Pivotal Game 4 Strategy

We have arrived at the game fours of Round 2, with each series being set at a 2-1 advantage for one team. The results of these game four matchups will be pivotal for how we approach our strategy for the rest of the round. Let's examine our four matchups:

Sunday:

Boston @ Philadelphia [Boston leads 2-1]

The 76ers shocked Boston on their home court when they were without Joel Embiid. They have proceeded to lose two in a row when Embiid returned. Go figure. This team is a bit of a second round enigma, always looking promising going into the round but struggling more than one would expect. The fact that Boston won on the road in convincing fashion should make you more confident to start draining 76ers faster than Steph Curry would drain shots in a big game. I've picked one 76er so far in each format, with Tobias Harris (on Google Drive) and Paul Reed (on Fantasy Postseason). Today, I'm going with Joel Embiid in both formats. The Celtics have convinced me they have what it takes to win this. Or the 76ers have convinced me they don't have what it takes. One of the two. 

Denver @ Phoenix [Denver leads 2-1]

As of yet so far, we've seen the home teams cooking in this series. Will this continue throughout the round? There are often series in the NBA playoffs where we see home teams continue to come out on top all the way until game 7. For Phoenix, they have two beast-mode players in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. I'm not sure how long they can ride a two man show for wins, but I'll enjoy watching that ride for as long as it lasts. I've yet to make a decision in this series in terms of my picks. I've used Jamaal Murray and Kevin Durant in Google Drive. I've been more cautious in Fantasy Postseason due to the round multiplier, picking Aaron Gordon and, regrettably, De'Andre Ayton. With my Embiid pick locked in, I plan to see how game 4 goes and save Booker/Jokic for the first elimination game.

Monday:

NY Knicks @ Miami [Miami leads 2-1]

The Miami Heat won convincingly in game 3. Meanwhile, the Knicks only win in game 2 was anything but convincing, despite being on their home court and Jimmy Butler being out. At this point, I'm willing to bet on the Heat. I've picked Julius Randle in both formats, who was alright but underwhelming. I picked RJ Barrett as well in Google Drive, and, regrettably, Mitchell Robinson in Fantasy Postseason. On Monday, this is the series I recommend picking from. I've got Jalen Brunson lined up and ready to go in both formats.

Golden State @ LA Lakers [Lakers lead 2-1]

The Lakers have turned back the clock and are back to their winning ways. However, you should not be counting Golden State out at this point. I am planning to wait on this series for the time being because the Knicks appear as easier targets for now. I've picked Steph Curry and Draymond Green in Google Drive. I've picked, regrettably, Kevon Looney in Fantasy Postseason (right at the moment he got sick and came off the bench). We will see how game 4 goes and proceed from there.