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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/17/23. 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 5/17/23. 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!
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DraftKings (1.5x) and FanDuel (2x) Captain/MVP - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jayson Tatum, BOS ($18,600 DK; $17,500 FD)
Tatum's unforgettable Game 7 performance against the 76ers, which netted 83.3 DK/80.1 FD points, and his overall upside make him the top candidate for the top multiplier spot on each site. Tatum averaged over 50 fantasy points per game on either site in four contests against the Heat during the regular season as well, shooting 47.0 percent, including 38.7 percent from three-point range.
There's naturally no question Tatum's usage will be through the roof in Game 1. Miami is yielding an elevated 48.7 percent shooting and is tied with the Lakers for the third-most rebounds per road playoff game allowed (48.7) among the original 16-team postseason field.
Most 50 point games in the NBA the last 3 seasons (including playoffs) ☘️
Jayson Tatum: 8
Steph Curry: 7Dame, Luka, Embiid, Giannis: 5 pic.twitter.com/ZkMy9N5SxZ
— 𝙍𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮 ☘️ (@CelticsRiley) May 16, 2023
Jimmy Butler, MIA ($18,300 DK; $17,000 FD)
Butler has been nearly in lockstep with Tatum throughout the postseason courtesy of his own array of spectacular performances, which have included five tallies of over 50 fantasy points on either site. Jimmy Buckets should spearhead the Heat's efforts to avenge last year's ECF defeat to the Celtics right from the jump.
He averaged well over 40 points on either site and shot a crisp 55.3 percent in two regular-season games against Boston this past season. Butler is shooting 51.9 percent since the play-in game against the Bulls, and his expected massive role should make rostering him in the prime multiplier spot very rewarding.
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DraftKings Utility/ FanDuel STAR (1.5x) Plays - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jaylen Brown, BOS ($10,200 DK; $15,500 FD)
Brown has been overshadowed at times by Tatum's exploits this postseason, but he's been just a half-tier below the elite level, making him an ideal candidate for a 1.5x multiplier spot on FD. The talented wing has put up 24.6 points (on 54.1 percent shooting, including 47.1 percent from behind the arc), 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest in 13 playoff games, averaging over 35 fantasy points on both sites in the process. Brown was also excellent during the regular season against the Heat, clocking 30.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 57.6 percent in three games.
Bam Adebayo, MIA ($9,000 DK; $13,500 FD)
Much like Brown, Adebayo has played second fiddle to the biggest star on his team, Jimmy Butler. Adebayo is certainly capable of making it worthwhile to roster him in the STAR spot. The big man averaged 19.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in the last five contests of the series against the Knicks, hitting the double-double bonus twice along the way. Adebayo also averaged over 40 fantasy points per game on both sites against the Celtics in four regular-season games, adding to his appeal.
ALSO CONSIDER: Marcus Smart, BOS ($7,000 DK; $9,500 FD)
FanDuel PRO (1.2x)/ Utility Plays - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Al Horford, BOS ($7,200 DK; $12,500 FD)
Horford's offensive production can certainly be a rollercoaster, but he's still found a way to offer strong fantasy returns more often than not during the postseason thanks to his contributions in other categories. Horford has clawed his way to an average of more than 30 FD points in 13 playoff games despite shooting just 37.6 percent, as his averages of 7.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals have helped boost his overall production. Horford shot 50.0 percent in three regular-season games against the Heat as well, enhancing his appeal.
Kyle Lowry, MIA ($6,800 DK; $11,000 FD)
Lowry has shown flashes of his vintage form at various moments throughout the playoffs, and his play has been critical to making up for the absence of Tyler Herro and the sometimes inconsistent play of Gabe Vincent. Lowry has averaged just under 30 fantasy points per game on either site in the last nine postseason contests on the strength of 11.6 points, 4.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per contest in that span. The veteran has averaged a solid 27.1 minutes per game in that stretch, and he should continue to enjoy a robust second-unit role in Game 1.
ALSO CONSIDER: Malcolm Brogdon, BOS ($6,200 DK; $9,000 FD); Max Strus, MIA ($5,600 DK; $8,500 FD)
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