The NBA playoffs continue with three games on the slate for Thursday night with three teams still looking for their first win of the postseason. Golden State, Cleveland and Chicago will each have the opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The smart money is on each of them getting the job done. Here is a quick look at the optimal fantasy lineup for Thursday’s DraftKings daily leagues.
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State
Salary: $10,000
While some will criticize the idea of spending so much money off the top on Curry, there simply isn’t a better player to build around on the board for Thursday’s games and that’s including LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Curry didn’t exactly light up the Pelicans in Game 2 but he should bounce back with a better effort in Game 3 with numbers that more closely resemble the 34 points he put up in Game 1. Curry has the potential to absolutely destroy New Orleans from the perimeter and with the Pelicans throwing everything they have at the Warriors in Game 3, this will be the game that Golden State actually needs their MVP to step up in and deliver an outstanding performance.
SG: J.R. Smith, Cleveland
Salary: $4,200
The Cavaliers have the potential to take a 3-0 series lead with a win in Boston on Thursday and while they should be able to get the job done, don’t expect them to lean too heavily on their superstar LeBron James when a player like Smith can log big minutes and still help get the job done. Smith has averaged 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.0 assists through the first two games of the series but he played 34 minutes in Game 2 after playing just 19 minutes in Game 1. If he continues to get the playing time, he could register even better numbers in Game 3.
SF: Draymond Green, Golden State
Salary: $7,000
Green doesn’t command the same type of salary hit that Curry does and won’t provide the same production, but he does offer an intriguing play for Game 3 against New Orleans because of the fact that he can contribute in so many different areas. Green has averaged 14.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 three-point shots through the first two games of the series while playing 42 minutes in each. Considering his price point, it’s a bargain to get that type of fantasy production in this slot.
PF: John Henson, Milwaukee
Salary: $4,400
The Bucks are back home in a desperate spot against the Bulls and while they might not win the game, it’s worth taking a shot on Henson after he averaged 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals in the first two games of the series. Henson averaged 25.5 minutes in those first two games and as long as he continues to play more minutes than starting center Zaza Pachulia, he should put up a quality fantasy stat line.
C: Anthony Davis, New Orleans
Salary: $11,600
It will cost a lot of money to have Curry and Davis in the same lineup but with the money saved elsewhere, we have the ability to lock up the two best players on the board for Thursday night’s action. Davis actually costs more than Curry but considering the situation – the Pelicans are in heading in to their first home playoff game – it makes a lot of sense to invest in the star big man. Davis scored 26 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in Game 2 and he could top that stat line with New Orleans facing a must-win situation in Game 3 on Thursday night.
https://vine.co/v/eanKxxxEuM2
G: Eric Gordon, New Orleans
Salary: $4,900
The injury to Jrue Holiday has opened up room for Gordon to get more touches and he has capitalized on the opportunity averaging 19.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 4.5 three-point shots through the first two games of the series. The Pelicans will need Gordon to shine in order to have any chance versus Golden State in Game 3. He should be an excellent value play as the starting shooting guard for New Orleans.
F: Evan Turner, Boston
Salary: $4,900
Turner has quietly put up a pair of decent stat lines through the first two games of the Celtics series but they will need more from him in terms of point production in Game 3. Considering his history of producing big games seemingly out of nowhere, it’s worth taking a shot on him here. Turner has averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists through the first two games of the series and if he can put up a similar line with a few more points, he will be well worth the investment.
FLEX: Quincy Pondexter, New Orleans
Salary: $3,000
Anybody that invested in Pondexter after his big performance in Game 1 had to be sour when he shot 1-for-8 from the field and finished with just three points in Game 2. But considering the price point and the fact that he will start again in Game 3, it makes a lot of sense to go back to him in this spot. Pondexter will only cost $3,000 and if he can even put up half of what he did in Game 1 when he scored 20 points with nine rebounds, six assists and 3 threes, he will be well worth the investment in this FLEX spot.
