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We have another two-game slate on our hands for this great Thursday evening. Both the Bucks and the 76ers are on the brink of elimination and the Bucks are going to need to pull off another monster game to overcome the Pacers without Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo who are both doubtful coming into this game. The 76ers are coming off a miraculous win in OT off of one of the better game-tying/winning shots from Tyrese Maxey, I have seen in the playoffs since Damian Lillard sent the Thunder packing in 2019.
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 5/2/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 6:30 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Let's take a look at the top plays brought to you by the Rotoballer Premium projections.
If it isn't broken don't fix it. I'm going right back to Tyrese Maxey, he has by far been one of the best players so far in the playoffs this year and you are getting a nearly guaranteed 40+ minutes from Tyrese as well. In the playoffs so far he has averaged nearly 50 FPPG on about 44 minutes a game. He has been extremely consistent and has been shooting lights out. He is my clear number-one option on this slate.
There aren't many players who were given a bigger usage bump in the playoffs than Khris Middleton. He has become the primary ballcarrier since Dame and Giannis both went down. In the two games without Damian, he has had 43 and 49 fantasy points and averaged 39 minutes on the floor. With the season on the line here, I expect Khris to put it all out there and do what he can to force a game seven.
Bobby Portis gave this team life in game five. They really missed him in game four especially with already being down Dame and Giannis. In game three and game five, he dropped 41+ FP which is good for almost five times his price. With the season on the line, I would expect him to continue being as dominant as he has been.
- Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs NYK – PG ($8.8K DK; $9.5K FD)
- Khris Middleton, MIL at IND – SG/SF ($8.7K DK; $9.2K FD)
- Bobby Portis, MIL at IND – PF/C ($7.7K DK; $8.5K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
Aaron Nesmith is a great cheap option on a slate that lacks decent value. His minutes have been a bit up and down but I credit his last game being only 26 due to the blowout. He has shown when he is given minutes he can produce. He does a little bit of everything and can get a STOCK or two. As long as the minutes are there, I like Nesmith as a decent value option.
Andrew Nembhard once he started seeing 30+ minutes has been playing much better. He is averaging about 28 FP a game in games he plays 30+ minutes, I will probably have quite a bit of Nembhard in my lineup because he fits so well in at the PG spot alongside Tyrese. Anything over 25 FP and I will consider that a win.
The last spot I will reserve for the Malik Beasley/Pat Connaughton bit below. There isn't a lot of elite value on this slate, so getting one stud and getting a more balanced lineup is probably going to be the way to go.
Top Value Plays:
- Aaron Nesmith, IND vs MIL - SF/PF ($5.1K DK; $5.8K FD)
- Andrew Nembhard, BOS vs. MIA - PG/SG ($4.9K DK; $5.7K FD)
- Malik Beasley, MIL at IND - SF/SG ($4.8K DK; $5.2K FD)
- Pat Connaughton, MIL at IND - SG/PG ($4K DK; $4.1K FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Both of these guys have been mentioned above as core/value plays, as for other spots; Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton should be looked at as well but due to price and consistency they didn't quite make the cut.
Tyrese Maxey put on an absolute SHOW in Game 5 with playoff career-highs in PTS and 3PM as the @sixers force a Game 6!
🔔 46 PTS
🔔 9 AST
🔔 7 3PM
🔔 Game-tying 3 to force OTGame 6 is Thursday on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/jMu91iucon
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2024
Top PG Options:
- Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs NYK – PG ($8.8K DK; $9.5K FD)
- Andrew Nembhard, LAC vs. DAL – PG/SG ($8.3K DK; $9.1K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
OG Anunoby has finally started to increase his production scoring 30+ FP in the last three games. His minutes are finally hitting highs of 40 and he is doing things when he is on the court. He is a decent price at 6.2k so I don't mind a couple of lineups having him but his inconsistency this season has me a bit hesitant. But with the lack of options on this slate, I will take a couple of shots on him.
This is kind of a dual option here. Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton both have seen increased usage since Lillard's departure. There is quite a lack of value on this slate and if you want a punt play then give me Patty C. His minutes have increased and he finished with 31 minutes last game and 28 FP. It is worth a shot for the price. On the other hand, the Bucks have lost out quite a bit on shooting and get some of it back with Malik. As long as the three-ball is landing for him, he can provide decent value.
Top SG Options:
- OG Anunoby, NYK at PHI - SG/SF/PF ($6K DK; $6.2K FD)
- Malik Beasley, MIL at IND - SF/SG ($4.8K DK; $5.2K FD)
- Pat Connaughton, MIL at IND - SG/PG ($4K DK; $4.1K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
I can't say enough good things about Josh Hart, he just does it all. That is my favorite kind of player. He just has that grit and isn't scared to get in there and bang with the big guys. Hart has finished with 35+ FP in all five playoff games while averaging 46 minutes a game. The minutes are safe and Josh Hart is one of the best plays on the slate.
Khris Middleton in the first round:
26.8 PPG
9.4 RPG
5.0 APG
49.5% FG
37.0% 3PT
89.7% FTHe’s a champion for a reason 🔥
(🎥 @Digits3App )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 1, 2024
Top SF Options:
- Khris Middleton, MIL at IND – SG/SF ($8.7K DK; $9.2K FD)
- Josh Hart, NYK at PHI - SF/PF ($7.4K DK; $7.8K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
Bobby Portis gave this team life in game five. They really missed him in game four especially with already being down Dame and Giannis. In games three and five, he dropped 41+ FP, which is good for almost five times his price. With the season on the line, I would expect him to continue being as dominant as he has been.
Pascal Siakam besides the last game has been a monster in the playoffs, starting the first two games off with two 60+ FP performances. He has fallen a bit in production-wise as the shot hasn't quite been there but he is getting FP elsewhere getting plenty of rebounds and assists to make up for the lack of scoring. If the Pacers want to finish off the bucks tonight, they will need him to step up and get it done.
AARON NESMITH LE SHOOT DE PATRON !!!
— Role Players (@RolePlayers_NBA) April 27, 2024
Top PF Options:
- Bobby Portis, MIL at IND – PF/C ($7.7K DK; $8.5K FD)
- Pascal Siakam, IND vs MIL - PF ($8.6K DK; $8.8K FD)
- Aaron Nesmith, IND vs MIL - SF/PF ($5.1K DK; $5.8K FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
With the season on the line for the 76ers, I would expect Joel Embiid to play. He is the most expensive player on this slate and pairing him with another stud may be difficult on this slate. If you can get the value to do so go for it. Embiid has been brilliant so far in the playoffs scoring over 50 FP in all five games, if you can justify the near 12k price. Then he is one of the top plays on the slate.
Myles Turner is a great alternative to the expensive Embiid. Turner is 4k cheaper than Embiid and besides his last game was scoring 35 FP+. He has been shooting the ball extremely well during the playoffs and his ability to get blocks and rebounds has bumped his fantasy scoring up a lot. He is a solid option to get different on as I believe others will go straight for Embiid or go cheap with one of the Knicks Centers.
Top C Options:
- Joel Embiid, PHI vs NYK - C ($10.7K DK; $11.9K FD)
- Myles Turner, IND vs MIL - C ($7.2K DK; $7.9K FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Bucks at Pacers (212.5 total)
- Knicks at 76ers (199.0 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- I'm fading Brook Lopez, I believe his usage is tied too much to whether or not Bobby Portis plays and with that being likely, I will fade 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: Tyrese Maxey
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Khris Middleton
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Pascal Siakam
- My favorite value play: Andrew Nembhard
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