One series comes to an end, while another begins. We say goodbye to either the Atlanta Hawks or Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams have offered DFS goodies throughout the playoffs, so let us enjoy them. Sunday’s slate features two games and locks at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures.
Point Guard
Stud
The obvious pivot from Trae Young is Ben Simmons, the NBA Model’s top point guard on FanDuel. To say his series against the Hawks has been a disappointment is an understatement, but some of the bad taste can be washed away with a win and strong shooting performance. Simmons has scored in double figures three times against Atlanta, twice taking double-digit field goal attempts and shooting over 50 percent, and the third he went 7-for-7. It would also help if he shot over 50 percent from the free throw line. The opportunity of saving $2,500 at the position is enticing.
Value
Cameron Payne is going to see a lot of ownership as the Suns starting point guard. Chris Paul has been ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols, leaving Payne to play alongside Devin Booker. Payne leads all point guards in Projected Plus/Minus and Points Per Salary and has a 98% Bargain Rating. He is the top rated player overall on DraftKings. Clippers-Suns has the highest projected game total and the Suns have the highest projected team total, lending to Payne’s potential upside at his price.
Teammate Jevon Carter is the minimum salary on FanDuel and DraftKings if you have interest in a true punt play.
Fastbreak
Trae Young has been one of the best players this postseason and has earned being the third-highest priced player. Of the three players priced over $10,000, Young rates the lowest. He does lead the position in Pro Trends.
Reggie Jackson has topped projections in three of six games this series after doing so five of seven times against the Mavericks. His salary has risen despite the lack of consistent production.
Shooting Guard
Stud
I can see fading Young for Devin Booker and Paul George. Both played superb basketball in the semifinals and could guard each other occasionally depending on how the Clippers play their revolving door at the guard positions.
Value
Torrey Craig gets a lot more interesting with Paul’s COVID situation. He projects for 20.1 minutes at near minimum salary on both platforms.
If Ben Simmons continues to defer on shooting, Tyrese Maxey could pop for second straight game. He played over 29 minutes Game 6 and has the best matchup on FanDuel using Opponent Plus/Minus.
Fastbreak
Bogdan Bogdanovic’s sore knee led to Kevin Huerter seeing increased minutes and fantasy production. Bogdanovic has had a poor series, and either a DNP or another down game could be the difference for the Hawks in Game 7.
Keep up with the latest injury and players news using the Labs Insiders Tool.
Small Forward
Stud
Both forward positions are notably weak. Tobias Harris is the most expensive at both positions on DraftKings and has the most Pro Trends on FanDuel.
Value
Cameron Johnson could see double-digit field goal attempts off the bench for Phoenix with Paul out. Johnson has also recorded at least one steal in eight of 10 playoff games.
Fastbreak
Nicolas Batum will not see a lot of Mikal Bridges with the latter expected to be on Paul George. Batum is over $5,000 on DraftKings for the first time this postseason.
Speaking of Bridges, he finds a way to be competitive on both ends of the court. His pricing, like Kyrie Irving’s thoughts on the earth, remain flat. Saying Bridges has a safe floor would be wrong because of his defensive assignments, but he has a softer landing spot if he is closer to his floor.
Power Forward
Stud
A key to the 76ers success is Tobias Harris scoring. His defense is…spotty, so if he is not aiding Joel Embiid in scoring, they are toast.
Value
Marcus Morris is the top rated power forward on DraftKings and trails John Collins in Bargain Rating. The Morris/Batum dynamic for the Clippers is one to watch as the series begins.
Fastbreak
John Collins has been Atlanta’s second best player against Philadelphia. He is similarly priced as Harris and projects to score only five points fewer.
Jae Crowder has used his physicality to be a productive force on both ends of the court in the playoffs. He is a better player than Batum and Morris and should see majority of his time against them. Crowder will be asked to guard more away from the paint and I am not sure if he continues to succeed there if one or both Clippers are planted for corner threes.
Center
Stud
Let us forget Joel Embiid’s Game 6. I am sure his knee is bothering him and the playoffs offer little downtime when series go the distance, but another down performance from the MVP candidate will guarantee tee times next week for the 76ers. Embiid leads all players in median, ceiling, and floor projections on both sites.
Value
Deandre Ayton is in another advantageous position matching up against Ivica Zubac and a small ball Clippers lineup. Only Clint Capela has a better Points Per Salary at center than Ayton.
I am not paying down at center, and I strongly advise getting cute and fading the big three at the position.
Fastbreak
Clint Capela has been dominated by Embiid for majority of the series, but he has found a way to top-30 fantasy points 50 percent of the time. There are worst lineup constructions than an Embiid-Capela center stack on DraftKings.
