This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
With just two games, I'm going to take a different approach by taking a broad view of who to avoid in each game. First off, John Wall is questionable with "five non-displaced fractures" in his hand/wrist, so if he does indeed play, it's safe to assume he won't be effective enough to carry his $9,200 price tag. The Atlanta Hawks and their talented and deep frontcourt are the No. 1 defense when it comes to defending the center position, so Marcin Gortat is a very skeptical proposition. Memphis is possibly the worst defense to play against from a fantasy perspective, but that doesn't necessarily mean avoid the entirety of Golden State. Draymond Green will struggle to constitute his $8,200 price, especially considering his lackluster 28.6 FPT average against the Grizzlies this season. Andrew Bogut has played exactly 24 minutes in both of the first two games, and it's simply hard to constitute using him as the team favors playing their smaller lineup. Marc Gasol has Draymond Green in his back pocket and as they seem to stagnate each other, both are best avoided – Gasol is averaging eight fewer FPTs against Golden State this year.
Offenses to Use
The John Wall injury will continue to open up court time and considerable production for Ramon Sessions, Bradley Beal, Paul Pierce and Otto Porter – paying attention to how much (if any) time Wall sees on the court will help to know how much production can actually be expected from the quartet. Memphis is getting healthier, and even if Golden State is good defensively per possession, they increase the possessions per game enough that they are still a decent team to target against. Outside Gasol, the Grizzlies could all be played. Nothing about the Hawks is overtly variant at the moment, so there's nothing new to point out that wasn't good in the first two games of the series.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: none
Second game of a back-to-back: none
Point Guard
Mike Conley, MEM ($5,600): Conley looked good returning in Game 2, shooting the ball extremely well while picking up barely any production in the peripheral stats, so really his upside is even higher. With 27 minutes in Game 2, his playing time should increase as the series unfolds and he proves healthy.
Other suggestions: Stephen Curry ($10,600) GS at MEM
Shooting Guard
Bradley Beal, WAS ($7,600): Beal has now surpassed 40 FPTs in three consecutive outings, and the status of John Wall could put even more pressure on Beal. With Wall on the court, Beal scores and rebounds more, and with Wall off, he takes more control and shows his abilities dolling out assists. Regardless of the situation, Beal is a solid play with a high floor and a reasonable ceiling.
Other suggestions: Courtney Lee ($4,800) MEM vs GS; Vince Carter ($2,600) MEM vs GS
Small Forward
Otto Porter, WAS ($5,400): Porter picks up big minutes off the bench with the Wizards playing a smaller lineup and filling in for Paul Pierce, who simply lacks the youth to guard and rebound against the Hawks over the course of a game. His 39.5 FPTs from Game 2 seems inflated, but it certainly shows how high Porter's upside can reach.
Other suggestions: Paul Pierce ($5,100) WAS vs ATL; Andre Iguodala ($3,800) GS at MEM
Power Forward
Paul Millsap, ATL ($8,800): Millsap has scored 50 and 48.25 FPTs in the two games of the series, which followed big games in the first round against Brooklyn that saw him reach as high as 57.75 FPTs. Millsap has been spectacular in the playoffs and is worth every bit of his price.
Other suggestions: Zach Randolph ($7,300) MEM vs GS; Nene Hilario ($3,900) WAS vs ATL
Center
Pero Antic, ATL ($2,400): Antic has hit double-digit FPTs in nine of his last 10 games. He's very cheap; you just need to get a serviceable second quarter from Antic and he makes value. His FPT average of 15.8 against Washington would be welcome here.
Other suggestions: Al Horford ($8,100) ATL at WAS
INJURY REPORT
Out
Thabo Sefolosha (ankle)
Ognjen Kuzmic (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
John Wall (wrist)
