The past weekend was a crazy one around the NBA. And in many ways, it was another reminder of the potential for superstar players to go off with big performances in the playoffs as James Harden, Dwight Howard, Kawhi Leonard and Monta Ellis all went off with career-high playoff performances on Friday alone. While that was bad news for the losing teams, it was very good news for everybody that had banked on them to show up with big performances in DraftKings NBA Daily Fantasy Leagues. Here is a look back at their monster performances from the weekend.
SG: James Harden, Houston
Harden was essentially unstoppable in Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks as he went off for a playoff career-high 42 points on 15-of-24 shooting with five rebounds, five three-point shots, nine assists and a steal. Those numbers register a usage rate of 35.7 and a 77.5 true shooting percentage. Factor in the step back jumper Harden hit over Tyson Chandler with 12.7 left on the clock to essentially ice the game and this was easily the most memorable performance we have seen from Harden in the playoffs. It had been a quiet start to the postseason for the MVP candidate through a pair of Houston wins as he had averaged below his regular season average in both of those games. But he certainly showed up in a major way for Game 3 and that performances should ice the series – especially considering the Rockets have averaged 117.0 points per game so far this series.
C: Dwight Howard, Houston
Harden wasn’t alone in his domination of the Mavericks either as Howard continued to show Rockets fans why he is still such an important pieces to the Rockets championship puzzle. Howard finished the game with 13 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks but it was his playoff career-high 26 rebounds that stood out as he dominated inside the paint and on the boards. Dallas has had no answer for Howard in their series as it looks like they no longer have the legs inside to compete. Howard playing like he did in his Orlando days is one of the biggest reasons why it’s Houston who is on the cusp of moving on to the second round.
SF: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Those waiting for Leonard’s arrival as the Spurs savior against the Clippers watched him break out against Los Angeles in Game 4 when he scored a playoff career-high 32 points in a 100-73 win. Leonard had averaged 20.5 points per game while the teams split the first two games but he came alive in Game 3 when he shot 13-of-18 from the field for 32 points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist in just 29 minutes on the floor. San Antonio will need Leonard to be its best player going forward in order to make a deep playoff run. That wasn’t the case in Game 4 but with the all-important Game 5 on the horizon, hopefully – for Spurs fans – he can recapture his Game 3 magic.
PG: Monta Ellis, Dallas
Ellis did everything he could to try and help Dallas salvage a win in Game 3 when he scored a career playoff-high 34 points with nine assists, three steals, two rebounds and three three-pointers. It wasn’t enough on that night thanks to the performances of Harden and Howard, but Ellis was right back at it again on Sunday when he scored 31 points in a 121-109 win to help the Mavericks avoid a sweep. It’s no surprise that he’s played much better with Rajon Rondo benched and out of his way.
Dallas isn’t likely going to come back and win the series but based on his performance, it’s clear the Mavericks need to keep Ellis in the fold moving forward to next season. He has the opportunity to opt out and hit free agency this summer if he so chooses. He’s only slated to make $9 million if he decides to return to Dallas and he might feel his value is higher if finds his way to the open market.
