The Golden State Warriors haven’t faced much adversity so far this season but after losing Game 2 of their second round series against the Memphis Grizzlies at home, it’s clear that they aren’t about to run away with this series the way they did when they swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the opening round. We think that the push will be a good thing from a fantasy perspective, particularly when it comes to the MVP Stephen Curry stepping up. As the Warriors get their first taste of adversity, here is a quick look at our optimal lineup for Saturday’s NBA DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues.
PG: Stephen Curry, Golden State
Salary: $10,500
Any lineup for Saturday’s Game 3 against Memphis should probably have the league’s MVP in it as the Warriors attempt to bounce back from their first loss of these playoffs. Curry has raised his level of play from the regular season to the playoffs and has averaged 29.3 points, 7.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 three-point shots per game this postseason. There is a very real possibility that he will top those averages across the board with a monster performance as Golden State looks to retake control of the series.
SG: Courtney Lee, Memphis
Salary: $4,400
Mike Conley stole the show for the Grizzlies in his return to the lineup for Game 2 but Lee quietly had a very good game with 15 points, two rebounds, two steals an assist and two threes. The potential is there for him to put up even better totals at home for Game 3 as long as he continues to log big minutes for Memphis.
SF: Draymond Green, Golden State
Salary: $6,200
Curry is undoubtedly the best option in the Warriors lineup but Green could very well be a close second as a player who can do it all for Golden State. He’ll be relied on even more because of his size and length. Green has averaged 15.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.33 steals per game in these playoffs and the Warriors will need another big performance out of him on Saturday on the road in Memphis.
PF: Paul Millsap, Atlanta
Salary: $8,800
Millsap has been excellent for the Hawks in these playoffs and he showed up again with another big performance in Game 2 when he put up 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals and a three-point shot. Atlanta may very well smell blood in the water with John Wall injured and it will be on Millsap and company to show the same sense of urgency that they displayed in Game 2 with a chance to take the series lead with a win.
C: Marcin Gortat, Washington
Salary: $7,200
Gortat will take on an even bigger role with Wall sidelined for Game 3 and it will be on him to deal with the Hawks big men at both ends of the floor. Gortat had 10 points, nine rebounds and an assist in the Game 2 loss but he will need a much better stat line than that for the Wizards to have any chance at bouncing back at home in Washington.
G: Beno Udrih, Memphis
Salary: $3,000
Conley’s return limited Udrih’s production in Game 2 but it also lowered his price tag and that makes him a strong value play in this spot. Udrih had just four points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists in 21 minutes off the bench in Game 2 and if he can top those numbers for Game 3, he will be an absolute steal at $3,000 for this spot.
F: DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta
Salary: $5,600
Carroll has been an absolute stud for Atlanta in these playoffs and he showed up again in Game 2 when the Hawks needed him, putting up a team-high 22 points with six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a three-point shot. Carroll will need another big game for Atlanta to get the job done on the road in Game 3 and at under $6,000, he is a very strong value play in this spot.
FLEX: Otto Porter Jr., Washington
Salary: $3,000
Speaking of the need for players to step up with Wall injured, there was nobody better off the bench than Porter in Game 2 and there is a very good chance he will put on a show in Game 3 at home. Porter scored 15 points with eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two three-point shots in Game 2 and has really come of age in the playoffs. It will be an absolute steal to get that type of production from him at a discount price on Saturday.
