As part of ESPN Fantasy's efforts to provide daily fantasy gamers with intel on whom to target in DFS, our basketball experts are here to show you which players they are building their teams around and which sleepers they are taking fliers on. Today's panel features Joe Kaiser, Cynthia Frelund and Renee Miller.
Building blocks
Joe Kaiser -- Draymond Green, PF, Golden State Warriors
Without Stephen Curry, the Warriors will be depending on their heart and soul, Green, to close things out at Oracle tonight against the Rockets. Green has put up 12.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in this series, and anything less than those averages tonight would be surprising.
Renee Miller -- Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers
With Chris Paul and Blake Griffin out, the Clippers' playoff future is in major doubt. On the heels of two consecutive wins at home, Portland must smell the blood in the water. Lillard is in a great position to take over the series right now, no offense to the improved defense of Austin Rivers. Lillard hasn't had a really super game so far in the series, though he has been solid in each. With few studs to choose from, I'm most comfortable with Lillard's floor and ceiling tonight.
Cynthia Frelund -- Jeff Green, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
It seems like low-cost guard options will not be hard to find, but also keep an eye on Clippers small forward Green. Green is expected to start and even though it’s only one game, on Monday he saw 31 minutes and added 17 points and 5 rebounds. Do I love the fact that Al-Farouq Aminu will be on the other side of this matchup? Nope. But I do think he’ll be asked to contribute in Griffin’s absence.
Sleeper
Joe Kaiser -- Paul Pierce, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
Minimum priced on both DraftKings ($2,000) and FanDuel ($3,500), the future Hall of Famer is worth a look as the Clippers look to a new lineup following the losses of Paul (hand) and Griffin (quad). There’s a good chance Doc Rivers will rely on Pierce to play over 20 minutes, and he still has the scoring ability to exceed 20 fantasy points, which would make him one of the night’s better values.
Renee Miller -- Luol Deng, SF, Miami Heat
Deng makes a nice mid-range play tonight back in Miami as the Heat look to regain the advantage in the series. Deng is a multi-category contributor who has been shooting extremely well in this series. Look for that to continue especially as Nic Batum remains out for the Hornets. I think a lot of people will flock to Green, now starting for the Clippers, instead of sticking with the somewhat more boring, but safer, Deng.
Cynthia Frelund -- Mason Plumlee, C, Portland Trail Blazers
Just read these three stat lines for the last few games of the series:
31 minutes, 17 points (71.4 percent), 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals
33 minutes, 6 points (40 percent) 21 rebounds, 9 assists
30 minutes, 2 points (16.7 percent), 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 blocks
If you’re looking for potential upside, I think this is a great spot to consider, especially when there are other centers with safer floors.