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NBA DFS Breakdown (Sunday, May 15): Win or Go Home!

Sunday features a two-game main slate starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.

Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.

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Point Guard

Stud

Luka Doncic ($11,600) averages 1.57 DKFP per minute. He’s a threat to triple-double in any game and has scored at least 50 DraftKings points in every game this series, with a high of 75. The usage rate has been over 40% in five of six games. He should go bonkers in an elimination game. Per Marc Spears, Luka has averaged 39 PPG in elimination games, the highest mark in NBA history.

Value

Derrick White ($4,600) has played at least 30 minutes in the last three games after receiving 16, 28, and 21 in the first three. The usage rate is low, but he will contribute in every statistical category. He’s scored at least 20 DraftKings points in each of the last three games, and I see no reason why he doesn’t get at least 30 minutes Sunday due to his defense.

Fast Break

Chris Paul ($7,700) has scored fewer than 27 DraftKings points in each of the last four games. Something is wrong. Is he hurt? Is he worn down due to the Mavericks hunting him on defense? Whatever it is, his usage rate has fallen and he is often just standing in the corner.

Shooting Guard

Stud

Devin Booker ($8,600) has garnered a usage rate of 31.5%, 30.7%, and 33.7% over the last three games. That number was below 30% to start the series. This ties into the Paul blurb above. If the Suns are going to advance, Booker is going to need a big game, and I expect that to be the case. He’s gone for at least 40 DraftKings points in all three games at home this series. A 50-burger wouldn’t surprise me.

Value

Pat Connaughton ($4,400) has received at least 30 minutes in each of the last four games. He’s produced 24, 25.25, 19.25, and 23 DraftKings points. He hustles, grabs rebounds, knocks down open shots, and is able to take it to the rim strong. He’s endeared himself to the coaching staff and should see at least 30 minutes Sunday.

Fast Break

Reggie Bullock ($5,100) has a wide range of outcomes. He can score 10 DraftKings points or go for 30, something he’s done twice in this series. He’s attempted at least 10 three-pointers in two games and is going to get plenty of good looks playing alongside Luka. He will likely play close to 40 minutes.

Small Forward

Stud

Jayson Tatum ($10,000) was simply amazing in Game 6, going toe-to-toe with Giannis Antetokounmpo and finishing with 46 points and 66.8 DraftKings points. He’s scored at least 30 points in three straight. He’s going to play over 40 minutes and garner a high usage rate. The only question is whether the shooting efficiency regression fairies flutter down.

Value

Wesley Matthews ($3,400) is a gross fantasy option because he averages 0.5 DraftKings points per minute. He’s scored single-digits in two games this series while going over 20 just once. That said, he’s going to play around 30 minutes, and his offense will be needed to complement Jrue Holiday and Giannis. He’s cheap and could put up 20 DraftKings points at low ownership.

Fast Break

Dorian Finney-Smith ($5,400) is a low-usage player who has scored less than 20 DraftKings points in the last two games. Prior to that, he exploded for 41.5 DraftKings points! That was likely the outlier, but recency bias could bring lower ownership. He’s going to play close to 40 minutes and will likely finish in the mid-20 DraftKings points range with upside for more.

Power Forward

Stud

Giannis Antetokounmpo (12,000) averages 1.71 DraftKings points per minute and has the highest floor/ceiling combo on the slate. He’s scored at least 60 DraftKings points in five of six games with a high of 83.5.

Value

Bobby Portis ($5,000) has played 28 and 29 minutes the last two games and grabbed double-digit rebounds in both. His offense will be important to complement Holiday and Giannis, but he’s shot 30% or worse in each of the last four games. On the season, he converted 47% of his field-goal attempts and averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute.

Fast Break

Maxi Kleber ($4,900) has played 25 and 24 minutes over the last two games after receiving 34 and 33 the prior two contests. The range of outcomes is wide, as he can score 11 or over 30 DraftKings points. The matchup is good, as the Suns have boosted the three-point prowess to centers by 17% above the league average.

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Center

Stud

Al Horford ($7,200) has been great this series, going for over 40 DraftKings points in three games with a high of 57. In Game 6, he only put up 28.5 and scored two points on 1-for-6 shooting. The floor is high because he contributes across the board, and there are paths to ceiling games.

Value

Robert Williams ($4,800) is questionable with a knee issue. He’s an interesting option if he suits up, though. In the three games he played, Williams put up 24, 20, and 32.3 DraftKings points. He racked up eight blocks and four steals.

Fast Break

Deandre Ayton ($7,100) doesn’t have a high ceiling but he’s gone for at least 30 DraftKings points in five of the six games. He’s double-doubled in three of the last four games, just missing out on a fourth by one rebound. He doesn’t contribute much in the defensive categories, which limits his upside, but he’s been an offensive beast in the paint when give the opportunities.

