After settling for just a single game on the NBA fantasy schedule on Wednesday and Thursday basketball fans finally get the opportunity to watch back-to-back games on Friday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers scored an NBA-record 25 three-point shots in a 123-98 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and we are expecting to see the same level of urgency from them on Friday as they look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead on the road. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to go up 2-1 after stealing home court advantage in their second round series but they will be in tough against a San Antonio Spurs’ team that felt robbed with the way that Game 2 played out. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Friday’s DraftKings NBA Daily Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Salary: $10,800
The Thunder were fortunate to hold on at the end of a Game 2 that could very well have swung in the Spurs’ favor if the officiating wasn’t so brutal but that game is over and both teams are focused on what happens on Friday night in Oklahoma City. The Thunder now have home court advantage in the series and there is no doubt Westbrook will be looking to put on a show as they look to keep it up. Westbrook has averaged 24.7 points, 10.7 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 three-point shots so far this postseason and he is definitely worth his price tag to lock him in at our point guard spot for Friday’s DraftKings contests.
SG: J.R. Smith, Cleveland
Salary: $5,300
Smith played a big role in the Cavaliers’ setting the record for the most three-point shots in a single game in NBA history as he was 7-for-13 from beyond the arc in Game 2. Smith finished with 23 points, two rebounds, two steals and seven three-point shots for a solid fantasy score and while we don’t expect him to hit the same number of three-point shots in Game 3 we like him to have another strong performance.
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland
Salary: $11,000
The combination of LeBron and Westbrook means we will have two of the most expensive players on the board for Friday night but their production and potential for two extremely strong performances makes them perfect fits in our lineups. LeBron has averaged 23.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.7 three-point shots so far this postseason and he will deliver another outstanding performance in Game 3 with Cleveland looking to wrap up their second round series as quickly as possible.
PF: Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City
Salary: $5,600
Ibaka has been solid for the Thunder so far in these playoffs and while he won’t be as productive as LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love on Friday night he is available for a lot less money at the PF position. Ibaka has averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.9 three-point shots per game so far in these playoffs and we have no problem locking him in here at this price.
C: Steven Adams, Oklahoma City
Salary: $5,200
Adams has been absolutely dominant on the boards versus San Antonio with 27 total through the first two games of the series. Adams has averaged 10.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 1.0 block through the first two games against the Spurs and there isn’t any reason to expect his production to dip as the series shifts to Oklahoma City.
G: Jeff Teague, Atlanta
Salary: $6,000
The Hawks won’t rally back to beat Cleveland in their second round series but if they are going to get at least one win this might be their most likely opportunity. Teague has averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds so far this postseason and he will need to play at an extremely high level in order to give Atlanta a chance at home in Game 3.
F: David West, San Antonio
Salary: $3,000
West hasn’t been the most productive player for the Spurs so far in these playoffs but he is available for just $3K and his insertion in to this spot is part of the reason why we can lock in the star players we did. West has averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game so far in the playoffs and if he can somehow top those averages in Game 3 versus the Thunder then he will definitely be worth plugging in to this spot.
FLEX: Patty Mills, San Antonio
Salary: $3,100
Mills has struggled throughout the first two games of the series with Oklahoma City but he was excellent for San Antonio in the opening round and we are banking on him having a bigger role for the Spurs in Game 3. Mills has averaged 8.3 points, 1.8 assists, 1.8 three-point shots and 1.3 rebounds so far in these playoffs and like West, he can be an excellent sleeper value option if he can match or exceed his averages in Friday night’s DraftKings tournaments.
