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We're set for a one-game slate Wednesday, as the Pacers and Knicks will face off in Game 2 of their series after a hotly contested Game 1. That means we're dealing with the unique formats of DraftKings Showdown and FanDuel's Single-Game position-less rosters. These include a 1.5x multiplier Captain's spot on DK that carries elevated salaries for each player, and MVP (2x), STAR (1.5x), and PRO (1.2x) spots on FanDuel, where player's salaries are the same regardless of roster spot.
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 5/8/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 8:00 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks (Captain Spot- 1.5x/MVP- 2x)
With this being a single-game slate, we're not going to complicate matters. Jalen Brunson is hands-down the top play of the night in any way you want to look at it, as his massive usage alone (28.7 shot attempts per game since start of playoffs) practically guarantees a strong return in investment, and the upside that affords him makes him a natural top pick for the biggest multiplier spot.
Pascal Siakam doesn't produce the type of eye-popping performances he did in Toronto quite as often with Indiana, but he does have a pair of 60+ fantasy-point efforts thus far in the postseason. The big man has also shot 54.1 percent in the postseason thus far and seemingly has a floor of about 35 fantasy points.
Tyrese Haliburton is on this list because of his undeniable upside, but he's displayed it much less frequently of late than at certain points in the regular season. The talented guard is averaging just over 35 fantasy points per game thus far in the postseason, but he's shooting only 42.9 percent on a relatively modest 13.0 shot attempts per contest. In contrast, Haliburton shot 47.7 percent and put up 15.2 shots per game in the regular season.
Top Captain's Spot/MVP Plays:
- Jalen Brunson, NYK vs. IND - PG ($18K DK; $17.5K FD)
- Pascal Siakam, IND at NYK – SF/PF ($15.3K DK; $14.5K FD)
- Tyrese Haliburton, IND at NYK - PG ($15.6K DK; $15K FD)
Jalen Brunson started the playoffs 2-for-9 from short mid-range (up to 17 feet from basket). Since then he has gone 24-for-43 (55.8% FG - an ELITE number).
Check out these makes. These are HIGHLY contested shots.
The guy is a certified Playoff Shot Maker pic.twitter.com/CXJVPy0iEZ
— DJ (@DJAceNBA) May 7, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks (Utility/PRO- 1.2x)
This trio of value-salaried plays could be especially rewarding, given their past body of work. Donte DiVincenzo sits atop the heap, coming off 50+ and 35+ fantasy-point efforts in his last two postseason games. DiVincenzo is shooting 51.4 percent, including 55.6 percent from distance, in that pair of contests, but the risk with the versatile guard is exemplified by the fact he averaged under 20 FD points and shot only 33.3 percent in the first five playoff contests.
Isaiah Hartenstein has been solid over the Knicks' first seven playoff games and should now be set for even more run with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out of action. The big man has averaged 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks across 27.9 minutes, and he should once again be able to win his fair share of matchups down low.
Obi Toppin makes for an intriguing value play after averaging 14.6 points (on 57.1 percent shooting), 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across just 20 minutes in the Pacers' last five postseason games. That includes a tally of 27 DK/26.7 FD points across 19 minutes in Game 1 versus his old Knicks squad, and Toppin could certainly play another key role off the bench Wednesday.
Top Utility/PRO Plays:
- Donte DiVincenzo, NYK vs. IND - SG/PF ($7.2K DK; $11K FD)
- Isaiah Hartenstein, NYK vs. IND - C ($6.2K DK; $10.5K FD)
- Obi Toppin, IND at NYK - PF/C ($4.4K DK; $9K FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: T.J. McConnell, IND at NYK - PG ($4.6K DK; $10K FD)
Donte DiVincenzo really has two game winners in the playoffs. He’s different.pic.twitter.com/NDjDKHv11M
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) May 7, 2024
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: STAR (1.5x)
Josh Hart was a quintessential cash game play most of the regular season, but he's been an excellent tournament option as well throughout the postseason thus far. The veteran wing has put up 17.9 points (on 44.7 percent three-point shooting), 12.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks across 46.6 minutes per game in the first seven playoff games, and he's coming off having trampled the Pacers for 59.8 DK/58.6 FD points in Game 1 versus Indiana.
Myles Turner does always carry the risk of foul trouble, but he's certainly proven worthy of a multiplier spot after averaging over 35 fantasy points per contest in the postseason thus far. That sample includes a trio of tallies over 40 fantasy points, and with Robinson out of action, he should encounter less resistance down low.
OG Anunoby has taken a major step forward offensively in recent playoff games compared to how he wrapped up the regular season. Seemingly finally over the elbow injury that cost him a big chunk of the latter portion of the campaign, Anunoby is averaging 16.4 points (on 50.0 percent shooting, including 40.0 percent from behind the arc), 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per contest in the last five games, putting up 14 shot attempts per game after firing off 11.1 per contest in the eight games he played from April 5 until Game 3 of the first-round series against the 76ers.
Top STAR Options:
- Josh Hart, NYK vs. IND - SF/PF ($9.6K DK; $13.5K FD)
- Myles Turner, IND at NYK - C ($8.2K DK; $12K FD)
- OG Anunoby, NYK vs. IND - SF/PF ($7.6K DK; $11.5K FD)
Our guys @jalenbrunson1, @Divincenzo, and @joshhart score 33 of the 39 4th Quarter Points to seal the Win! JB with his 4th straight 40 point game! @jalenbrunson1 43 pts | 6 reb | 6 ast@Divincenzo 25 pts | 3 reb @joshhart 24 pts | 13 reb | 8 ast pic.twitter.com/hkPBUq4mJD
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) May 7, 2024
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- Outside of the players recommended here, I don't see any that are absolute must-haves in such a small player pool, unless you want to take a chance on a value play such as Aaron Nesmith or Andrew Nembhard that could conceivably break out unexpectedly.
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: Jalen Brunson
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Josh Hart
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Pascal Siakam
- My favorite value play: OG Anunoby
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