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Monday brings Game 2 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, as well as Game 1 between the Knicks and Pacers. There will be no shortage of excitement, but we’ll have limited DFS options with just the two games on the schedule.
The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan, and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and 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 5/6/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings.
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Nikola Jokic narrowly missed a triple-double in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, posting 32 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and three steals across 41 minutes. Over four matchups with the Timberwolves during the regular season, Jokic averaged 33.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. The Nuggets can’t afford to go down 0-2 with the series shifting to Minnesota, so look for Jokic to provide a monster stat line as he tries to carry them to a victory.
As good as Jokic was in Game 1, Anthony Edwards was even better. He scored 43 points, shooting 17-for-29 from the field. He has scored at least 33 points in four of his last five games and is averaging 7.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.8 steals during the playoffs. With his massive usage rate, expect him to continue to have a high floor.
Josh Hart barely comes off the floor for the Knicks. After being moved into the starting lineup, he averaged 40 minutes over his final 36 games during the regular season. In the playoffs, he has logged at least 42 minutes in each game. That helped him produce averages of 16.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. His playing time isn’t going to decrease anytime soon.
- Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. MIN – C ($11,000 DK; $12,500 FD)
- Anthony Edwards, MIN at DEN – SG/SF ($9,000 DK; $10,200 FD)
- Josh Hart, NY vs. IND – SF/PF ($7,100 DK; $7,700 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
The Knicks might be playing with fire when it comes to OG Anunoby, who has a checkered injury history. He has logged at least 45 minutes in three straight games and is averaging 41 minutes per game during the playoffs. With him being a key defender and the Knicks not feeling overly confident in most of their bench players, expect Anunoby to continue to spend a ton of time on the floor.
Donte DiVincenzo is a streaky shooter. He was having a rough series against the 76ers until he broke out with 23 points in Game 6. Across three meetings with the Pacers during the regular season, DiVincenzo averaged 24.0 points and 4.3 three-pointers. If he can catch fire from behind the arc again, he could provide significant value.
Naz Reid didn’t play much against the Suns, logging 20 minutes or fewer in all four games. He played 23 minutes against the Nuggets in Game 1, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Despite only averaging 24 minutes per game during the regular season, he averaged 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds. His salary is cheap enough on both sites to make him a viable tournament option.
Top Value Plays:
- OG Anunoby, NY vs. IND – SF/PF ($5,900 DK; $6,400 FD)
- Donte DiVincenzo, NY vs. IND – SG/SF ($5,600 DK; $5,900 FD)
- Naz Reid, MIN at DEN – PF/C ($4,300 DK; $5,000 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Jalen Brunson carried the Knicks past the 76ers. He finished off the series by scoring at least 40 points in each of the last three games. He also recorded at least 10 assists in three of the last four games. With the ball in his hands a ton and plenty of shot attempts coming his way again, it might be disastrous to fade Brunson.
Jalen Brunson wouldn't be denied in the @nyknicks Game 6 win to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals!
🗽 41 PTS
🗽 12 AST
🗽 3 3PM
🗽 13-27 FGMJalen Brunson is the FIRST KNICK EVER to average 30+ PPG and 8+ APG in a Playoff series 👏#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google… pic.twitter.com/o72091MfRO
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2024
T.J. McConnell doesn’t need a lot of playing time to have an impact. During the regular season, he averaged 10.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in just 18 minutes per game. He showed his upside in Game 6 versus the Bucks, recording 20 points, nine assists, and four steals over 23 minutes. His salary is so cheap that he makes for a great tournament option.
Top PG Options:
- Jalen Brunson vs. IND, ($9,500 DK; $10,500 FD)
- T.J. McConnell at NY, ($4,400 DK; $4,300 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
This comes down to a budget preference at shooting guard. For those who feel comfortable spending up at the position, take the reliability and stellar upside that come with Edwards. Those looking to spend down at the position should consider DiVincenzo, who will likely play plenty of minutes for the Knicks.
Top SG Options:
- Anthony Edwards at DEN, ($9,000 DK; $10,200 FD)
- Donte DiVincenzo vs. IND, ($5,600 DK; $5,900 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
With Jokic and Jamal Murray garnering all the headlines, Michael Porter Jr. just continues to churn out valuable stat lines quietly. During the Nuggets’ current playoff run, he has averaged 22.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. His three-point shooting is key for their success, making him one of the more appealing mid-tier salary forwards.
Top SF Options:
- Josh Hart vs. IND, ($7,100 DK; $7,700 FD)
- Michael Porter Jr. vs. MIN, ($6,500 DK; $7,500 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
Karl-Anthony Towns has scored at least 18 points in four of the Timberwolves’ five playoff games. He posted 20 points in Game 1 against the Nuggets, hitting two three-pointers along the way. With the Nuggets focusing their efforts on trying to slow down Edwards, it will be important for Towns to continue to try and take some of the scoring load off his shoulders.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS HAS 11 POINTS IN 4 MINUTES 🔥 #NBAPlayoffs #WolvesBack #Road2Gold
— CourtSideHeat (@courtsideheat) May 5, 2024
Top PF Options:
- Karl Anthony-Towns at DEN, ($6,800 DK; $7,600 FD)
- OG Anunoby vs. IND, ($5,900 DK; $6,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Jokic has an incredibly high floor with his ability to contribute in multiple areas. Even with his lofty salary on both sites, it’s difficult to justify fading him. Building your entire lineup around him could be key, especially in cash games. However, for those who want to fade him in tournament play and spend up for guards and forwards, don’t sleep on Reid.
Top C Options:
- Nikola Jokic vs. MIN, ($11,000 DK; $12,500 FD)
- Naz Reid at DEN, ($4,300 DK; $4,900 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Pacers at Knicks (217.5 total)
- Timberwolves at Nuggets (205.5 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- Anunoby is one of the best defenders in the league. With the expectation that he spends a lot of time defending his former teammate Pascal Siakam, Siakam is too risky of an option for me.
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: Josh Hart
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Michael Porter Jr.
- My favorite value play: Donte DiVincenzo
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