The regular season has concluded but the NBA DFS season continues at DraftKings. Sunday’s four-game playoff slate starts early at 1 p.m. ET. Let’s dig into the NBA DFS research and make some fantasy basketball picks, as we gear up for a full day of playoff basketball.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Playoff Opener [$100K to 1st]
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Guard
Studs
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers, $12,000 — Sometimes we forget that Luka is only 24 years old. Jordan didn’t win a championship until he was 28. LeBron was 27. With both, it wasn’t a matter of age. It was a matter of support. Doncic hasn’t had the support and still needs more. That means he has done it all and will do it all. In his five playoff appearances (28 games), Doncic averaged 37.5 minutes, 32.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists. Except for assists, all are above his career regular-season average.
James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks, $8,200 — This NBA DFS pick is one part narrative and one part situational. Harden has never won a championship. This might be his last best chance. On top of this, Harden’s reputation is on the line. A strong playoff run will absolve Harden’s recent transgressions. SF/PF Kawhi Leonard ($8,300) is not at full strength. Harden will need to carry the offensive load. That load will be heavy in a matchup with the Mavs. Harden needs to match — at least keep pace — with Doncic’s output.
Value
Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder, $4,100 — The Pelicans are running a tight eight-man rotation. The bulk of the minutes are going to the starters, but Alvarado got 25 and 24 minutes in the two play-in games. He scored 23.5 DKFP in the loss to the Lakers and 25.75 DKFP in the Pelicans’ win on Friday.
Forward
Studs
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat, $9,400 — NBA DFS picks based on narratives aren’t a great idea in the regular season. The playoffs are different. The Celtics have been Eastern Conference favorites for the last several seasons. They’ve come up empty-handed each time. Much of the blame lies on Tatum’s shoulders. His playoff stats and regular-season stats are equal. That’s unacceptable. Stars must step up. Narrative aside, Tatum averages more minutes in the playoffs. There should be a noticeable difference in the splits. Tatum attempted to prove he was the best player in the NBA this season. He failed. This is his second chance. He knows what’s at stake. It will be shocking if Tatum doesn’t try to put on a show on Sunday.
Value
Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, $4,200 — Regular-season basketball is all about offense. Playoff basketball is defense-focused. Jovic has developed into a great defender. That’s why he started on Friday night. He played 26.8 minutes but rested during most of the fourth quarter in the Heat’s blowout win. His box score wasn’t special, but it works at this price. His ability to do a little bit of everything keeps a DFS lineup alive. His price fits superstars into DFS lineups.
Lugentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $4,200 — Repeat! Playoff basketball requires defense. Lu Dort is an elite defender. This does not directly impact his fantasy production. There is an indirect increase. The Thunder need Dort’s D. He’ll need to be on the floor more. Being on the dance floor means more moves. That should mean more fantasy points.
Center
Studs
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks, $6,400 — The Pacers were facing a possible play-in game. It came down to the last game of the season. It came down to Myles Turner. He scored 31 points, grabbed 12 boards and blocked four shots in 22 minutes. Milwaukee limped into the playoffs. The Pacers can take this series if Turner takes his play to the next level. The Bucks are below average in Defensive Efficiency Rating, allowing points in the paint, defensive rebounding and offensive rebounding. Sunday could be a big day for the fast-paced Pacers.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $6,800 — His salary never exceeded the $8,000 threshold during the season. Minutes were restricted. The Thunder further restricted Holmgren during the final week of the season. The lower output lowered his salary. The Thunder have championship aspirations. Short series are key. It’s time to increase Holmgren’s time. With 35 minutes, the skinny, big man could crush value.
Value
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks, $5,900 — There are several centers in the $5,000 range. One could go off, but the most consistent center is Zubac. In his last six games (excluding a rest game), Zubac scored over 33 DKFP in five contests. He’s produced 29 DKFP or more in seven in a row. He may appear to lack upside, but that might not be the case. The Clippers regularly mixed two backup centers into their regular season rotations. Those minutes could go to Zubac in the playoffs.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Playoff Opener [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is greenflagradio2) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
