominating the paint against this small team. The Kiwi is also one of the only $5K players who’s a good bet to record a double-double.
Advantageous Pricing
- Tyus Jones (PG – MEM): $5,700 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel
- Jaren Jackson Jr.(PF/C – MEM): $7,000 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
- Bobby Portis (PF/C – MIL): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
- Steven Adams (C – MEM): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
- Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – MIL): $9,800 DraftKings, $10,600 FanDuel
- Jrue Holiday (PG/SG – MIL): $7,900 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
- Jordan Poole (SG – GSW): $6,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Klay Thompson (SG/SF – GSW): $7,100 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
- De’Anthony Melton: (PG/SG – MEM): $4,100 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.