RADIO
Basketball is a funny sport. Any team can win on any given night. The best team can be beaten by the worst team and any player can win the game on his own. The NBA is a collection of the best teams and players who managed to build on their success and failures. The most composed athletes are the ones that tend to produce the highest numbers in the playoffs. The NBA Playoffs is a time where a no name player can get the exposure to become the next James Harden or potentially the next superstar in the NBA. It is the most exciting time of the year and this year should be one that will remembered for a very long time.
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Worth the DraftKings Investment
James Harden (HOU,G) - $10,500
“The Beard” started the playoffs exactly where he left off the regular season. He posted 24 points and 11 assists while handing the Mavericks a game one loss. With six other Houston players putting up at least 10 points, Harden had no problem spreading the ball while racking up the stats to back his play. His superstar stats should rise with Dwight Howard dominating the paint and the rest of the Rocket squad shooting a promising 40% from the field. The Mavericks may decide to add more defensive pressure on Harden in Game 2, but he should have no problem putting up his usual stat line with a potential increase in assists. If the Rockets can find their shot like they did in game one, Harden will be the foundation behind the efficiency. While he remains pricey, Harden is constantly on the brink to explode for a legendary game throughout the playoffs. There are few defenses that can stop the bearded maniac, and unfortunately for the Mavericks, Harden will continue to shine.
Bradley Beal (WAS,G) - $6,500
With a close OT win over the Raptors, Beal was able to fill the stat sheet with 16 points, nine boards, and six assists. Beal had a better performance on Saturday than he did all of April, and that should continue Tuesday in game two. The only downside is the 47 minutes he played in game one, which was the highest amount of minutes of any player on both teams. Two days of rest should be plenty for the young shooting guard, and he should rebound in game two to repeat or post even better numbers. Beal went 6-23 on Saturday and his shooting should improve from a dismal 26%. Beal is still a triple-double threat every game this series, as he consistently puts up points and pulls down boards while contributing the few assists to John Wall. The Wizards should look forward to a game two and Beal should relocate his shot back at home.
Kyrie Irving (CLE, G) - $7,900
A tone is what Kyrie and the rest of the Cavaliers wanted to set against the Celtics, and that is exactly what they did in game one. After his 30 point performance Sunday, Irving should carry his momentum into game two with similar numbers. When the Big Three is hitting, its hitting hard, and Irving owners appreciated the results with 42 fantasy points. The price tag for Irving should be ignored and instead automatically inserted into your next lineup. When Kevin Love can step up and dominate the boards, Irving will look to replicate or even surpass his 30-point outing on Sunday. The playoffs tend to cause players to perform at superhuman levels on any given night. Anyone on the Cavaliers is susceptible to this “fire,” and Irving is an exceptional player who is likely to catch this flame in every game he plays in. The Celtics can beat the Cavaliers, but Irving should confidently have his way. Look for him to produce 35 or more fantasy points throughout the series and even the playoffs.
DraftKings Sleepers & Value Picks
J.J. Barea (DAL, G) - $3,100
“The Puerto Rican Pistol” (thought of it myself) continues to produce despite his limited time on the court. He has a reputation to produce big numbers in the playoffs and every game is another opportunity for him. While logging 22 minutes in game one, Barea put up 12 points, four assists and a handful of rebounds. His court speed and awareness on the court allows him to slip between defenders and finish inside or draw the slide and create open shots for others. He is a player that needs to be accounted for every Mavericks possession and is even deadlier the more time he spends on the court. Barea shot a terrific 67%, which should carry throughout the Mavericks playoff run. With other weapons like Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, and Rajon Rondo as the focus of the Rockets defense, Barea is at times overlooked and has proven to be a consistent source for points and assists for a basement-level price.
Corey Brewer (HOU, G) - $3,900
Brewer only managed two points the whole game until he hit a three-point jumper midway through the 4th quarter. From there he seemed to catch fire, hitting two more three’s and a couple of free throws. Brewer ended the game with 15 points. With the Rockets easily scoring 118 on the Mavericks, Brewer along with the rest of the Rockets should improve in all categories, as long as Houston can continue the momentum created from game one. Brewer should start game two exactly where he left off and should provide a higher scoring output after he seemed to be heating up at the end of game one. Brewer, along with Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard, will continue to increase his output the more the Mavericks attempt to contain James Harden.
Nene Hilario (WAS, F) - $4,500
An unsuspecting double-double from Nene led the Wizards past the Raptors in only 21 minutes with seven of the 13 rebounds coming on the offensive side. With the Wizards playing at home in game two, Nene should look to repeat his Game 1 performance. The Raptors will have trouble stopping the 6’11 Brazilian, and there is a chance playing in front of the hometown crowd results in even better production from the big man. As long as Beal and Wall keep shooting, Nene should continue to be the offensive rebounding monster he was in game one.He should produce 30 or more fantasy points and is a double-double threat every time he steps on the court, despite his limited minutes. His cheap value and high possibility for a break-out against a weak Raptors front court make this a favorable match-up.
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