DraftKings
Clint Capela, ATL ($5,300)
It was a miracle seeing Capela play 30+ minutes, but alas – 31 minutes last game! The Hawks are without John Collins here and Capela has averages 1.17 FP/min without Collins this year. Just last game, he grabbed 17 rebounds in his 31 minutes. In two meetings with the Cavs this year, Capela has averaged 14 points, 18.5 rebounds and 47.6 DKP/game. This is a price point we have to destroy considering the minutes limit he was seemingly on is no longer.
Jalen Smith, IND ($3,900)
In two games with the team, Smith is gaining confidence and playing time. He’s now played 21 and 23 minutes in the last two games and has scored 12+ actual points in each. He was everywhere last game, notching a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double in just 23 minutes. He's firmly in the rotation with Isaiah Jackson and Myles Turner still out, and should see plenty of time if this game gets out of hand as well. Smith was a lottery pick literally last year and just didn’t have the opportunity on a winning team in Phoenix. He has plenty of opportunities in Indiana.
FanDuel
Grayson Allen, MIL ($4,300)
As we saw on Monday, the Bucks wing depth is depleted and that’s going to force Allen into a 30+ minute role per game. He gave us 14 points and 25.1 FDP in 32 minutes, which is a solid expectation. Over the last month, Allen has averaged 0.8 FP/min without Hill, Connaughton and DiVincenzo on the floor. Allen averages around a steal per game too, which is a bonus on FanDuel.
Matisse Thybulle, PHI ($4,800)
With the 76ers still without a bunch of pieces after their trade for James Harden, Thybulle is likely going to play a big role here. Thybulle is coming off one of his better games in a while, notching six steals and a block, which on FanDuel is 21 points alone. He’s $100 off min salary and has 30+ FP upside due to his defensive prowess. He had five steals and two blocks against Boston the last time they played, and three steals the time before that. It shouldn’t come as a surprise as the Celtics have one of the higher turnover rates in the league – they’re 21st in turnover percentage this month alone.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Montrezl Harrell, CHA ($16)
I mean, is Harrell going to play 30-ish minutes or was that a product of a blowout? If he’s going to play that much, there’s no doubt he’s an elite play. This game features a 244 total and one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, as Minnesota ranks 24th in that department. Speaking of 24th, that’s what Minnesota ranks in terms of DRtg in the month of February. Harrell was one rebound shy of a 20-point double-double last game and has 26+ DKP in each of his first two outings with his new squad.
Terance Mann, LAC ($13)
I think this may be the fourth or fifth piece of content straight that I’ve had Mann in because he’s been awesome. He was awesome coming off the bench but with Norman Powell’s injury taking place, he re-entered the starting lineup on Monday and he balled the hell out. He scored 20+ points in back-to-back games, has five or more rebounds in four straight, has steals in five straight, and two or more assists in five straight. Obviously, the DFS production has been there too – putting up 27+ DKP in five straight. It’s a tough match-up, but so were Golden State, Dallas x2, Memphis, and Milwaukee. He passed them all with flying colors.
Player News
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jarace Walker (ankle) is “not close” to returning to game action.
Walker injured his right ankle during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals and was already ruled out for the first two games of the NBA Finals. Based on Carlisle’s comments during his availability ahead of Sunday’s Game 2, the Pacers will be without their forward for the foreseeable future. Walker is still using one crutch to move around, but he may be able to ditch the apparatus in the “next day or so.” Walker’s continued absence does not significantly impact Indiana’s rotation, even with Carlisle’s willingness to go deep into his bench. Obi Toppin will continue to play most of the backup power forward minutes.
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.