Jokic has been the best cash game option for the last five years.
It’s been an incredible week, and it’s only going to get better. We’re getting into the guts of these series, and there’s no better time to be a basketball fan. Every game is more important than the last, and it’s fun watching these teams compete in the playoffs. We have a lot to discuss, so let’s dive into this Friday card.
Injury Report
- Jaden McDaniels (hand) OUT
- Naz Reid (hand) OUT
- Nikola Jokic (wrist) Probable
- Rudy Gobert (back) Questionable
Core Plays
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
It’s going to be tough to fade Tatum on these short slates. The blossoming superstar has scored at least 33 DraftKings points in 71 of the 74 games he’s finished this year. He’s also averaging over 50 fantasy points per game, which should be his floor in the postseason. JT has played at least 40 minutes in both postseason games, dropping 52 fantasy points in his most recent outing. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Atlanta allowing the most fantasy points to opposing forwards.
Jalen Brunson (PG – NYK): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Brunson is too good to be in this price range. The All-Star snub is averaging 27.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists across his last 24 outings. Doing that in the regular season is amazing because Brunson could be looking at 40 minutes and 20-plus shots in the playoffs. He’s had success against Cleveland, too, posting a 49-point average against them in their three most recent matchups.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $10,700 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
Jokic has been the best cash-game option for the last five years. The two-time reigning MVP averaged 60 DK points per game in the regular season and had a 50-point floor before a meaningless final month. He’s been even better in the postseason throughout his career, providing 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in Game 2. It didn’t even feel like Joker went off in that game, and it shows you just how reliable this guy is. Not to mention, he’s averaging nearly 65 DK points per game against Minnesota in their last five meetings.
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,300 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Did you know that Mitchell is sixth all time in playoff scoring? He’s averaging nearly 30 raw points per game, scoring 46 and 66 DK points in the first two games of this series. He carries some sparkling form into the playoffs as well, scoring at least 53 DK points in five of his last six outings. Not to mention, New York owns a 22nd OPRK against opposing guards.
GPP Targets
John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
It’s strange how inconsistent JC’s role has been this season because he’s been a $7K player throughout most of his career. That’s what makes him so valuable at this sub-$5K price tag, averaging over 25 DK points per game this season. He was even better in the second half, and as long as this guy is playing 30 minutes, he should never be this cheap. He’s had success against Boston over the last two years, averaging nearly 35 fantasy points per game against them.
Robert Williams (PF/C – BOS): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Rob-Will has been one of the best per-minute producers throughout his career, and Boston is upping his minutes. The big man has played at least 22 minutes in four straight fixtures, which is all he needs to provide value at this dirt-cheap price tag. That’s led to him scoring 29 or more DK points in two of his last three outings, and they need him out there to oppose big men like Collins, Clint Capela, and Onyeka Okongwu.
Value Plays
Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
The postseason is a time for veterans to thrive. Their experience makes them more valuable than anyone else, but getting their minute total up is equally as valuable. That’s huge for Big Al, scoring at least 27 DraftKings points in four straight games. He’s also playing 35 minutes a night in this series, and as long as he’s doing that, Horford should be $7,000 on both sites.
Mike Conley (PG/SG – MIN): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
Let’s keep the veterans riding with Conley. This was one of the sneakiest acquisitions at the trade deadline, with Conley averaging over 30 fantasy points per game since joining the Wolves. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and you have to assume this young team will lean on their veteran leader in this must-win Game 3.
Advantageous Pricing
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
Jalen Brunson (PG – NYK): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,300 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Robert Williams (PF/C – BOS): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Anthony Edwards (SG – MIN): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,600 FanDuel
Jaylen Brown (SG – BOS): $8,300 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
Jamal Murray (PG – DEN): $8,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $7,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
Derrick White (SG – BOS): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
Marcus Smart (PG – BOS): $5,800 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
***
Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
