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We are up to Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Suns and Bucks. Dario Saric for the Suns and Donte DiVincenzo for the Bucks are the only players out as the series moves to Milwaukee. The Bucks dug themselves a 0-2 hole, but they were 26-10 at the FiServ Forum this year. They're going to need some of that home magic to avoid a hole they can't dig themselves out of.
We are in Showdown mode for DFS on DraftKings from here on out. To build our rosters for this particular format, we need to identify a Captain and five utility players. It's just like the analytics nerds dreamt it up: positionless basketball. The Captain will earn 1.5 times the amount of points he regularly tallies, but it also drives up the price for your more prominent players.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/11/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. With COVID-19 a significant factor, remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
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Milwaukee Bucks (-4, 222 total)
Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C (Captain: $17,700, Utility: $11,800)
Giannis wasn't much of a factor even when he did play in the Atlanta series, but he has 125.25 DraftKings points in the first two games of this series. Middleton's shooting has been a problem and Chris Paul has been a huge issue for Jrue Holiday. That feeds into Giannis putting up otherworldly numbers, but it isn't necessarily great for the Bucks as a team. Many think the Bucks wont go down 0-3, but they also expect this game to be close. One feeds into a huge game from Giannis, but the other may not. That said, there have been plenty of instances where Giannis goes bonkers with a few other Bucks also producing decent numbers. That's what I think happens tonight. I can see not using Giannis at captain in GPP's, but not in cash. Even if he's not your captain, he needs to be in your lineups in some capacity.
Jrue Holiday - PG/SG (Captain: $13,200, Utility: $8,800)
Holiday has been a bit of a disappointment with only 72.5 DraftKings points in the first two games of the series. However, do we all just expect him to shoot this poorly from the floor the entire series? Holiday has only made 11 of his 35 attempted shots in this series. For a guy that shot 47.8% from teh floor this season, some progression should be coming. Those stats aren't so horrid when you realize how poorly he has been shooting. If Holiday finds his stroke, he's going to be outstanding at this price.
Brook Lopez - C ($6,600)
Lopez has been solid but unspectacular in the first two games of this series. He's perfect for cash games right now, but he may not have the upside you want in a GPP lineup. However, the kind of consistency that Lopez provides is valuable in any format. Not every play has to be a dart throw to take down a GPP. Sometimes a lineup full of strong, solid plays can accomplish that feat. Lopez will be in my builds where I try for that.
Other options: Khris Middleton ($9,600), P.J. Tucker ($4,200)
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Phoenix Suns (+4, 222 total)
Chris Paul - PG (Captain: $14,700, Utility: $9,800)
I would consider Paul the safest play for the Suns, even though Devin Booker still has more upside. Paul has 94 DraftKings points in the first two games of the Finals in his quest for his first NBA title. That alone is enough of a motivator for Paul, who has been in the league long enough to truly appreciate the enormity of the situation. He's the safest play on either team for cash games, but if you absolutely must have that upside, go with Booker instead.
Deandre Ayton - C (Captain: $13.500, Utility: $9,000)
Our days of questioning whether we can run Ayton at captain should be over by now. He has been very good in these playoffs and has 90.5 DraftKings points in the first two games of the Finals. Running him at captain allows for much more roster flexibility, especially if you are going to load up on Bucks with the series heading to Milwaukee. Ayton is the only guy that I really feel is underpriced. He is a strong piece of any lineup build in any format at the price and production.
Cameron Johnson - SF/PF ($4,600)
Johnson may see a few more minutes with Saric out, but his role seems to be consistently safe right now. He's going to play around 20 minutes and get you somewhere between 15-25 DraftKings points. The upside on Bridges is far greater if you can afford it, but we need value somewhere. Johnson seems to be one of the more consistent places to get it while providing the upside that you just don't get with P.J. Tucker.
Other options: Devin Booker ($10,600), Mikal Bridges ($7,200)
