The San Antonio Spurs took a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven second round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 100-96 win at home in Game 3 on Friday night. Now they will look to commanding 3-1 series lead on Sunday before heading back to Oklahoma City for Game 5. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers are up 3-0 in their best-of-seven second round series with the Atlanta Hawks and they aren’t about to let their foot off the gas pedal with a chance to complete the sweep on the road this Sunday. Here is a look at Sunday’s DraftKings NBA Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Salary: $10,800
Oklahoma City failed to capitalize on the opportunity to take a 2-1 series lead on the road in San Antonio on Friday but Westbrook certainly brought it with a monster performance of his own. The All-Star point guard had 31 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal and three three-point shots in the 100-96 loss. Westbrook has put up some ridiculous numbers for the Thunder in these playoffs and that should continue with Oklahoma City looking to avoid being pushed to the brink of elimination in Game 4 on Sunday.
SG: J.R. Smith, Cleveland
Salary: $5,300
After exploding for 23 points including seven three-point shots in Game 2, Smith’s production dipped dramatically with just six points on 2-for-4 shooting in Game 3. However, there is reason to believe his numbers could climb again in Game 4 with the Cavaliers looking to put the Hawks away for good with the sweep. Smith has averaged 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 49-percent from the field in these playoffs so we love him in this spot at a very reasonable price.
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Salary: $11,000
Nobody will be playing with more urgency in Game 4 than LeBron, who understands how important it is for Cleveland to end its series quickly and cleanly without risking injury or fatigue. LeBron has averaged 23.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.6 three-point shots per game for the Cavaliers this postseason and he could very well top those averages in Game 4 on Sunday.
PF: Channing Frye, Cleveland
Salary: $2,000
Frye has suddenly found a role off the bench for Cleveland in its series with the Hawks, averaging 24.0 minutes off the bench in the last two games. Frye’s ability to spread the floor and shoot the three-ball is a major weapon and it was on display in Game 3 when he scored 27 points including a ridiculous seven three-point shots along with seven rebounds and one steal. Frye should see decent minutes in Game 4 and even if he falls short of hitting his stat line from last game he should still be an excellent value play at just $2K in DraftKings tournaments.
C: Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Salary: $3,600
Duncan has struggled with his shot in each of his last two games, shooting a combined 2-for-12 from the field. However, he is bound to find his rhythm eventually and there is a good chance he bounces back with better numbers in Game 4. Duncan has averaged 5.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks so far in these playoffs and if he can top those averages in Game 4 then he will be a decent value NBA fantasy play at just $3.6K.
G: Dion Waiters, Oklahoma City
Salary: $3,500
Waiters is another player whose production has dipped over the last two games but who could still be a strong value option with the opportunity to bounce back. Waiters has averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 three-point shots so far this postseason and we like him in this spot with the opportunity to lock in another superstar option with the money we save by taking a chance on him in NBA fantasy.
F: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Salary: $9,300
There is no way we would be able to roll with Westbrook, LeBron and Durant in the same lineup if we didn’t have strong value plays elsewhere but that is the case for Sunday and we couldn’t be happier with our lineup. Durant has averaged 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds. 3.5 assists, 1.0 block and 1.0 three-point shot over his last two games in the series and we expect similar production with the Thunder looking to bounce back on their home floor.
FLEX: Thabo Sefolosha, Atlanta
Salary: $2,300
Sefolosha played 29 minutes for the Hawks in Game 3 and we expect Atlanta will turn back to him with substantial minutes again in Game 4 on Sunday. The veteran wing has averaged 9.5 points with 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assist and 2.0 three-point shots per game over his last two games and those numbers are definitely strong enough to consider him a strong value option for Sunday’s NBA fantasy contests.
