DraftKings
Malik Beasley, MIN ($3,200)
With Anthony Edwards ruled out, it doesn’t get much better than $3,200 for a guy that can go out and give you 25 actual if he gets 30 minutes. Mailk Beasley is a bucket. He’s flashed that lately as he’s scored 15 and 20 actual points in each of the last two games and has poured in 15+ in three of four games. Beasley’s matchup doesn’t get any better considering it’s Portland. Great play that could get even better if Patrick Beverley were to sit.
Shake Milton, PHI ($3,300)
With James Harden ruled out, Philadelphia could go a lot of different directions at guard, but we’ve seen Shake Milton play a very solid role off of the bench lately and I expect that to continue here, even expand. He’s topped 20 minutes in each of the last two games and on Friday he scored 11 points and 18 DKP. He’s only $300 off the minimum and even if he doesn’t start he should approach 25 minutes.
FanDuel
Jordan Poole, GSW ($4,700)
With Gary Payton ruled out, it’s likely the Warriors shift back to Otto Porter Jr. or Jonathan Kuminga into the starting lineup, but without Payton, Jordan Poole will have plenty of time on the floor. With Payton, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala out, Poole has a 24.6% usage rate and .99 FP/min. Since the All-Star break, the Lakers are 0-4 and are 20th in DRtg over that span. I like Poole more in GPP’s than I do in Cash.
Mo Bamba, ORL ($4,500)
The Magic have ruled Wendell Carter Jr. out once again here so all eyes on Mo Bamba. His price keeps falling despite playing well of late. He was in foul trouble on Friday, but in 24 minutes he was able to muster up 23.5 FDP. Memphis is not an easy match-up for Bamba, but he had two double-doubles heading into his last game and with Steven Adams spending so much time around the rim, many boards can potentially fall into his lap here.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Jaden McDaniels & Jarred Vanderbilt, MIN ($12 & $15)
I like both Minnesota’s front court members with Anthony Edwards out. Truthfully, I like Taurean Prince too and we could throw him into the equation, but I like Jaden McDaniels and Jarred Vanderbilt for value. They pop on a site like Yahoo! because of their defensive metrics. McDaniels had 27.2 Y! points on Friday aided by two steals and a block, both categories he regularly contributes in when he gets the run. He’s also scored double-digit points in three-of-four, so he’s coming around offensively too. Vanderbilt is like McDaniels defensively and averages 1.4 steals per game. Where he is better than him though is on the glass. He’s had eight or more rebounds in five straight games.
Lonnie Walker IV, SAS ($15)
Keep pricing Lonnie Walker IV down here! Go ahead, I dare you! Walker is absolutely rolling offensively right now as he’s coming off 30 actual points against the Kings on Thursday. He’s scored 22+ points in four straight games and has 17+ in seven consecutive. What’s gotten into Walker? Well, his team traded their starting shooting-guard, who was their second leading scorer, so Walker is picking up the pieces in a BIG way.
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.