The NBA playoffs continue on Tuesday night with the Portland Trail Blazers looking to bounce back from a Game 1 loss to the Golden State Warriors while the Toronto Raptors open their second round series with the Miami Heat. Stephen Curry told reporters he thinks he could return to the Warriors’ lineup as soon as Game 3 and that’s good news in terms of NBA fantasy. But after a brilliant performance from Golden State’s other star guard, they might want to consider letting him rest and get back to full strength for a potential second round series with the San Antonio Spurs. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Tuesday’s DraftKings NBA Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Shaun Livingston, Golden State
Salary: $5,100
Livingston has stepped in to the starting point guard role for the Warriors since Curry went down and his numbers combined with a very low price tag in DraftKings tournaments make him the perfect fit for our lineup. Livingston has averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds over his last two games for Golden State and he should be in line for another strong performance in Game 2 versus Portland.
SG: Klay Thompson, Golden State
Salary: $8,200
No player has been more important for the Warriors since Curry’s injury as Thompson has been simply dominant including a ridiculous performance against the Trail Blazers in the series opener. Thompson finished with 37 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals in Game 1 and he has hit exactly seven three-point shots in each of his last three games dating back to Golden State’s opening round series win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The fact that he is available at under $9K should make him a lock on the majority of NBA fantasy lineups.
SF: Luol Deng, Miami
Salary: $6,500
Deng stepped up big time for Miami in the opening round against the Charlotte Hornets and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he came out firing against the Raptors in Game 1. Deng averaged 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 block and 2.5 three-point shots in the Heat’s final two wins of the first round and we are banking on him delivering similar numbers versus Toronto on Tuesday night.
PF: Draymond Green, Golden State
Salary: $10,200
Green is another player that has stepped up his production with Curry out and his production over the last three games makes it clear he is the best option on the board at this position for Tuesday night. Green has averaged 18.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 steal and 2.0 three-point shots over his last three games. That is a ridiculous level of production and it only makes sense to ride the hot hand in NBA fantasy on Tuesday night.
C: Hassan Whiteside, Miami
Salary: $9,000
Whiteside has been a beast for Miami so far in these playoffs as his work on the boards and at the defensive end of the floor is a big reason for the Heat advancing to the second round. Whiteside averaged 11.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 1.0 assist in Miami’s final two wins over the Hornets and there is a very good chance he steps up his production at the offensive end of the floor versus Toronto.
G: Cory Joseph, Toronto
Salary: $3,400
There is a very good chance the Raptors would not have won Game 7 against the Pacers if Joseph and rookie Norman Powell didn’t step up and deliver strong performances in the finale. Joseph scored eight points with four assists, three rebounds and one block in just 27 minutes in Game 7 and if he can at least match those numbers in Game 1 versus Miami then he will definitely be worth plugging in here as a strong NBA fantasy value option.
F: Andre Iguodola, Golden State
Salary: $4,900
Iguodola has yet to find his groove for the Warriors in these playoffs but last year’s NBA Finals MVP is due for a breakout performance eventually and at just $4.9K we can take a chance on him for Game 2 against the Trail Blazers with the hope that he will break out. Iguodola has averaged 10.2 points, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 three-point shots so far in these playoffs so even if he matches his postseason averages he will be worth his price tag in Tuesday’s NBA fantasy competitions.
FLEX: Norman Powell, Toronto
Salary: $2,700
The final position on our roster goes to a rookie scorer that certainly proved he deserves bigger role for Toronto in these playoffs. Powell scored 13 points with three rebounds, one assist, one block, one steal and three three-point shots in just 23 minutes in Game 7 versus Indiana and at just $2.7K he could turn out to be the best sleeper option on the board for Tuesday’s NBA fantasy contests at just $2.7K.
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