The NBA playoffs continue Wednesday with a two-game slate. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Wednesday’s playoff action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Shootaround [100k to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, $9,500
Curry should bounce back in a big way in Game 5, after being held to 26.25 FPTS in Game 4. The two-time MVP was scoring 51.3 FPTS per game in this series against the Rockets before that dud and this season, Curry is leading Golden State with a 29.7% usage rate and 1.3 FPTS per minute.
Plus, Curry has been a road warrior this season. The sharpshooter has notably been 5.3 FPTS per game better on the road than at home and Wednesday’s Game 5 should be another ultra competitive affair, with Houston only favored by four points on DraftKings Sportsbook. In spreads under five points on the road this season, Curry is producing 53.5 FPTS per game (seven games).
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($10,800), Anthony Edwards ($9,100)
Value
Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers, $4,800
DiVincenzo has been rock solid off the bench for the Timberwolves in this series with the Lakers, scoring at least 24 FPTS in three of four games. The ex-Knick has racked up multiple defensive stats in three of these four games. DiVincenzo’s fantasy success comes despite the wing shooting a poor 32% from the field in this best of seven.
DiVincenzo shot 42% from the field in the regular season and the veteran is is due for some positive regression as a shooter. If DiVincenzo can regain his shooting form, he has the potential for over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Brandin Podziemski ($6,000), Donte DiVincenzo ($4,800)
Forward
Stud
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, $9,000
James is a must-play with the Lakers trailing this series 3-1. The four-time MVP has been incredible, scoring 68 and 67 FPTS in his last two starts, while leading Los Angeles with a huge 43.5 minutes per game. James likely will play close to the entire contest in Game 5 and shouldn’t disappoint with the Lakers’ season on the line, especially with this game at home in Los Angeles.
In the last three times James has faced elimination in the playoffs, the forward has been brilliant with 62.8 FPTS per game. James would have been viable with an $11,000 price tag, so he is a core play at this laughably low $9,000 salary.
Other Options: Jimmy Butler ($8,300)
Value
Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, $4,000
After pouring in 30 FPTS off the bench in Game 3, Hield was inserted into the Warriors’ starting lineup for Game 4 and the three-point specialist had another 30 FPTS showing. Hield logged 30 minutes and saw a 22.9% usage rate in the starting role. He also finished in a tie with Draymond Green for Golden State’s highest plus/minus in the victory. Given the Warriors’ success with Hield as a member of the first unit, he should continue to start in Game 5 and is criminally underpriced for that role.
Hield should see close to 30 minutes of action. In the last 10 times he has logged at least 25 minutes, Hield is providing 26.8 FPTS per game.
Other Options: Jaden McDaniels ($5,800), Rui Hachimura ($4,700)
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors, $9,100
With the Warriors’ defense completely shutting down Jalen Green, the Rockets had no choice but to feed Sengun in Game 4. The center delivered, posting 56.5 FPTS. Sengun saw a huge 35.5% usage rate across 43 minutes. However, Houston lost this game and now faces elimination in Game 5, trailing 3-1 in this series with Golden State.
While the Rockets came up short with their offense running through Sengun, they only lost by three points and nearly pulled off the road upset. With Green’s struggles against the Warriors being a real trend all season long, Houston simply doesn’t have another choice but to keep game planning their offense around Sengun in Game 5. The center has a ceiling of over 50 FPTS on his home floor.
Other Options: Julius Randle ($7,100)
Value
Quinten Post, Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, $3,800
Post scored 23 FPTS across 20 minutes in Monday’s Game 4 win over the Rockets, which is the third straight game that the big man has scored at least 20 FPTS. With Hield moving into the Warriors’ starting lineup for Game 4, Post moved to the bench, but he operated as the second unit’s featured player. The 25-year-old garnered a 35% usage rate, which led Golden State in the win.
Obviously this is just a one-game sample, but assuming Hield remains a starter for Game 5, Post could see a large usage once again, giving him strong upside relative to his cheap salary.
Other Options: Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,000), Steven Adams ($3,600)
