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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on May 22, 2023. Juan Carlos Blanco provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a one-game playoff slate on Wednesday, which kicks in DraftKings' and FanDuel's single-game contest formats. There are no set roster positions, as would be the case on a multi-game ledger, but there are several position-less multiplier spots on FD and a 1.5x multiplier Captain's spot on DK. As such, this article will carry suggestions geared toward that unique setup.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/22/23. Remember to monitor the NBA injury report and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before the lineup locks at 8:30 pm EST.
Good luck, RotoBallers!
DraftKings (1.5x) and FanDuel (2x) Captain/MVP - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic, DEN - ($20,100 DK Captain; $17,500 FD)
Jokic's candidacy for the top multiplier spot is a no-brainer considering he'd rattled off four straight triple-doubles prior to a slight dip in production in Game 3. Nevertheless, even a "down game" for Jokic equaled 45.5 DK/44.2 FD points. With a highly coveted Finals appearance now firmly in Denver's reach, the big man should be set for another prolific line that could make him the difference in tournaments.
Nikola Jokic dimes up Michael Porter Jr. for the triple to extend the Nuggets lead late in the 4th quarter 😤pic.twitter.com/CcCFTujFlD
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 21, 2023
Anthony Davis, LAL - ($17,400 DK Captain; $16,500 FD)
Just as Jokic will undoubtedly be highly aggressive as Denver looks to close out the series, there's a good chance Davis will be doing everything he can to help the Lakers stave off elimination. AD has been over 50 fantasy points on both sites in four consecutive contests, racking up a double-double in each of those games. He's averaging 25.8 points, 15.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game in the first three games versus Denver, making him an ideal candidate for this multiplier spot as well.
Jamal Murray, DEN - ($15,600 DK Captain; $15,000 FD)
Murray has been providing MVP-level production throughout the postseason. He has been especially proficient over the first three games of the series against the Lakers with averages of 35.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.0 steals while shooting 52.1 percent, including 45.5 percent from three-point range. With a ceiling north of 60 fantasy points on both sites, he presents a cost-effective way to fill your top multiplier spot.
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DraftKings Utility/ FanDuel STAR (1.5x) Plays - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
LeBron James, LAL - ($18,000 DK; $14,500 FD)
James is a borderline Captain/MVP spot candidate, and he's easily the best STAR candidate on FD. The future Hall of Famer's production certainly isn't too far behind the three players already mentioned above. He's clocking over 54 fantasy points per contest in the first three games of the series on the strength of 23.7 points, 10.3 assists, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks across 41 minutes per contest.
James is shooting an abysmal and atypically low 15.8 percent from three-point range in that span as well. If he sees even a slight course correction in that category in Los Angeles' do-or-die scenario Monday, he could pay even better dividends than he already has.
Austin Reaves, LAL - ($11,100 DK; $12,500 FD)
Reaves has made a name for himself this postseason, and he's been at his most consistent over the four-game stretch dating back to Game 6 against the Warriors in the semifinal round. The second-year guard is averaging 22.8 points (on 55.8 percent shooting, including 60.7 percent from distance), 4.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over 39.3 minutes per game in that span. He's put up double-digit shot attempts in six consecutive contests overall. With backcourt mate D'Angelo Russell scuffling badly and the Lakers down to their last out, Reaves should continue seeing plenty of opportunities Monday.
FanDuel PRO (1.2x)/ Utility Plays - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Michael Porter Jr., DEN - ($10,800 DK; $11,000 FD)
Porter has bounced back from a pair of sub-standard showings in the semifinal-round series against the Suns to put together a very productive first three games versus the Lakers. He is averaging 36 DK/33 FD points on the strength of 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 34.7 minutes per contest while shooting a blistering 47.8 percent from three-point range.
Porter is putting up a solid 11 shot attempts per game against Los Angeles. The Lakers are now allowing the fifth-most rebounds per home game of any team in the original 16-team playoff field (45.4), making Porter a highly prudent play.
Bruce Brown, DEN - ($9,900 DK; $10,000 FD)
Brown has been on quite the roll since Game 5 of the semifinal-round series against the Suns, offering 16.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 52.6 percent across 29.6 minutes per contest. The valued second-unit guard should once again be in line for a minutes load in the mid-20s at minimum as has been the norm of late, rendering him an intriguing value play at his salaries.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DEN ($9,600 DK; $9,000 FD); Rui Hachimura, LAL ($6,900 DK; $7,500 FD)
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