The NBA playoffs continue Tuesday with a two-game slate. Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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Note: Projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Cade Cunningham ($10,900)
After dropping back-to-back games to the Magic and falling to a 3-1 deficit in the first-round series, Cunningham put the Pistons on his back and led the team to three straight victories to win the series, while scoring at least 56 DraftKings points in each contest. The guard is producing 1.4 DraftKings PPM with a 31% usage rate this season, and after defeating a slow, defense-first Magic team, Cunningham is facing the Cavaliers in the second round, who rank third in pace and 10th in defensive rating this postseason. Cunningham topped 50 DraftKings points in two of his three matchups vs. Cleveland in the regular season, and he is the No. 1 play for this short slate.
Value
Ajay Mitchell ($5,500)
With Jalen Williams (hamstring) still out, Mitchell is a must-play vs. the Lakers. Mitchell started in place of Williams for the final two games of the Thunder’s first-round series vs. the Suns, and Mitchell finished with 25.5 and 36.5 DraftKings points while logging at least 32 minutes in each tilt. With Williams inactive this season, Mitchell is producing 28 DraftKings PPG (29 games).
Fast Break
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,300) – This is a very low price for Gilgeous-Alexander, and he is right behind Cunningham for the top play on the slate. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 58 DraftKings points in two of his last three, and he is averaging 51 DraftKings PPG with Williams inactive this season (41 games).
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NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Austin Reaves ($7,800)
This is a strong time to buy low on Reaves. Many may fade him facing the Thunder’s league-best defense, but Reaves still has strong upside with Luka Doncic sidelined (hamstring). In the eight games Reaves and LeBron James have played with Doncic inactive this season, Reaves is averaging 35.8 DraftKings PPG with a 31.5% usage rate. Reaves just made his return from an oblique strain, but he logged over 30 minutes in the first two games back and hasn’t played since last Friday. Reaves should have no limitations, and while this matchup vs. the Thunder isn’t ideal, Reaves still brings a high ceiling and could be a difference maker in GPPs tonight.
Value
Duncan Robinson ($4,400)
The Pistons cruised to two easy wins to close out the Magic in the first round, and Robinson was relied on heavily in those tilts, scoring 25.75 and 28 DraftKings points while logging 36 minutes in both games. The sharpshooter should continue to see big minutes vs. the Cavaliers, and this is an appealing spot for Robinson, as Cleveland is allowing the fifth-highest three-point percentage this postseason. The veteran has scored 23 DraftKings points in two of his last three vs. the Cavaliers, and Robinson is the clear best value at shooting guard tonight.
Fast Break
Cason Wallace ($4,200) – Wallace posted 25 DraftKings points across 22 minutes in the Thunder’s closeout win over the Suns, and a repeat performance vs. the Lakers is possible with Williams sidelined. With the forward out this season, Wallace is averaging 21 DraftKings PPG (48 games).
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Ausar Thompson ($6,500)
Thompson is the only small forward on the slate priced over $6,000, and while he isn’t the greatest value, Thompson has appeal for GPPs, as he likely won’t be too popular. The elite defender has posted at least 35 DraftKings points in three of his last five. Thompson is averaging nearly five stocks per game this postseason, and he was awesome vs. the Cavaliers in the regular season, topping 40 DraftKings points in his final two meetings vs. the club.
Value
Alex Caruso ($4,100)
Caruso elevated his game with Williams out for the final two games vs. the Suns in the first round, producing 25.75 and 23 DraftKings points. The veteran got up to 25 minutes off the bench in that latter game, and Caruso closed the contest with the Thunder’s starters. The pesky defender should see 20–25 minutes tonight with Williams missing, giving Caruso a strong chance of exceeding 20 DraftKings points vs. the Lakers. With Williams off the floor this season, Caruso is generating 0.9 DraftKings PPM.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
LeBron James ($9,300)
Despite Reaves being active, James still put up 42.25 and 48.25 DraftKings points in the final two vs. the Rockets. The 41-year-old is supplying 46.5 DraftKings PPG with a 31.3% usage rate in the eight he and Reaves have played together without Doncic this season. The Thunder are the best defense in the league, but James exceeding 5x value is still very possible at this price tag, which is a $300 drop from his last start.
Value
Rui Hachimura ($5,100)
Hachimura also is a viable target despite the tough matchup vs. the Thunder. In the Game 6 win over the Rockets, the former lottery pick finished with 36 DraftKings points across 34 minutes. In the seven games Hachimura has played sans Doncic, but with James and Reaves active, Hachimura is scoring 24.2 DraftKings points in 32 minutes per game. In three of his four matchups vs. the Thunder in the regular season, Hachimura scored at least 21 DraftKings points.
Fast Break
Tobias Harris ($7,100) – Harris was huge for the Pistons in the first round, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in all seven games vs. the Magic, including a 54.25 DraftKings point outing in Game 7. Harris is handling a 25.6% usage rate in the postseason, compared to 18.8% in the regular season, and his impressive play should continue vs. the Cavaliers, who are a better matchup than the Magic. This postseason, Cleveland ranks 10th in defensive rating, compared to Orlando at sixth.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Jalen Duren ($6,900)
Duren had a rough series vs. the Magic, but he ended it on a high note, posting a 40.75 DraftKings point double-double in Game 7. Duren now is going against a Cavaliers defense that he exposed for 67 and 45 DraftKings points in his final two matchups with the team in the regular season. Cleveland is a faster team and weaker defense than the Magic, and Duren should outproduce this depressed salary in Game 1. The center began the playoffs priced at $7,800 on DraftKings.
Value
Deandre Ayton ($5,500)
Duren played very well to conclude the first round, scoring 32, 44.25, and 30.5 DraftKings points in his final three vs. the Rockets. Ayton is amassing 30 DraftKings PPG with Doncic out, but James and Reaves active this season (six games), and while the Thunder are the best defense in the league, Ayton should see close to 30 minutes to match the size of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Ayton’s floor is shaky, but he has a ceiling over 30 DraftKings points and is a strong target for GPPs.
Fast Break
Jarrett Allen ($5,700) – Allen was brilliant in Sunday’s Game 7 vs. the Raptors, erupting for 58.75 DraftKings points in 33 minutes, which came after a 30 DraftKings point outing in Game 6. Allen now faces a stout Pistons defense that ranks first in rating this postseason, but he scored over 30 DraftKings points in two of his three meetings with Detroit in the regular season, and Allen will see big minutes to defend Duren.
Pictured: Cade Cunningham
Photo Credit: Imagn
