There will be three matchups on the board for Friday night’s NBA playoff action. While we won’t have many teams to choose from when building our fantasy roster we really don’t need to worry about that with our focus on the best players and matchups. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Friday’s DraftKings daily NBA fantasy leagues.
PG: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Salary: $13,100
Westbrook went off for 51 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, four steals and a block in Oklahoma City’s game two loss to the Houston Rockets. We hope he thinks he needs to do even more to win game three. The Thunder face an 0-2 hole headed back home for game three. Westbrook will need a similar performance to what he did in game two in order to give Oklahoma City a chance to bounce back with a win. If you’re playing NBA fantasy, he simply has to be in your lineup. Even though he comes with a high price tag,
SG: James Harden, Houston Rockets
Salary: $12,000
Harden hasn’t put up the same numbers that Westbrook has but his numbers have still been very impressive and his team is up two games in the series. Harden has averaged 36.0 points, 8.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 three-point shots per game in the series. The Rockets will want to keep their foot on the gas and Harden should be motivated back in Oklahoma City. Westbrook and Harden will cost us a good chunk of your available cap space. Considering their consistency and elite level of play they should be worth every dollar.
SF: Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City
Salary: $4,000
Roberson has hit 59.1% of his shots so far this postseason. After dropping each of their first two games, the Thunder will likely try to lean on him a little more in Game 3. Roberson has averaged 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game this postseason. He’s also been a decent threat from beyond the arc. At just $4K, he is an obvious sleeper value steal in DraftKings tournaments.
PF: Ryan Anderson, Houston Rockets
Salary: $4,900
Anderson has struggled throughout the first two game of the series, hitting just 2-of-14 attempts from the field. Anderson’s field goal percentage is down from 41.8% in the regular season to 14.3% in the playoffs. He should eventually turn things around and game three will be another opportunity for him to get on track. At under $5K, we are willing to take a chance on Anderson for our NBA fantasy team in this spot.
C: Steven Adams, Oklahoma City
Salary: $4,600
In addition to getting Roberson more involved, it won’t be a surprise if the Thunder asks more out of Adams. The Oklahoma City big man has averaged 11.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 block per game so far in the series but he is definitely capable of more. With the Thunder headed home down 0-2 in the series, Adams should step up with a strong performance.
G: Jerian Grant, Chicago
Salary: $3,200
Grant didn’t even have a point in game two but should see the floor more in game three with the Bulls looking to put a strange hold on the series. Grant had six points, four assists and two rebounds in 21 minutes in game one. If he can give us similar production in game three then it would be a huge bonus since he is available at just $3.2K in NBA fantasy competitions.
F: Kelly Olynyk, Boston
Salary: $4,300
Olynyk had 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds in Boston’s game two loss to Chicago. With their backs against the wall, the Celtics need more out of Olynyk in game three. The young big man has the potential to do more and the time is now for them to see what he can do. At just $4.3K, Olynyk is a bargain pick in DraftKings competitions.
FLEX: Mareese Speights, Los Angeles
Salary: $2,800
Speights is one of the best values in DraftKings competitons and he is the perfect fit for our FLEX position. Speights has averaged 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.5 three-point shots through the first two games of the Clippers series. At just $2.8K, you can’t go wrong having Speights in your lineup for Friday night’s action.
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