This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Let me start off by saying: what a day of basketball on Sunday. Those Game 7's were absolutely ridiculous, and that Kawhi Leonard shot that bounced four (4) times was an incredible cap to the weekend. Now that the Conference Semis are behind us, it's time to kick off the Conference Finals. We have Golden State hosting Portland in the West and Milwaukee welcoming Toronto in the East.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS vs. POR ($8,700): With Kevin Durant out for at least Games 1 and 2, Curry becomes one of the best values on the board. When Durant was off the floor in the regular season, Curry led the team with a 39.4 percent usage rate while averaging 1.62 DK points per minute. That's significantly higher than his overall figure and would equate to 65 DK points if he plays 40 minutes. Obviously, that makes Curry nearly impossible to fade at $8,700 and his 49.4 fantasy points per game against Portland in the regular season shows that he's up to the challenge. I also love Klay Thompson, who's posting a 35 percent usage rate with Durant sidelined while averaging 1.2 DK points per minute.
Eric Bledsoe, MIL vs. TOR ($5,900): Bledsoe was inconsistent during the Boston series and it's lowered his price to this tempting number. We're talking about a player who averaged 33.2 DK points per game in the regular season, which alone is approaching 6X value at this price tag. What's really encouraging about Bledsoe is his aggressiveness, with the guard taking at least 12 shots in four-straight games. Someone with this sort of role and upside is a huge bargain below $6,000.
Andre Iguodala, GS vs. POR ($5,400): Iguodala has been starting since the beginning of the Houston series and it's done wonders for his fantasy production. Iguodala is averaging 30.1 DK points per game across 33 minutes of action in his last eight fixtures. That's monster production from a player at this price, and his role should maintain with Durant sidelined.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR at MIL ($9,700): Leonard has simply been one of the best players in the postseason, doing it all for a Raptors team that suddenly looks very top-heavy. What's really changed for Leonard is his increased role, averaging 37.4 minutes and 21.2 shots attempts per game in these playoffs. He did even more in the Philly series, averaging 40 minutes and 23.4 shots per game -- capped by 39 field goal attempts in Game 7. That's a massive role for one of the most efficient players in the game and it allowed him to average 54 DK points per game in that seven-game set. Don't fade that production from a player who should be in the five-figures.
Draymond Green, GS vs. POR ($7,900): Durant being sidelined has opened things up for everyone in Golden State, but the DeMarcus Cousins injury has made Green one of the best big men in these playoffs. In his 12 postseason games, Green hasn't scored fewer than 27 DK points, while averaging 40 fantasy points per outing. Despite having a down regular season, Green still averaged 32.4 DK points per game in three outings against Portland, and the Blazers could struggle to contain Green with the likes of Zach Collins and Enes Kanter.
Nikola Mirotic, MIL vs. TOR ($4,700): Mirotic was inserted into the starting five after a loss to Boston in Game 1 and it's hard to see them getting away from that with four-straight victories since. Not only has he scored at least 17 DK points in six-straight games, Mirotic is averaging 27 fantasy points per game in those four starts. Getting that production from a $4,700 player is a huge boost, especially when it's imperative to get guys like Leonard, Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo into your lineup.
CENTERS
Marc Gasol, TOR at MIL ($5,400): What's nice about Gasol is just how much he's playing. The Spaniard has scored at least 23 DK points in six straight games, while averaging 36.2 minutes in those contests. Any player who averaged 33.2 DK points per game in the regular season is worth a shot with increased minutes in the playoffs, especially when they're priced this cheaply.
Brook Lopez, MIL vs. TOR ($4,300): Lopez had a nightmarish series against the Celtics but that allows us to jump on this enticing price tag. While he struggled against the undersized Celtics, Lopez will be needed against a Raptors team that rolls out Gasol, Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam for big minutes. That means Lopez is a near guarantee for 25-30 minutes of action, which is huge from a guy who averaged 26.2 DK points per game in the regular season while playing 28 minutes. The key for Lopez, as it's been all season, will be finding his touch from three after a nightmarish shooting stretch in Round 2.
