You hate to see injuries impacting the playoffs so much, but that is the main storyline for Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in tonight’s Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 matchup. Injuries to the Championship-favorite Nets will play a huge part in setting your lineups for MomentRanks Play today, a Top Shot daily fantasy game.
Only a few hours ago it was announced that James Harden is expected to try to play tonight. How is that going to impact what Moments we choose for our MomentRanks Play lineups? Do we trust Harden to be able to stay on the court? Or do you leave him on the bench and take players that actually get minutes?
That’s going to be a make or break call for every one attempting to build the best Play lineup and win their matchups.
The Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo are probably excited for tonight, they could very easily steal a win in Brooklyn and look to finish off the Finals favorites in six games on their own floor. They are now the favorite on the betting lines for the series. Today’s Game 5 is shaping up to be one of the most important games of the year and should have some great sleeper potential for Play.
Make sure you set your lineups for 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 into it!
Core Moments
Kevin Durant — Series 2 Common /15,000 3-Pointer ($60)
With the 2021 NBA Playoffs Packs releasing, Durant now has a block Moment to go along with his options of scoring and 3-pointer. I’m still going with the 3-pointer because his last ten average in the category is at 2.4, and with Kyrie Irving out for this contest, Durant very well might be shooting more than normal to keep the Nets in the game. Durant would need four threes to outscore two blocks, and has only had two blocks once this series.
Go with the old faithful and lock in the 3-point Moment.
Giannis Antetokounmpo — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Dunk ($8)
I do not like recommending a scoring Moment but Giannis has not been distributing against the Nets, tallying 16 total dimes over four games. Nor has the Greek Freak been blocking many shots, which is his only other Moment type option, having only seven in the eight playoff games he’s been a part of this season.
By process of elimination you are best off going with the scoring Moment, as Antetokounmpo should get to 30 points tonight and hit his boost.
Jrue Holiday — Series 1 Assist /3342 Assist ($150)
Price on this one is steep but the only cheaper options are scoring Moments and Holiday just doesn’t do all that much in that category. He is a distributor first, and I expect that to continue this evening, you’ll want to have this Moment in your line up to properly utilize Holiday. However, with the scarcity of talent and just one game tonight you likely are not finding better options on base score alone so taking him on his cheapest scoring moment is fine as well.
James Harden — Series 2 Common /10,000 Handles ($44)
This is how I would play Harden if I felt I had to, however he will be riding my bench tonight as I do not trust hamstring injuries. If he does play and there’s any chance he’s not just a decoy, his main purpose will be passing the ball. The Nets lack distribution and desperately need someone who will get other players open.
Again, I am benching Harden in my lineups unless he somehow looks superhuman in warmups. I very much doubt he will, I believe this is mostly a tactic to make the Bucks plan for him.
Khris Middleton — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Assist ($6)
I am a bit torn here, as I almost went with the scoring Moment. If Brooklyn throws the kitchen sink at Giannis, Middleton could have a big night shooting. However, his assist total was at eight last game and that’s much higher than his 4.4 L10 average, so with a depleted core of guards I think that Middleton again can get to 5 or more assists.
I’m avoiding the 3-pointer for him because he hasn’t hit more than 3 in any playoff game this year. Go with the assist unless you think this is a 35-point Middleton night.
Sleeper Moments
Blake Griffin — Series 2 Common /40,000+ Dunk ($5)
It is rough out there for sleepers today, and my choice of Blake Griffin should illustrate that. My opinion is that you need to take a Nets player to soak up the minutes available from the injuries. To me, Griffin is going to need to be great if the Nets have a shot at winning this evening. So I’ll back him on his only Moment type. It’s crazy to say, but I am likely starting him over James Harden.
Landry Shamet — Series 2 Common /40,000+ 3-Pointer ($4)
Another rough one, but I could see Shamet hoisting a fair number of attempts from three if this one starts to get out of hand. The same case could be made for Mike James who also has a 3-point Moment. These are very hard to truly support but have the upside that you may need to sneak into the top of the Daily Contest with such scarce options.
Brynn Forbes — Series 2 Common /12,000 3-Pointer ($9)
This one might have some interesting potential with the front court defense of the Nets in question. I could see Forbes coming in and getting hot against the second team tonight. He would need to hit three three-pointers to hit his bonus, and you’re only playing this if you think he has a chance at 5 or 6. Which isn’t that unrealistic.
Have questions about setting your lineup on Play? Check out the Play FAQ, or send me a tweet, @JustinPerri8.