Karl-Anthony Cities and the Minnesota Timberwolves face Oklahoma Metropolis for the eighth seed within the West.
Tonight, we’ve two elimination video games after which the 2023 NBA playoffs will formally start. Meaning each sport shall be extra necessary than the final from right here on out, and that’s all we will ask for as NBA followers. There’s a lot to debate, so let’s get into it!
Harm Report
As of 10:30 a.m. ET:
- Rudy Gobert (again) Questionable
- Jaden McDaniels (hand) OUT
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Chet Holmgren (foot) OUT
- Karl-Anthony Cities (calf) Questionable
Core Performs
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Butler actually struggled in Miami’s first play-in sport, but it surely’s arduous to think about that may occur once more. Earlier than that sport, Jimmy had not less than 44 DraftKings factors in 12 of his earlier 15 video games. Butler was additionally flirting with a 50-point common in that span and needs to be locked into 40 minutes and 20 pictures on this must-win sport.
Karl-Anthony Cities (C – MIN): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
We had Cities in right here on Tuesday, and we’re going proper again to the nicely for all the identical causes. The large man scored 53 DK factors in that pristine efficiency, doing that harm regardless of coping with foul bother. He additionally took simply 12 pictures in that defeat, which needs to be his ground on this elimination sport. Oklahoma Metropolis is an excellent matchup, too, proudly owning a twenty ninth OPRK towards opposing facilities.
Money Sport Issues
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $10,400 DraftKings, $10,900 FanDuel
Shai is the highest-priced participant on the board, and rightfully so. The primary-time All-Star has been crushing it for months now, scoring not less than 40 DraftKings factors in 43 of his final 45 video games. He’s additionally acquired a 53-point common in that span, dropping 51 fantasy factors within the first play-in sport. We’ve to imagine SGA will take not less than 20 pictures and play 40 minutes, making him inconceivable to fade towards a Twentieth-ranked T’Wolves protection. Of their three conferences this season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33.3 factors, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per sport.
Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,500 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Vucevic has been an everyday on this money sport part for months. The Chicago middle has scored not less than 31 fantasy factors in 16 of his final 18 video games. He’s additionally flirting with a 40-point common in that span and may very well be taking a look at a season-high in minutes on this elimination sport. He’s had success towards Miami’s protection, posting a 43-point common towards them of their three matchups this 12 months.
GPP Targets
Alex Caruso (PG/SG – CHI): $5,000 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
Caruso’s stats aren’t going to leap off the web page, however this man’s hustle makes him an intriguing fantasy possibility. He had simply 9 factors, three rebounds, and two assists within the first play-in sport however completed with 28 DK factors due to some elite protection. That’s all you possibly can ask for from a $5K participant, which needs to be simple to succeed in in his 30-minute position.
Kyle Lowry (PG – MIA): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
This former All-Star had 49 DraftKings factors throughout 33 minutes on Tuesday, his third-highest-scoring sport of the season. It’s no shock to see a veteran play so nicely in such a significant sport, and it’d power him into the beginning lineup right here. Chicago can also be posting a twenty first OPRK towards opposing guards.
Worth Performs
Taurean Prince (SF – MIN): $5,200 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
With McDaniels anticipated to overlook one other sport, Prince needs to be in for a extra outstanding position. That was definitely the case within the first play-in sport, taking part in 43 minutes whereas taking 11 pictures. We don’t count on him to play 40 minutes once more, however the potential for that makes Prince inconceivable to keep away from at this $5K price ticket. When Prince has performed not less than 28 minutes this 12 months, he’s averaging almost 30 fantasy factors per sport.
Jaylin Williams (C – OKC): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
We’ve a ton of carryovers from articles earlier within the week, and Williams is one other one in every of them. The younger middle offered eight factors, eight rebounds, and eight assists in his Wednesday efficiency, dropping 33 DK factors throughout 32 minutes. That’s wonderful from such an reasonably priced participant, and OKC wants Williams to play monster minutes to oppose one of many tallest groups within the NBA.
Advantageous Pricing
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $9,000 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Karl-Anthony Cities (C – MIN): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
Jaylin Williams (C – OKC): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
DeMar DeRozan (SF – CHI): $7,700 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured author at FantasyPros. For extra from Joel, try his archive and comply with him @Bartilottajoel.
