This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
The Rockets have a chance to move on to the NBA Finals on Saturday, but that will be no easy feat to accomplish on the road without Chris Paul (hamstring). With the Warriors looking to force a Game 7, here are some players to consider targeting while crafting your DraftKings entry.
Expensive
James Harden, HOU ($14,700): With Paul out, Harden is going to need a monster performance to get the Rockets a win. He already led the league during the regular season with a 36.3% usage rate and he's match that so far in the playoffs. He struggled from the field in Game 5 and is 3-for-23 from behind the arc in the last two games, but he has the highest upside of anyone taking the floor in Game 6.
Stephen Curry, GS ($13,300): Curry has provided consistent production in this series, scoring at least 44 DraftKings points in four of five games. His two highest point totals both came at home, scoring 35 points in Game 3 and 28 points in Game 4. With the Warriors trying to stay alive with a win on their own floor, expect Curry to rise to the occasion with a big performance.
Mid-Tier
Eric Gordon, HOU ($11,200): Gordon exploded offensively in Game 5, resulting in 38 DraftKings points. He didn't play well in the first two games at the Warriors, but he should move into the starting lineup for Game 6 in place of Paul. He excelled in 30 starts during the regular season, averaging 21.5 points and 3.8 three-pointers per contest.
Clint Capela, HOU ($9,900): The Warriors going small has resulted in less playing time for Capela in this series as he has logged 27 minutes or fewer in each of the last three games. He hasn't had a high ceiling as a result, but he did score 34.5 DraftKings points in Game 5 despite only attempting six shots. The Rockets may ask a little more from him offensively with Paul out, so he could be worth taking a chance on at this reasonable price.
Discount
Kevon Looney, GS ($3,800):Andre Iguodala's (knee) status for Saturday is still in doubt, which could lead to another start for Looney. Looney logged at least 22 minutes in both starts, scoring 15 and 12.8 DraftKings points, respectively. He doesn't carry much offensive upside even in a starting role, but he has scored at least 10 DraftKings points each game of this series and is a viable option in tournament play to help with your budget.
Gerald Green, HOU ($3,600): Green has played fewer than 20 minutes in four of the five games in this series, but with Gordon shifting into the starting five, Green could take over his role as the main scoring threat off the bench. The Rockets have already been playing small with Harden, Paul, Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Trevor Ariza even all on the floor together at times, so Green could be a part of that unit with Paul out. In 28 games that Green logged at least 20 minutes during the regular season, he averaged 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 three-pointers per contest.
