DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-May 16 & 17
High Salary PG
Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City Thunder (11,300): Westbrook had at least 51 fantasy points in the last five games of the Thunder’s six-game series against the Spurs. He scored 28 points or more in four of those five contests and had at least eight assists in each of those games. Westbrook averaged 25 points and 10.7 assists against the Warriors in the regular season and is a very good pick to have another good series as he faces the Warriors. Both he and Steph are great plays, but in Game 1 I give the slight edge to Curry since the game is in Oakland. ∗∗∗
Stephen Curry-Golden State Warriors (10,500): Curry costs almost 1,000 less than Westbrook and should be even stronger after getting almost a full week of rest since closing out Portland. He played 37 minutes in both games after returning to close out the Blazers. He had 29 points and 11 assists in the final game of the series finishing with 55.75 fantasy points after exploding for 63.75 in his first game back. Curry has feasted on the Thunder this season averaged 35 points, 6.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in his three games against OKC. Both he and Westbrook should both be ready for huge statistical series, but I’d take Steph at home if forced to take just one of the two megastars. ∗∗∗∗∗
Kyle Lowry-Toronto Raptors (8,500): I still don’t fully trust Lowry after a shaky start to his playoff run, but he has actually been very good lately and during the regular season against the Cavs. Lowry finished the Heat off with over 45 fantasy points in each of the last three games of the series scoring at least 25 points in each contest and finishing with a 35-point, seven-rebound, nine-assist, and four-steal Game 7 in which he put up a massive 65.75 fantasy points. He will try to carry that momentum over into a matchup he enjoyed during the regular season against Cleveland. In three games against the Cavs, Lowry averaged 31 points, 8.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.3 steals. To be fair, one of those games was when Kyrie was out and one was shortly after he returned from his injury. It’s also worth noting, though, that the one game where Irving was available at close to full strength was when Lowry put up his best numbers scoring 42 points to go with nine assists and four steals in a 99-97 Toronto victory at the end of February. Lowry definitely has huge upside and is worth a look if you decide to pass on the PG stack of Steph and Russ. ∗∗∗
Kyrie Irving-Cleveland Cavaliers (8,200): The cheapest of the four starting PG in the Conference Finals, Kyrie has at least 32 fantasy points in each of his eight playoff games including three games with over 40 fantasy points. He has scored at least 19 points in every playoff game and is really enjoying the run after hobbling through the playoffs last season. He is a solid option if you can’t get to the top three on this slide, but Lowry’s defense and the Cavs other offensive options make him my least favorite of the four starting PG’s taking the floor in the next two nights. ∗∗
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