This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide value plays for your daily fantasy basketball lineups on FantasyDraft. You have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of eight players. Of those eight players, you must select three guards, three forwards/centers and two utility players. The scoring is as follows:
Points Scored – 1.0 point for each point scored
3-Point Basket – 0.5 bonus points for each three-pointer made
Assist – 1.5 points for each assist
Rebound – 1.25 points for each rebound
Steal – 2.0 points for each steal
Block – 2.0 points for each blocked shot
Turnover – minus 0.5 points for each turnover
Double-Double – 1.5 bonus points for double-double
Triple-Double – 3.0 bonus points triple-double
FantasyDraft is running contests in beta stage, but full capabilities for their users are available. There are 50/50s, guaranteed tournaments, and more available options in the lobby, so be sure to check it out.
The target for each player to reach value is 2.5x the player's salary. If a player costs $10,000 against the cap, expected value is 25 fantasy points.
It's the beginning of the second round in the NBA Playoffs, and FantasyDraft is still offering NBA contests. The rundown below will help you get ready for the slates coming up.
With just a two-game slate on Friday, there aren't many options to choose from, but fear not, RotoWire is here to help.
Players to Target
Blake Griffin, F, LAC, $20,600 – Griffin has continued to be the most productive player in the NBA playoffs, notching 62.75 and 67 fantasy points in the first two games against the Rockets.. Griffin's ability to contribute in every statistical category gives him a tremendously high floor, and his volume of shots (42 in two games) gives him a high ceiling as well.
Griffin has averaged 30 points, 15 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the first two games of this series. His price is high, but still not reflective of his current production. With an average of nearly 60 fantasy points per game in the playoffs, Griffin's price should be closer to $24,000 on FantasyDraft. Get him at the discounted rate and reap the benefits of one of the top values, and the top player in terms of production, in the postseason.
Jamal Crawford, G, LAC, $9,600 – If Chris Paul (hamstring) is out, Crawford becomes an excellent play on FantasyDraft. In the Clippers last game, Crawford was the primary ball handler for the majority of the game, totaling 19 points and five assists en route to 35.25 fantasy points.
In two games without Paul, Crawford is averaging 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds. That's more than enough production at his price, which requires 24 fantasy points to reach value.
If Paul is out, consider Crawford in one of your guard slots, and save some money against the cap.
J.R. Smith, G, CLE, $9,200 – Smith is set to return from his two-game suspension Friday, instantly becoming a value at his current price. His replacement (Iman Shumpert) is actually $400 more expensive than Smith, which could cause some players to avoid him.
Prior to getting suspended, Smith was scoring close to 23 fantasy points per game, which is above value for his current salary. Given the fact that Kevin Love (shoulder) is out, Smith is in line for more shots, which will only increase his fantasy value.
Be sure to take advantage of Smith's low price on FantasyDraft and get him into your lineups for Friday's contests.
Players to Avoid
Iman Shumpert, G, CLE, $9,600 – Shumpert was a top value for the first two games of the series with Smith (suspension) out. In those two games as a starter, Shumpert was able to total 62 fantasy points before leaving the second game with a groin injury.
Even if Shumpert is able to play, Smith will resume the duties as the starting shooting guard. With Shumpert demoted to a reserve role, he will have a hard time reaching value on FantasyDraft. His price demands a return of 24 fantasy points, which would be difficult to reach in less than 25 minutes of work.
Be sure to stay away from Shumpert on FantasyDraft, as he's dinged up and his price does not reflect his expected role off the bench.
Nikola Mirotic, F, CHI, $6,000 – While Mirotic's price will make each of us look at him twice, be sure to pass on the rookie forward. Mirotic has been used sparingly in the first two games of this series, and Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau clearly has little to no interest in playing the rookie at this time.
Mirotic struggles at times on the defensive side of the floor, which is a key reason why his minutes are limited against a team as athletic as the Cavaliers. Given his ability to score, he has upside when given minutes. But with just nine minutes in two games, that upside is gone.
Notes
John Wall (wrist) is likely to miss extended time. Be sure to check the Wizards' lineup before tip in the next game. Ramon Sessions receives a huge boost in value with Wall out. And Bradley Beal will see his usage go up significantly as well.
Monitor Paul's (hamstring) status for each Clippers game. If he's unable to go, Austin Rivers would start in his place.
Klay Thompson's fantasy value has taken a hit thanks to Tony Allen's stellar defense. Be sure to take the Grizzlies defense into account when considering the Warriors.
Dwight Howard continues to be the most dominant center in the NBA playoffs, so be sure to keep him in your lineups as one of the top scorers each night.
Here are the current round matchups:
Western Conference
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies (Series is Tied 1-1)
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Los Angeles Clippers (Series is Tied 1-1)
Eastern Conference
(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Washington Wizards (Series is Tied 1-1)
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (3) Chicago Bulls (Series is Tied 1-1)
The NBA playoff schedule is structured, so there will be two games per day in the second round, and the number will decrease as teams are eliminated.
Good luck, and don't forget to join the fun at FantasyDraft. Sign up now.
