The Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers begin with Game 1 in New York on Tuesday. Below, I have featured some of my favorite targets for DraftKings’ Showdown slate for this Game 1.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
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 Stud Picks
Karl-Anthony Towns ($16,200 CPT, $10,800 FLEX)
Focusing on the Knicks is the right move for this Showdown slate, as they have been dominant, winning seven straight and not playing in nine days, while the Cavaliers just closed the Pistons out in seven games on Sunday. New York leads the NBA in net rating during these playoffs, and the club could run away with a win tonight. Towns has been very efficient this postseason, and he is the best stud to roster. The big man is leading the Knicks with 1.6 DraftKings PPM while shooting 58% from the field and 48% on three-pointers. Towns is handling a 22.5% usage rate and a 32.5% assist rate, which is over double the 14.7% assist rate he saw in the regular season. Towns has already notched two triple-doubles, and he has scored at least 45 DraftKings points in 6 of 10 games. Towns scored fewer than 40 DraftKings points in all three of his matchups vs. the Cavaliers in the regular season, but the center is playing his best basketball of the season right now, and Cleveland has struggled defensively, ranking eighth in defensive rating during these playoffs. Towns should finish as this Showdown slate’s top scorer, and he is a core play.
Jalen Brunson ($15,300 CPT, $10,200 FLEX)
Brunson is also a strong target, and rostering him and Towns together is wise – they positively correlate in our models. Brunson is leading the Knicks with a 31% usage rate, and he has topped 40 DraftKings points in 5 of 10 starts this postseason. Brunson has a 46.75-DraftKings-point outing vs. the Cavaliers this season, and this defense should have issues containing the guard after Cade Cunningham just flourished vs. Cleveland in the second round. Brunson should start this series off strong tonight and exceed 40 DraftKings points.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Mid-Range Picks
Evan Mobley ($13,200 CPT, $8,300 FLEX)
Mobley had his best showing of the postseason in Game 7 vs. the Pistons, going off for 54 DraftKings points in 35 minutes. The big man has scored at least 48 DraftKings points in three of his last four, and during these playoffs, Mobley is scoring 1.1 DraftKings PPM while shooting 55% from the field and handling a 19% usage rate. The Knicks defense has been elite, ranking second in defensive rating this postseason, but Mobley’s strong form makes him the top option to attack from the Cavaliers.
OG Anunoby ($11,100 CPT, $7,400 FLEX)
Anunoby (hamstring) missed the final two games of the second round, but he returned to practice this weekend and is probable to play in Game 1. Anunoby has been awesome on both ends of the floor this postseason. The forward is generating 1.1 DraftKings PPM while shooting 61.9% and handling a 19% usage rate. Anunoby likely won’t get overworked tonight, but our projections are still slating him for 28 minutes, giving him strong upside. Plus, Anunoby likely will come with lower ownership, as many may be scared to roster him after the hamstring injury. Anunoby has scored at least 30 DraftKings points in all but one of his eight starts this postseason, including four outings over 40 DraftKings points.
Jarrett Allen ($10,500 CPT, $7,000 FLEX)
Allen ranks second for the Cavaliers in net rating this postseason, and we should see a heavy dose of the big man tonight in Game 1. Allen posted 36.25 DraftKings points in Sunday’s Game 7 win over the Pistons, and he has surpassed 30 DraftKings points in six of his last nine. Allen posted a double-double of 40 DraftKings points in his final meeting of the regular season vs. the Knicks back in February, and he brings similar upside tonight.
Mikal Bridges ($10,200 CPT, $6,800 FLEX)
After a brutal start to the playoffs, Bridges has found his groove. The wing has scored over 30 DraftKings points in five straight games. Over this time, Bridges is shooting 68% from the field and garnering an 18.2% usage rate. The veteran’s strong play should continue vs. the Cavaliers’ inconsistent defense, and Bridges is underpriced at these salaries. If trying to save at captain, Bridges has a ton of merit for that spot, and a small percentage of the field should roster him there.
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NBA DFS Value & Punt Picks
- Sam Merrill ($6,000 CPT, $4,000 FLEX) – Merrill was excellent in Game 7 vs. the Pistons, posting 30.75 DraftKings points in 25 minutes while shooting 7-of-10 from the field. While this type of performance is unlikely vs. the Knicks, Merrill scoring around 20 DraftKings points is possible.
- Mitchell Robinson ($6,600 CPT, $4,400 FLEX) – Robinson has only topped 20 DraftKings points once in these playoffs, but the big man was great vs. the Cavaliers in the regular season and is worth rolling the dice on in GPPs. In two matchups vs. Cleveland, Robinson scored 20.75 and 38 DraftKings points.
- Dean Wade ($4,200 CPT, $2,800 FLEX) – Wade scored 14.5 DraftKings points across 20 minutes in Sunday’s Game 7 vs. the Pistons, which is the 10th time in 14 games this postseason that he has scored double-digit DraftKings points. Wade doesn’t have much upside, but he could get you double figures, which would be a win at these price tags.
- Jaylon Tyson ($1,500 CPT, $1,000 FLEX) – Tyson has barely been playing as of late, but he could see double-digit minutes tonight if there is a blowout, and he would provide great value in that situation. In eight of their games this postseason that have been decided by double digits, Tyson is averaging 10.8 DraftKings PPG.
Pictured: Jalen Brunson
Photo Credit: Imagn
