The third game of the Heat vs Knicks series in the NBA playoffs is set to take place soon, and basketball fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the outcome. With so much at stake for both teams, it’s sure to be an intense and exciting game.
One player whose status is currently up in the air is Jalen Brunson. The Knicks’ point guard has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury, which limited his practice time on Thursday. However, despite this, we don’t expect his injury to have a significant impact on his performance in Game 3. Brunson has been one of the Knicks’ top performers alongside Julius Randle, who missed Game 1 due to an ankle injury but returned in Game 2 and played well. Both Brunson and Randle are attractive top-tier fantasy targets due to their expected minutes and heavy usage, and they are also considerably cheaper on DraftKings than they were during the regular season.
While Miami has been a tough fantasy matchup all year, ranking ninth in defensive rating and playing at the NBA’s second-slowest pace, Brunson and Randle’s potential make them worthwhile targets regardless. On the other hand, RJ Barrett‘s playoff efficiency has been subpar, but his position’s scarcity makes him a worthwhile option. Josh Hart‘s starting role and decent production make him a solid midrange value play, particularly for those looking to save salary.
Immanuel Quickley‘s impact in the playoffs has been less than expected after his solid performances during the regular season. His shooting has suffered a significant dip, and he played just nine minutes in Game 2. While it’s worth taking a chance on a potential bounce-back, Quickley’s recent trend is concerning, and it’s worth monitoring his playing time.
In terms of centers, Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein are both viable options due to coach Tom Thibodeau’s tendency to ride the hot hand. While neither big man has high usage, they can still contribute in other areas.
Miami is missing several key players, Tyler Herro, and Victor Oladipo. However, Caleb Martin stepped up with an impressive performance in Game 2, earning a promotion to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo led Miami in usage during the regular season, and we expect him to play a more prominent role in Game 3. If Butler is out, Adebayo’s role in the offense could increase even further.
Kyle Lowry and Gabe Vincent have filled in admirably for the missing players, but their usage rates have not skyrocketed. Kevin Love‘s usage has increased in the playoffs, but his playing time is limited, and he’s not a top DFS option. Max Strus and Duncan Robinson both rely heavily on shooting, but Strus has the safer starting role.
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