NBA DFS picks August 26: Are three heads better than one?

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks with guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Dennis Schroder #17 during the first half of game four against the Houston Rockets of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

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The Rockets will be a tough out in the Playoffs. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

NBA DFS guard plays

We are to the point that we need to try to decide whether the Rockets will win or lose. James Harden was a dud for the price in the two Rockets wins. He destroyed value in Houston’s two losses. It’s more than that. The first two games, both Houston wins, weren’t all that close. With Schroder back, Oklahoma City has played much better basketball. Harden heads up the class tonight in what should be another close game.

All three Thunder guards have had good games in the last two wins. However, Chris Paul is pretty much a lock for 5x value at the price and not much more. Both SGA and Dennis Schroder are cheaper and have more upside. I’m targeting them in GPP formats. Paul is best left for cash games at this point.

CJ is money with Dame out, but it’s tough against the Lakers and he’s as expensive as CP3 is. The upside is there, but the floor has me very worried.

Eric Gordon had a game that was pretty much a ceiling game for him and he still barely hit value. He’s fine for cash games, but we want a little more for GPP formats for the price on DraftKings. On FanDuel, he’s a solid option at a weaker SF position.

The price on Markelle Fultz is getting too high to be playing roulette with. I’d much rather go with Terrence Ross and the big upside that he has.

If you are trying to cram both Harden and Giannis in your lineups, we need to dig for value. If you are banking on a Lakers blowout, using some of their role players isn’t a terrible idea, but you need to find the right ones.

The Portland backcourt situation is similarly muddled. Gary Trent was good before the playoffs hit. Anfernee Simons was good during the regular season but has been an afterthought in the bubble and looked overmatched in Game 4. Both are a huge risk, especially when you consider Trent’s price on DraftKings. They are both worth a look on FanDuel since their prices are right. Jaylen Adams is on both sites if he draws the start.