Can Westbrook keep the Clippers alive?
While we do have three Game 5s to discuss, all of them are expected to be one-sided. The favorite is expected to close out the series in these games, and it would be shocking if any of them lost. We’re praying that there aren’t too many blowouts, though, because that can be chaotic from a DFS perspective.
Injury Report
- Paul George (knee) OUT
- Kawhi Leonard (knee) OUT
- Jaden McDaniels (hand) OUT
- Naz Reid (hand) OUT
- Cameron Payne (back) Probable
- Dejounte Murray (suspension) OUT
- Kyle Anderson (eye) OUT
Core Plays
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $10,000 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
Tatum is scoring at least 52 DraftKings points in three straight games. That’s not far behind his season average, and we love that JT has played at least 39 minutes in every game of this series. The matchup is his biggest asset, with the Hawks surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing power forwards.
Russell Westbrook (PG – LAC): $9,300 DraftKings, $9,700 FanDuel
It’s easy to understand why, because LA needs him to do everything with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard both injured. That’s led to Westbrook scoring at least 43 DraftKings points in five straight games, scoring 54 and 66 DK points in his two most recent outings. This is also an elimination game for the Clippers, and you know this hustler will leave everything on the floor.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $10,800 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
Jokic posted triple-double averages before a lackluster final month of the regular season, but that was clearly Denver wanting to keep him healthy for the postseason. He’s just that, scoring 57 and 73 DraftKings points in the two most recent games of this series. Jokic has had his way with Minnesota for two years now, averaging 63 DK points per game against them. There’s simply no safer bet for 50 fantasy points, and it’ll be tough to fade him in this home closeout game.
Devin Booker (SG/SF – PHX): $9,600 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
Booker has scored at least 55 DraftKings points in three straight games. That’s one of the best stretches of his career, but it’s less surprising when you see that Booker is averaging 23 shots and 44 minutes a night. That’s what we call an Iverson Usage, and nothing should change in this closeout game.
GPP Targets
Robert Williams (PF/C – BOS): $5,300 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
This has been one of the best per-minute producers throughout his career, and it was fun watching him do work in Game 4. The big man dropped 45 DraftKings points across 29 minutes in that gem. We haven’t seen him play that much in weeks, but Rob-Will should be a $7K player if he’s going to flirt with 30 minutes. That’s why he’s a GPP option, but there are not many players with the sort of upside this guy has.
Terance Mann (SG/SF – LAC): $4,700 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
With Leonard and George missing this game, Mann should be locked into a 30-minute role. Whenever this guy has had that opportunity, Mann has been a $6K player. In fact, T-Mann is averaging 31 DK points per game in the 18 outings he’s played at least 30 minutes. If you get that from a player in this price range, you have one of the best per-dollar plays on the slate!
Value Plays
Norman Powell (SG/SF – LAC): $7,400 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
With the two superstars out for the Clippers, Powell should be in for a prominent role. That’s what we’ve seen over recent weeks, with Powell scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in four of his last seven games. LA needs this guy to be the primary scorer with Leonard and George both out, so 20 shots and 40 minutes is in not out of the realm of possibility.
Mike Conley (PG – MIN): $5,800 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
Not many people talked about Minnesota acquiring Conley at the trade deadline, but it was quietly one of the best moves out there. Adding this veteran point guard to this young team has been massive, with Conley compiling a 31-point average since joining the T’Wolves. He’s also coming off a 35-point gem in Game 4, and you better believe Minnesota will lean on their veteran in this road elimination game.
Advantageous Pricing
Trae Young (PG – ATL): $8,600 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Marcus Smart (PG/SG – BOS): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG/SF – ATL): $4,800 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $9,100 DraftKings, $10,700 FanDuel
Chris Paul (PG – PHX): $7,300 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
