The first day of the NBA Playoffs did not disappoint; we had some great games, interesting results and a few notable sleepers in the biggest day of action on MomentRanks Play since it was opened to the public.
In case you missed it, MomentRanks launched the First Round Head-to-Head Playoff Contest on Saturday. The contest runs from May 22 to June 6. At the end of the first round, the GMs with the top 50 records across public head-to-heads will be rewarded with Packs or Moments — including Cool Cats Drop 1 packs top the top three!
Many of the biggest names in the NBA are playing today in their 2021 NBA Playoffs debut including Russell Westbrook, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Devin Booker, Julius Randle, Trae Young, and many more. So how are you going to choose just five Top Shot Moments to represent a lineup? Or determine which play type gives a player the best upside on this slate?
Well first, I recommend understanding the updated scoring and bonuses for Play if you haven’t already, as a few things have changed since launch. Keep in mind: play type will dictate the Moment Boost if a player goes over their 10-game averages.
Today, I have targeted a few core Moments and sleepers that might help your team separate from the pack if a player vastly exceeds his last 10-game (L10) averages. I aim to choose Moments on the cheaper side of the market so that everyone can partake.
Be sure to tune in to the MomentRanks Twitch Channel at 12 p.m. EST, where I’ll go over my favorite Moments to play and we’ll open up some Packs won in yesterday’s daily contest! Feel free to bring some questions if you want to learn about Play.
Core Moments
Russell Westbrook — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Dunk ($4)
Essentially a must-start player in some way, Westbrook has the highest average base score by nearly seven points of everyone playing today. His Series 2 Common Dunk is a great way to get his superstar talent on your team. I am expecting Russ to be in most, if not all, of the top scoring lineups for Sunday.
Pivot option: Russell Westbrook Series 2 Cool Cats Common 3-Pointer ($98)
Joel Embiid — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Dunk ($4)
Embiid’s only non-point-scoring Moment is his debut assist moment. This likely means that to take Embiid you will have to go with a points bonus, I think given his L10 points per game of 26.3 and the matchup nightmare he creates for the Wizards, we can expect Embiid to go over his total and notch us those sweet bonus points.
Devin Booker — Series 2 Common /35,000 3-pointer ($5)
I had to make sure I was reading this one right, but it is true, Devin Booker’s L10 3-pointers made per game is only 1.4. That means he hit only 14 3’s in his last ten games; that is absurdly low for him and exactly what we are looking to capitalize on. If Booker goes for 3-point shots, we will likely be sitting pretty. This is a safer play to unlock a higher Moment Boost, and is my featured pick today.
Sleeper Moments
Ja Morant — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Block ($4)
Blocks are one of the best ways to get upside in your lineup if you can get the Moment Boost unlocked and leverage against the field, where scoring play types will be more common. I am going with this Ja Morant Moment to get us there today. Ja’s 10-game average of blocks is 0.2, so one block and we are in business with a 17.8 point Moment Boost; two and we’re at 17.8. I think it is a good risk to take a smart way to play Ja.
Pivot option: Ja Morant Series 2 Common /35,000 Layup ($8)
Rudy Gobert — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Block ($3)
Speaking of blocks, enter none other than Mr. DPOY. The Frenchman is averaging just 1.7 blocks per game in his last 10, but with how Memphis attempts to get in the paint, I think it could be a busy day for Gobert at the rim. Plus, even with Donovan Mitchell returning from injury, Gobert gives a solid base score and the upside for the blocks (biggest Moment Boost) is there. This is a solid sleeper.
Jonas Valanciunas — Series 2 Common /15,000 Dunk ($10)
The highest priced moment to make the Pick and Roll today, Jonas has a L10 points per game of only 17.3. In spots where his team needs him, he has come alive, and the Playoffs is one of them. There is a legitimate chance he threatens 30+ points scored with added minutes. If that comes to fruition, I could see this Moment leading many lineups to victory.
Moments to Avoid
Julius Randle — Series 2 Common /40,000 Jump Shot ($3)
Randle might seem like a nice play, but with a L10 points per game of 25.4, he could have some trouble getting you a Moment Boost. Randle has a tough task going against the big men of Atlanta; I’d let him watch this one from the bench today. In fact, with every Randle on Top Shot being a Play Type tied to points, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to avoid Randle Moments — unless, of course, you’re a Knicks fan.
Have questions about setting your lineup on Play? Check out the Play FAQ, or send me a tweet, @JustinPerri8.