The Celtics look to even the series with the Heat at two games a piece in Game 4 of the East finals.
I have never seen an injury report like this. We have nine rotation players on this injury report, and we only have one game to break down. It’s a big one, though, with Miami up 2-1 in this best-of-seven series. Game 3 was an impressive road win for the Heat, and they could put the pressure on Boston if they grab a Game 4 victory to take a 3-1 series lead.
Create the optimal lineup using our NBA DFS lineup optimizer >>
Injury Report
- Tyler Herro (groin) Out
- Robert Williams (knee) Questionable
- Kyle Lowry (hamstring) Questionable
- Jimmy Butler (knee) Questionable
- P.J. Tucker (knee) Questionable
- Jayson Tatum (shoulder) Probable
- Marcus Smart (ankle) Questionable
- Max Strus (hamstring) Questionable
- Gabe Vincent (hamstring) Questionable
Find the best fantasy matchups each day using our Defense vs. Position Tool >>
Core Plays
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $40
We’re slightly concerned with JT’s numerous ailments right now, but as long as he’s on the floor, Tatum needs to be in your lineup. The All-Star has at least 36 Yahoo points in 32 of his last 33 games, flirting with a 50-point average in that span. You obviously can’t fade that on a single-game slate, especially since JT is guaranteed for 35-40 minutes, 20 shots, and a 30% usage rate. As long as those usage numbers continue, Tatum will be one of the safest plays on the board.
Cash Game Considerations
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $43
Butler has been one of the best players in this postseason, and it was terrifying to see him depart Game 3. He didn’t return in the second half because of that knee issue, but Jimmy Buckets says he’s ready to go. This dude was going nuts before the injury, averaging over 51 Yahoo points per game in this postseason. He was simply doing everything for Miami’s offense, and the Heat will undoubtedly lean on him as long as he’s healthy. Just put Tatum and Butler into your star slots and then figure out the rest of your lineup from there.
GPP Targets
Lowry’s price has plummeted because of some injury issues, but he should never be below $20 when he’s fully healthy. That appeared to be the case in Game 3, with Kyle collecting 31 Y! points across 29 minutes of play. That’s pretty much the guy we saw in the regular season, with Lowry averaging 31 Y! points per game across 33 minutes a night. We have to assume those 29 minutes are his floor in his return from injury, and he has the capability to be a $30 player when he’s right. There’s also a chance that Lowry is one of the only healthy players on this roster, and it could leave more on his plate.
Grant Williams (PF – BOS): $12
It’s strange that Williams is just $12. This guy has been outstanding for weeks, averaging 21 Yahoo points per game across 33 minutes a night over his last 14 games. Getting that amount of minutes from a player this cheap is a godsend, particularly with Grant scoring at least 27 Y! points in seven of those games. That’s unbelievable from a near minimum-priced player, and he could play even more with Robert Williams potentially out as well.
Value Plays
Smart has been sitting around $20 for the whole season, and it’s about time that they got him closer to $25. With that said, he’s still too cheap. The Kia Defensive Player of the Year has at least 26 Yahoo points in six straight games, posting a 38-point average across 39 minutes a night in that span. He’s been doing that damage for over a month now, and it’s clear that he’s one of the key pieces of Boston’s offense. Using Butler, Tatum and Smart is chalky, but it’s the best bet for your three-star slots.
Max Strus (SF – MIA): $15
Strus has taken over the Duncan Robinson role in Miami. The wingman is averaging nearly 25 Yahoo points per game in this expanded role, playing 30 minutes a night. Any sharpshooter playing 30 minutes is a good choice at just $15, especially with Max generating a 28-point average across his last five fixtures. He’s also benefiting from all of these injuries in Miami, and he’s one of the only players in this game who could attempt double-digit threes.
* * *
Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
