The Atlanta Hawks are taking a road win with them to Atlanta and look to hold serve in the first of two games on their own floor. The Nuggets find themselves in a bit more of a precarious scenario in their return home. After essentially giving up with 10 minutes remaining last time out, the pressure is on for Denver to come out and avoid the dreaded 3-0 series deficit to the Suns.
Picking players for these two games likely won’t be the main issue tonight. With Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Trae Young, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Ben Simmons all expected to play, the bigger question probably becomes, who do you sit? I’ll go over all of these players and give a few other sleeper options if you want to consider some high upside plays.
Quick reminder: take part in the Conference Semifinals Head-to-Head Contest! It’s not too late to go on a hot run and get to the top. You never know when the leaders may have a bad day. There are great prizes like Cool Cats Drop 1 packs and more! Then of course there’s also today’s Play Daily Contest for another chance to win Top Shot Packs and Moments.
Always remember that when building your team on MomentRanks Play, each Moment can unlock a Moment Boost by achieving over their last-ten game averages (L10) in the stat that corresponds to the featured play. This means choosing the correct Moment is crucial to your lineup’s success. You can also watch this quick tutorial on Play scoring if you ever need a refresher.
Let’s get started!
Core Moments
Nikola Jokic — Series 2 Common /12,000 3-Pointer ($25)
Did someone say new Moments?! That’s right, we have a brand new affordable play type for the MVP. Today, a new playoff moment for Nikola Jokic was released and I’m going to be using it tonight in his return to Denver. I think we see a revitalized Nuggets team that needs to win this game. With Jokic’s role clearly being a scorer in the playoffs, this new Moment allows us to get a better boost than a traditional scoring moment, while also capitalizing on how he’s playing. He needs two shots from deep to hit the boost and I think he could hit three or four tonight in a must-win game.
Joel Embiid — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Jump Shot ($4)
Embiid also had a new Moment released today, but it was another scoring Moment. So since the price tag to get any other type of boost on him sits at $514, I will be going with the base moment here. All Embiid is really doing stats-wise is scoring anyway. You’re playing him for his base score and because he might drop 45 points on any given night. This is a fine play, and very likely a necessary one.
Trae Young — Series 2 Common /40,000+ 3-Pointer ($4)
I know I always use this Moment but it is hard not to when the player in question has taken 43 shots from behind the arc in the last four games. You’re likely debating between this Moment or the assist, but the right call is the 3-pointer. Trae is coming off a 1-of-7 night from deep and should have a better shooting at home.
Game 2 was only the second time he ever hit just one three in a game over the course of his short playoff career, so expect him to drain 3+ tonight in front of the Atlanta fans and reach his boost.
Devin Booker — Series 2 Common /40,000+ 3-Pointer ($4)
This is probably the make-or-break choice of the night. Are you going to take the 3-pointer or go with the assist? The two seem to be indirectly correlated, so they probably won’t both do well. In Game 1, Booker had eight assists but shot 1-of-4 from deep. In Game 2, it flipped and he had just two assists but shot 3-of-7 on threes. I’m going with the 3-pointer, I think he’s more likely to abandon distributing the ball and shoot more in what could be a losing effort.
Chris Paul — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Assist ($5)
How are you going to fade CP3? You’re not. He’s the floor general of a team that has a diverse set of weapons and they all seem to be playing well currently. Take his assist and play it, don’t ask too many questions on this one as Paul is almost certain to get his boost here. This is my Lock of the Day.
Ben Simmons — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Assist ($3)
It probably comes as no surprise that this is the star I am fading tonight. I do not think the Sixers will have the energy of the Hawks at home and have the Atlanta team winning the game. With that expectation comes Simmons not having the best game, so in effect this is a Core Moment not to play. I consider that just as important of a recommendation.
However, if you disagree with me, you’ll want to play his assist Moment, as he should be the lead distributor for Philadelphia if they do have good ball movement.
Sleeper Moments
Clint Capela — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Block ($3)
I’m going to go with a fan favorite tonight, so I hope you enjoy seeing this Moment here. This is so close to being a must-play Moment, but what are you going to start it over? I’m having a tough time with that myself and haven’t made a final choice on the matter, but I think this could sneak into the top lineup.
Capela could have a monster game at home and come out with 3 blocks and net you a bonus over 20. His L10 average sits at 1.8, so it’s a good place to grab a player with a good base score and high upside.
Jae Crowder — Series 2 Common /40,000+ 3-Pointer ($4)
Crowder shot 3-of-4 from deep in the last game, while the three games before he took nine threes in each contest. Tonight I expect a return to the high volume, and if his shooting keeps up we could be in store for a nice boost on this Moment. Given the level of talent playing tonight, this is a hard sell, but I think Crowder surprises some people. He only has 2.3 threes made a game in the last 10, so when he hits 5 tonight don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Have questions about setting your lineup on Play? Check out the Play FAQ, or send me a tweet, @JustinPerri8.