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The top NBA DFS daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel, DraftKings on May 1, 2024. Mike's NBA DFS sleepers picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
We're set for just a two-game playoff slate Wednesday, one that includes a potential elimination game in Heat-Celtics, as well as a key Game 5 battle between the Mavericks and Clippers. Despite the compact player pool, we still have plenty of solid candidates at each position to choose from.
The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/1/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
One of the blessings of a small player pool is the fact the Core plays pretty much step to the forefront. That is certainly true Wednesday, with Luka Doncic the clear top play of the slate in terms of usage and overall ceiling. The star guard has been stellar throughout the series despite some inefficient shooting and is averaging well over 50 fantasy points per contest on both sites. The fact he'll continue to face a Kawhi-less Clippers defense can only help.
Jayson Tatum will undoubtedly have his foot on the gas from buzzer to buzzer as the Celtics look to close out the Heat. The standout forward has scored over 40 fantasy points in three of the first four games despite some ragged shooting (41.2 percent) in his own right, and he'll be in line for even more usage than usual with Kristaps Porzingis (calf), who Tatum boasts a 33.6 percent usage rate and averages of 50.9 DK/48.8 FD points per 36 minutes without, sitting out the game.
James Harden is in a similar position to Tatum in that he'll be taking the floor without a key teammate. In the case of The Beard, that would naturally be Kawhi Leonard, who's confirmed out again with his knee issue. Harden averages 45.9 DK/43.9 FD points per 36 minutes without Leonard on the floor, and he's averaging 54.1 percent, including 50.0 percent from behind the arc, over the first four games versus Dallas.
- Luka Doncic, DAL at LAC – PG ($11.8K DK; $12K FD)
- Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. MIA – SF/PF ($9.7K DK; $9.9K FD)
- James Harden, LAC vs. DAL – PG/SG ($8.3K DK; $9.1K FD)
LUKA DONCIC IS A BAD MAN😱🔥
Ian Eagle: “He is that guy! … He’s fearless. He’s cold blooded.” #NBA #NBAPlayoffspic.twitter.com/j1ssvO9M9F
— Zac (@zacvoynow) April 24, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
Derrick White took over Game 4 in jaw-dropping fashion, finishing with 38 points and 57 DK/55.3 FD points across 41 minutes. He's shooting 56.9 percent, including 47.1 percent from three-point range, over the four games of the series, and he clearly can contribute a solid score without as blistering a hand as he had Monday.
Al Horford is likely due for a start at power forward with Porzingis out, and he's averaging 34.7 DK/34.8 FD points per 36 minutes with the latter off the floor this season. Horford has already eclipsed 20 fantasy points on a couple of occasions during the series in his bench role, and he therefore should be in line for a similar output or greater with more opportunity.
Caleb Martin is yet another potential beneficiary of injuries on his team, as Jaime Jaquez Jr. (hip) will join Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) on the bench Wednesday. Martin is averaging 25.2 DK/25.3 FD points per 36 minutes without that trio on the floor, and although his overall production hasn't been quite what it was during last year's memorable ECF, he has eclipsed 25 fantasy points on both sites in two of the first four games.
Top Value Plays:
- Derrick White, BOS vs. MIA - PG/SG ($6.6K DK; $7.6K FD)
- Al Horford, BOS vs. MIA - PF/C ($5.5K DK; $5.9K FD)
- Caleb Martin, MIA at BOS - SF/PF ($5.4K DK; $5.5K FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
These three players were already discussed above, and they're all very strong values at their respective salaries.
Top PG Options:
- Luka Doncic, DAL at LAC – PG ($11.8K DK; $12K FD)
- James Harden, LAC vs. DAL – PG/SG ($8.3K DK; $9.1K FD)
- Derrick White, BOS vs. MIA - PG/SG ($6.6K DK; $7.6K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
While these three guards didn't quite make the Core Plays list, they're essentially right beneath that talented trio.
