RADIO
One of these Friday nights, I'll remember I can't fall asleep watching the end of the late game and I'll have the Saturday article up at a reasonable time. Now that we are almost a week into these two-game slates, we have to take into account each coach game-planning a certain way every game. As each series progresses, it will get easier and easier to figure out the rotations, but also make sure you are paying attention to roster updates so you can accurately play the right sleepers, rather than taking a complete shot in the dark.
Neither of these games seem relatively safe based on the previous games, so while Kawhi Leonard is the highest priced player for a reason, the value lies in the Raptors - Celtics matchup. Even thought the Celtics still seem to have control of that series, the games are remaining close so we don't have to worry about the main players getting enough minutes in that game.
Here are our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/5/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Kemba Walker - PG, BOS vs TOR ($8,000)
Despite the Celtics having one of the more well-balanced teams, the late-game scoring has fallen upon Walker's ability to collapse the defense. Not only did he assist a go-ahead dunk in the waning seconds of the game, but he was one of the few Boston players that seems composed enough to actually score when it matters. That is absolutely a knock against the rest of the Celtics and the only downside here is his price. He needs to put up near 40 FPTS to hit value, but based on how the Celtics are firing right now, Walker is a pivotal part and that won't change now that he is arguably carrying the offense.
Gary Harris - SG, DEN vs LAC ($4,000)
If you are looking for value that isn't Lou Williams, you have, literally, three options. You can go with Terence Davis for the ultra-risk play, banking on a blowout or injury. Norman Powell, the slightly-less-risky play that doesn't look like he will be effective versus a lengthy Celtics team, or Gary Harris, one, if not the Nuggets best defender. He is returning from injury so the scoring isn't there, but Denver has decided that he is deserving of nearly 25 minutes every game, and that's enough to roster him based on his price. The value is scarce and Harris is one of the few players guaranteed at least 20 minutes.
Fred Vanvleet- PG/SG, TOR vs BOS ($7,700)
Fred VanVleet might not be producing at the rate Kyle Lowry is, but in terms of consistency, there have been few players that the Raptors have been able to count on for this series. The Celtics are dominating in most aspects, but VanVleet is getting to his spots and most importantly, contributing in other areas when he isn't able to score. His price doesn't seem to be wavering anymore, but his upside still remains incredibly high playing against this specific backcourt. The Boston defense might be one of the best in the league, but they can do very little if Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet are playing this well.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Marcus Morris Sr. - SF/PF, LAC vs DEN ($5,400)
If Marcus Morris Sr. continues this impressive shooting, the Nuggets have absolutely no chance. It is one thing if your only hope at winning is praying Paul George keeps missing open threes, it's another when you are banking on another professional basketball player missing uncontested, 15-foot jump shots. His role shouldn't change in the offense given the recent success, so expect his price to increase slightly as the games go on. Tonight might be one of the last nights you can catch Morris at a sub-$6K pricing.
OG Anunoby - SF/PF, TOR vs BOS ($5,600)
The only shot he made in the second half of Game 3 was the game-winner. That's usually not the strongest reason to play someone, but there are going to be few players walking into Game 4 with as much confidence as O.G. Anunoby. He is posting impressive stat lines regardless so, similar to Morris, there is little chance his price remains this low given the his role. Both Morris and Anunoby are set for high-usage, heavy-minute games, so at the price, you don't have much choice and rostering both can allow you to play Kawhi Leonard with minimal downside.
Jerami Grant - SF/PF, DEN vs LAC ($4,900)
Jerami Grant and the Nuggets were tasked with going with defense-oriented lineups, fighting the Jazz and Rudy Gobert for seven games. Now that they are playing the Clippers, what Denver needs is more scoring. Denver will be forced to alter their strategy depending on how Game 2 starts, but based on how the first game went, the Nuggets need to play Grant in the frontcourt for the sake of limiting the Clippers weapons, and hope the guards can find some sort of groove to help Grant contribute from the outside.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Serge Ibaka - C, TOR vs BOS ($5,900)
It's hard not to play Marc Gasol here because of his price, but Serge Ibaka is coming off his worst game of the series. This means there will be a clear effort to rebound from Ibaka, because that 15FPTS performance is out of the ordinary for anyone playing against the Celtics frontcourt. Both Gasol and Ibaka, are viable options, but Ibaka has the upside and track record that make him the safer play. If his price remains, he is going to be the perfect pivot from Jokic since the Nuggets are severely struggling with the Clippers.
