NBA DFS Playoff Preview Suns vs Nuggets Game 3
Welcome to our NBA DFS Playoff Preview for Game 3 of the Suns vs Nuggets series. The Suns find themselves in an 0-2 hole and will be without Chris Paul for at least a couple of games due to a soft tissue injury. They need a win to get back into the series, and they are listed as 4-point favorites with a total of 224.5 points. The Nuggets have to feel good about the series so far, winning Game 2 despite Jamal Murray going 3-for-15 from the floor.
In this article, we will identify the key matchups that could impact player performance and provide recommendations on which players to target, including potential low-owned value plays for tournament differentiation.
The Suns and Nuggets face off in Game 3 of their playoff series, with the Suns looking to avoid falling into an insurmountable 0-3 hole. The Suns have had success in the first and third quarters of both games, but have struggled in the second and fourth quarters, leading to their 0-2 deficit. Adding to their challenges, they will be without star point guard Chris Paul for at least a couple of games due to a soft tissue injury, with Game 6 being his expected return date.
Despite these difficulties, the Suns remain 4-point favorites for Game 3 and will be looking to turn things around on their home court. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have reason to feel confident after their win in Game 2, even though star Jamal Murray struggled shooting-wise. The Nuggets have demonstrated their depth and ability to win even when their top players are not at their best.
When it comes to DFS, Murray may be a good contrarian pick for this slate, given the soft pricing on some Boston players and the lack of CP3 for Phoenix. Bruce Brown has been a reliable glue guy for the Nets, but his minutes are typically limited to the mid-20s barring foul trouble. Michael Porter Jr. has been a volatile fantasy option, with big games coming at random times, but his low ownership could make him an intriguing tournament play.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been solid for the Lakers in this series, and his price point could make him an attractive value play. Aaron Gordon has played significant minutes in this series, and while he has yet to have a big fantasy outing, his low ownership could make him an interesting tournament option.
Nikola Jokic has been dominant, averaging over 70 fantasy points in three of the last four games. While he is likely to be a popular choice, the high price tag of Jokic and the Suns’ stars may leave him relatively low-owned on this two-game slate. Jeff Green and Christian Braun are likely best avoided for DFS purposes.
Without Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are the clear beneficiaries for the Suns, and they are likely to see an increase in usage and minutes. They are both likely to play heavy minutes and will be priced as they always are. Cameron Payne struggled in his fill-in role for Paul in Game 2, but he is expected to start and could provide solid point-per-dollar value.
Josh Okogie has started for the Suns and while he hasn’t contributed much in this series, he should see more minutes with Paul out. Damion Lee and Torrey Craig could also see an uptick in minutes due to the Suns’ shallow bench. While Deandre Ayton has shown flashes, he has only averaged 27 fantasy points per game and may be a lower priority target compared to Durant, Booker, Payne, and Okogie.
Overall, Game 3 is a crucial one for the Suns as they look to avoid falling further behind in the series. DFS players should consider the various value and contrarian options available, while also taking note of the likely increased usage for Durant and Booker without Paul in the lineup.
Top-Tier Picks:
Nikola Jokic – Jokic has been on an impressive streak, tallying over 70 fantasy points in three of his last four games. As a two-time MVP and the Nuggets’ star player, Jokic is expected to deliver another outstanding performance, especially with Chris Paul out for the Suns.
Devin Booker – Booker is another elite player who will likely benefit from Paul’s absence. With a possible increase in usage and playtime in the 40s, Booker is a consistent choice for high-scoring output. Although he’s priced like his usual rates, he’s a reliable option for a solid performance.
Jamal Murray – Murray was an unstoppable force in Game 1 and despite a lackluster Game 2, the Nuggets still managed to snag a win. As a great contrarian pick with reasonable pricing, Murray could give your lineup a considerable boost with another exceptional night.
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Value Picks:
Cam Payne – Payne struggled to fill Paul’s shoes in the last moments of Game 2. Nevertheless, he’s expected to start and push for around 26-30 minutes of playtime. With a fantasy point-per-minute average during the regular season, Payne is a great point-per-dollar value target.
Josh Okogie – Although Okogie hasn’t made a significant impact in this series, the Suns don’t have a deep bench. With Paul’s absence, Okogie and other bench players like Damion Lee and Torrey Craig may see more action. As long as he starts again, Okogie is a preferred budget-friendly target.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Caldwell-Pope is among the cheapest players that we can realistically expect to play for around 30 minutes. He’s shown a steady performance in this series and is projected as a solid point-per-dollar pick once more. He’s a great choice for some salary relief to make room for high-priced players.
That’s all I’ve got for today 
Thank you for checking out the article, I hope I was able to provide you with some value as you begin to build your DFS lineups for today’s contests.
Be sure to hit me up in Discord if you have questions. If you would prefer to reach out to me on Twitter @CeeGeeDFS that works too
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