Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves face Oklahoma City for the eighth seed in the West.
Tonight, we have two elimination games and then the 2023 NBA playoffs will officially commence. That means every game will be more important than the last from here on out, and that’s all we can ask for as NBA fans. There’s plenty to discuss, so let’s get into it!
Injury Report
As of 10:30 a.m. ET:
- Rudy Gobert (back) Questionable
- Jaden McDaniels (hand) OUT
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Chet Holmgren (foot) OUT
- Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) Questionable
Core Plays
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Butler really struggled in Miami’s first play-in game, but it’s hard to imagine that will happen again. Before that game, Jimmy had at least 44 DraftKings points in 12 of his previous 15 games. Butler was also flirting with a 50-point average in that span and should be locked into 40 minutes and 20 shots in this must-win game.
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
We had Towns in here on Tuesday, and we’re going right back to the well for all the same reasons. The big man scored 53 DK points in that pristine performance, doing that damage despite dealing with foul trouble. He also took just 12 shots in that defeat, which should be his floor in this elimination game. Oklahoma City is an outstanding matchup, too, owning a 29th OPRK against opposing centers.
Cash Game Considerations
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,400 DraftKings, $10,900 FanDuel
Shai is the highest-priced player on the board, and rightfully so. The first-time All-Star has been crushing it for months now, scoring at least 40 DraftKings points in 43 of his last 45 games. He’s also got a 53-point average in that span, dropping 51 fantasy points in the first play-in game. We have to assume SGA will take at least 20 shots and play 40 minutes, making him impossible to fade against a 20th-ranked T’Wolves defense. In their three meetings this season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,500 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Vucevic has been a regular in this cash game section for months. The Chicago center has scored at least 31 fantasy points in 16 of his last 18 games. He’s also flirting with a 40-point average in that span and could be looking at a season-high in minutes in this elimination game. He’s had success against Miami’s defense, posting a 43-point average against them in their three matchups this year.
GPP Targets
Alex Caruso (PG/SG – CHI): $5,000 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
Caruso’s stats aren’t going to jump off the page, but this guy’s hustle makes him an intriguing fantasy option. He had just nine points, three rebounds, and two assists in the first play-in game but finished with 28 DK points because of some elite defense. That’s all you can ask for from a $5K player, which should be easy to reach in his 30-minute role.
Kyle Lowry (PG – MIA): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
This former All-Star had 49 DraftKings points across 33 minutes on Tuesday, his third-highest-scoring game of the season. It’s no surprise to see a veteran play so well in such a meaningful game, and it might force him into the starting lineup here. Chicago is also posting a 21st OPRK against opposing guards.
Value Plays
Taurean Prince (SF – MIN): $5,200 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
With McDaniels expected to miss another game, Prince should be in for a more prominent role. That was certainly the case in the first play-in game, playing 43 minutes while taking 11 shots. We don’t expect him to play 40 minutes again, but the possibility of that makes Prince impossible to avoid at this $5K price tag. When Prince has played at least 28 minutes this year, he’s averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game.
Jaylin Williams (C – OKC): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
We have a ton of carryovers from articles earlier in the week, and Williams is another one of them. The young center provided eight points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in his Wednesday performance, dropping 33 DK points across 32 minutes. That’s amazing from such an affordable player, and OKC needs Williams to play monster minutes to oppose one of the tallest teams in the NBA.
Advantageous Pricing
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
Jaylin Williams (C – OKC): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
DeMar DeRozan (SF – CHI): $7,700 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
