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Saturday is Game 3 between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. This leaves us with Single-Game contests on DraftKings and FanDuel. The lineup construction is a bit different compared to the typical DFS slate as these include a 1.5x multiplier Captain's spot on DraftKings 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 5/25/24. 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!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks (Captain/MVP/STAR)
Jaylen Brown has been hot, kicking off the series against the Indiana Pacers. Brown logged 26 points, seven rebounds, and five assists with three steals and one block in Game 1. In Game 2, he recorded 40 points with five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Now, traveling to Indiana for Game 3, we should get another intense, down-to-the-wire game. Brown has had success against Indiana this season, averaging 29.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in seven games. The Pacers are trying to find a way to slow Brown down but have yet to figure out the recipe.
JAYLEN BROWN 40 BALL 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/itOTMEeIXU
— ESPN (@espn) May 24, 2024
Derrick White can open up the salary in Showdown lineup construction while reaching his ceiling. Similar to Brown, White has also started off this series hot. He was one assist shy of a double-double bonus in Game 1, recording 15 points, nine assists, and six rebounds with two steals and one block. In Game 2, he recorded 23 points with six assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block. He recorded 42.5 and 43 DK points in those two games. With this game being a must-win for the Pacers, White should benefit from a faster-paced environment and more opportunities to fill his stat sheet.
Pascal Siakam makes the most sense when paying for the best Indiana Pacers captain spot. Siakam provides the double-double bonus upside and has been the most consistent for his team. He recorded a double-double in Game 1, recording 24 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists with one steal. Game 2 wasn't a pretty game from the Pacers but he still managed to finish with 28 points, five rebounds, and 2 assists. With two different games from the Pacers, who knows which one we will see tonight but Siakam should benefit a good amount if things go in their favor.
Top Captain's Spot/MVP Plays:
- Jayen Brown, BOS at IND - SG/SF ($14,100 DK; $14,500 FD)
- Derrick White, BOS at IND – PG/SG ($12,300 DK; $12,500 FD)
- Pascal Siakam, IND vs. BOS – SF/PF ($13,500 DK; $13,500 FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: Tyrese Haliburton, IND vs. BOS – PG ($14,400 DK; $14,000 FD), Jrue Holiday, BOS at IND - PG ($11,400 DK; $ FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks (Utility/PRO)
Andrew Nembhard tip-toes that line of being a value pick or being an overall good utility filler. Nembhard has been scoring while racking up assists through the series' first two games. He recorded 26.8 DK points in Game 1 where he had 12 points, seven assists, and three rebounds. He played slightly better in Game 2 where the Pacers looked off as he had 16 points, five assists, and two rebounds with one steal for 28 DK points. He did get a $600 salary price increase by DraftKings but he's still worth the price tag for the stats that he has been bringing to the sheet.
Big shot from Andrew Nembhard, Pacers continue to attack Horford.
-Horford on Turner who goes to screen, calls for White to switch.
-Ball goes right to Nembhard who has the Horford matchup and goes right to work. pic.twitter.com/PPGmFhehcN— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) May 22, 2024
Payton Pritchard has been somewhat of a risky play when it comes to value plays and from the Boston Celtics player pool. Pritchard started Game 1 with eight points and two assists, finishing with just 12 DK points. He improved in Game 2, making himself a much more desirable value play where he recorded 12 points, with two rebounds, and two assists for 18 DK points. With his price tag and nearing 20 DK points, Pritchard can open up the salary for the rest of the lineup but also be one of the best value plays of the slate.
Obi Toppin is another risky play that can open up the roster lineup construction. Toppin is on the lower end of the exposure list as he has only surpassed 20 fantasy points in five of his last ten games in the playoffs. If the Boston Celtics come out and dominate once again, he'll ruin more lineups than help them. If this game is more like Game 1, Toppin was able to record 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists with one steal which makes his price tag easy to pay off.
Top Utility/PRO Plays:
- Andrew Nembhard, IND vs. BOS – PG/SG ($6,000 DK; $10,000 FD)
- Payton Pritchard, BOS @ IND - PG ($4,000 DK; $8,00 FD)
- Obi Toppin, IND vs. BOS ($4,200 DK; $8,500 FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: Al Horford, BOS @ IND – C ($6,400 DK; $10,500 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- My main target to avoid would be Aaron Nesmith of the Indiana Pacers. Nesmith has recorded 25.0 and 13.8 DK points through the series' first two games. The Pacers looked lost in game two and part of that fell on the rotation being used by head coach, Rick Carlisle. There are better options around his $5,000 (DraftKings); $9,000 (FanDuel) pricetag. Nesmith has also not been the best supporting cast member in the playoffs overall for the Pacers which makes me want to avoid using him at all costs.
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: Jaylen Brown
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jaylen Brown
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Andrew Nembhard
- My favorite value play: Payton Pritchard
