DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Guide 8/17/20
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Guide 8/17/20
Jac Calliott
8/17/20
Slate Overview:
After what seemed like an eternity, we finally get to treat ourselves to some playoff basketball. Today’s slate features four games and all but one of which are expected to be fairly competitive. To touch on that a little more, be careful rostering Toronto players today as we could see them dismantle the Nets.
Point Guard
Pay Up
Kemba Walker ($6,900) – Throughout the seeding round we saw Kemba on a minute’s restriction. With today being the first game of the playoffs, I fully expect that restriction to be lifted and we should see the Kemba we know against a depleted Sixers team. He’s always a threat to fill it up in a hurry and at his price today I’ll be rostering Kemba Walker.
Other Option: Jamal Murray ($6,500)
Value
Jordan Clarkson ($3,800) – With Mike Conley suddenly leaving the bubble to attend to the birth of his son the door should be wide open for Jordan Clarkson. We’ve seen how aggressive he is when he’s on the court and with the juices flowing during a playoff matchup I expect more of the same from Clarkson. He has at least 18 attempts in his last three games and with no Mike Conley, the usage should certainly be there today for Jordan Clarkson. I expect him to be extreme chalk, but good chalk at that.
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Shooting Guard
Pay Up
Donovan Mitchell ($8,000) – Mitchell is another guy that should see huge usage with Conley out. DM is a guy that is capable of getting hot at any moment, and if this Jazz team wants a chance a today they’re going to need Mitchell to lead them. At this price, Mitchell should see some lower ownership numbers and I don’t hate the idea of pairing Clarkson and Mitchell in your lineups if you can make it happen.
Other Option: Fred VanVleet ($6,800)
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Value
Joe Harris ($4,700) – Joe Harris has quietly been piecing together good performance after good performance since the NBA has resumed. For a Nets’ team that we know is under-manned, I expect Harris to help pick up the scoring load today while also giving us a decent floor in the rebounds and assists categories.
Small Forward
Pay Up
Luka Doncic ($11,000) – Coming off a selection to the NBA’s All-Bubble First Team, Doncic will be ready to go in his first playoff appearance. If the seeding games were any indication, Luka is only getting better by the day and I expect another huge performance out of him today as the Mavs take on the Clippers.
Other Option: Gordon Hayward ($7,300)
Value
OG Anunoby ($3,500) – We’ve seen his price continue to drop as he’s missed the last few games, but Anunoby is a guy that offers a ton of upside. Assuming he plays, he should rejoin the starting lineup and with that kind of minute upside, he should have no problem paying off his cheap salary. OG is a guy that can wreak havoc on the defensive side of things and has shown the ability to score in flashes too.
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Power Forward
Pay Up
Michael Porter Jr. ($7,100) – Today we have the opportunity to buy low on MPJ. He showed us what he’s capable of with a few breakout performances in the seeding games, and today I’m a big fan of him at this price. The Nuggets have shown they’ll continue to slot him in at the three spot in the starting lineup, so I’m not concerned with his minutes and I think MPJ has a big day today.
Value
Royce O’Neal ($3,500) – This is another Jazz player that I don’t mind targeting at this price today. He was dealing with a minor calf injury at the end of the seeding games and didn’t play many minutes if at all. I’m not buying into the injury narrative as I think his lack of playing time was related more to rest purposes. O’Neal should be in line for around 28-34 minutes tonight and should have absolutely no issues exceeding value at $3,500.
Center
Pay Up
Joel Embiid ($10,200) – The man doesn’t need much of an introduction and with no Simmons, the offense will run directly through Embiid today. His game log as of late doesn’t look overly promising as he’s been battling through some injuries, but I fully expect Embiid to be ready to play today against the rival Celtics.
Value
Marc Gasol ($4,200) – This is a play I like much more if Ibaka ends up being out, but regardless Gasol is in a great spot vs. the Nets today. He should exceed his value by a long shot if the minutes are there today.
The start of the playoffs is a very exciting time and a great opportunity for all here at Team Rise or Fall. Let’s start today in the green and as always make sure you’re checking Discord for any late news or pivots!
