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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – May 16, 2018

By Jeremy Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors defends against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets on October 17, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors defends against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets on October 17, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 20, 2018 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 20, 2018 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Warriors-Rockets (Warriors Lead 1-0)

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 stars game to play in Game 1 and that will continue to be the theme of this series.

James Harden ($13,900) will continue to dominate this series as long s he’s getting switches on Steph Curry the entire time. The Warriors seem more than happy to switch and living with Harden getting his while shutting out everyone else. The difference between him and Kevin Durant ($13,500) is only $400, which Harden more than made up in Game 1

Not that Durant is a bad option. He’ll continue to get points, but he’ll need to chip in with rebounds and assists, the latter of which is rarely an issue with Harden. That said, Harden has higher bust potential if he has a rough shooting game or Paul has it going.

Steph Curry ($12,900) didn’t shoot well from three in Game 1, but made up that value with assists. Expect him to shoot better in Game 2. And expect Chris Paul ($12,600) to shoot more. Of the two, I continue to prefer Curry because the Warriors offense is more balanced. Paul can often be a spectator when Harden has the ball.

Draymond Green ($12,200) didn’t play up to his usual standards. He can’t be just six points better than Clint Capela ($9,700) given their salary difference. Capela proving he can stay on the floor, and honestly deserving more minutes, it big for his value in this series. I was a bit wary, but he delivered. His problem offensively is that he’s still reliant on Harden and has no chemistry with Paul.

The Rockets will do more to contain Klay Thompson ($9,300) in Game 2, but the Warriors offense is creative enough to keep getting him looks. His shooting has been up-and-down all playoffs, but he’ll continue to get those shots and is good if you’re building with more balance.

Eric Gordon ($7,100) was fine in Game 1, but I’m still not high on him and continue to prefer Andre Iguodala ($6,300). There was a give point different between them in Game 1. You can use the $800 you save and take Harden over Durant to easily makeup that difference.

P.J. Tucker ($5,400) and Trevor Ariza ($4,300) are still hit-and-miss options. Tucker has shown to have more upside in the playoffs, but the risk isn’t worth the extra $900. Kevon Looney didn’t contribute fantasy numbers, but he did play 24 minutes, proving he can handle his own defensively. Those minutes will translate to 15-18 fantasy points at some point this series.

Shaun Livingston ($2,500) is still the best of the really low cost guys. And maybe Nick Young ($1,800) is kryptonite for the Rockets. He did well against them in the regular seasons and hit some shots in Game 1.

Remember, role players typically play better at home. So Luc Mbah a Moute ($2,700) and Gerald Green ($3,200) might be worth a flier if you’re desperate to save.