This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's slate of Game 3s features no shortage of star talent around the $10,000 mark, including LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Wall and Victor Oladipo. Two of those players are featured below. I've also included two mid-level options and one minimum option to help you find value at each tier.
Point Guard
John Wall, WAS vs. TOR ($10,200)
Wall has struggled shooting the ball in this series, knocking down just 40.5 percent of his attempts from the field. However, he's still managed to score 26.0 points per game, largely due to the fact he's visited the free throw line 21 times, knocking down 19 of those attempts. He's also a solid 3-for-7 from beyond the arc, though all of his makes from distance came during Game 1 -- certainly his better of the two performances, as he also handed out 15 dimes and registered a combined six steals/blocks in that contest.
Overall, despite his poor shooting from the field, he's still managed to average 54.2 fantasy points during the series through great passing and top-notch defense. Assuming he can continue passing well and racking up defensive stats, a massive Game 3 at home isn't out of the question if he can be more efficient from the field. Wall has played better at home this season as well, bumping his average up by 6.4 fantasy points while in D.C.
Shooting Guard
Jaylen Brown, BOS at MIL ($6,800)
Brown has been one of the focal points of Boston's offense through Games 1 and 2 of the series against Milwaukee. Though Game 1 went into overtime, Brown actually took more shots during Game 2 and almost had an identical fantasy performance. He's averaging 20.5 shots per game in the series, knocking down 51.2 percent of them -- including 41.2 percent from beyond the arc -- for an average of 25.0 points.
It's possible he regresses to the mean a bit moving forward, but he was an above-average shooter during the regular season, drilling 46.5 percent of his looks from the field and 39.5 percent from deep. So, his past two performances aren't anything too out of the ordinary, other than the number of attempts themselves, which figure to stay elevated. He hasn't done too much other than score during the series, however, averaging just 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a combined 1.0 steal/block. Regardless, he's still managed to average a solid 35.1 fantasy points per game.
Small Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. BOS ($11,500)
Similarly to LeBron James, who I also think is a good play on this slate, the team Antetokounmpo is facing simply hasn't had an answer for him through the first two games of the series. The Greek Freak has taken 21 and 17 shots, respectively, over Games 1 and 2, converting on an absurd 63.2 percent of those attempts. He's also gotten to the free-throw line frequently, averaging 8.5 makes on 12.5 attempts (68.0 percent).
Aside from averaging 32.5 points during the series, Antetokounmpo is also flirting with a triple-double, posting 11.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. As expected, he's also contributing defensively, totaling four steals and a block in the series. Overall, he's averaged 60.9 fantasy points thus far in the playoffs and there doesn't seem to be much indicating that could slow down. For what it's worth, he's also played better at home this season, averaging 53.8 fantasy points at the BMO Harris Bradley Center compared to 49.5 fantasy points when elsewhere.
Power Forward
Serge Ibaka, TOR at WAS ($6,300)
Ibaka has had a steady role for the Raptors over the first two games of the series, taking 11 shots in both contests, including four threes in Game 1 and three shots from distance in Game 2. However, from a scoring perspective, he had a much better first game than second game, posting 23 points and 10 points, respectively -- the difference mostly coming down to two more made three-pointers and three more made free-throws.
Aside from his consistent shot attempts, Ibaka has also been a constant force on the glass and blocking shots, posting 12 boards and two blocks in Game 1 and pairing nine rebounds with three swats during Game 2. All the aforementioned production has led him to averaging 38.3 fantasy points -- a great mark relative to his price for Friday's Game 3.
Center
Tyler Zeller, MIL vs. BOS ($3,500)
Starting center John Henson is doubtful with a back injury for Friday's contest, making it likely that Zeller gets the starting nod and absorbs most, if not all, of Henson's minutes. It's possible Thon Maker draws the start, but he's essentially fallen out of the rotation lately. So even if he does enter the starting five, it's still possible he doesn't see double-digit minutes. It's also possible interim coach Joe Prunty throws out more lineup combinations with Giannis Antetokounmpo at center, though that could get squashed quickly by coach Brad Stevens deploying an Aron Baynes/Al Horford frontcourt.
Taking all of that into account, Zeller seems like a relatively safe play at minimum price, even if it doesn't come with massive upside. He's been generally productive when given extended run, averaging 22.9 fantasy points when he's seen at least 22 minutes and 25.4 fantasy points when he's seen at least 25 minutes. If you're looking to squeeze multiple top-tier players into your lineup Friday (i.e. LeBron, Giannis, Wall), Zeller could end up being the best source of salary relief available.
