Houston F Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 2 of the Rockets vs. Lakers playoff game at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 21.
Durant suffered the knee injury in practice ahead of Game 1. While it was initially reported as “not significant,” he missed the series opener. KD is in danger of missing his second consecutive game to open the NBA Playoffs.
Below, we'll break down the latest Kevin Durant injury update and who to target on PrizePicks if the Rockets’ leading scorer is out once again.
Make your NBA Playoff picks on PrizePicks — including ones on Rockets vs. Lakers and other Tuesday games.
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Kevin Durant Injury Update: Is Durant Playing Tonight vs. Lakers?
The NBA injury report lists Durant as questionable due to a right knee contusion. As mentioned, he’s missed only one game from the injury, as it was sustained in practice leading up to the playoffs.
ESPN’s Shams Charnania gave an update on KD’s knee swelling on Monday, emphasizing the Rockets are still optimistic he could return for Game 2. Head coach Ime Udoka then labeled Durant a game-time decision after he participated in about half of Monday’s practice.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported on Tuesday afternoon that there’s optimism for Durant to play tonight.
If he’s active, pick More or Less for Kevin Durant’s 22.5 points projection today on PrizePicks.
What Players to Target on PrizePicks if Durant Is Out?
In Game 1 without Durant, Rockets G Reed Sheppard elevated his regular-season 13.5 points per game (PPG) to 17 points. Houston F Tari Eason also posted 16 points, surpassing his 10.5 PPG regular-season average.
While Eason was highly efficient by making 7 of 7 field goal attempts, Sheppard made only 6 of 20 shots (30.0%) and 5 of 14 looks from 3-point land (35.7%).
When Durant is off the court, Sheppard (+4.6%) and Rockets F Jabari Smith (2.4%) see the largest increases in usage rate, per FantasyLabs. That came to fruition in Game 1, as Sheppard logged 36 minutes compared to 26.2 in the regular season. Plus, Smith played a whopping 43 minutes compared to 35.1 on the season.
Frankly, the starters and Sheppard took on the bulk of the minutes with KD inactive, as Rockets G Amen Thompson also saw his 37.4 minutes per game average spike to 43 minutes in Game 1.
Here are the Rockets players who may benefit most on PrizePicks if Durant is out — and their stat projections for Tuesday.
- G Reed Sheppard — 17.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 11 Field Goals Attempted / 7.5 3-pointers Attempted
- F Jabari Smith — 14.5 Points / 23.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 29 Fantasy Score
- G Amen Thompson — 17.5 Points / 30 Pts+Rebs+Asts / 40 Fantasy Score
While Sheppard was inefficient in Game 1, his increased usage was undeniable. In addition to recording nearly 10.0 minutes more than usual, he racked up 20 field goal attempts compared to 11.5 shots per game on the season.
Pick More or Less Rockets player stats on PrizePicks now before 10:30 p.m. ET tip.
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Make Rockets vs. Lakers Picks on PrizePicks
If Durant misses his second consecutive game, Houston’s starting lineup with Sheppard inserted into the lineup could be in store for big-time minutes on Tuesday night.
Don't wait until lock — make your Rockets vs. Lakers picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.
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