Kyrie Irving has been somewhat overshadowed by Doncic's play, but the former is having an excellent series that's seen him shoot 51.3 percent, including 48.5 percent from three-point range, while averaging 44.7 FD points per contest.
Paul George will be another beneficiary of Leonard's absence, considering PG 13 has a team-high 30.4 percent usage rate and averages 46.1 DK/44.4 FD points per 36 minutes with his teammate off the floor. He's also coming off a 60+ fantasy-point tally in Game 4.
Tyler Herro has a 27.8 percent usage rate without the aforementioned trio of Heat players off the floor, and he already has one 50+ fantasy-point tally in this series.
Top SG Options:
- Kyrie Irving, DAL at LAC - SG/PG ($8.8K DK; $9.3K FD)
- Paul George, LAC vs. DAL - SG/SF ($8.1K DK; $8.6K FD)
- Tyler Herro, MIA at BOS - SG/PG ($8K DK; $7.7K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
Jaylen Brown is another Celtic who'll be in line to enjoy additional opportunity Wednesday, as he boasts a 31.2 percent usage rate and average of 43.3 DK/42.4 FD points per 36 minutes with Porzingis off the floor. Brown has also been productive throughout the series, shooting 50.7 percent while averaging 37.6 FD points per contest in the first four games.
Martin's case was discussed earlier, while Duncan Robinson is the quintessential value tournament play Wednesday. With Jaquez out and the Heat desperate to avoid elimination, it may finally be time for Robinson to be unleashed in the series. The sharpshooter has averaged just 10.5 minutes per game in the first four contests, so Robinson should certainly be rostered at a fairly low rate.
Top SF Options:
- Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. MIA - SF/SG ($7.7K DK; $8.4K FD)
- Caleb Martin, MIA at BOS - SF/PF ($5.4K DK; $5.5K FD)
- Duncan Robinson, MIA at BOS - SF/SG ($3.7K DK; $3.6K FD)
JAYLEN BROWN THROWS IT DOWN pic.twitter.com/X13sJJFrps
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 30, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
The case for Tatum and Horford was already broken down earlier in the Core and Value Plays sections, respectively.
Nikola Jovic is an intriguing value play with the Heat's rash of injuries. The second-year pro is averaging 32.9 DK/30.9 FD points per 36 minutes without Butler, Rozier, and Jaquez on the floor, and he's already generated a pair of 30+ fantasy-point tallies during the series.
Top PF Options:
- Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. MIA – PF/SF ($9.7K DK; $9.9K FD)
- Al Horford, BOS vs. MIA - PF/C ($5.5K DK; $5.9K FD)
- Nikola Jovic, MIA at BOS ($5.2K DK; $5K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Center is never going to be deep on a playoff slate, but these three options are pretty much straightforward and clear-cut. Bam Adebayo is the unquestioned top option, considering he's averaging just under 40 fantasy points per game on both sites in the series and is averaging over 46 fantasy points per 36 minutes without Butler, Rozier, and Jaquez on the floor.
Ivica Zubac and P.J. Washington have both provided strong returns on their midrange salaries during the series as well, and both players should once again play key complementary roles Wednesday.
Top C Options:
- Bam Adebayo, MIA at BOS ($8.3K DK; $8.5K FD)
- Ivica Zubac, LAC vs. DAL ($6.3K DK; $6K FD)
- P.J. Washington, DAL at LAC ($5.9K DK; $5.8K FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Maverick at Clippers (208.5 total)
- Heat at Celtics (200.0 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- Jrue Holiday might see a slight uptick in usage with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) out for the Celtics, but he remains very lightly involved offensively and carries salaries ($6K DK; $6.5 FD) that are still a bit elevated for his expected production.
- Russell Westbrook is a future Hall of Famer and naturally carries no shortage of upside, but he's still in a bench role despite Kawhi Leonard's absence and is in a deep shooting funk that's seen him go 2-for-15 over the last two games.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite overall play on the slate: Luka Doncic
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jaylen Brown
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: James Harden
- My favorite value play: Derrick White
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