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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on May 3, 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 set-up.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/3/23.
Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
DraftKings and FanDuel Captain (1.5x)/MVP (2x) Spot Candidates - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jayson Tatum - SF/PF, BOS ($17,100 DK, $17,000 FD)
Tatum exploded for 67.3 DK/64.7 FD non-multiplier points in Game 1, shooting a red-hot 56.0 percent, including 80.0 percent from three-point range. The big man has now scored over 30 actual points in three of the past four games overall. He's averaging over 50 fantasy points per game in five games overall against Philadelphia since the start of the regular season. With Boston already in an unexpected hole in the series, Tatum should naturally have a highly aggressive role again in Game 2 and makes for a prime candidate for the top multiplier spot.
James Harden, PG/SG, PHI ($15,300 DK $16,000 FD)
Harden was the story of Game 1 with Joel Embiid (knee) out of action, putting the Sixers on his shoulders by contributing a 45-point effort on his way to 61.3 DK/58.2 FD points across 39 minutes. The Beard may get Embiid back on Wednesday, but he remains an excellent option for the top multiplier spot.
This is considering he's shooting 50.5 percent overall, including 44.7 percent from behind the arc, in five games against the Celtics since the start of the regular season. He's also shooting 44.7 percent from distance thus far in the postseason and carries no shortage of upside.
ALSO CONSIDER: Joel Embiid, C, PHI ($16,500 DK, $16,500 FD)
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DraftKings Utility/FanDuel STAR (1.5x) Candidates - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jaylen Brown - SG/SF, BOS ($9,000 DK, $14,500 FD)
Brown is shooting 60.0 percent, including a blistering 69.6 percent from three-point range, over his last four postseason games, taking over 20 shot attempts in three of those contests. The veteran wing shot 80.0 percent on just 10 attempts against Philadelphia in Game 1, pushing his field-goal percentage to 53.1 percent versus the Sixers in four games since the start of the regular season. Brown still posted 38 DK/35.2 FD points across 42 minutes in Game 1. Like Tatum, he should be heavily involved in Game 2 as Boston looks to avoid an 0-2 hole.
Tyrese Maxey - PG/SG, PHI ($7,800 DK, $13,500 FD)
Maxey has taken his game to another level in the postseason, averaging 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 43.6 percent from three-point range across five games. Maxey is averaging a solid 18.4 shot attempts per contest.
After struggling versus Boston during the regular season, he generated 39.3 DK/42.2 FD points in Game 1 against the Celtics. The star guard will be an intriguing play at his salaries irrespective of Embiid's availability, but it's worth noting he sees a +4.9 percent usage bump with Embiid off the floor.
ALSO CONSIDER: Tobias Harris - SF/PF, PHI ($7,200 DK, $12,000 FD); Al Horford - PF/C, BOS ($6,200 DK, $10,000 FD)
FanDuel PRO (1.2x)/Utility Candidates - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Malcolm Brogdon - PG/SG, BOS ($9,000 FD)
Brogdon has scored in double digits in six straight playoff games, averaging 15.8 points (on 49.4 percent shooting), 4.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds across 28.2 minutes off the bench. The veteran guard has eclipsed 25 DK points on four occasions and 25 FD points in three instances during that span.
He's shooting 52.5 percent, including 43.8 percent from behind the arc, in five games versus Philadelphia since the start of the regular season. With another likely mid-20s minute load at a minimum and a strong recent body of work, Brogdon makes for an excellent value option on FD.
De'Anthony Melton - PG/SG, PHI ($8,500 FD)
Melton has moved to the second unit in the postseason, and he's averaged over 20 fantasy points per contest on both sites thus far in the playoffs. He's scored double-digit points in three straight as well and has shot a blazing 48.3 percent from three-point range over the entirety of the postseason thus far. Melton is always a good bet to supplement his numbers with some defensive contributions, and the talented wing has also put up double-digit shot attempts in two straight contests.
ALSO CONSIDER: Paul Reed- C, PHI ($11,000 FD) *if Embiid inactive*
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