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The top NBA DFS daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel, DraftKings on May 19, 2024. Use Juan Carlos' NBA DFS sleepers picks for building optimal DFS rosters to win big.
We're all set for two Game 7 showdowns on Sunday, which should equate to especially heavy minutes for all four teams' first units. That gives us plenty of security as DFS players, but it also narrows an already compact player pool even a bit further. Nevertheless, we have plenty of options to consider at each position, setting up what should be a fun day of lineup-building and DFS sweats.
The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. However, it's always really important to have a game plan, as well as the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and to get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 3:30 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
If the fact he remained standing throughout the entire fourth quarter of Thursday's embarrassing defeat is symbolic of his fury, Nikola Jokic should be primed for a night of epic proportions Sunday. The stellar center had three straight 60+ fantasy-point tallies before playing more abbreviated minutes in Thursday's blowout, and there's naturally no questioning his upside.
Jalen Brunson has nearly as high a ceiling as Jokic and could be operating without both Josh Hart (abdomen) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) in Sunday's decisive Game 7. Brunson has generated massive usage throughout the postseason, and with everything on the line for New York, there's no doubt he'll be heavily involved.
Anthony Edwards should naturally also have the ball in his hands plenty Sunday, and as he's demonstrated on multiple occasions this postseason, he has a ceiling north of 60 fantasy points on both sites.
- Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. MIN - C ($11.3K DK; $12.2K FD)
- Jalen Brunson, NYK vs. IND – PG ($9.5K DK; $10.3K FD)
- Anthony Edwards, MIN at DEN– SG/SF ($9.4K DK; $10.1K FD)
We don’t deserve Nikola Jokic pic.twitter.com/Erug9vWXyM https://t.co/V9XUBM9W7R
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) May 15, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
Donte DiVincenzo made his fair share of news with his feistiness in Game 6, and he'll be poised to take on an even bigger role if either or both Hart and Anunoby sit out. The sharpshooting wing is shooting 42.3 percent from behind the arc in the series while averaging over 35 fantasy points per contest, making him very appealing at his salaries.
Myles Turner has won his share of matchups down low during the series, and he's also done an excellent job spacing the floor with a 46.2 percent success rate from behind the arc. Turner's ability to check off every box on the stat sheet gives him a great floor and plenty of upside as well.
Aaron Gordon has put together an excellent postseason during which he's averaged well north of 30 fantasy points per game on both sites, making his salaries a bargain. The veteran big man even has a pair of 50+ fantasy-point contributions during the playoffs and is shooting 59.3 percent, including 40.7 percent from three-point range.
Top Value Plays:
- Donte DiVincenzo, NYK vs. IND - SG/SF ($7K DK; $7.6K FD)
- Myles Turner, IND at NYK - C ($6.5K DK; $6.8K FD)
- Aaron Gordon, DEN vs. MIN - PF ($6.3K DK; $6.9K FD)
Donte DiVincenzo dunks on the Pacers then gets into it with Myles Turner pic.twitter.com/evmuNWWO6Y
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 15, 2024
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Brunson was already discussed in the Core Plays section, while Tyrese Haliburton is sporting reduced salaries due to his inconsistency this postseason. However, the ultra-talented guard has exceeded 55 fantasy points on both sites on two occasions during this series, and he's shooting 52.9 percent, including 42.6 percent from behind the arc.
Jamal Murray continues to apparently be limited by his lingering calf issue, but his upside and the amount of usage he might boast in a high-stakes Game 7 environment makes him a consideration at his salaries. Murray has also hit or cleared 40 fantasy points on both sites twice during the series, furthering his case.
