The entire tenor of the Eastern Conference Finals has changed with injuries impacting both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks. Let’s dig through the players who are still expected to be available to play and discuss which ones to consider for your DraftKings NBA Showdown lineups.
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks
SHOWDOWN STRATEGY
Captain’s Pick
Khris Middleton ($15,600 CP): With the expectation that Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) won’t play in this game, the Bucks will need to rely heavily on Middleton for production. He’s proven to have a high ceiling, scoring at least 35 points three times and grabbing at least 10 rebounds six times during the Bucks’ playoff run. However, he’s been incredibly inconsistent, which has included him scoring 16 points or fewer in three of the four games in this series. With all of that being said, he’s going to receive all of the shot attempts and minutes that he can handle, which makes him an ideal option for the Captain’s spot.
Kevin Huerter ($12,600 CP): Huerter has strung together a couple of valuable stat lines, scoring 34.0 and 35.5 DKFP, respectively, the last two games. He played 36 minutes and attempted 15 shots with Trae Young out in Game 4, also dishing out seven assists along the way. Even if Young tries to take the floor for Game 5, he might be limited. That could leave Huerter with another valuable stat line.
UTIL Plays
Jrue Holiday ($9,600): Like Middleton, Holiday should see an increased role in this game. Also, like Middleton, Holiday’s production has been all over the map in the playoffs. A prime example is that after scoring 55 points over the first two games of this series, he scored just six points in Game 3. The good news is that he’s been a consistent source for assists, so while he might be a little too risky for the Captain’s spot, he’s still an appealing option for a utility position.
Bogdan Bogdanovic ($7,200): It wasn’t always pretty, but Bogdanovic managed to score 20 points in Game 4. He attempted 19 shots with Young out and was also dominant on the defensive end with four steals. Even though he’s struggled with his shot lately, he’s been tough defensively, racking up 15 steals over the last six games. With Young likely either limited or completely ruled out, Bogdanovic has the potential to take added shots again.
Bobby Portis ($4,400): Role players tend to play better at home during the playoffs. That could especially be the case for Portis, who is a high-energy player. He’s had his moments in this series, scoring at least 22.5 DKFP two times. Factor in the possibility for added playing time with Giannis likely out and Portis could be worth the risk at this cheap salary.
Fades
Brook Lopez ($6,000): Lopez had another rough showing in Game 4, scoring 16.8 DKFP across 29 minutes. It was the most minutes that he’s played in the series, but he still couldn’t take advantage of his opportunity. Part of the reason was that he only attempted six shots from the field. Even with Antetokounmpo out, that doesn’t mean that Lopez is going to see a significant increase in scoring opportunities.
The Outcome
Talk about the air coming out of a series. If Young and Giannis both sit this game out, we’ll be missing two of the top stars in the league. This one could go either way depending on which supporting cast can step up. The difference could end up being the Bucks playing at home.
Final Score: Bucks 106, Hawks 102
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