Injury Report
The biggest injury news is that Durant is on the injury report with a right knee contusion he reportedly sustained in practice this week. However, Durant is likely to play. More will be known about Durant’s injury during the Rockets’ shootaround today.
“A source told ESPN that Durant sustained the injury during practice this week, but the Rockets are optimistic his knee will not be a significant issue during the series,” per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic (hamstring): Out indefinitely
Austin Reaves (oblique): Out indefinitely
Houston Rockets
Steven Adams (ankle): Out for season
Fred VanVleet (ACL): Out for season
Kevin Durant (right knee contusion): Questionable.
Projected Starting Lineup:
Houston and Los Angeles have two of the best starting fives in the game. The Lakers’ depth and firepower are obviously a little depleted with their two leading scorers out.
Lakers Starting Five and Rotation
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Luke Kennard
SF: LeBron James
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Deandre Ayton
6th: Jake LaRavia
7th: Jaxson Hayes
8th: Jared Vanderbilt
9th: Nick Smith Jr.
Rockets Starting Five and Rotation
PG: Amen Thompson
SG: Reed Sheppard
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Jabari Smith JR.
C: Alperen Sengun
6th: Tari Eason: Likely to start if Durant is ruled out.
7th: Dorian Finney-Smith
8th: Clint Capela
9th: Aaron Holiday
10th: Josh Okogie
Fantasy Plays:
LeBron James
James is one of the top postseason players in NBA history. James has been very good down the stretch and is expected to continue to see a spike in usage with Doncic and Reaves out. He has scored at least 26 points and produced three double-doubles in three of his last five games.
James has been highly efficient scorer against the Rockets this season, though he hasn’t produced many assists or rebounds. James averages 21.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists with shooting splits of 51.2/29.4/74.2 in games he has played at least 30 minutes. However, in games with 3+ days off this season, his scoring and shooting efficiency have gone down, though his assists are up.
Kevin Durant
Durant is an elite playoff scorer at 29 points per game for his career and is a smash play if not limited by the knee contusion. Durant, who has scored 24+ points in five straight games, has been good against the Lakers this year, though, like James, his scoring numbers are down due to pace. He averages 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists with shooting splits of 51.1/41.1/88.0 in games where he plays at least 30 minutes. His numbers are even better when he plays 40 minutes.
Alperen Sengun
Sengun is a top play today and gets a boost if Durant is limited. The Lakers have struggled mightily against centers post-all-star break, allowing 24.5 points, on nearly 60% from the field, 14.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
While Sengun’s production was inconsistent down the stretch, he was fantastic against the Lakers in his two games this year. Sengun is a double-double threat throughout the series. He averages 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the 60 gams he has played at least 30 minutes. He has produced 34 double-doubles and four triple-doubles this season. His offensive numbers have spiked after 3+days off.
Amen Thompson
Thompson is coming off a career-high 41 points against Minnesota on April 10, giving 33 games of at least 20 points this season. Thompson, who is a fantastic rebounder, has improved as a scorer and facilitator this season. He has three 30+ point games and 20 double-doubles this season.
Thompson has been absolutely fabulous against the Lakers this season, averaging 23.7 points on 60.8% shooting from the field and 10 rebounds. Thompson can produce defensive numbers and is a consistent rebounder and passer, though his scoring and shooting numbers have taken a hit when he is off for 3-plus days. He also excels in transition.
Deandre Ayton
Ayton has been inconsistent this year, but he has two 20-point outings and a double-double in his last five games. He has been extremely efficient against the Rockets this year and has 47 double-figure games, including 14 games of 2o+ points, and 22 double-doubles.
Jabari Smith Jr.
Smith has been much better offensively after the post-all-star break and is a consistent rebounder. Since the all-star break, Smith has averaged 17.0 points, 2.5 threes, and 6.7 rebounds with shooting splits of 47.5/37.1/77.6. He has been very productive against the Lakers this year.
Others To Consider
Reed Sheppard, Luke Kennard, and Jaxson Hayes
