DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – May 23, 2018
![BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics is defended by LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics is defended by LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b40670a4cc2d7caefcbffcc7ec7943dde1ab6085c9382d52c6d52269d127506b.jpg)
Cavaliers-Celtics (Series Tied 2-2)
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.
LeBron James ($19,500) dominated the scoring in Game 4, but turnovers and a lack of rebounds/assists hurt his overall number. Given how the rest of the Cavaliers have played on the road during this series, LeBron will likely need 60-plus fantasy points if Cleveland has a chance at winning. Once again, I’m not in the business of doubting LeBron.
Kevin Love ($12,300) didn’t shoot well in either of the Cleveland victories, but his rebounding numbers were good. However, with the series back in Boston, Al Horford ($12,000) jumps him in terms of value. Boston is a better team at home and Horford in particular is a totally different person.
Jaylen Brown ($11,500) had a bounce back game in Game 4. I continued to like him over Jayson Tatum ($9,400) and Terry Rozier ($10,800). Rozier was great in Game 4 and can be taken with confidence. Tatum has simply struggled all series. Although he’s a good buy low option given his playing time and role.
Marcus Smart ($8,600) has been a better player at home all postseason. He hasn’t shot well this series, but he does other things and given the way he defended LeBron in the second half, could play even more minutes in Game 5. Marcus Morris ($7,100) has been better at home as well, but Smart’s defense could send Morris to the bench earlier. He’s a risky option, but it also would not be surprising if he ended up with 25-plus fantasy points.
Tristan Thompson ($6,000) was a huge factor in Game 4 and maybe the Cavaliers have found something with him against Al Horford. Again, Horford and the Celtics are a different animal at home so Thompson may not look quite as good as he did in Game 4. Thompson will continue to get plenty of playing time and opportunities.
George Hill ($5,400) was great in both home games, Kyle Korver ($4,400) has been solid enough throughout and was fantasy in Game 4, and J.R. Smith ($3,900) hit some shots at home. I continue to like Korver the most out of the four. Hill and Smith have shown no life in Boston and it’s tough to trust either of them.
Aron Baynes ($5,100) is reliable enough for around 20 fantasy points, even in limited playing time. And it looks like Larry Nance Jr. ($3,300) is going to get meaningful minutes.