NBA DFS picks August 25: Where's the leverage on a two game slate?

NBA DFS picks August 25: Where’s the leverage on a two game slate?

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 9, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz defends against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game Four between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz of the first round of the playoffs at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

NBA DFS forward plays:

The Kawhi or Paul George discussion isn’t even a discussion anymore. Kawhi is by far the better option. Kawhi or Luka? Then we can have a discussion. I prefer Kawhi for cash and Luka for GPP formats, but the status of Porzingis could change that.

Marcus Morris is still a solid play, but his price is high enough now that we have to think about it. It’s less of a decision on FanDuel where both forward slots are slim pickings. On DraftKings you have to decide between the solid Morris or Paul Millsap, who had a big Game 4.

I prefer Dorian Finney-Smith over both of them, especially on FanDuel. DFS doesn’t need to score to hit value unlike THJ and Curry. He doesn’t have near the upside, but DFS is a solid value play on a slate with few available. It’s either that or play roulette with Maxi Kleber. That’s a hard no if Porzingis is back.

Center is a barren wasteland on FanDuel and it’s not much better on DraftKings. I don’t trust Jokic with Gobert containing him and Gobert is solid but unspectacular. Porzingis is fine if he plays, but if he doesn’t, you’re looking at having to take Gobert or Jokic on FanDuel unless you want to gamble on Zubac or Harrell. Neither seems like a good option.

If Porzingis sits we can punt with Boban Marjanovic, but he still isn’t playing many minutes. He’s always been a per-minute monster, but his skill set really doesn’t fit with today’s NBA.

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The center conundrum will dominate this slate. The trick is going to be trying to cram Luka or Kawhi in with either Rudy or Jokic. If you punt both of them you might be able to get Kawhi and Luka, but is it worth playing with losing pieces at center? This slate has boxed us into building with center first even though neither are very good options.