Monday NBA Playoffs 3-Pack
All 3 of Monday’s games are the 2nd of their series. Let’s take a look at how each game 1 went and project what will happen in their game 2s.
Knicks vs. Heat
This game really wasn’t a game at all. The Heat had something to prove and they did just that. Fresh off the news that Rose would be out for the rest of the Playoffs the Heat knew the East was theirs for the taking. LeBron also wanted to prove that he means business this postseason and that he could continue his amazing play from the regular season. The Heat used a 32-2 run to completely wipe the Knicks off the court.
Projections
I feel that since the Knicks took the ultimate slap to the face in the first game they will certainly come out with more to prove. They do not want to get blown out and swept out of the playoffs. Pride will take over and they will keep this game close for at least 3 quarters.
LeBron James: He will get even more playing time than the 32 mins he got in game one. All this can mean is an even higher production. He will fill up the stat sheet even more in game 2 and still have around 30 points. All this together and we are looking at a 50 fantasy point night.
Dwyane Wade: He will continue to play second fiddle to LeBron the rest of the playoffs. Expect his numbers to be better than in game one but do not expect his numbers to be as high as in the regular season. Assuming he gets a little more playing time and continues to produce middle of the line numbers I think about 30 fantasy points is within range.
Chris Bosh: Of the Big 3 I expect Bosh’s numbers to increase the most from game 1 to game 2. He only got 24 minutes and still put up numbers that point toward a much larger total in a closer game. I expect him to easily get a double double and get 35 fantasy points.
Carmelo Anthony: He will go nuts this game. Just like toward the end of the regular season when Carmelo was a mortal lock for a huge fantasy night this is no different. He will be very motivated to show he is just as good as the Big 3 and will drop at least 45 fantasy points.
Steve Novak: While I could talk about how Amare or Chandler will improve to respectable numbers for game 2, I think it’s more important to point out the sleeper for game 2. Even though the Knicks lost by 33 Novak was only -7. He was perfect from the field (2-2) and did not make any mistakes. I expect him to get even more playing time as the Knicks realize they have to keep up with the prolific scoring of the Heat. Novak is especially important to play on DraftDay because of their 1 point bonus for 3s. I expect at least a 25 fantasy point night on DraftDay for Mr. Novak.
Magic vs. Pacers
The Magic were the first road team to steal game 1 (not as dramatically as the Clippers’ 27 point comeback the following night). These teams turned out to be very similar in that they both don’t have super stars (Dwight is out), but they both have a solid group of guys who can play very competitively. This will definitely be the closest series in the first round.
Projections
I feel this game will be very close just like game 1. The Pacers will certainly pull away late because they are playing at home and will have all the motivation in the world to even this series out.
Ryan Anderson: I was shocked at his lack of production from game 1 with only 11.75 fantasy points. While most people have been pegging Big Baby as the obvious start with Dwight out, it has actually been Anderson who has improve most over that span. I fully expect Anderson to bounce back in game 2 and be the leading producer for the Magic with at least 35 fantasy points.
Glen Davis: Big Baby remains a very solid and safe pick with the absence of Dwight. He played a full 40 minutes in game 1 and I expect the same in game 2. Big Baby should have another 30 fantasy point night.
Danny Granger: Every time the Pacers play he seems to be the only guy you can count on for solid fantasy production. He is the type of guy who always plays a lot of minutes and can fill the stat sheet. I expect him to be a key player in tonight’s game and easily eclipse the 30 fantasy mark.
Mavericks vs. Thunder
This game was definitely the most exciting of all game 1s. It finished with a miraculous floater by Durant that received an extremely fortunate bounce off the rim and backboard to propel the Thunder to a 1 point win in game 1.
Projections
The Mavericks can either fold because of the way they lost game 1 or they can come out with the most motivation of any team. I think they do the latter and punch the Thunder in the mouth. I expect the Mavericks to take game 2 and show why last year was no fluke.
Dirk Nowitzki: This series begins and ends with Dirk. He was the only reason they won the championship last year and will be the only reason they win any series this year. I expect Dirk to have far more shots this game than in game 1. He will continually throw up 1 legged fade aways in the face of defenders throughout the 4th quarter. I expect at least a 40 fantasy point night.
Russell Westbrook: Being the best scoring and rebounding point guard in the entire NBA always makes for a solid fantasy option. He did not disappoint in game one filling up the stat sheet in route to a 36.5 night. I expect him to continue this trend into game 2 and finish with at least 35 fantasy points.
Kevin Durant: He will always shoot. When the playoffs come around people like Durant always get up their shots. I advise people to use Durant on sites where missed shots do not matter like ProfanitySports. However, on other sites like Draftstreet where every missed shot is -0.50 you can find value elsewhere with Dirk or Carmelo. I expect him to still get his points, as he always does, but only about 35 fantasy points which isn’t necessarily worth his price.
Good luck to everyone tonight and until next time…
keep grinding.