Fansided

NBA DFS picks August 31: Can Giannis hit value while beating the Heat?

By Mike Marteny

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks plays defense during the game (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks plays defense during the game (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 25: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks is introduced prior to an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

NBA DFS forward plays:

Miami is a tough, scrappy, and deep team. They still don’t have anyone that can guard Giannis. I’m big on Giannis here if for no other reason than he should get his most minutes of a playoff game so far this year. My guess is that the Heat will go at him, so fouls may be a concern.

If you look at the splits for the Bucks against the Heat this year, Khris Middleton was big against the Heat in all three games. Dollar for dollar, he was bigger than Giannis. I prefer trying to use both, but using Middleton independent of Giannis is a nice way to gain some separation from the pack tonight. Most will use them together or use Giannis alone.

Center is not the money maker on this slate, but they can certainly lose you money. Bam is a solid option, but Brook Lopez is a solid defender. I prefer Lopez at the price on DraftKings and he is the clear top option on FanDuel.

RoCo was huge in Game 5. A lot of that had to do with his shooting from deep, but it was more than that. Covington had a strong defensive game too. He has a better floor than Danuel House, and since their prices are close, I’d find the extra $700 for Covington. His ceiling is enough higher than House to warrant paying up.

I really like Jae Crowder for the price. Miami needs his tenacity on the defensive end and he reached double digit points in the last three games of the Indiana series.

Steven Adams is worth playing for his rebounding alone. The Rockets miss more with Russ in there with more long-range shots being hoisted. Adams is my favorite option on FanDuel, but the lower price of Lopez on DraftKings makes the decision more difficult.

P.J. Tucker’s hustle always keeps him in consideration. He’s priced right and has 7x upside with a decent floor. He’s one of the better punts at center on either site. Just keep in mind that Jeff Green seriously cuts into his upside.

Next. Searching for 2020's top rookie WR. dark

I’m prioritizing Giannis over the high-priced guards, but my favorite builds so far are of the balanced variety. The guards in the Rockets-Thunder series were duds thanks to a blowout. That probably wont be the normal. Don’t shy away from the Thunder entirely.