NBA DFS: DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (5/16/24) - Today's Top Lineups

It's getting to that time of year when the one-game slate is more plentiful. I love doing the single-game slates, and in fact, I did quite a few of them for RotoBaller earlier in the year, so I'm glad I can come back to the single-game and cover it once again. The lineup construction is a little bit different than your typical DFS slate as 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 5/16/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 8:30 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks (Captain/MVP/STAR)

With this being a single-game slate, you can't overthink the obvious spots. Nikola Jokic is the clear No. 1 option here. In this series alone, Jokic has dropped 55+ FP in four of the five games. He will be close to 100% owned, so there is no point in getting cute with it; you must have Jokic in your lineup.

This is where things start to get interesting. Outside of Jokic, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns rise toward the top. Getting both Jokic and Anthony Edwards will prove difficult with how tight both of these teams run their rotations. On DraftKings, it is a bit easier as you can go cheaper on your captain, allowing you to pick up more studs. As for FanDuel, I don't mind getting different and fading Edwards, allowing you to afford some of the other higher-priced options.

This is a DraftKings-specific play, but Aaron Gordon has been fantastic in this series, averaging 35 FPPG, including most recently 40 and 50 FP games. For a captain play, he is quite cheap at only 12K compared to the 21K it costs to put Jokic there. In that situation, you save about 3K, allowing you to pay up and afford another stud. Gordon also makes for a great STAR/PRO play on FanDuel. On DK, too, he's cheaper than Michael Porter Jr., who has had a rough series so far.

Top Captain's Spot/MVP Plays:

1. Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIN - C ($21K DK; $16.5K FD)
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. DEN – PF/C ($14.1K DK; $13K FD)
3. Aaron Gordon, DEN at MIN - PF ($8K DK; $12K FD)

ALSO CONSIDER: Rudy Gobert, MIN vs. DEN - C ($12.6K DK; $12.5K FD)

Aaron Gordon’s energy and athleticism is one of the most important factors of the Nuggets.

Obviously they have Jokic and Murray, but man, Aaron Gordon’s energy is unmatched. pic.twitter.com/2fWmD5y6RA

— Cooper McCoy (@CooperMcCoyRE) May 15, 2024

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks (Utility/PRO)

Mike Conley could be out once again with a sore Achilles, and it sounds similar to the one Damian Lillard was out with. That could mean Conley is out of this game. If that is the case, though, Nickeil Alexander-Walker becomes an elite value option. In the last game Conley was out, NAW finished the game with 39 minutes and scored nearly 30 FP. He will be a highly owned value play, but he is one of the top options to get someone cheap on a slate that lacks value already.

It is also possible that Jamal Murray may be out with a calf strain, as he sits questionable right now. Keeping an eye on if he ends up out could make a big difference on this slate. That being said, if he is out, this opens the opportunity for a couple of guys, including Christian Braun, Reggie Jackson, and Justin Holiday if you want to get different. I do like Braun quite a bit even if Murray plays. He has had back-to-back games of 25 minutes or more, and in the last game, he finished with 27 FP.

Jackson could be a risky play, but if Murray doesn't play, he should see his minutes and usage increase heavily. He is only 6.5K on FD and 2.4K on DK. This could be really good value if he ends up starting in place of Murray.

Top Utility/PRO Plays:

1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, MIN vs. DEN - SG/SF ($7.2K DK; $11K FD)
2. Christian Braun, DEN at MIN - C ($6.2K DK; $10.5K FD)
3. Reggie Jackson, DEN at MIN - PG ($4.4K DK; $9K FD)

ALSO CONSIDER: Jaden McDaniels, MIN vs. DEN - SF/PF ($7.2K DK; $11K FD)

🇨🇦 Represent The Canadians 🇨🇦

Nickeil Alexander-Walker | vs. Denver

14 POINTS
4 THREE POINTERS
2 REBOUNDS
5 ASSISTS
2 BLOCKS@Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/0zjJRm9JOl

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) May 15, 2024

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

My only true fade might be Michael Porter Jr. He has been awful in this series outside of one game and I can't justify that price for mediocrity, especially when I can get similar production out of Jaden McDaniels for 1.5K cheaper.

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: Aaron Gordon
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Karl-Anthony Towns
• My favorite value play: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis