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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 3, 2019. Daniel Benjamin provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The third Friday of the postseason is back to a two-game slate. Both series, Celtics- Bucks and Blazers-Nuggets, are deadlock at one game apiece. But tonight's game will be the first time that Boston and Portland will host a game in the series.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/3/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings.
You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups too early. Find me @ZoneDeeSports on Twitter.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
C.J. McCollum: PG/SG DEN @ POR ($6,600)
One thing that is known for sure is if Portland is going to win the series or at least force it to go seven games, McCollum will have to play as he did in Game 2. The 6-foot-3 combo guard contributed 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and doled out six assists while making eight of 20 shots from the field, including three of seven from beyond the arc.
McCollum, who has seen his usage increase during the postseason, has scored at least 20 points in five of his seven playoff games and hauled in six or more rebounds on four occasions. While the 27-year-old has not shot the ball well against the Nuggets this season, he averaged 21.5 points a game while making 46.8% of his shots from the field at the Moda Center.
Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving are always going to be decent plays at worst. Terry Rozier is a strong cheap play while George Hill and Malik Beasley are also inexpensive options.
Jaylen Brown: SG/SF MIL vs. BOS ($5,200)
The 22-year-old, who closed out the regular season strong, has played well over the last four playoff games. Brown has scored in double-figures in four of his six postseason appearances and is averaging 18 points, six rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals while shooting 60.9 percent from the field and 60 percent from beyond the arc in the first two games of the series. Overall, he has played well against the Bucks in four games, tallying 15 or more points in each of those contests. Brown is averaging a solid 1.43 points per shot and an effective shooting percentage of 62.7 percent.
Rodney Hood is a good cheaper play.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Khris Middleton: SG/SF MIL @ BOS ($6,800)
Middleton is coming off his best shooting performance of the postseason in Game 2 as he scored a playoff-high 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the floor and 7-for-10 from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-8 wing also collected seven rebounds in the contest. The strong outing followed his second career double-double in Game 1. He has played well against the Celtics this season. Middleton is averaging 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 treys while shooting 47.6 percent from the field as well as 55.3 percent from downtown.
Marcus Morris and Al-Farouq Aminu could be strong cheaper plays. Pat Connaughton is a punt play option.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: SF/PF MIL @ BOS ($10,200)
There really is not much to say about the Greek Freak as he is one of the top-five players in the game today. He is coming off his fourth double-double of the postseason in Game 2 and has recorded 50 or more DK points in four of his six postseason appearances. Plus, Antetokounmpo has thrived against the Celtics this season producing 28.8 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.4 steals, and 11 free throw attempts while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor.
Nikola Mirotic is also an option.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Nikola Jokic: C DEN @ POR ($10,300)
DFS players can't go wrong if they want to use money in another place by going with Al Horford, Enes Kanter or Paul Millsap here, but Jokic has the biggest upside. While he has been hot and cold shooting the ball this postseason, due to his terrific rebounding and outstanding passing ability. The 24-year-old, who has posted at least 43 DK fantasy points in each playoff game this season, has compiled seven double-doubles and two triple-doubles so far in the postseason.
The 7-footer has been dominant against the Trail Blazers this season, tallying 26 points along with 10.4 caroms, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals. He also has shot 57.6 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from long distance.
