This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ATL vs. MIL (-7.5)
The Hawks were 7.5-point underdogs for Game 1, but pulled off another big upset thanks in large part to another spectacular performance from Trae Young. He followed up a dominant series against the 76ers with a playoff-high 75.75 DK points as the Bucks had no answers for him defensively. Most people just follow the previous box scores when it comes to building lineups each night, so I'd expect Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo to be paired together on a majority of lineups. That would mean there is extra incentive to do something different, such a plan for a blowout or fade one of the stars. If you're set on rostering both, it makes sense to do so with a cheaper player in the captain spot. Leaving some salary on the table would be another way to differentiate.
Injuries to Monitor
Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Bogdanovic carried the same designation into Game 1, but ultimately started and played 27 minutes. He's now seen less than 30 minutes in four consecutive outings. If he were to miss, Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams are candidates for expanded roles.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,400)
Giannis is coming off a massive series opener when he put up a 34/12/9 line that helped him to 70.5 DK points. He's topped 60 fantasy points in three of his last four and clearly projects as the top overall play on the slate from a raw points perspective. There isn't much else to say except Giannis will be chalky and rightfully so. I'd probably look to avoid him for the captain spot as he will also be quite popular for that designation.
Trae Young ($11,800)
Young torched the Bucks for 48 points and 11 assists on his way to 75.75 DK points on Wednesday. So much for him potentially struggling against a solid defender in Jrue Holiday. Young continues to solidify his status as "matchup proof" with one big performance after another this postseason with at least 55 DK points in four of his last five contests that includes four double-doubles. Unless the Hawks get blown out tonight, he's very likely to be in the optimal lineup.
Expected Chalk
Clint Capela ($7,800)
I could have highlighted Giannis Antetokounmpo here, but that seemed too easy and there are few reasons why Capela will also be popular. First, he's coming off 12 points, 19 rebounds and 44.25 DK points. Second, his salary has inexplicably fallen to its lowest point this postseason. Third, he's seen 38-plus minutes in three of his last four games. And lastly, the Bucks are a much better matchup for him than Joel Embiid was last series. Capela stands out as a great value tonight and will thus be popular in that range.
Value Picks
Khris Middleton ($10,200)
Middleton disappointed in Game 1 as he shot just 6-23 from the field, including 0-9 from three-point range and finished with only 30.75 DK points in 41 minutes of action. Prior to Wednesday, he had topped 40 fantasy points in five consecutive appearances and is a good bet to bounce back tonight.
Jrue Holiday ($9,400)
Holiday is coming off his best playoff performance with 33 points and 10 assists en route to 61.5 fantasy points. On Wednesday, I said he would benefit from the suspect defense of Trae Young and that should be the case for the majority of the series.
John Collins ($8,600)
Collins continued his great postseason with his fifth consecutive double-double and 44.25 DK points in Game 1. He's now scored at least 40 fantasy points in three of his last four games and has seen upper 30s minutes over his last five.
Danilo Gallinari ($5,600)
Gallinari produced a disappointing 10.25 DK points in 25 minutes on Wednesday. Prior to that, he'd scored at least 15 real points in three consecutive outings. Galllinari's salary has come down a bit and people are likely to be off him after an underwhelming effort. It seems like a good spot for a bounce back that could come with some leverage.
Bobby Portis ($3,000)
Portis was the best of this cheap range on Wednesday when he scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds across 15 minutes for 22.5 fantasy points. He averages more than one fantasy point per minute and doesn't need much run to be the top scorer in this range.
