The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics will get the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals going Tuesday evening with Game 1 from TD Garden in Boston. The Pacers are coming off a road win in Game 7 over the Knicks Sunday, while the Celtics have gotten some extra rest after taking care of the Cavaliers in five games. Boston won the regular season series 3-2 but Indiana took the In-Season Tournament knockout game between the two sides.
Here’s a look at one potential lineup strategy DFS managers can employ for Showdown contests involving Tuesday’s game with a captain pick, utility plays and fades.
Captain Pick
Jaylen Brown, $13,500
The difference in Game 1s for Boston between Brown and Jayson Tatum is somewhat negligible, and you get some savings with Brown in this spot. The forward tallied 46 fantasy points in Game 1 against Cleveland and has had success against the Pacers this season. Brown often sets the tone for Boston in the first quarter and can get off to hot starts, so he’s worth putting in this spot for his upside there. The Pacers rank 23rd in fantasy points allowed to opposing wings.
Utility Plays
Jayson Tatum, $11,200
The savings from Brown end up being marginal since Tatum should be in your lineup. He started off these playoffs with a triple-double against the Heat, and had a stellar showing against Cleveland in Game 1 of that series. Tatum has been a force on the boards to provide a solid fantasy floor, and his shooting should eventually come around in the postseason. As mentioned, the Pacers are a weak defensive side against opposing wings. Tatum is a strong flex addition.
Derrick White, $8,000
White has been a great contributor for Boston in the playoffs, especially with his three-point shot. He’s connecting on 43.5% of his attempts from deep and has often created important separation for Boston with timely shots. At this price point, he’s worth backing over the likes of Pascal Siakam and Al Horford. White logged 32+ fantasy points in Game 1 against both the Heat and Cavaliers, so he has started series strong. He should continue to deliver for DFS managers tonight.
T.J. McConnell, $6,000
McConnell has cemented himself in Indiana’s rotation as the backup point guard. He’s also gotten some run with the starters, and the Pacers are willing to play him with Tyrese Haliburton at times. McConnell has logged 25+ fantasy points in each of the last time and while there could be some decline from a brilliant Game 7 Sunday, Boston’s bench offers some favorable opportunities for him. Add him at this price point.
Andrew Nembhard, $5,400
Nembhard quietly posted two of his best postseason outings in terms of fantasy points in the last two games, combining for 70.8 fantasy points in Games 6 and 7 against New York. He does a little bit of everything for Indiana and more importantly, is entrenched as a starter in this rotation. I like him to continue his solid form of late, even if there’s a bit of a hangover from the Game 7 victory Sunday.
Aaron Nesmith, $5,000
The Pacers wing has topped 20 fantasy points in nine of the 13 playoff games, combining for 49 fantasy points in the last two games. Most Indiana players will have stellar numbers over Games 6 and 7 but like Nembhard, Nesmith has the benefit of being a starter. He’s also a bit contributor who will need to get hot from deep to really explode but there’s a nice revenge narrative here with Boston being his former team. Obi Toppin showed out against the Knicks, so maybe Nesmith does the same against the Celtics.
Fades
Pascal Siakam, $8,800
Siakam tallied 62.8 fantasy points in Games 1 and 2 of the first round against the Bucks, setting the stage for a potentially huge postseason for the forward ahead of free agency. He’s cooled off substantially since then, topping 40 fantasy points just once. He was relatively muted in Game 7 but this is just not a good matchup for Siakam. The Celtics rank first in fantasy points allowed to opposing forwards, so Siakam can be left out of lineups at this price.
Jrue Holiday, $7,000
Holiday is a consistent producer but he’s clearly the fourth option in Boston’s offense and largely doesn’t hunt for his own shots. His fantasy floor is nice but there’s little ceiling since he’s operating in a very particular role and is excellent at it. The Pacers rank seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards, so this is a somewhat tricky matchup for Holiday as well. I’d leave the veteran out of DFS lineups at this price.