This article is part of our PrizePicks NBA series.
With the Warriors on the brink of elimination, this could be our last opportunity for some NBA fun on PrizePicks until next season. For those unfamiliar with the platform, it provides a unique spin on DFS in which you pick two, three or four players and predict if each will go over or under their projected fantasy score.
If this is your first time playing on PrizePicks, be sure to sign up using our promotional offer. New members who sign up and make their first deposit get a free 2-pick entry to win $25 and a 25% first deposit instant match. For the instant match promotion, the maximum deposit is $4,000 for $1,000 in Promo Money. If downloading the app, use promo code: WIRE.
Here are some players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
Players to Target
DeMarcus Cousins, GS: Under 24 FP: Outside of an excellent performance in Game 2, Cousins has been a disappointment in this series. He might not be completely healthy and probably still has some rust to shake off after missing over a month due to injury. Despite remaining in the starting five, he only has a total of 10 points and seven rebounds over the last two games. The return of Kevon Looney should continue to leave Cousins with reduced playing time, making the under a very appealing option.
Klay Thompson, GS: Over 33 FP: After missing Game 3 with a hamstring injury, Thompson showed no signs of being limited when he logged a whopping 42 minutes in Game 4. He was electric from the field, including 6-for-10 from behind the arc on his way to 37.6 fantasy points. If Kevin Durant (calf) returns, that could eat into some of Thompson's shot attempts. However, the Warriors will likely still rely on him heavily with their backs up against the wall, so I'll lean towards the over.
Kevon Looney, GS: Under 19 FP: It initially looked like Looney was out for the rest of the Finals after injuring his collarbone in Game 2, but he managed to return to the floor for Game 4. While it might have been a desperation move with the Warriors down in the series, he still logged 20 minutes. He did score 10 points, but the limited playing time attributed to him producing just 17.7 fantasy points. Even though he deserves credit for battling through injury, it's going to have an impact on him, so I'll take the under despite this being a low projection for him to hit.
Players to Avoid
Stephen Curry, GS: 49.5 FP: Although Curry scored 27 points Friday, he struggled by shooting 2-for-9 from behind the arc. While the potential return of Durant could help take some of the pressure off of Curry on the offensive end, it could also mean that he receives fewer shot attempts. Curry has scored fewer than 49.5 fantasy points in three of the four games in this series, so this seems like a good spot to take the under at first glance. However, with the Warriors facing elimination, he could also come through with a dominant performance. It might be best to just avoid picking a side of his projection.
Draymond Green, GS: 42.5 FP: Green might be the player impacted the most by the potential return of Durant. He's averaged 10.9 shot attempts per game since Durant went down compared to 6.4 attempts per contest during the regular season. Still, he's a triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor who can also rack up defensive stats in a hurry. I don't feel good about this line either way.
Kyle Lowry, TOR: 32.5 FP: After so many disappointing playoff runs, Lowry finds himself one win away from being crowned a champion. Despite shooting 35.4 percent from the field during this series, he's made an impact on the defensive end and still has respectable averages of 13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds. 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals. He's had a couple of big performances from behind the arc, including hitting five three-pointers in Game 3. The problem with Lowry is that he has incredibly tough defensive assignments in this series, so he has the potential to get into foul trouble. If he doesn't, though, he showed his upside by scoring 44.8 fantasy points in that special Game 3 performance. With the uncertainty surrounding him, adding him to your entry seems like a risk that isn't worth taking.
