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Brooklyn Nets vs. PHI
I’m clumping them together because they’re all in play once again. Brooklyn may very well roll into this game with eight players due to all the guys in the Covid-19 protocols. If that’s the case, we should expect their starting lineup to remain the same as it was the other day:
Patty Mills - David Duke Jr. - Kevin Durant - Blake Griffin - Nicolas Claxton
The value plays at large are Duke, Claxton, Kessler Edwards, Griffin and Cameron Thomas. The chalky values will be Duke, Claxton, Griffin and Edwards - but Thomas may very well be the forgotten guy. That would be a mistake, however, because Thomas has been a regular in the rotation and playing the most out of all of them even before the team was ravaged with Covid issues. They’re ALL back in play on Thursday.
Saddiq Bey vs. IND
It’s been a disappointing stretch for Bey and there is absolutely no denying that, but this is an opportunity for him to get back on track. The Pistons are without both Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk and with hose guys off the floor, Bey is tied for the team lead in FP/min increase. His 20.8% usage rate isn’t bad without them either. Since the start of December, the Pacers rank 22nd in DRtg as a team - so it’s a quality match-up for Bey here.
DraftKings
Cameron Payne vs. WAS ($5,100)
With Devin Booker out, the Suns have been using Landry Shamet in their starting lineup but Cameron Payne has been the biggest beneficiary here. He’s played 29+ minutes in two straight games, 22+ in three straight and has scored 12+ actual points and 23+ DKP in those three games. With Booker and Frank Kaminsky off the floor this year, Payne has a robust 30% usage rate.
FanDuel
Raul Neto vs. PHX ($3,800)
Although it’s likely that Aaron Holiday starts, Raul Neto is the value option we want here. The reason someone is sliding into the starting lineup is because it’s a back-to-back and Spencer Dinwiddie has been ruled out here. Each of the last two times Dinwiddie has sat out, Neto has gotten more run than Holiday and Neto, two times ago, had 13 points, six assists and five rebounds across 24 minutes.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Eric Gordon vs. NYK ($15)
The Rockets are down their big guns and are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. Thing is, Gordon didn’t play the front end of the back-to-back and is in a position to be the go-to guy for the Rockets offense here. There is a chance Christian Wood plays, but Kevin Porter and Jalen Green are out and when those guys are off the floor, Gordon has a 26.8% USG and averages .98 FP/min. If Wood’s out, that USG spikes to nearly 28%. He’s a great value at this price point.
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Zach Edey will undergo surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle.
Charania’s report indicates that Edey re-sprained the same ankle that forced him to miss some time last season. It came during an offseason workout, and he is expected to miss time to start next season. Edey secured the starting center spot for Memphis late last season after playing an inconsistent role for most of his rookie year. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo could opt to use Brandon Clarke as the starting center if he’s healthy, or he could use a smaller starting lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. to start next season. The Grizzlies’ PR team announced that a preliminary timeline will be provided after he has the surgery, but as of now, the expectation is that he won’t be available for opening night.
De’Aaron Fox (finger) has been cleared for on-court work and will be ready for the start of next season.
Fox underwent season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in mid-March, about six weeks after being traded to the Spurs from Sacramento. He recently told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle that he’s been cleared to resume on-court activities, which have included some 5-on-5 play. Also, Fox hopes to ink a contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. With one year remaining on his current deal, the point guard will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229 million on August 3.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Mannix said recently that Sam Hauser could be a trade candidate this offseason if the Celtics decide to shed salary.
The cost of contending for championships has gotten steeper, especially with the salary cap rules instituted in recent years. For the Celtics, the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Jayson Tatum may impact how the front office approaches this offseason. If the team decides that a group that won’t have Tatum for most of the season can’t be a factor in the East, the decision could be made to shed salary. And Hauser, whose four-year, $45 million extension goes into effect next season, may be a prime candidate to be moved. “Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.” Hauser being traded would make Scheierman worth a look in deep fantasy leagues next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Knicks are interested in talking to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
Toppin has been solid throughout this postseason, but he hasn’t had many big scoring nights. However, after he had 18 points in the Game 6 clincher over the Knicks, he added 17 more to kick off the Finals, with 15 of those points coming from beyond the arc. If Toppin is able to continue to make an impact off the bench like he did in this game, there should be more wins coming for the Pacers.
Aaron Nesmith recorded a double-double on Thursday with 10 points (3-of-9 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Indiana dominated on the glass in this game, but it wasn’t just because of the bigs. Nesmith was the leading rebounder in this game and was one of three Pacers to grab at least 10 rebounds. However, they lost the turnover battle 24-6, and Nesmith contributed five of those. The only player with more was Myles Turner, who coughed it up six times. Indiana won this game and still has things to clean up, which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward in this series.