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After a surprising first two games, we're set for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Mavericks on Sunday night, with the series shifting to American Airlines Center in Dallas. 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 5/26/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 8:00 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks (Captain/MVP/STAR)
Naturally, Luka Doncic is the top play on the slate in every respect, and the ideal candidate for the top multiplier spots despite the astronomical salaries. The All-World guard has scored well over 50 non-multiplier points in each of his last four postseason games, and he's shooting 50.0 percent, including 44.7 percent from three-point range, over that span. Given the fire he displayed in Game 2 in particular, Doncic could be extremely hard to slow down again Sunday in front of the home crowd.
Anthony Edwards undoubtedly will feel the pressure of putting the Timberwolves on his shoulders given the surprising 0-2 series hole they find themselves in, but he's opened the series shooting a miserable 33.3 percent overall, albeit with a lot more respectable 36.8 percent from three-point range. However, despite the overall inefficiency, there's no questioning Edwards' ability to break out of a funk on any given night and deliver over 60 non-multiplier fantasy points, as he's already done on three occasions this postseason.
Kyrie Irving is the weakest candidate of the three players listed in this case, but the elite ball handler naturally does have a significant upside. Irving has scored over 40 non-multiplier fantasy points on six occasions in the playoffs, and if the T-Wolves shower more defensive attention on the red-hot Doncic, Kyrie would be a primary beneficiary.
Top Captain's Spot/MVP Plays:
- Luka Doncic, DAL vs. MIN - PG ($20,400 DK; $17,000 FD)
- Anthony Edwards, MIN at DAL – SG/SF ($16,800 DK; $15,500 FD)
- Kyrie Irving, DAL vs. MIN – PG/SG ($14,400 DK; $14,000 FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at DAL ($13,800 DK; $13,000 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks (Utility/PRO)
Naz Reid has upped his production over the last four postseason games after an uneven run to that point, posting 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. The versatile big man has shot a blistering 59.1 percent, including 66.7 percent from behind the arc, in the first two games of this series, and his floor-spacing ability makes him my top-value option on the night.
Dereck Lively II isn't far behind Reid in my outlook Sunday, as the young big enters on a six-game run that's seen him put up 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks per contest. Lively has a pair of double-doubles and three double-digit rebound tallies overall in that span, as well as a pair of multi-block efforts. Despite the presence of Rudy Gobert down low, Lively has proven more than capable of winning his share of battles.
Mike Conley is once again listed as questionable due to his lingering Achilles injury, but assuming he's available, he has to be considered. Conley totaled 35.8 DK/35.5 FD points across 33 minutes in the Game 2 loss, and he's averaging just under 30 fantasy points per contest in 12 postseason games while shooting 38.7 percent from behind the arc. Dallas is also conceding the second-highest offensive efficiency rating of the original 20-team postseason field to point guards (31.9), furthering Conley's case.
Top Utility/PRO Plays:
- Naz Reid, MIN at DAL– PF/C ($5,600 DK; $9,500 FD)
- Dereck Lively II, DAL vs. MIN - C ($5,400 DK; $11,000 FD)
- Mike Conley, MIN at DAL ($6,800 DK; $10,500 FD)
ALSO CONSIDER: P.J. Washington, DAL vs. MIN – PF/C ($7,600 DK; $9,000 FD); Daniel Gafford, DAL vs. MIN ($5,000 DK; $8,500 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- Rotations at this point of the postseason are very predictable outside of injuries throwing matters into disarray, so straying too far from starters or backups with secure roles isn't advisable. Additionally, as far as starters that carry volatility, the Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels would be Exhibit A in that regard. He has seven games under 20 fantasy points in the postseason so far, including Game 2.
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: Luka Doncic
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Luka Doncic
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Anthony Edwards
- My favorite value play: Naz Reid
