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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (5/19/21): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 15, 2021. Mike Marteny provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

Today it's the Western Conference's turn. Last night we saw Boston advance and Indiana live to fight another day as we bid adieu to Charlotte. The Lakers and Warriors are in a key playoff matchup again, only this time the winner gets the 7 seed. See what you get for dicking around? Memphis and San Antonio play a true elimination game with the winner taking on the loser of the 7-seed game.

Derrick White, Kelly Oubre, and James Wiseman are about the only rotation players that are ruled out for these games. On top of that, we get a break with no one being listed as questionable. Last night there were more scratches in MLB than NBA. That hasn't happened in years! It makes my job and your research much easier!

This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for the DraftKings on 5/19/21. You can also check out today’s FanDuel lineup picks. It’s also important to monitor injury news as a result of COVID-19 as the slate can completely change before line-up lock. Without further ado, let’s dive into the picks! 

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DraftKings DFS Guards

LeBron James - PG/SF, vs. Golden State ($10,000)

I really don't know what to do with LeBron here. Playoff LeBron is usually a man possessed. A specimen from another planet sent here to dominate. He clearly isn't happy about having to play in (after being vehemently in favor of it), so will he even treat it like the playoffs? If the Lakers win this game, they are off until Saturday. For that reason, I think LeBron will step it up because he doesn't want to have to play again this week. He may be a superstar, but he's still human, and an ancient human in NBA years. One big game from LeBron means he can rest for a couple of days. I'll think we'll see that big game.

Ja Morant - PG, vs. San Antonio ($8,300)

The Spurs allowed 134.75 DraftKings points in just 84 minutes over three games to Morant this year. Morant may not have performed against everyone, but he blew the doors off the Spurs in all three games and at different stages of the season. It's do or die time for Memphis. I'll say they do since they won two out of the three regular season tilts. You know.....back when LaMarcus Aldridge was still with the team.

Lonnie Walker IV - PG/SG, at Memphis ($4,300)

Walker played solid minutes down the stretch with various injuries ailing the Spurs with mostly favorable results. Walker is a bit of an afterthought on offense and doesn't do enough in other categories consistently enough to give him much of a floor. However, since White is still out, Walker should still play somewhere between 25 and 30 minutes. The price is right, but his floor is about as terrifying as standing on those glass bottomed floors hanging out over the Sears (I'll never call it Willis) Tower.

Bonus Guards: Stephen Curry ($10,100), Dejounte Murray ($6,300), Dillon Brooks ($5,800), Alex Caruso ($4,200)

 

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DraftKings DFS Forwards

Draymond Green - PF/C, at Lakers ($7,400)

While many stumbled, bumbled, and rested their way to the end of the season, Draymond put up 178.75 DraftKings points in the last four games of the season. The Warriors won all four of those games to lock in the eight spot in the play-in playoffs, meaning they get to play double elimination instead of single. Green wasn't great against the Lakers during the regular season, but I'll ride his impressive numbers down the stretch as a harbinger of things to come in the playoffs. The Warriors would only like to play once as well.

Jaren Jackson Jr. - PF, vs. San Antonio ($5,900)

Jackson wasn't healthy for any of the three games against the Spurs earlier this year. His price remains low because the Grizzlies are still watching his minutes closely. However, I do like the fact that Jackson played 31 minutes against the Warriors in a critical game that Memphis ended up losing to close out the regular season. This suggests that Jackson maybe could have played more down the stretch had the Grizzlies really needed him. Jackson has enormous potential at this price, especially if he gets to play 30 minutes.

Kyle Anderson - SF/PF, vs. San Antonio ($5,300)

Memphis is surprisingly balanced, with all five starters putting up solid point totals across the board. Anderson isn't a guy that will take over a game, but he is a consistently solid piece on a consistently solid team. This build is a little easier than last night's nutty Eastern Conference one, but I still like the upside for Anderson when he's this cheap. Anderson's ceiling is about 38 DraftKings points, but the floor is 5x value. On a slate where low-300's will in it for us, I'll take this in any lineup.

Bonus ForwardsDeMar DeRozan ($7,000), Andrew Wiggins ($6,600), Juan Toscano-Anderson ($5,100), Rudy Gay ($4,000),

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Anthony Davis - PF/C, vs. Golden State ($10,200)

I'm not a huge fan of A.D. facing Draymond's defense, but the Lakers are going to turn into a two-man offense for the playoffs. We saw it happen last year. It will again. Davis is still one of the best defenders in the league and scores when needed. His ceiling isn't as high as normal, but his price doesn't seem untenable either. It will be interesting to see what Drummond's role is, but I doubt it takes much of anything away from Davis.

Jonas Valanciunas - C, vs. San Antonio ($7,600)

Why play what if with A.D. when you have Jonas putting up 40's and 50's at a fraction of the price? Valanciunas didn't have a game below 45 DraftKings points in any of the last six games of the season. There's no reason to think the Spurs can stop him. They were an adventure on defense even at full strength. Jonas only played one of the three games against the Spurs earlier this year. He put up a solid 39.75 DraftKings points in 29 minutes. Even if San Antonio can hold him to that, it's a good return at this price.

Bonus CentersAndre Drummond ($6,400), Jakob Poeltl ($4,900), Montrezl Harrell (3,800)



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

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Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
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"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
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Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
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Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
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Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
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Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF