DRAFTKINGS
De'Anthony Melton , PG MEM ($4,500)
It was surprising to see Melton get so little playing time for most of the season when he was healthy. Grayson Allen hasn't returned since the Grizzlies came back from the postponed game and Melton is back in the rotation. He had 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks for 35.25 DK points on Saturday in 32 minutes and had 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block for 40.75 DK points last night.
Khem Birch , C ORL ($4,200)
Birch has been solid all season based on his price. He usually plays minutes in the mid-20s and could see an increase with Aaron Gordon out. Birch played 26 minutes in this same matchup against the Raptors on Sunday and had eight points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal for 21 DK points. He has at least 21 DK points in three of the last four games.
Moritz Wagner , C WAS ($4,000)
It's all about the minutes for Wagner. If he can get 20-25 minutes, he should crush value. He's been about a fantasy point per minute this season. In three of the last four games he has played at least 20 minutes, Wagner has 26.25, 18.5 and 30.25 DK points. He had 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 21 minutes against the Nets on Sunday. Wagner faces Portland, which ranks 29th in defensive efficiency.
FANDUEL
Anfernee Simons , PG POR ($3,800)
Simons has played at least 27 minutes in four straight games. He played 30 minutes last night and had 15 points, five assists, three rebounds and two blocks for 32.1 FD points. He has at least 21.9 FD points in three of his last four games. In the four games, he is averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The Wizards allow the most points per game at 121.8 per game and rank 28th in defensive efficiency.
Gorgui Dieng , C MEM ($5,300)
With Jonas Valanciunas out, consider Dieng. He played 26 minutes against the Spurs on Saturday and had 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal for 33.9 FD points. In the same matchup last night, Dieng had 19 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one block for 33.3 FD points.
Kevon Looney , C GS ($3,900)
It's not the ideal spot to use a center on Looney, but it's a way to be different in a GPP. Looney replaced James Wiseman in the starting lineup and Wiseman is out for at least a week with a wrist injury. Looney played 22 minutes in the last game and had six points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks for 25.2 FD points. The Celtics allow the seventh-most points to center on FanDuel.
Player News
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters Stephen Curry is day-to-day with a hamstring injury and will undergo an MRI on Wednesday.
Kerr relayed that Curry was “crushed” after being forced from the game due to injury. While Kerr described Curry as day-to-day, he also mentioned that the 37-year-old point guard will undergo imaging on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. There should be an update on his status at some point prior to Thursday’s Game 2 showdown. With the Warriors taking Game 1 on the road Tuesday, Kerr added that it’s hard to imagine Curry being available for Game 2 on Thursday. With Game 3 Saturday at Golden State, Curry could have more time to rest and recover.
Naz Reid had 19 points (8-of-14 FGs), five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in Game 1 against the Warriors on Tuesday.
Reid briefly left the floor with an apparent leg injury towards the end of the second quarter before returning in the second half. The 25-year-old center played 34 minutes and was the second leading scorer for the Timberwolves in what turned out to be a lackluster game for Minnesota. Reid appeared healthy in the second half and should continue to be counted on for starter-level minutes despite coming off the bench.
Anthony Edwards had 23 points (9-of-22 FGs), 14 rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block and one three-pointer in Game 1 against the Warriors on Tuesday.
Draymond Green had 18 points (6-of-13 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and four three-pointers in Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Buddy Hield had 24 points (7-of-19 FGs), eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Jimmy Butler had 20 points (7-of-20 FGs), 11 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two three-pointers in the Warriors’ 99-88 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 1 on Tuesday.