The Celtics aim to keep their momentum going from Tuesday as they head to Boston for Game 5.
Boston prevented a Miami sweep with an impressive performance in Game 4. That victory makes this series look extremely interesting because Boston is right back in it. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history, but the recipe is there for the Celtics. It’s a large hill to climb, but this is as good of a chance as any that I can remember. So let’s get started!
Core Plays
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $13,200 DraftKings, $17,500 FanDuel
It’s been a mixed bag for Tatum in this series, but the superstar showed out in that must-win Game 4. Tatum finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. That’s no surprise when looking at his previous elimination game, collecting 51 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists against Philly. It’s evident that Tatum knows he needs to take over in these circumstances, guaranteeing him 40-45 minutes and 20-25 shots in these must-win elimination games.
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF- MIA): $13,000 DraftKings, $17,000 FanDuel
Not many players have matched Playoff Jimmy in this postseason. The feisty forward has scored at least 38 DraftKings points in all 16 postseason games, with Butler averaging 29.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.2 steals. That’s over 50 DraftKings points per game, which is only second to Nikola Jokic in these playoffs. Just like Tatum, he’s guaranteed to play at least 40 minutes and take 20-plus shots, making him tough to avoid with his elite stat-stuffing ways.
Cash Game Considerations
Bam Adebayo (C – MIA): $9,600 DraftKings, $15,000 FanDuel
Bam has been dominant against Boston all season, and we have to believe he’ll go off in this closeout game. The big man has really struggled in the last two outings, but he scored at least 37 fantasy points in his first six matchups with the Celtics. Adebayo was also averaging 46 DK points per game in that span and should return to that form at this diminished price tag. In Bam’s most recent game in Boston, he provided 22 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists.
Marcus Smart (PG/SG – BOS): $7,600 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
Smart is the leader of this Celtics team, and he always plays his best when this team’s season is on the line. The former Defensive Player of the Year has been unstoppable in his last 11 elimination games, posting a 39-DK point average in those must-win matchups. That’s not far off his playoff average, posting a 33-point average in these playoffs. He’s simply one of the only players in this price range with a 25-point floor and 50-point upside, making him one of the best cash game plays out there.
GPP Targets
Max Strus (SG/SF – MIA): $5,400 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
Strus hasn’t been hitting as many shots recently, but it’s tough to overlook his role. The sharpshooter has played at least 34 minutes in seven playoff games, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game in those outings. This guy needs to play 30-35 minutes and take double-digit shots, and we’ve seen Strus score 40 DK points with that sort of role earlier in the postseason. All you need is 25 DK points for Strus to be a sensational value, and he’s one of the only players in the price range who can reach that comfortably.
Derrick White (PG/SG – BOS): $5,200 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
We saw White re-enter the starting lineup in Game 4. This guy has started over 80 games this season, averaging nearly 30 DraftKings points per game in that expanded role. This team realizes that they need his shooting and defensive capabilities on the floor, which is awesome since he averaged over 35 DK points per game over the final month of the regular season.
Value Plays
Grant Williams (SF/PF – BOS): $2,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Williams poked the bear in Game 2, but Boston wants to make him a more significant part of their rotation going forward. The defensive stopper has played at least 26 minutes in three straight games, scoring at least 17 DK points in all of those. That culminated with a 31-point gem in his most recent outing, which is truly absurd for such a cheap player. We rarely see someone in this price range play 30 minutes, making Williams one of the best value plays out there.
Advantageous Pricing
Bam Adebayo (C – MIA): $9,600 DraftKings, $15,000 FanDuel
Max Strus (SG/SF – MIA): $5,400 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel
Grant Williams (SF/PF – BOS): $2,600 DraftKings, $8,500 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.
