The Denver Nuggets travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs for Game 1. Playing time after effects from the recent win over the Los Angeles Clippers and a back-and-forth, tight first-round series could have an impact.
The turnaround is tough, especially against the Western Conference best OKC, who have had plenty of rest. While this could lead to a slow start at home for the Thunder, Denver will have to somehow escape with a win if they want any shot at upsetting Oklahoma City. The Nuggets have the experience and talent along their bench to potentially do it, but it starts tonight, as we go over a few starts and sits for this game, including two MVP candidates on both sides with SGA and Jokic.
Lock of the Game
Jalen Williams
Oklahoma City Thunder
vs.
Denver Nuggets
(0-0)
On DraftKings, it is hard not to be put Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Nikola Jokic, two candidates to receive NBA MVP his season, but at their cost, they would have to put up-MVP like numbers and explode to warrant the price tag at $9.5K (SGA) and $11K (Jokic).
However, our lock here is Jalen Williams, who has been ultra consistent and is well-worth the price at $7.3K on DK. The forward has had over 30 fantasy points the last two months and had three 40 fantasy points in the Memphis Grizzlies four-game series.
Start ‘Em
Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets
AT
Oklahoma City Thunder
(0-0)
At $5.7K on DK, Aaron Gordon is coming off a 38 fantasy point performance against the Clippers Saturday night. He is trending in the right direction for the Nuggets, and his connection with Jokic is on point. Denver’s power forward/center was injured the last time they played OKC in March but Gordon has a shot at redemption against the West’s best.
Russell Westbrook
Denver Nuggets
AT
Oklahoma City Thunder
(0-0)
Russ is also a start at $4.8K, as he has brought the energy and tone for this surging Nuggets team, despite it leading to a Game 7 against LA. His tech foul on Saturday showcased Westbrook’s value to the team off the bench and how they have the talent to go on a run against anyone.
The veteran point guard is coming off a good two-game stretch against the Clippers and could be a value play against OKC moving forward. For Denver, he had 35.25 and 27.25 fantasy points the last time they played the Thunder.
Sit ‘Em
Isaiah Hartenstein
Oklahoma City Thunder
vs.
Denver Nuggets
(0-0)
Even at a $5.9K salary, Isaiah Hartenstein at center is too inconsistent and is only a fantasy asset later in games where his minutes increase. He is coming off a 38.5 fantasy point performance, but has had under 20 fantasy points twice in April.
It is feast or famine with Hartenstein, and Chet Holmgren has been the more consistent player (with more upside) at power forward/center for the Thunder, even at an increased salary of $6.7K on DK.
Michael Porter Jr.
Denver Nuggets
AT
Oklahoma City Thunder
(0-0)
The shooting forward did have a decent day on Saturday playing with an injured shoulder, with 24 fantasy points. Still, trusting Michael Porter Jr. to play more minutes is a risk compared to other players, even at his reduced $5.1K salary as a shooting forward.
Christian Braun for Denver would be the play at a slightly higher cost, but coming off three 35-plus fantasy points in the Clippers series within the last four games.
Fade of the Game
Lou Dort
Oklahoma City Thunder
vs.
Denver Nuggets
(0-0)
Although he is a impactful defensive player, Lou Dort for fantasy has been on a spiral the last two games against Memphis and even at $4.2K, is not worth a start. The guard/ forward for the Thunder just hasn’t taken too many shots as of late or been given the opportunity due to limited minutes.
He did have a 48.75 fantasy point game the last time he played Denver but the first game, Dort had 22.5. So a big game is in the outcomes but I would expect Chet potentially to rebound after two not great fantasy days against the Nuggets in March.
