Happy June, y’all! We’ve got another beautiful three game slate of playoff basketball in front of us tonight. Injuries and blowouts have made for some interesting winning lineups, lately. Generally speaking, if you can afford to make multiple lineups, you absolutely should. Throwing darts at a Marc Gasol (for Anthony Davis minutes) or Cam Payne (for Chris Paul minutes) in a few lineups could’ve made you a nice chunk of change these past few days. Expect the unexpected!
Playing NBA DFS can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also make your head spin. It’s our job to make sure you’re winning as much as possible! There are countless variables that can lead to a player’s individual performance, but I’ve found it’s best to focus on just a few that can lead to better predictability.
My favorite factors to track for NBA DFS targets: Matchups (Offensive/Defensive Ratings), Opportunity (expected player minutes, game pace), and Recent Form.
This is the AM VERSION of a living article that will be updated throughout the day, as news comes through the wire.
LET’S GET INTO THE SLATE!!!!
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NBA DFS Targets and Preview for June 1
Celtics vs. Nets (Nets Lead 3-1)
Last game went as anticipated. The Celtics got their one win, but when it was time to stop underestimating a team that the Nets are way more talented than, KD guarded Tatum and the Nets took over. If Houston’s track record over the past few years with Harden is any indicator, it’s clear a team with one ball dominant star can’t win in the playoffs. While Jaylen Brown is out, that’s exactly what this Celtics team is. I’m expecting the Nets to go ahead and close this series out tonight. It’s a daunting mental mountain to know you have to beat Kyrie, KD, and Harden in three straight games. A blowout tonight wouldn’t shock me because of that fact.
DFS Targets: BOS targets: Smart, Tatum, Thompson, and Fournier. BKN targets: Kyrie, Harden, KD, Harris, and Brown.
Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets (Series Tied 2-2)
The Blazers have more talent while Jamal Murray is out. It’s as simple as that. The Blazers can blow out the Nuggets, but the Nuggets can’t blow out the Blazers. That tells me something. When teams are this close in terms of matchups and style of play, the talent gap can tip the scales. I’m expecting the Blazers to take this one, as CJ, Dame, Nurkic, and Melo will be too much to handle.
DFS Targets: POR targets: Dame, CJ, Nurkic, Melo, and Simons for value. DEN targets: Rivers, Campazzo, Morris, Jokic, and Green for value.
Lakers vs. Suns (Series Tied 2-2)
Here’s an excerpt from my prediction last game: “Let’s not overthink this one. Anthony Davis is healthy. LeBron James is healthy…enough. Chris Paul can barely raise his arms and is barely playing fourth quarters.”
I went on to say the Lakers were going to win that one. WRONG! Not only did the Suns win, but Chris Paul played, and played well, after Monty Williams told him pre-game that he was going to sit in favor of Cam Payne. On top of that, Anthony Davis got hurt. If he plays, I imagine he’ll be a shell of himself. LeBron will be able to play at a high level for a long time, but I don’t know if he can carry a team anymore. AD being hurt really changes this series. I think the Suns take this one, and I’m expecting this to go seven now.
DFS Targets: PHX targets: Booker, Ayton, CP3, and Payne. LAL targets: LeBron, Drummond, Gasol, and Kuzma.
Don’t forget to check back later in the day as Bradlee will be updating his NBA DFS preview with all the info you need to turn tonight’s slate into a resounding success!
If you are reading this on Fantrax.com make sure to head on over to FantraxHQ to check out Brad’s afternoon updates.
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