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FanDuel NBA DFS Lineup Picks (5/3/17): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

I hope you're not sick of these two-game slates because we have quite a few of them left as we ride out the NBA playoffs schedule. Normally, I'm much more excited to play when we have more players to choose from, but FanDuel has made sure we stay interested by really juicing up the guaranteed prize pools. One of the main contest tonight has an $8 entry fee and the prize is $100,000 to first, and the rest of the top 10 will be compensated handsomely. Vegas, anyone?

Oh, speaking of Vegas, I have some lines to share with you. We've got eerily similar over/under (point total projections, essentially), with the Cavs and Raptors at 213 and the Rockets and Spurs at 214. As for favorites, the Cavs are favored by 7.5 as of this morning, and the Spurs - who were absolutely blown out in game one - are actually six point favorites. As far as stacking opportunities go, the matchups and upside are fairly similar. I personally think there is a lot of value in the Spurs in this revenge game, as the faster pace the Rockets operate with will lead to more possessions for that offensive unit.

In this article, I will be providing you with daily NBA lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/3/17. The picks will range from some of the elite players, to mid-priced options, and value plays.

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Let's let tonight be our night.

 

FanDuel DFS Guards

Kyle Lowry - PG, at CLE ($8,600)

Lowry didn't have an amazing performance in game one, but it was a welcome change in performance as he had struggled greatly in the Raptors first round series against the Bucks. Luckily for Lowry backers like myself, he has a much easier matchup this time around with the Greak Freak in the rear-view mirror and Kyrie Irving defending him now. One of the biggest things I am chasing in basketball DFS - now more than ever with some rotations being shortended for the playoffs - is minutes. Lowry leads all point guards tonight in projected minutes and he's second in Usage rate at 25 and is second in season-long PER at 22.9. He offers the nice mix of a steady-ish floor and the upside I seek in tournament formats, thanks to his ability to stuff the stat sheet even if his shot isn't falling at a favorable percentage.

Also Consider: Deron Williams  - PG, vs TOR ($2,500)

 

Lou Williams - SG, vs SAS ($4,900)

To afford the top dogs tonight, you have to find value + upside somewhere. I think that combination best manifests itself tonight in the form of Mr. Lou Williams. For a player with a six-man type role, Lou bounces around from the first unit and the second, typically racking up 30+ minutes, double digit shot attempts, and he's somewhat blowout-proof. Of all the shooting guards available tonight, Williams Usage projection of 25+ is topped only be DeMar DeRozan and James Harden.

Also Consider: Danny Green - SG, vs HOU ($3,800)

 

FanDuel DFS Forwards

Kawhi Leonard - SF, vs HOU ($10,900)

With similar projection numbers tonight - in ceiling, floor and everything else - I think the decision between Kawhi comes down to price and preference. I prefer Kawhi a bit as I think his point total will be very similar and his price allows me to fit in studs and above-average plays more easily than rostering LeBron does. That said, in cash games, it would be wise to fit both in your roster. They are nearly locks for 50 points, and in addition to that, the dropoff to the next best plays is quite steep and it would be very difficult to make up those points at other positions. Clearly, Kawhi and his teammates did not perform well in game one, but even in that sloppiness, Leonard only failed to meet salary expectations by a point. Kawhi has been incredibly efficient this seaosn in his time on the court (27 PER) and of all the small forwards in action tonight, Leonard has the highest Usage rate projection (32) and trails only King James in projected minutes.

Also Consider: LeBron James - SF, vs TOR ($12,700)

 

Serge Ibaka - PF, at CLE ($6,200)

Serge is starting to find his rhythm right when Toronto needs him most. His size, quickness and athleticism create a mismatch for the slower Kevin Love, and I think it's something the Raptors will look to exploit more as they try to even the series at one a piece this evening. As for Ibaka compared to the rest of the options tonight at power forward, he has a nice blend of what I'm looking for in projected minutes, efficiency, matchup, ceiling and he can fill it up with steals and blocks. He's top three at the position in fantasy points per minute, Usage projection and minutes projection - plus, he's much more affordable than Kevin Love.

Also Consider: Ryan Anderson - PF, at SAS ($4,600)

 

FanDuel DFS Centers

Clint Capela - C, vs SAS ($6,200)

If you're willing to pay above the median price for a big man today, I think you have to take a long look at Capela and what he was able to accomplish in game one. He was the highest scoring center of the day on Monday - a day that included the same two matchups we have tonight - putting up 40.4 FanDuel points and needing only 24 minutes to do so. In watching that game, you could tell that the slower, older big men of the Spurs were completely outmatched by Capela's quickness around the rim, as he was able to convert several open looks during his 8-for-10 from the field performance. Of all the big men taking the floor tonight, Capela leads them all in PER (21.4) and in fantasy points per minute (1.07).

Also Consider: Tristan Thompson - C, vs TOR ($5,700)

 

NBA DFS News & Injury Alerts

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nic Dowd

Out Against Lightning
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Good to Go Saturday
Gavin Brindley

to Sit Out at Least Two Games
Thomas Chabot

Available Against Sharks
Roman Josi

Returns From 12-Game Absence
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Out Saturday
Kawhi Leonard

Anticipated to Return on Sunday
J.T. Miller

Won't Play Against Mammoth
Brenton Strange

Activated Off Injured Reserve, Will Play vs. Arizona
Chris Godwin

Expected to Play in Week 12
Kawhi Leonard

Sidelined for Saturday's Game Against Hornets
Joe Burrow

Won't Be Activated This Week
Tre Mann

Dealing With Ankle Soreness
Jaden Ivey

Could Make Season Debut Soon
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Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Aaron Gordon

Expected to Miss Time With Hamstring Injury
Matas Buzelis

Leaves Friday's Game Early With Ankle Issue
Gabriel Vilardi

Has Two Goals in Losing Effort
Jordan Staal

Provides Two Goals in Friday's Win
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Amasses Three Points in Impressive Road Win
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Shuts Out Penguins Friday
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Pots Two Goals Friday Night
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Tallies Four Assists in Big Win
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Open to Returning in 2026?
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Brandon Aiyuk

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Cleared to Play Friday with Planned Minutes Limit
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Coby White

Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Miami
Jarrett Allen

Ruled Out on Friday
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Doubtful as Grizzlies Face Mavericks
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Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
Jaylon Tyson

Returning Versus Indiana
Darius Garland

Cleared to Play on Friday, Expected to See Limited Action
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to Miss Friday's Game Against Raptors
Auston Matthews

Doubtful for Saturday
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Ruled Out for Week 12
Alexandre Sarr

Ruled Out for a Second Straight Game
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Could Return Saturday
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Out for Six Months After Surgery
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Officially Questionable for Week 12
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Expected to Play Through Groin Issue Saturday
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Labeled as "Day-to-Day"
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Available Friday
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to Miss 4-6 Weeks
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Cleared From Injury Report Ahead of Week 12
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 12
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Listed as Questionable for Week 12
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Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
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Cleared to Return From Hamstring Injury in Week 12
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"Trending in the Right Direction," Officially Questionable
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Expected to Return in Week 12
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Looks To Extend His Win Streak
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Looks To Bounce Back
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Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
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Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
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Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
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Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

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Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

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Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

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James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
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