This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have a two-game slate featured on DraftKings for Tuesday. The Celtics and Raptors square off in Game 2 of their second round series, while the Jazz and Nuggets are still in the first round, and will battle it out in a series-deciding Game 7.
Slate Overview
BOS vs. TOR (-1.5) O/U 217.5
The Celtics made easy work of the Raptor in Game 1, led by Kemba Walker's 41.25 fantasy point outing, and they will look to take full control of the series. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are prime bounce-back candidates after underwhelming performances, although that created an opening for a surprise outburst from Robert Williams, who chipped in 24.75 fantasy points. The Raptors seemed out of sync all game despite a solid showing from Fred VanVleet. Outside of that there wasn't much to write home about, so we should expect Toronto to come out focused and aggressive to get things back on track.
UTA vs. DEN (-1) O/U 218
It doesn't get much better in sports than a Game 7. This has been an entertaining series overall with Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray putting their talents on full display in every contest, and that shouldn't change here. You can make a case to roster either guard, but when considering their ceilings during this series getting both on your roster seems like a smart way to approach this slate in general. Finding the value to make it work will obviously be the biggest challenge.
Positional Breakdown
Center has the most noticeable price gaps, with over $1,500 separating the top three options. Of those, Serge Ibaka stands out the most due to price and ceiling, but potentially branching out to the fourth most expensive in Daniel Theis could make a lot of sense as he's coming off his best game of the playoffs.
Injury Situations to Monitor
All players that have been listed as out during the playoffs, will remain out. We have a clean injury report otherwise.
Elite Players
Donovan Mitchell, UTA ($9,900)
Mitchell has clearly found another gear in these playoffs. Normally under $8k during the regular season, we see his salary at its highest point, but with two 60+ fantasy point outings and an 81.3 point explosion to start the series, the price hike has definitely been warranted. He's been getting to the foul line at will and making it rain from behind the three point line, sinking nine in his most recent game. However, if you can't find the money to make it work, his backcourt teammate Mike Conley could be a nice pivot to run back with Jamal Murray.
Jamal Murray, DEN ($9,700)
Speaking of Murray, he has been equally impressive during this series against Utah. He's another guy who normally doesn't see his salary rise above $8k, but with his recent success it's no surprise that's where we are now. Coming off back-to-back 60 fantasy point games with an 82.3 point effort in Game 4, he will look to keep it rolling. Like Mitchell, Murray has been incredible from deep, draining nine threes in two of six games, and he'll need to keep his hot hand working if the Nuggets want to get the victory and advance to the second round.
Expected Chalk
Mike Conley, UTA ($6,800)
As I mentioned, if you can't fit in both of the guards above, taking the discount on Conley could be an effective strategy. Conley has been steady against the Nuggets after missing the first two games of the series. Averaging 35 fantasy points per, he provides some salary savings without sacrificing much floor due to his ability to add steals and dish out assists regularly.
Serge Ibaka, TOR ($6,200)
Despite usually playing under 30 minutes, Ibaka can rack up fantasy points in a hurry, as we saw in Game 4 versus the Nets where he piled up 55 in only 20 minutes of court time. He's coming off a decent showing against the Celtics in Game 1 but will look to make more of an impact today, and he has the ability to drop a double-double in any given matchup. If he can add a block or two that should really help with his overall floor at his moderate salary.
Key Values
Daniel Theis, BOS ($5,200)
Finding value on a two-game slate is always challenging. Theis could fit the bill however, as he finds himself in a far better matchup against Marc Gasol than he did versus Joel Embiid in the first round. He turned in his best performance of the playoffs with a double-double in 25 minutes in Game 1 and should have a great opportunity to repeat that if he's able to chip in some blocks and steals once again.
Royce O'Neale, UTA ($4,500)
About as streaky as they come, the appeal with O'Neale is more from a minutes standpoint. Normally seeing over 30 per game, he has the ability to stuff the stat sheet with blocks and steals and has flashed 37 fantasy point upside when he's able to get hot from behind the three point line. Many things need to line up just right for him, but from a price and minutes perspective he makes for a solid option on a slate where we might be starved for value.