Sunday features a two-game main slate starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.

Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.

Start Your PRO Trial Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models

Data-driven analysis & tutorials

Point Guard

Stud

Luka Doncic ($11,600) averages 1.57 DKFP per minute. He’s a threat to triple-double in any game and has scored at least 50 DraftKings points in every game this series, with a high of 75. The usage rate has been over 40% in five of six games. He should go bonkers in an elimination game. Per Marc Spears, Luka has averaged 39 PPG in elimination games, the highest mark in NBA history.

Value

Derrick White ($4,600) has played at least 30 minutes in the last three games after receiving 16, 28, and 21 in the first three. The usage rate is low, but he will contribute in every statistical category. He’s scored at least 20 DraftKings points in each of the last three games, and I see no reason why he doesn’t get at least 30 minutes Sunday due to his defense.

Fast Break

Chris Paul ($7,700) has scored fewer than 27 DraftKings points in each of the last four games. Something is wrong. Is he hurt? Is he worn down due to the Mavericks hunting him on defense? Whatever it is, his usage rate has fallen and he is often just standing in the corner.

Shooting Guard

Stud

Devin Booker ($8,600) has garnered a usage rate of 31.5%, 30.7%, and 33.7% over the last three games. That number was below 30% to start the series. This ties into the Paul blurb above. If the Suns are going to advance, Booker is going to need a big game, and I expect that to be the case. He’s gone for at least 40 DraftKings points in all three games at home this series. A 50-burger wouldn’t surprise me.

Value

Pat Connaughton ($4,400) has received at least 30 minutes in each of the last four games. He’s produced 24, 25.25, 19.25, and 23 DraftKings points. He hustles, grabs rebounds, knocks down open shots, and is able to take it to the rim strong. He’s endeared himself to the coaching staff and should see at least 30 minutes Sunday.

Fast Break

Reggie Bullock ($5,100) has a wide range of outcomes. He can score 10 DraftKings points or go for 30, something he’s done twice in this series. He’s attempted at least 10 three-pointers in two games and is going to get plenty of good looks playing alongside Luka. He will likely play close to 40 minutes.

Small Forward

Stud

Jayson Tatum ($10,000) was simply amazing in Game 6, going toe-to-toe with Giannis Antetokounmpo and finishing with 46 points and 66.8 DraftKings points. He’s scored at least 30 points in three straight. He’s going to play over 40 minutes and garner a high usage rate. The only question is whether the shooting efficiency regression fairies flutter down.

Value

Wesley Matthews ($3,400) is a gross fantasy option because he averages 0.5 DraftKings points per minute. He’s scored single-digits in two games this series while going over 20 just once. That said, he’s going to play around 30 minutes, and his offense will be needed to complement Jrue Holiday and Giannis. He’s cheap and could put up 20 DraftKings points at low ownership.

Fast Break

Dorian Finney-Smith ($5,400) is a low-usage player who has scored less than 20 DraftKings points in the last two games. Prior to that, he exploded for 41.5 DraftKings points! That was likely the outlier, but recency bias could bring lower ownership. He’s going to play close to 40 minutes and will likely finish in the mid-20 DraftKings points range with upside for more.

Power Forward

Stud

Giannis Antetokounmpo (12,000) averages 1.71 DraftKings points per minute and has the highest floor/ceiling combo on the slate. He’s scored at least 60 DraftKings points in five of six games with a high of 83.5.

Value

Bobby Portis ($5,000) has played 28 and 29 minutes the last two games and grabbed double-digit rebounds in both. His offense will be important to complement Holiday and Giannis, but he’s shot 30% or worse in each of the last four games. On the season, he converted 47% of his field-goal attempts and averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute.

Fast Break

Maxi Kleber ($4,900) has played 25 and 24 minutes over the last two games after receiving 34 and 33 the prior two contests. The range of outcomes is wide, as he can score 11 or over 30 DraftKings points. The matchup is good, as the Suns have boosted the three-point prowess to centers by 17% above the league average.

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Center

Stud

Al Horford ($7,200) has been great this series, going for over 40 DraftKings points in three games with a high of 57. In Game 6, he only put up 28.5 and scored two points on 1-for-6 shooting. The floor is high because he contributes across the board, and there are paths to ceiling games.

Value

Robert Williams ($4,800) is questionable with a knee issue. He’s an interesting option if he suits up, though. In the three games he played, Williams put up 24, 20, and 32.3 DraftKings points. He racked up eight blocks and four steals.

Fast Break

Deandre Ayton ($7,100) doesn’t have a high ceiling but he’s gone for at least 30 DraftKings points in five of the six games. He’s double-doubled in three of the last four games, just missing out on a fourth by one rebound. He doesn’t contribute much in the defensive categories, which limits his upside, but he’s been an offensive beast in the paint when give the opportunities.