The 2015 NBA playoffs continue on Saturday with a full slate of four games beginning at in the middle of the afternoon and running through the late game. The loaded schedule makes it that much more important to find the best possible balance between superstar players and sleeper value, and we think we have come up with the optimal balance between the two. Here is a quick look at the ideal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings NBA daily fantasy leagues.
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State
Salary: $10,500
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There are two players that we picked as being locks to have in all daily fantasy leagues for Game 3 between the Warriors and Pelicans, and one of them is Curry, who registered a game-high 40 points with nine assists, five rebounds and a ridiculous seven three-point shots in a 123-119 overtime win. While the extra period was a welcome bonus for fantasy GM’s that had selected Curry, the reality is that he remains one of the strongest plays on the board thanks to his elite skill set. The fact that New Orleans won’t let Golden State off easy in what should be another high scoring game is what leads us to take him again.
SG: Courtney Lee, Memphis
Salary: $4,500
Lee stepped up big time in the Grizzlies’ Game 2 win over the Trail Blazers and they will need a similar effort from him on Saturday as the series shifts to Portland. Lee scored a team-high 18 points with three steals, two rebounds, one assist and two three-point shots. Considering he played 33 minutes as Memphis’ starting shooting guard, he is definitely worth the play here in this shooting guard spot as a bargain option.
SF: Draymond Green, Golden State
Salary: $6,000
Green took it personally when he didn’t win NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors despite receiving the most first-place votes and that’s a good thing for fantasy GM’s that have the cap space to plug him in their lineup. Green isn’t even the top scoring option on the Warriors roster but he can do it all. His 12 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block in Game 3 is a loaded stat line for a small forward still available at a reasonable price. He’s proof that point totals aren’t the only thing that matters.
PF: Ryan Anderson, New Orleans
Salary: $5,600
New Orleans will need plenty of scoring in order to keep up with Golden State and avoid the series sweep in Game 4 and that will mean they need another big performance from Anderson. While he was relatively quiet all season, Anderson came alive off the bench in Game 3 when he scored 26 points with five rebounds, two assists and two threes. That type of production will be hard to match in Game 4 but considering his price tag, he is a worthy option here.
C: Anthony Davis, New Orleans
Salary: $11,600
The second of two players that should be considered locks in daily fantasy leagues every time the Pelicans and Warriors play is Davis, who scored a team-high 29 points to go with 15 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals in the Game 3 overtime loss. Davis is right there with Curry as two of the most dominant fantasy players during this postseason and he is definitely worth the investment as the most expensive option in this lineup.
G: Jarrett Jack, Brooklyn
Salary: $4,100
Deron Williams is the bigger name but it was Jack that stepped up for the Nets again in Game 2 when they needed a point guard to lead the way at both ends of the floor. Considering his numbers and price tag, it makes a lot of sense to take him here. Jack scored a game-high 23 points with five rebounds, three assists, one steal and two threes in Game 2 and if he can come close to matching those totals in Game 3, it will be worth the pick here.
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
Salary: $5,500
The Bucks will be facing elimination on Saturday after their double-overtime loss to Chicago in Game 3 left them down 0-3 in the series but they aren’t just going to roll over and allow an easy sweep. Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee offensively in Game 3 and considering he posted a team-high 25 points with 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, he is worth making the investment here with the majority of the money left over.
FLEX: Meyers Leonard, Portland
Salary: $3,000
Portland turned to Leonard for 18 minutes off the bench in Game 2 and he rewarded them with 10 points, seven rebounds and two threes in limited action. The Trail Blazers like his versatility and considering his minimum price tag he is definitely worth the investment.
