This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
PHX (-1.5) vs. LAC, O/U: 221.5
The Suns took the first two games of the series in Phoenix, and they're expected to get Chris Paul (COVID-19 protocols) back for Game 3 tonight in Los Angeles. They've now won nine consecutive games and are deserved road favorites against a Clippers team that remains without Kawhi Leonard (knee). On Tuesday, coach Ty Lue reverted to a bigger lineup when he restored Patrick Beverley and Ivica Zubac to the starting roles they played for most of the season. Assuming they stick with the same lineup, Beverley ($3,200) and Zubac ($5,200) will be popular options tonight considering they're still valued for bench roles. It could be a slate where using a cheaper player in the captain spot makes sense to afford the spend-up options on both sides. Planning for a blowout would be another way to differentiate, as most people don't build lineups that way when games are projected to be close.
Injuries to Monitor
Kawhi Leonard (knee): OUT
Leonard remains sidelined due to the knee injury he suffered in the Utah series. His future status is still unclear, but it seems unlikely that he will play anytime soon. The Clippers started Beverley, Jackson, George, Morris and Zubac last time out. Previous starters Terance Mann and Nicolas Batum were relegated to bench roles.
Chris Paul (COVID-19 protocols): PROBABLE
Paul missed the first two games of the series after being placed in the league's health and safety protocols but appears on track to make his return tonight. Cameron Payne started at point guard in his absence and will drop back to the bench.
Elite Players
Paul George ($11,200)
George is coming off a disappointing night in Tuesday's Game 2 loss. He put up a respectable 26/6/6 line but shot just 1-of-8 from three-point range and 5-of-10 from the free-throw line. Notably, he missed two free throws in the final seconds that could've sealed the win for the Clippers. His 41.5 DK points marked the first time in five games that he failed to reach 50. All that being said, the Clippers will be desperate for a win at home tonight to avoid going down 3-0 in the series, and George projects for the most fantasy points on the slate. Unless the Suns blow them out, it's difficult to imagine him not on the winning lineup.
Devin Booker ($10,800)
Booker had his worst game of the postseason in Game 2. Despite receiving stitches in his head following a collision with Patrick Beverley in the third quarter, he still played 41 minutes and finished with just 29.5 DK points. It was a stark contrast from the triple-double and 77.75 fantasy points he put up in Game 1. It's worth noting that Chris Paul is expected to return tonight, which will likely dampen Booker's usage, at least a little bit. If choosing between the two in this range, I prefer George, but rostering both can make sense as well.
Expected Chalk
Ivica Zubac ($5,200), if he starts
Zubac was a surprise addition to the starting lineup in Game 2 and responded with 14 points and 11 rebounds that helped him to 30.75 fantasy points. Just as encouraging were the 34 minutes he played trying to keep up with Deandre Ayton. Assuming he starts again, it's hard to ignore that type of run and production. For only $5,200, I'd expect him to be the most popular player in that cheaper salary range.
Value Picks
Chris Paul ($9,400)
Paul is expected to return from a two-game absence after clearing the league's health and safety protocols. He's coming off a great series against Denver in which he averaged north of 50 fantasy points as the Suns swept in four games. The gap in salary between him and Booker seems too big tonight.
Deandre Ayton ($9,000)
Ayton was Game 2's most valuable player as he scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on his way to 48 fantasy points. He shot 12-for-15 from the field and won the game for Phoenix with an alley-oop dunk off of an inbound pass with less than one second on the clock. Ivica Zubac and the Clippers' defense had no answers for him.
Reggie Jackson ($7,800)
Jackson is coming off 36.25 DK points in 39 minutes on Tuesday. He's now scored 30+ fantasy points and played at least 37 minutes in four consecutive games. His salary dropped by $800, and now he stands out as one of the better values on the slate.
Jae Crowder ($5,800)
Crowder is another player who's seen a significant decrease in salary, as he was valued at $7,000 and $7,200 in Games 1 and 2. Before his disappointing 13.5 fantasy points on Tuesday, he had put up 22+ DK points in six consecutive games, and he's seen at least 32 minutes in each of the last four.
Patrick Beverley ($3,200)
Beverley was a surprise addition to the starting lineup on Tuesday and scored 15.5 fantasy points in 26 minutes. Surprisingly, his salary actually dropped by $1,000. Assuming he starts again, I'd expect him to be quite popular for such a cheap salary.
