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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on May 24, 2022. Euan Leith provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! As the Conference Finals move along, only one-game contests are available for the remainder of the NBA DFS season. On DraftKings, they're called Showdowns, and on FanDuel, they go by Single Game contests. There are some scoring differences as well.
We could see the Western Conference Finals wrap up as Golden State leads Dallas 3-0. It would be shocking to see the Mavs go down in four games, but Golden State keeps pulling these games out and seems well on their way to a sixth NBA Finals appearance in eight years.
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/24/22. Remember to monitor the NBA injury report as the slate can completely change before lineup lock at 9:00 pm Eastern.
DraftKings and FanDuel Captain/MVP - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Luka Doncic ($21,600 DraftKings; $16,500 FanDuel)
If you roll with Doncic as your Captain/MVP on Tuesday, you'll have to make massive sacrifices up and down the rest of your roster. However, the Slovenian is producing the same DFS points as two players combined, so the investment is worth the risk. In the WCF, Doncic averages 34 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.0 three-pointers, and 2.7 stocks (steals+blocks) a night for 56.9 DK PGG. A poor Game 1 performance holds down that average, and he's actually averaged 68 DK PGG in the last two games. You have to pick Luka in cash games because he can bury you, but if you're trying to bring down a tournament, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Andrew Wiggins ($12,300 DK; $13,000 FD)
"Well, where else should I look then?" I hear you yell at your screen. So let's get a little crazy and go with Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors forward is playing some fantastic basketball in the WCF, where he averages 37.56 FD PPG. Game 3 was his best performance when he registered postseason career-highs with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Plus, we can't forget about this highlight-reel play.
The slam.
The reax.@22wiggins ✈️ #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/UPQnJczQE8— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2022
Others to consider: Stephen Curry ($17,400 DK; $15,500 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Utility Plays - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jalen Brunson ($9,000 DK; $13,500 FD)
During the playoffs, Brunson's been a fantastic running mate with Doncic, and he's made himself a lot of money when he hits free agency in the summer. Over the previous two games versus Golden State, the former Villanova standout has made 58.1 percent of his field-goal attempts and 61.5 percent of his three-point attempts. Dallas will need more of that efficiency to avoid a sweep on Tuesday night. Combine his sharpshooting with his additions in rebounds (4.8 this postseason) and assists (3.6), and you've got a great Utility player for your lineups as long as you didn't select Doncic as your Captain on DraftKings.
Jordan Poole ($7,600 DK; $11,000 FD)
Klay Thompson hasn't found his shooting stroke, and Draymond Green always risks getting tossed from a game, so Jordan Poole is my next favorite Warrior to have in my squad. While he hasn't produced at as high of a level in the WCF, this is still a player who exploded for 59 DK points in Round 2 against Memphis and 54.75 DK points versus Denver in Round 1. That sort of tantalizing upside is precisely the type of player you want in your tournament lineups, as he could win you the whole thing. It would be great to see him crack the 30-minute mark for the first time in the series tonight, as it could unlock a massive night from Poole.
Others to consider: Kevon Looney ($7,000 DK; $12,500 FD), Spencer Dinwiddie ($6,800 DK; $10,000 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Value Plays - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Maxi Kleber ($4,200 DK; $8,000 FD)
Jonathan Kuminga ($1,000 DK; $6,500 FD)
Moses Moody ($1,000 DK; $6,000 FD)
If Dallas wants this series to go back to San Francisco, the role players have to step up. Maxi Kleber and Reggie Bullock combined for a goose egg in Game 3, and it cost the Mavericks their chance to get back in the series. This team is too good to go out in four and expect a bounceback game from Kleber via the three-point shot.
My final two recommendations come with some narrative attachments. It's easy to see a world where Dallas storms out to a massive lead, and Golden State is content to finish them off on their own court in a couple of days. It would be a prime opportunity for Steve Kerr to rest his veterans and get Jonathan Kuminga some crucial playoff minutes under his belt. With Moody, it all depends on Otto Porter Jr.'s health. If the veteran forward sits, I believe Moody will get his fair share of minutes, whether it's a blowout or a back and forth game. These are $1,000 players on DraftKings for a reason, but I like them as roster fillers if you go extremely heavy at the top of your squad.
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