This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
After just one game in the NBA on Monday, the classic contest is back on DraftKings with two games on the schedule Tuesday. The Warriors will be looking to take a 2-0 lead against the Pelicans while the Raptors and Cavaliers will be playing the first game of their second round series. He are some players to consider as you craft your entry.
Guards
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. CLE ($7,700): Lowry was excellent in the first round against the Wizards, scoring at least 40.3 DraftKings points in five of the six games. Not only was he a reliable source for points and assists, but he also averaged two steals per contest. He's going to get a ton of playing time and have the ball in his hands a lot, giving him a high floor for Game 1.
Rajon Rondo, NO at GS ($7,300): The Pelicans couldn't pull out a win in Game 1, but Rondo played well with 38.5 DraftKings points. It was a prime example of his ability to provide value despite his limited offense, scoring only nine points, but also logging eight rebounds and 11 assists. He might not provide a lot of points again Tuesday, but expect him to contribute enough across the board to be a viable option.
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. CLE ($3,700): VanVleet was a very important part of the Raptors second unit during the regular season, but played only two games in the first round due to a shoulder injury. It was a positive sign that he played 19 minutes in their last game Friday, scoring 16 DraftKings points. He's had even more time to rest, so he could be in line for similar playing time Tuesday. His ceiling isn't very high, but he's cheap enough to still warrant consideration.
Forwards
LeBron James, CLE at TOR ($11,900): James put the Cavaliers on his back in the first round, scoring at least 59.5 DraftKings points in six of seven games against the Pacers. With little support around him, he logged at least 40 minutes in all six of those games and scored at least 44 points in three separate contests. This is going to be an even tougher task against the Raptors, so expect James to have a heavy usage rate as the Cavaliers try to advance.
Draymond Green, GS vs. NO ($8,100): Green did it all in Game 1 on his way to 64.8 DraftKings points, posting a triple-double to go along with three steals and two blocks. He only played 30 minutes too, making the final line even more impressive. Stephen Curry (knee) is listed as probable for Game 2, which would likely limit Green's role as a facilitator to an extent. Both teams play at a fast pace though and this should be a high-scoring series, making Green an excellent option again Tuesday.
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CLE ($5,000): Ibaka looked like he was in for a big series against the Wizards, scoring at least 30.8 DraftKings points in both of the first two games. It was downhill from there though, scoring 14.8 DraftKings points or fewer in three of the next four contests. The Wizards were one of toughest teams against opposing power forward during the regular season, so Ibaka is probably happy to move on to the Cavaliers, who certainly have their issues defensively. This is the lowest Ibaka has been priced during the playoffs, which helps with your budget as well.
Centers
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. CLE ($6,200): Valanciunas' performance in the first round was a microcosm of his regular season. He showed upside by scoring at least 36 DraftKings points three times during the series, but scored 25.3 DraftKings points or fewer in each of the other three contests. He only topped 30 minutes in a game twice, which doesn't help with his ability to provide consistent production. That being said, he's not overly expensive, so he might be worth the risk Tuesday.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at TOR ($4,600): After being a non-factor for most of the series, Thompson started and played 35 minutes in Game 7. It proved to be a wise move by the Cavaliers, resulting in Thompson posting a double-double on his way to 33 DraftKings points. They'll need his size to battle with Valanciunas in this series, so he should get more playing time moving forward. If you want to go cheap at center, Thompson is the best option.