This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We're getting down to the final few weeks of the NBA calendar, and this is one of the most fascinating periods of the season. At this point, it's all about getting studs into your lineup and building from there. The rotations are mostly set in stone, and the difference between first place and the bubble in a tournament can be one player.
Let's get right into the night's top values:
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS vs. HOU ($7,900): This price made me take a second look, as it's the lowest Curry has been in quite some time. While he's yet to pull out the flamethrower, we know Curry is clearly capable of going off on any night. He averaged 46 DK points per game in the regular season, which is already 6X value at this price tag. The fact that he's averaging 35 minutes and 15 shots per game over his last four indicates that he's still playing a key role, and smart money says he'll eventually find his shot. Kevin Durant has led the charge for Golden State, but Curry is still averaging 41 fantasy points per game in the postseason.
Eric Gordon, HOU at GS ($5,300): Gordon has really turned it on recently and it's crystal clear that the Rockets want him playing a huge role in this series. Not only has he played at least 37 minutes in four straight games, Gordon has also taken double-digit shots in nine consecutive outings.
Andre Iguodala, GS vs. HOU ($4,700): Iguodala got a rare start in Game 1 and there's word that Steve Kerr will likely stick with that alignment for Game 2. That alone makes him an attractive option in this price range, but it's clear something has clicked with him in the postseason. Iguodala is averaging 27.3 DK points per game across 27.0 minutes of action in the playoffs thus far, and his ability to match up with James Harden should keep him on the floor for longer stretches.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS vs. HOU ($9,100): This feels like a really fair price for Durant given how well he's played since Game 2 of the Clippers series. Over his last five games, Durant has two 50-plus-DK-point performances to go with 69.5-point and 70.0-point outings. Sunday's Game 1 win over Houston represents his "worst" game during that span, and he still managed 47.3 DK points by way of 35 points, five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. The Warriors will look to get Curry more involved going forward, but given what we've seen over the last week, it's difficult to shy away from Durant in Game 2.
P.J. Tucker, HOU at GS ($4,300): Tucker is a pure minutes play and it's hard for him not to reach 5X value with the workload he's locked into. After averaging 34 minutes per game in the regular season, he's actually upped his workload to at least 38 minutes in three straight games. In four games against Golden State in the regular season, Tucker played 36 minutes per game. Tucker obviously isn't a high-usage option, but these haven't been empty minutes, with Tucker averaging 26 DK points per game thus far in the postseason.
Marcus Morris, BOS at MIL ($4,200): Morris had a terrible end to the regular season but a start and 30 minutes of action in Game 1 suggests he's back to playing a big role in this series. Boston needs Morris to counter Milwaukee's length, and he's scored at least 24 DK points in six of his last seven games. Morris is averaging 26 fantasy points per game across 28.3 minutes in four meetings with the Bucks this season.
CENTERS
Al Horford, BOS at MIL ($6,900): Horford doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he's truly the difference-maker for the Celtics. Horford is averaging 37.4 DK points per game across his last 13 games, and he absolutely killed the Bucks in the regular season, too, averaging more than 50 fantasy points per game in three matchups.
Brook Lopez, MIL vs. BOS ($5,000): Despite posting a dud in Game 1, Lopez had at least 25 DK points in 20 of his previous 21 games, while averaging 32.3 fantasy points per game in that span. That's over 6X value at this price tag, and the Bucks should make a concerted effort to get him more involved in Game 2.
