What's going on FANation! We have five games to kick off Monday's NBA DFS main slate for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo so let's get into the top value plays to build your lineups around!
Remember, all players listed below can be used across platforms regardless of the specific site they are falling under.
DraftKings
Gordon Hayward, SF/PF CHA - James Grande and I discussed Hayward on the podcast for a few minutes because this is the lowest he has been priced all season. Now, in the two games since his return he has not been very good, shooting just 3-for-20 from the floor. However, both Cleveland and Miami are pretty strong defensive teams, ranking 4th and 8th respectively. Toronto is not as efficient defensively and we are looking at a game total over 220. If Hayward is able to shake off the rust he is a steal at this price tag.
Duncan Robinson, SG MIA - Robinson gets the three-point bonus bump on DraftKings but has seen his price tag drop significantly over the course of the season and $3,600 is the second lowest tag on him all year. Over the last two games his minutes have been on the rise, playing 34 and 27 minutes. As of writing this the Heat have listed Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Max Strus and Caleb Martin all questionable for today's game against the Wizards. If Miami ends up ruling out multiple players here tonight in this matchup then Robinson could be a steal given his likely shot volume.
FanDuel
Jae Crowder, PF/SF PHO - Crowder returned to the starting lineup a few games ago and we saw him play 34 minutes in a competitive game against the Hawks. We are expecting another competitive game here against the Bulls and that should allow for Crowder to play 30+ minutes and have that 20-to-25 FP upside.
Tre Mann, PG OKC - The status of Luguentz Dort will impact this one but as of now Dort is questionable to play. Mann has been starting in place of the injured SGA but with Dort out the other night we saw him take 18 shots against the Kings. He is not an efficient scorer but he shoots enough to usually make up for it.
Yahoo
Jonathan Kuminga, PF GSW - Over the last two games we have seen Kevon Looney exit in the middle of the third quarter and never see the floor again with the Warriors instead opting to run with Kuminga as their center. Kuminga is not starting right now for the Warriors but he has certainly flashed the offensive upside that warranted the Warriors to take him with the seventh overall pick in this past season's draft. As long as he is truly out of the Steve Kerr doghouse we should be buying in right now, especially at just $12!
Javonte Green, SF CHI - The Bulls have been starting Green at power forward and it has been paying off as the athletic wing has posted five straight games with at least 27 fantasy points. He is best used on Yahoo and FanDuel where you get the extra point for defensive stats as Green has finished with at least two blocks+steals over the last six games which included a three steal & one block effort against the Raptors a few games back.
Player News
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.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 19 points (7-of-15 FGs), 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and one three-pointer in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
It was a balanced attack for Indiana as they stole Game 1 on the road, but Siakam was the one that ended up as the leading scorer. He was one of six players to score in double figures, with nobody reaching 20 points. The MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals will continue to play an important role for Indiana for the remainder of the series as they now sit three wins away from a championship.