Top PG Options:
- Jalen Brunson, NYK vs. IND – PG ($9.5K DK; $10.3K FD)
- Tyrese Haliburton, IND at NYK – PG ($8.5K DK; $8.8K FD)
- Jamal Murray, DEN vs. MIN - PG ($7.5K DK; $7.8K FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: Mike Conley, MIN at DEN - PG ($5.6K DK; $5.7K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Edwards and DiVincenzo were already discussed in the Core Plays and Value Plays sections, respectively, and McBride would be poised for another start at shooting guard if Anunoby sits out again. He's also averaging 17.7 points (on 47.7 percent shooting, including 41.7 percent from three-point range), 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds per contest in the last three games, and he'd be poised for even more usage if Hart joins Anunoby on the injured list.
Top SG Options:
- Anthony Edwards, MIN at DEN– SG/SF ($9.4K DK; $10.1K FD)
- Donte DiVincenzo, NYK vs. IND - SG/SF ($7K DK; $7.6K FD)
- Miles McBride, NYK vs. IND - SG/PF ($4.8K DK; $5K FD)
This angle of Anthony Edwards dunk is incredible 🤯pic.twitter.com/smTEpanwgX
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 19, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
The abdominal strain that forced Josh Hart's exit from Game 6 after 31 minutes of floor time does have the talented wing legitimately questionable for Sunday's showdown, but if he's announced as available, he has to be considered after posting over 40 fantasy points in four of the first five games of the series.
Michael Porter Jr. has admittedly had a mostly miserable series, shooting 39.7 percent and putting up only 9.7 shot attempts per contest. Nevertheless, his upside and salary drop due to inconsistent play move him into consideration for tournaments, especially with everything on the line for Denver.
Jaden McDaniels' erratic production makes him a tournament option, but the veteran is capable of exceeding 20 fantasy points on any given night and is coming off his best game of the series (35 DK/36.3 FD points). He's also shooting 46.8 percent during the postseason and could certainly overdeliver on his salaries.
Top SF Options:
- Josh Hart, NYK vs. IND - SF/SG ($7.9K DK; $7.8K FD)
- Michael Porter Jr., DEN vs. MIN - SF/PF ($6K DK; $5.8K FD)
- Jaden McDaniels, MIN at DEN - SF/PF ($4.3K DK; $4.8K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
Pascal Siakam is an integral part of the Pacers' attack and has drained 52.7 percent of his 15.5 shot attempts per contest during the series. The big man is also coming off his best game of the series, having produced 44.8 DK/45.9 FD points across 31 minutes in Game 6.
Karl-Anthony Towns is shooting 50.0 percent, including 44.4 percent from distance, during the series, and he's eclipsed 40 fantasy points on both sites on two occasions against Denver as well. The Nuggets are also surrendering 47.9 percent shooting to power forwards during the postseason.
Gordon's case was already discussed in the Value Plays section.
Top PF Options:
- Pascal Siakam, IND at NYK– PF/SF ($7.4K DK; $7.7K FD)
- Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at DEN - PF/C ($7.2K DK; $7.5K FD)
- Aaron Gordon, DEN vs. MIN - PF ($6.3K DK; $6.9K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Jokic and Turner were already discussed in the Core and Value Plays sections, respectively, while Rudy Gobert is a very appealing option at his reduced salaries. The big man's production has been a bit uneven in the series, but he does have four contributions of 30 or more DK points versus the Nuggets and could be more involved than usual in this high-stakes battle.
Top C Options:
- Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. MIN - C ($11.3K DK; $12.2K FD)
- Myles Turner, IND at NYK - C ($6.5K DK; $6.8K FD)
- Rudy Gobert, MIN at DEN - C ($6.4K DK; $7.2K FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: Isaiah Hartenstein, NYK vs. IND - C/PF ($6.2K DK; $6.4K FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Pacers at Knicks (-3.5) (208.0 total)
- Timberwolves at Nuggets (-4.5) (197.5 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- I'd tread carefully with any second-unit players on these teams, as they may struggle to get meaningful enough minutes to justify their roster spots/salaries.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite overall play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jalen Brunson
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite value play: Aaron Gordon
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