Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks
Over/Under: 220.5
Spread: MIL -5.5
What a performance. I’m not sure there enough adjectives to describe what Kevin Durant did on Tuesday and the same can go for James Harden even if statistically their nights went quite differently. Thanks to their efforts Brooklyn is now in the position to close the series out tonight in Milwaukee, but the Bucks aren’t going to go down without a fight.
Injuries
*Kyrie Irving - Out
*Donte DiVincenzo - Out
CPT/MVP
Giannis Antetokounmpo – We can’t pass blame Antetokounmpo’s way for Milwaukee’s loss on Tuesday. Well at least from a DFS perspective that is as he stayed incredibly consistent in his performance. For the second straight game Antetokounmpo scored 34 points while adding 12 rebounds. There were some free throws down the stretch which ultimately cost Milwaukee that the forward misfired on, but efficiency from the line has been a concern this entire series and that is ultimately limiting his value despite the 50-plus fantasy point upside.
Kevin Durant – Simply a game for the ages. Regardless of what happens for the remainder of the postseason, this is one we will remember. Durant played all 48 minutes and couldn’t have been any better as he led Brooklyn to an improbable victory in Game Five as the last healthy man standing out of the Nets trio of superstars. It will be hard for Durant to follow up 49 points he scored (and efficiently at that as he was 16 of 23 from the field) along with 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Durant also added three blocks and two shots which led to 96.4 FD points which is just insanity. It’s not like Durant was struggling previously, but this was another level. While we can’t go chasing it, we do know what Durant is capable of and Milwaukee didn’t appear to have any answers for him.
Khris Middleton – It was a struggle, eight for 22 from the field, but Middleton still ended up with 25 points to go along with four rebounds and five assists as Milwaukee’s clear second option. We know that the forward is going to play a lot of minutes and the Bucks will be relying on him heavily, so while he’ll likely stay around the 40 to 45 fantasy point mark, there aren’t many other players capable of hitting that threshold tonight.
James Harden – Based on performance and health, it might come as surprising to see Harden listed in this tier. But considering his cost, this is truly the only place for him. From a purely basketball standpoint it is hard to knock what we saw from the guard on Tuesday, but the same isn’t true from a DFS perspective. I would leave Harden be from a cash perspective, but there might be contrarian value in multi-entry GPP’s if you are looking to go in a different direction. Offense wasn’t Harden’s strong suit with just five points, his shot didn’t have any lift, but he did grab six rebounds and hand out eight assists.
MID-TIER
Jeff Green – Talk about coming back in a big way. Green’s stamina was in a lot better place on Tuesday as he gave the Nets 34 big minutes off the bench. The forward stepped up to be a key second option offensively with 27 points, and while it likely won people some cash, it’s not something we want to go chasing. At the same time though we do know that the Nets will be leaning on Green once again.
Jrue Holiday – Holiday has been a solid contributor for the Bucks, 19 points and eight assists on Tuesday, but what you see is what you get from the point guard. There isn’t much upside in play here but Holiday is solid cash-game option as we can pencil him for around 30 to 35 fantasy points in most cases as his early series struggles are behind him.
Brook Lopez – Lopez played a series high 36 minutes on Tuesday and while he turned in a solid performance, 15 points and six rebounds (after two games of 11 rebounds each), he isn’t someone that will move the needle all that much. There is nothing wrong with securing 20 or 30 fantasy points here, but this is more from a cash game angle as a stars and scrubs approach will likely work better from a GPP perspective.
Blake Griffin – There was a lot to like here, 17 points in 29 minutes, but the offensive production was pretty much all we got out of Griffin. With 20.6 FD points (courtesy of three rebounds) there isn’t much to see if Griffin isn’t active on the boards as his performances (with the exception of Game One) have leaned towards the one-dimensional side.
DART THROWS
Bruce Brown – Harden coming back took playing time away from Brown, just 13 minutes on Tuesday, and the guard was a non-factor for the second straight game. All Brown could muster was two points, three rebounds, and two assists and I wouldn’t look for much from him tonight. Brown does have the ability to score in double figures with ease, but he has only done so in two of the five games so far this series against the Bucks.
Joe Harris – Harris simply needs to shoot better. The skill, track record, and opportunities are there but Harris just isn’t converting. The majority of his value is tied to how he shoots, so until he proves us wrong, it’s hard to target Harris while he is so cold from the field.
P.J. Tucker – The playing was still there on Tuesday, 33 minutes, but Tucker went scoreless as it was an off night for the forward. He did grab four rebounds, but despite the playing time it’s hard to trust Tucker from a DFS perspective.
Pat Connaughton – It was the second straight strong game for Connaughton as he scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in 31 minutes of play. The run might have been the most favorable development for the guard, but the increased role makes Connaughton an attractive option for the back-end of your roster.