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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We're set for another two-game postseason slate tonight that features a potential elimination game (Cavs-Celtics) and a critical Game 5 clash (Mavericks-Thunder). We have one major injury concern hanging over the night -- that being Donovan Mitchell -- but we're otherwise working with a relatively healthy player pool with plenty of solid options across the board.
The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. However, it's always really important to have a game plan, as well as the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and to 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 Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is my favorite overall play on the slate after scoring no fewer than 59.5 DK and 60.3 FD points in each of the first four games of the series, more than enough of a sample to corroborate the Mavericks have no answer for defending him consistently.
Luka Doncic continues to power through knee and ankle injuries, scoring over 50 DK and FD points in each of the last three games of the series. With the series now knotted up again, Luka will undoubtedly boast another massive usage rate.
Jayson Tatum's shooting has been a bit better in the last two games -- he's drained 44.0 percent of his shots over that span after generating a 38.9 percent success in the first pair of contests -- and that's resulted in a pair of tallies of over 60 DK points and 58 FD points.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC vs. DAL - PG ($10.1K DK; $11.2K FD)
- Luka Doncic, DAL at OKC – PG ($11.1K DK; $11.5K FD)
- Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. CLE– SF/PF ($9.7K DK; $10.2K FD)
All 14 of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Game 4 buckets. ⬇️
SGA with one of the best performances in the 2024 playoffs.
He also had 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and zero (!) turnovers.
Midrange masterclass from SGA.
(@11AWH) pic.twitter.com/Q4W3Ihh0vO
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 14, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
P.J. Washington has delivered impressive returns on his salaries over the last three games, averaging over 40 fantasy points per game on each site and shooting 48.3 percent, including 50.0 percent from behind the arc on a whopping 11.3 three-point attempts per game. If he remains similarly aggressive Wednesday and has anywhere near the same hot hand, he could blow his current salaries away again.
Darius Garland will be an even more appealing option if Donovan Mitchell (calf) misses another game, as he scored 49.3 DK/48.1 FD points without his teammate in Game 4. However, he also averaged 28.7 FD points in the first three games of the series with Mitchell available, so he remains a solid value regardless.
Jrue Holiday has impressively stepped up his offensive contributions over the last two games and has shot a blistering 61.9 percent, including 58.3 percent from distance, in that span. The veteran is also always capable of complementing his fantasy contributions with defensive stats, helping to shore up his floor a bit.
Top Value Plays:
- P.J. Washington, DAL at OKC - PF/C ($6.3K DK; $7.1K FD)
- Darius Garland, CLE at BOS - PG ($6.9K DK; $6.8K FD)
- Jrue Holiday, BOS vs. CLE - PG ($5.8K DK; $6.3K FD)
Jrue Holiday has played out of his mind in these last 2 games.
He’s made the right play, played amazing defense, and been very efficient.
Special player, and he’s our 5th option.
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) May 14, 2024
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
All three players were discussed in either the Core or Value sections and represent the best PG options on the small slate.
Top PG Options:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC vs. DAL - PG ($10.1K DK; $11.2K FD)
- Luka Doncic, DAL at OKC – PG ($11.1K DK; $11.5K FD)
- Darius Garland, CLE at BOS - PG ($6.9K DK; $6.8K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Mitchell's calf injury naturally makes him an iffy proposition going into the day, but if he's announced as available, he carries top-three upside on the slate after averaging over 50 DK points over the first three games of the series and just under that mark (48.9) on FD.
Kyrie Irving's Game 4 dud aside, he's still a very appealing play at his salaries and shot 48.7 percent, including 41.7 percent from three-point range, over the first three games of the series.
Derrick White's shooting has gone in the tank over the last three contests (26.7 percent), but he's found a way to eclipse 20 fantasy points on each site anyhow with his contributions across other categories. Additionally, he still carries 35+ fantasy-point upside, as he's demonstrated on multiple occasions this postseason.
Top SG Options:
- Donovan Mitchell, CLE at BOS - PG/SG ($9K DK; $9.4K FD)
- Kyrie Irving, DAL at OKC - SG/PG ($8.2K DK; $8.1K FD)
- Derrick White, BOS vs. CLE - SG/PG ($6.5K DK; $6K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
Jaylen Brown has been one of the steadiest players throughout the postseason, and he's shooting an elite 61.2 percent, including 44.4 percent from distance, in the first four games against the Cavaliers.
Jalen Williams has somehow gone somewhat under the radar due to the otherworldly exploits of Gilgeous-Alexander, but the second-year pro is clocking 19.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals thus far this postseason, eclipsing 40 fantasy points on each site on three occasions during that span.
Luguentz Dort is best suited for tournaments due to the fluctuations his production can endure, but he's shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range this postseason and is coming off having scored a series-high 30.5 DK/29.6 FD points in Game 4.
Top SF Options:
- Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. CLE - SF/SG ($7.9K DK; $7.8K FD)
- Jalen Williams, OKC vs. DAL - SF/SG ($7.6K DK; $7.7K FD)
- Luguentz Dort, OKC vs. DAL - SF ($4.8K DK; $4.6K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
The case for Tatum and Washington was already made earlier, while Evan Mobley is a solid play whether or not Mitchell is available. The big man is averaging over 35 fantasy points per contest on both sites over the first four games of the series while putting up 18.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest.
Top PF Options:
- Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. CLE– PF/SG ($9.7K DK; $10.2K FD)
- Evan Mobley, CLE at BOS - PF/C ($7.5K DK; $8K FD)
- P.J. Washington, DAL at OKC - PF/C ($6.3K DK; $7.1K FD)
I mean, give Jayson Tatum his flowers ☘️
33 points to go with 11 rebounds and five assists. He came up big as a leader for this Celtics team in both games in Cleveland: pic.twitter.com/EGYvSZvNvQ
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) May 14, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Chet Holmgren has scored between 30 and 39.8 DK points in the first four games while eclipsing 40 FD points on three occasions during the same span, making him a very strong play at his salaries. He's particularly been impressive on the defensive end, taking advantage of a soft Mavericks frontcourt to record multiple rejections in each contest, including back-to-back four-block tallies.
Daniel Gafford is averaging just under 30 fantasy points over his last four postseason games overall, putting up 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.0 blocks per contest in that span. Gafford's average of 23.8 minutes per game in that span isn't ideal, but his modest salaries do largely account for the modest allotment of playing time.
Top C Options:
- Chet Holmgren, OKC vs. DAL ($7K DK; $7.8K FD)
- Daniel Gafford, DAL at OKC ($5.4K DK; $5.7K FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Mavericks at Thunder (213.0 total)
- Cavaliers at Celtics (204.0 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- If Mitchell is announced as available for the Cavaliers, the likes of Caris LeVert and Max Strus become much less appealing to me except for larger-field tournaments due to the volatility in their production.
- While Al Horford ($5.3K DK; $5K FD) certainly doesn't carry prohibitive salaries, his offensive contributions have been so paltry of late that there's not much need to risk a roster spot on him.
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: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jalen Williams
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Luka Doncic
- My favorite value play: P.J. Washington
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