Draft Kings
Quentin Grimes, SG, NYK ($3,000) – Grimes gets another start tonight with RJ Barrett out with an unnecessary ankle injury (there was no need for him to be on the court in garbage time last week) and he should get a high workload once again. The rookie made six of 10 shots on Saturday, including five three-pointers, and filled out the box score with four rebounds and three assists. Despite that, Grimes is still minimum priced despite returning almost 12x value against Portland.
Udoka Azubuike, C, UTA ($4,000) – With Rudy Gobert dealing with a calf injury, Azubuike continues to carve out a solid role of around 20 to 25 minutes of playing time as of late. It’s a favorable matchup against Houston tonight, and the Jazz have no reason to rush Gobert back either which ultimately benefits Azubuike. In his last five games, Azubuike has averaged a solid 9.6 points while shooting 74% from the field and grabbing 9.4 rebounds per game in what is an easily duplicated performance against the rockets.
Fan Duel
Tre Mann, PG, OKC ($3,800) – Over his last three games, Mann has made just four of his last 25 shots, so can it really get much worse for him? I’m not sure that I really want to find out the answer to that question but it’s a favorable matchup for Mann against the Knicks tonight and someone needs to play in the backcourt and shoot for the Thunder.
Troy Brown Jr, SG, CHI ($3,600) – For better or worse, let’s continue on the same path with Brown. It doesn’t get much cheaper here, and that is especially the case considering Brown will be starting for Chicago tonight and playing around 25 minutes. After missing all nine of his shots on Saturday, it can only go up from here, but the 11 rebounds Brown grabbed on Saturday helped to at least make not a completely lost cause. All Brown needs to do is make a few shots, and he should surpass a 5x return.
Yahoo
Corey Kispert, SG, WAS ($10) – With Bradley Beal out for the year, new addition Kristaps Porzingas still injured, and Washington shorthanded after selling at the trade deadline, Kispert finds himself in the starting lineup. Kispert scored 20 points on Saturday for the second time in his last three games while also adding six assists and three rebounds. Getting Kispert at minimum price provides a great deal of lineup flexibility and we can plan on 30 minutes of playing time and double digit shot attempts once again.
Grayson Allen, SG, MIL ($12) – After the trade of Donte DiVincenzo and the injury to Pat Connaughton, Allen should take on a larger role over the next few weeks for Milwaukee. Depending on the night, Allen generally plays between 25 and 35 minutes, and tonight I would expect to see him closer to the higher end of that range. Allen should take close to 10 shots a game, and double figures in scoring shouldn’t be too far behind.
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.