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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – May 14, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets, Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets, Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors breaks down court as Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant #35 pursue at Toyota Center on January 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors breaks down court as Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant #35 pursue at Toyota Center on January 20, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Warriors-Rockets (Series Tied 0-0)

With only one game on the schedule, your top DraftKings option is Showdown. If you’re unfamiliar with Showdown, it’s a one game league where you have six spots, positions don’t matter, salaries are inflated from your typical leagues, and you have to select at least one player from each team.

The Warriors and Rockets met three times in the regular season, with the Rockets winning two of the contests. One game was the first game of the season for both teams while James Harden and Kevin Durant missed the second game. So if there’s any game to go by, it would be the third, which took place on Jan. 20. Ryan Anderson played 30 minutes in that game.

All of that is to say, don’t put a lot of stock into their regular season meetings.

James Harden ($13,900) was the top performer for the Rockets all season, but it’s been Chris Paul ($11,800) who has stepped up in the last two games. Houston will need both to be great on Monday. Paul averaged 50.2 fantasy points in the three games against the Warriors during the regular season. I know I just said don’t put much stock into those contests, that’s a massive number.

And on paper, it makes sense. Harden has to deal with Klay Thompson unless Houston can get the switch. Steph Curry starts on Paul and is easier to deal with on the defensive end. Unless of course the Warriors start the game with the Hamptons 5 and put Andre Iguodala on Paul while hiding Curry on Trevor Ariza or P.J. Tucker.

All of this is to say, I like Paul more than Harden in Game 1.

Kevin Durant ($13,000) is the top salary option for the Warriors and continues to be the biggest matchup problem. Unlike the Pelicans, the Rockets are more equipped to handle Durant. But make no mistake about it, he’s going to torch anyone they decide to throw at him and the Warriors will get a lot of switches that leave Harden against him.

Draymond Green ($12,300) is still the guy I’m looking at to be well above his salary. He does it all on the offensive side of things and always makes an impact defensively. He’s been great in the playoffs and is a key to a lot of what the Warriors do offensively. If you’re looking for pairs, him along with Durant is better than say Harden and Steph Curry ($12,600)

Obviously Curry and Klay Thompson ($8,900) will get their shots. Thompson is never a bad bet given his salary and Curry has typically owned Paul over these last few seasons.

Clint Capela ($9,800) is the x-factor. He emerged in the second round, but his offensive value is based on how Harden is playing. And counting on him to get as many blocks against a team like the Warriors, who pull defenders away from the paint and have craftier finishers than Utah, is asking a lot.

Value guys will decide plenty of games in this series because no one is reliable. Eric Gordon ($6,600) gets the most opportunities, but his inconsistency has been around all season. Andre Iguodala ($6,100) is a better option with a similar ceiling.

P.J. Tucker ($5,000) was great in the second round and appears to be more reliable than Trevor Ariza ($4,600) moving forward. Kevon Looney ($4,000) got minutes in the first two rounds, but I don’t know how much we’ll see of him in this round. Luc Mbah A Moute ($2,900) is a sneaky low salary guy I expect to see playing time in this series due to his versatility. And Nick Young ($1,000) averaged 21.5 fantasy points against the Rockets in the regular season.

I told you not to put much stock into those games.