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There are two games for Friday’s DraftKings NBA slate, which starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia 76ers will try to even the series with the Atlanta Hawks on the road while the Los Angeles Clippers have a chance to eliminate the Utah Jazz at home. DraftKings Sportsbook has the 76ers favored by 3.5 points with the O/U at 221.5, while the Jazz are favored by 1.5 points with the O/U at 220.
Let’s break down some of the top studs and values at each position to help you build your DraftKings lineups.
Point Guard
Stud
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $9,900 – The concern for Trae comes down to the shooting efficiency as he’s converted less than 40% of his attempts in two games this series. That said, he’s playing a ton of minutes (40 minutes in each of the last two games), the volume will always be there, and he’s been contributing in other categories that the floor has been high and the access to ceiling is always present if he gets hot from the field. He’s dished out at least 10 assists in three of the five games against the 76ers and has notched a steal in every game. He’s produced at least 43 DKFP in every game with three above 50 and a high of 61. The usage rate has been over 30% in three games with the other two at 28%. He’s the alpha and omega of this Hawks team and what has been most impressive is his ability to adjust to the multiple ways the 76ers have tried to defend him.
Other Options – Donovan Mitchell ($9,300)
Value
Lou Williams, Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $3,200 – Williams has usually been receiving around 12 minutes per game. Despite that, he’s scored at least 12 DKFP in three of four games. In Game 5, he played 23 minutes, attempted 11 shots and contributed 25.5 DKFP. He’s $200 above the minimum and the potential for ceiling games is higher than any other player in this price range due to his usage rate and ability to score. He’s garnered at least a 20% usage rate in every game this series.
Other Options – Patrick Beverley ($3,000)
Shooting Guard
Stud
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz, $10,100 – Remember Pandemic Paul? Me neither. That guy is long gone as Prolific Paul has taken center stage in these playoffs. George has gone for at least 45 DKFP in four of five games in this series with a high of 71 when Kawhi Leonard was out. The usage rate has been above 30% and he’s scored over 30 points in the past three games while playing 40 minutes in the last two. The Jazz have had no answer for him as he’s been able to score at all three levels and getting Rudy Gobert to switch onto him has been devastating. He’s rebounding the ball, dishing out assists, and providing defensive stats. He is the guy with Kawhi out. Hopefully, Pandemic Paul doesn’t make a cameo.
Other Options – Donovan Mitchell ($9,300)
Value
Terance Mann, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz, $3,200 – Mann received the start in place of Kawhi last game and contributed 23 DKFP in 26 minutes. He’s aggressive on the offensive end and is able to switch on defense so the minutes should be secure. He garnered an 18% usage rate last game and should see something in the teens again. He’s just too cheap for someone who will likely start and play over 20 minutes.
Other Options – Lou Williams ($3,200), Furkan Korkmaz ($3,900)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $450K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Small Forward
Stud
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks, $7,700 – Without Kawhi, the small forward pool is U-G-L-Y. Harris had been one of the most consistent fantasy producers for most of the playoffs but he had a big-time stinker in Game 5. The usage rate was only 15% and he shot 2-for-11 from the field. He had shot over 50% in eight of the nine prior playoff games. I expect a nice rebound for Harris in this one.
Value
Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz, $4,900 – Batum has been thriving in the small-ball center role for the Clippers. He hasn’t attempted more than nine shots in any game but he’s attempted six shots from downtown in each of the past three games and converted three, one and four. With Rudy Gobert matched up on him, he’s gotten plenty of open looks. Batum is not about the offense, though. He grabs rebounds and provides defensive stats. As a result, the floor has been high as he’s produced 28.75, 30.25 and 32.25 DKFP. The ceiling is low, though, but he will likely play around 40 minutes.
Other Options – Joe Ingles ($5,500), Marcus Morris Sr. ($5,100)
Power Forward
Stud
John Collins, Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $6,300 – Man, Collins has been so good this series. He’s scored at least 30 DKFP in four of the five games with a high of 40.75. He’s drained the open 3-pointer, grabbed rebounds and provided some defensive stats. It’s been the energy, hustle and rim-rattling put-back dunks that have been most impressive. He’s engaged right now, has attempted double-digit shot attempts in four straight games, and double-doubled in the last two.
Other Options – Tobias Harris ($7,700)
Value
Marcus Morris Sr., Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz, $5,100 – Morris was close to a zero in the first three games of this series as he shot 28% and 36% in the first two games then only played 22 minutes in Game 3. In the past two games, though, he’s gone 6-for-11 and 10-for-16 from the field and produced 37.5 and 36 DKFP. He played 40 minutes in the last game and, with no Kawhi, he’s going to play a ton of minutes and jack up plenty of shots.
Other Options – Nicolas Batum ($4,900), Royce O’Neale ($5,000)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks, $11,000 – Embiid looked really bad in Game 4 as he looked gassed. He’s playing with a torn meniscus so there’s always the risk that he tweaks it during the game and becomes less effective. He put all worries aside, though, in Game 5 with 72.75 DKFP. The Hawks have no answer for him and, as long as he’s healthy, he’s going to contribute a ton of fantasy goodies. He’s gone for at 58 DKFP and garnered a usage rate of at least 34% in four of five games this series.
Other Options – John Collins ($6,300)
Value
Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $3,000 – Okongwu has exceeded 10 minutes of playing time only once this series. Despite that, he’s gone for double-digit DKFP in three games. His athleticism jumps off the page and he can be a maven on defense. He also grabs plenty of rebounds. That said, the limited playing time is a concern but he’s the stone minimum and what if Capela gets in foul trouble?
Other Options – Dwight Howard ($3,200)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $450K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
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