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Franz and Paolo Break the Mold
A photograph of Paolo Banchero, Magic Forward, celebrating after his game-three win against the defending champions in the Celtics. (Athlete: Paolo Banchero Source: ajc.com Photograph by AP Photo/John Raoux, Date: April 25th, 2025)
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero were not supposed to be fantasy playoff stars. They were supposed to be learning on the fly, outmatched by a seasoned Celtics squad.
Instead, they exploded in Game 3, combining for 61 points to beat the defending champs 95–93. DFS players who rolled with them at under $6000 apiece struck gold.
Boston’s defense was no joke, but the Magic outmuscled them and made every possession count. The duo scored efficiently and racked up fantasy points through rebounds and assists.
High Value, Low Ownership
Premium price, premium payoff. Wagner and Banchero justified every DFS dollar in Game 3 — and this snapshot shows exactly why they became elite playoff plays(Source: Original)
Wagner dropped 32 and Banchero added 29, both playoff career highs. That performance flipped the narrative on Orlando’s playoff chances and their fantasy value.
DFS winners that night were the ones who ignored the “rookie nerves” narrative. They trusted recent form, matchup weaknesses, and value pricing. And the results were glorious: Franz and Paolo went from risky GPP plays to must-roster mainstays in a single night. It was the kind of swing only fantasy playoffs can offer.
Although the Magic have been eliminated by the Celtics, they have a bright future led by these two stars. They are reliable fantasy options heading into the 2025-2026 season.
The Blueprint for Fantasy Upsets
The playoff fantasy formula no one talks about: fresh legs, nothing to lose, and unlimited upside. This is how breakout slates are born: simple math, big results. (Source: Original)
So what is the lesson here? Never underestimate young legs in a playoff warzone.
Especially when that warzone involves defensive-minded grinders like Boston, and a team hungry to prove themselves. These breakout games often come from teams that have nothing to lose. That night wasn’t a fluke: it was a fantasy blueprint. One that savvy DFS managers now swear by.
Will you be the next one to catch a $3,000 gem before the rest of the world catches on?
(SportAI Inc TM)
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