DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Guide 8/21/20
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Guide 8/20/20
Jac Calliott
8/21/20
Slate Overview
Friday’s four-game slate offers our first look at some game 3’s in these playoffs. The Raptors and Celtics have the ability to take a commanding 3-0 lead while the Mavs-Clippers and Jazz-Nuggets series is tied up 1-1. Mike Conley will be back for Utah today after completing his mandatory quarantine. Another guy whose absence could create some openings for value is Joe Harris. I’m not all that worried about any blowouts on today’s slate so without further ado, let’s take a look at who we’re targeting today.
Point Guard
The PG position is a little thin today but one guy I’m targeting is Mike Conley ($5,900). Conley returns today to make his Jazz playoff debut and is listed as the cheapest option out of all the starting point guards. I’m not worried about his minutes and I think he continues his run of strong play, even after missing a couple of games.
If you’re looking to go with a value at the point guard spot today, then Reggie Jackson ($3,500) is your guy. Pat Bev missed the last game for the Clippers and as a result, we saw Jackson slide into the starting lineup. Beverly isn’t expected to play again today so that should carve out a nice run of minutes for Jackson. Last game he was good for 26 minutes and I expect more of the same today. This game also has the highest expected point total on the entire slate so there should be plenty of scoring and fantasy points to go around.
Shooting Guard
My favorite play at shooting guard today is Caris LeVert ($8,100). The Nets find themselves even more shorthanded today without starting guard Joe Harris. Without Harris on the floor LeVert’s usage rate increases by a whopping 9.6%. I expect the Raptors to key on him today as he is truly the only player that can hurt them, but the usage will be there for LeVert to go well over value today.
If you’re looking to pay down at shooting guard, take a look at Lou Williams ($5,600). Sweet Lou has played 31 minutes in both playoff games so far and offers a big threat off the bench for the clippers. Running with the second unit, we know Lou will have the green light for any shot he likes. I think he’s a bit underpriced on both sites and I like Lou Will a lot today.
Small Forward
At Small Forward, I’m looking at Luka Doncic ($10,800). I know it’s crazy to say about a guy that’s priced dang near 11k, but I still feel like Luka is a bit underpriced. On a nightly basis, he’s a legitimate threat for 40-10-10, and in a tied series I expect Luka to play some of his best ball of the bubble tonight. Even with a tough matchup in two of the best defenders Luka should flourish once again and is the clear-cut top play on this slate.
Seems like just a few days ago we were paying $7700 for MPJ. Today I’m targeting MPJ but mainly because of his price drop down to $6,300. In his last game, he totaled 33 minutes and his shots were falling. MPJ is a bit of a streaky player from what I’ve seen, and I think he builds off the last game with another strong performance today. At that price, I have a hard time not locking him into all lineups.
Power Forward
One of my favorite values of the day is at the power forward position. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot comes in at a very friendly price of $4,600 today and offers us quite a bit of salary relief if we slot him in today. He was inserted into the starting lineup in game 2 and played well. Although he only went for 21 DKFP, he played 36 minutes and shot the ball 16 times. Without Joe Harris, TLC is in line for big minutes again and has the potential to break the slate.
Jayson Tatum ($9,200) offers a solid option if you find yourself with some extra cash at the power forward position today. He continues to show us why he will be one of the stars of this league, and in the playoffs, Tatum has shown us an ability to step up. He’s scored 29 or more in all of the last four games and is lighting it up from deep. He’s a guy who can do it all on the defensive end and has no problem creating for his teammates as well. Kemba Walker day is coming, but I don’t think it’s today and if I’m rostering a Celtic today it will be Tatum.
Center
The guy that interests me the most at Center today is Jarrett Allen ($7,100). Nailing the correct Nets players today will be key, and I think there’s a strong possibility of multiple of them being in the winning lineup. Jarrett Allen is a guy that has a fairly safe floor at these kinds of minutes and he’s looked great so far in the bubble. Last time out vs. the Raptors he played 41 minutes, and he’s in line for more of the same today.
