To keep things consistent regarding coverage of tonight’s slate, we’re going to eliminate Wizards/Magic and Pelicans/Raptors from the equation since Yahoo! didn’t include them in their main slate contest tonight. We’ll cover the remaining six games of DFS NBA action starting from 7pm ET on. The Blazers continue to be without their backcourt, Kristaps Porzingis remains on the COVID list and we have a few impact guards who are questionable heading into tonight headlined by Luka Doncic. When it comes to sports-book totals for the later games Timberwolves/Rockets sits at 230 and Lakers/Grizzlies are behind them at 226. Here’s tonight’s DFS NBA Starting-5.
PG: D'Angelo Russell: There’s going to be a lot of scoring in tonight’s Timberwolves/Rockets game and with both of these teams being top-six in the league in pace of play, let’s put our faith in the T-Wolves floor general because Russell scored 22 points against Houston earlier this year. He’s produced three double-doubles in his last four games dropping 12 or more dimes in all three of those contests. He’s actually exceeded his scoring average of 18.6 in three of his last five games shooting no fewer than 12 shots in any game. He’s even grabbed steals in three of his last four. Expect him to play 35-40 minutes. Houston is the second weakest team in the league at defending point guards.
SG Anfernee Simons: With Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum still out, Simons will continue running the point and he’ll log heavy minutes. Simons has scored 14-plus points and dished seven dimes in three straight contests. He’s even grabbed three or more boards in three of his last four and swiped balls in his last two games. He’s taken 13 or more shots in each of his last four games and this game is a major pace-up spot for the Blazers. The Kings are a bottom three team in the league at guarding guards. All is setting up nicely for Simons who has shot 50 percent or better from the floor in three of his last five outings.
SF: Anthony Edwards: After scoring 22-plus in six of his last seven games and shooting over 47 percent from the field in his last three games, let’s go back to the Timberwolves prioritized scorer. Edwards has posted steals in each of his last four contests and blocked shots in three of those games. The Rockets rank 28th in the league at defending midcourts and Davis has even been helping distribute a bit more with Patrick Beverley banked up dishing four or more dimes in three of his last four outings. He’s even pulling down five-plus rebounds per contest as well. Edwards scorched the Rockets for 29 points last time he matched up against them.
PF: LeBron James: When James faced the Grizzlies a couple of weeks ago he scored 37 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Anthony Davis is still out and James has taken 24 or more shots in four of his last five outings. Both of these teams play at a quick pace and James even dishes 6.6 assists per game. He’s produced four multi steal outings and three multi-block outings in his last five games. He’s even exceeded his rebounding average of 7.4 in eight of his last 10 battles. The high-volume of shots continues to stay intact and Memphis back and mid court continue to be banged up and with Steven Adams out for the game, James should be attacking it with ease.
C: Jusuf Nurkic: In two games versus the Kings this season, Nurkic scored 20 and 28 points and grabbed 14 and 17 rebounds in both contests and the Kings rank 24th in the league at defending centers. Nurkic has produced three straight double-doubles grabbing no fewer than 12 rebounds in any game. He’s grabbed multiple steals and blocked a shot in three of his last four games. With the Blazers backcourt injury issues, Nurkic has been taking more shots as he’s taken 17 or more in two of his last three games. He’s even been more helpful hitting the cutter from the post, dropping four-plus dimes in three of his last four games. We should expect him to hit the 30s in this game when it comes to playing time as the Kings are favored by just a point heading into this matchup.
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.