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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 15, 2020. Jake Finnen provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Single-game contests are a great way to get fully involved in a small slate, and one game Saturday doesn't give us any other options. While most fans are still wishing it were the Suns and Trail Blazers competing, this play-in game is a first for everyone and should give Damian Lillard another chance to make history in the bubble. Lillard hit another, higher gear when Portland needed him most, and more and more teams grow fearful of seeing Lillard in any round of the playoffs. Not to distract from what is really important, but Lillard needs to be the top guy for lineups, just in case.
All the previous games for the Trail Blazers have had serious implications, same with the Grizzlies, meaning both these teams have become normalized to intense game situations. Despite Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas having the skill to carry a team through one game, they are facing, literally, the last player you want to play against in an elimination game.
Here are our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/15/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Dillon Brooks - SG, MEM vs POR ($6,600)
Since you are not going to want to pass up on Damian Lillard for MVP, these options being listed are just reasonings to why you should spend less for these options so you can spend up elsewhere. If you are tinkering or debating slots, use this to help guide your decision. Dillon Brooks might not be the typical player that thrives when the game is on the line, but there are few players with his scoring upside weirdly enough. No other player takes nearly as many shots as Brooks, and although he misses quite a ton, taking the gamble on Brooks has a chance of paying off. Really, anything is going to be possible with both of these defenses gracing the floor. Points will be scored.
Gary Trent Jr. - SG/SF, POR vs MEM ($6,200)
Somewhat the opposite of Brooks, and cheaper, Gary Trent Jr. will once again make his presence felt, only on a national stage. He has been anchoring his production through scoring, but the way the Trail Blazers have set up their offense, Trent is a key contributor and has upside every game. He will hit shots and when he is having one of those games where he just can't miss, his point-reliance won't matter. He has shown the ability to fill the stat sheet, but between the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers, there is no shortage of athletic, hustle players that willingly chase down rebounds. Trent will have to score to exceed his projected Saturday.
Grayson Allen - SG, MEM vs POR ($4,800)
The riskiest pick of the three because he is also the MOST point-reliant. Grayson Allen will need to score, not just to exceed his projected, but if Memphis wants to move deeper into the playoffs. He won't face much easier defenses later, so Allen taking advantage of this matchup could be huge for his team, but more importantly, DFS. Like mentioned earlier, the risk is there and almost guaranteed, but the Jaren Jackson Jr. injury has opened up the offense. If Brooks isn't able to hit, then Allen is next up to get minutes and the green light. This is the time for desperation.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Zach Collins - PF, POR vs MEM ($4,600)
Zach Collins has been quick off the bench 'for the past year or so', but his upside remains limited until he shows consistency. He can hit threes, play defense, rebound...in surges. This leads to upside, but for some reason he can't seem to put all the pieces together at the same time to dish out awesomely productive DFS nights. Pay attention to any updates where Collins might see a few extra minutes. That would be a reason for an automatic start.
Anthony Tolliver - PF, MEM vs POR ($3,200)
This is the cheapest pick of the night and rostering Anthony Tolliver could be what propels you into the money. Don't get me wrong, his price comes with heavy risk, but Tolliver has been playing in important role in a lot of the Grizzlies more recent games. He rebounds, plays defense, and takes threes. You can't ask for much more from a veteran on a young team, so don't get distracted by what you see on paper. Tolliver has been a huge part of the team and when he is on the court, you can't ignore him. Look for his experience to be the reason he sees so many minutes tomorrow.
Carmelo Anthony - SF, POR vs MEM ($7,200)
If there is one player you can count on not changing his style in a high-pressure game, it's Carmelo Anthony. For the Grizzlies, the top sources of production are coming from Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas, with Brandon Clarke sprinkled in. On the opposite end, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are the obvious one and two, but Carmelo Anthony is somehow in the shadows with everything that is going on with Gary Trent. If Trent continues his hot shooting, the floor opens up for Anthony, which is frightening for any team. Since Trent has shown no signs of slowing down, Anthony is more than a viable play. Even if Trent has an off game, that just means more points for Melo.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jusuf Nurkic - PF/C, ($10,000) vs. Jonas Valanciunas - C, ($8,600)
Despite Jonas Valanciunas triple-doubling last game, Jusuf Nurkic has the advantage. Nurkic is more consistent and is able to control the paint with more ease on defense. Offensively, Valanciunas can compete with anyone, but his athleticism makes it tough for him to defend for long periods. Although the Grizzlies can't afford to NOT play Valanciunas, he hasn't shown the same durability that Nurkic has shown over the past week.
It's going to be a battle, and by no means does Nurkic' defense scare me away from playing JVal on any other night, but straight up against eachother, Nurkic has the chance to pile up numerous defensive stats along with plenty of actual points.
