Sunday features a two-game main slate starting at 6 p.m. ET.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
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.
Stud
We have a really fun two-game slate on tap Sunday. Things get started with Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Pacers and Cavaliers and wrap up with Game 7 between the Warriors and Rockets. The first game stands out as the more obvious target for DFS purposes. Game 7s tend to be defensive slugfests, and the total for Pacers-Cavs is roughly 25 points higher.
Tyrese Haliburton stands out as the top pay-up option at point guard. He’s coming off a fantastic series vs. the Bucks, scoring at least 42.75 DraftKings points in four straight games. That includes at least 51.5 in his past two outings. Overall, Haliburton has averaged an elite 1.34 DraftKings points per minute during the postseason.
Value
Sticking with the Pacers, T.J. McConnell has had no problems racking up fantasy points in his limited playoff minutes. He was instrumental in the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, and he’s had another strong start this season. He posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of five games vs. the Bucks, including at least 25.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games.
McConnell is only projected for 17 minutes in Game 1 vs. the Cavaliers, but he’s the type of player who can average well over a fantasy point per minute. He’s averaged 1.06 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, including 1.23 during the playoffs. If he continues to produce at that level, he should be able to pay off his $4,100 price tag.
Fast Break
Steph Curry owns the top ceiling projection at the position Sunday. He should play as much as he can handle in a potential elimination contest. The Rockets are a tough matchup, and they’ve done a great job against Curry for most of the series. However, he still erupted for 65.75 DraftKings points in Game 3, and that kind of outburst is always in his range of outcomes.
Fred VanVleet has carried the Rockets offensively in their past two wins. He’s shot the ball extremely well in those outings, and he had 53.0 DraftKings points in his last game. He’s likely due for some shooting regression in Game 7, but he’s the team’s best source of offense at the moment. Expect another heavy workload.
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NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
The Cavaliers absolutely boat-raced the Heat in their first-round sweep, despite Darius Garland missing the final two contests. Garland has had plenty of time to recover, but he’s still listed as questionable for Game 1 vs. the Pacers.
If he’s unable to go, Donovan Mitchell would be asked to fill the void. They didn’t really need him to do so vs. the Heat, as they won both Games 3 and 4 by at least 37 points, but Mitchell increased his usage and assist rates with Garland off the floor during the regular season. He averaged 1.33 DraftKings points per minute in that split.
Even if Garland is able to go, Mitchell would still stand out at a weak position. He leads all SGs in ceiling projection by a wide margin, with the next closest option more than 15 points behind him.
Value
Max Strus turned in a couple of big performances vs. the Heat, and he could be poised for another strong showing vs. the Pacers. Indiana will likely try to hide Haliburton on him on defense, and the Cavs will try to involve Haliburton as much as possible.
Regardless, Strus is projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. That alone is enough to put him in play at $4,400, and he leads all shooting guards in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Andrew Nembhard should see plenty of minutes for the Pacers in this series. He will be tasked with guarding one of the Cavaliers’ top backcourt options, which should keep him on the floor. Nembhard is also capable of contributing offensively, evidenced by his four games with at least 30.25 DraftKings points in the first round.
The Warriors are still looking to find their best rotation. That’s not ideal for a playoff team, especially one that is about to play a Game 7. Gary Payton II moved into the starting lineup in Game 6, and he ultimately finished with 19.8 minutes. That’s not a ton, but it gives him some viability at $3,300.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Amen Thompson stands out as the clear top SF on Sunday’s slate. He leads the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s No. 1 in ceiling projection as well. That’s a tough combo to pass up, and it should make him one of the highest-owned players on the slate.
Thompson’s price tag has come down dramatically since the start of the playoffs. He was priced at $8,000 for Game 1, but he’s just $6,700 for Game 7. He hasn’t been great in this series, scoring 32.75 DraftKings points in five of six games, but he went off for 53.0 in the other. Ultimately, he has a better chance to return value at his diminished salary while providing the same outstanding ceiling.
Value
The Cavaliers have one of the deepest rosters in basketball. They haven’t had to lean on De’Andre Hunter yet during the playoffs, but that could potentially change in this series.
Regardless of how much he plays, expect Hunter to be productive when he’s on the floor. He’s averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s at 0.92 during the postseason. He’s currently projected for just 23 minutes in our NBA Models, but that should still give him a shot at paying off his salary.
Fast Break
Aaron Nesmith is very similar to Nembhard on paper, and both players are going to be vital in this series. Nesmith isn’t projected for quite as many minutes, but he makes up for it with superior per-minute production: he’s averaged 0.98 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s also a bit cheaper at $5,200, and he’s scored at least 38.25 DraftKings points in two of his past three games.
Moses Moody is priced at $3,600, and he’s been productive in his past two outings. He had a massive 46.75 DraftKings points in the blowout loss in Game 5, and he clearly benefited from some garbage time. However, he followed that up with 20.0 DraftKings points across 22.1 minutes in Game 6. That gives him some appeal as a punt play.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jimmy Butler continues to do “Playoff Jimmy” things. When he’s played a full workload in this series, he has delivered the goods. He had 52.75 DraftKings points in Game 1, 44.75 in Game 4, and 52.25 in Game 6, and he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute during the postseason.
With the Rockets continuing to focus heavily on Curry, the Warriors are going to need a big game from Butler to advance to the next round. He’s capable of delivering in every category across the board for fantasy purposes, and he stands out as one of the top stud targets on the slate.
Value
Dillon Brooks didn’t play a ton in Game 6, but he dealt with some foul trouble. We’re not expecting another small workload in Game 7, with Brooks currently projected for 33 minutes in our NBA Models.
That makes Brooks an excellent value option at just $4,500. It’s tough to find players with that kind of volume during the postseason. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.86 (per the Trends tool), and Brooks had scored at least 20.75 DraftKings points in each game prior to Game 6.
Fast Break
Pascal Siakam took a backseat to the Pacers’ backcourt options towards the end of their series vs. the Bucks. Something similar could happen vs. Cleveland, and he’ll draw a very difficult matchup vs. Evan Mobley. Still, Siakam is a very good player, and he scored at least 41.75 DraftKings points in his first three playoff outings this season. He’s averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute since the start of the regular season, so he’s an interesting buy-low option for tournaments.
Speaking of Mobley, he’s also in play Sunday. He would be particularly interesting if Garland is unable to go, with Mobley averaging a team-best 1.46 DraftKings points per minute with Garland off the floor this season.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
VanVleet has officially kept the Rockets’ season alive, but Alperen Sengun has been their best overall player during the playoffs. He’s taken on a far greater role as a scorer than he did during the regular season, posting a usage rate of at least 28.1% in three of their past four games. The lone exception was the blowout win in Game 5, and Sengun simply wasn’t needed in that outing.
Overall, Sengun has scored at least 47.25 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, and he’s coming off a game-high 56.0 DraftKings points in Game 6. He trails only Curry on this slate from a ceiling standpoint, and it’s by the slimmest of margins.
Value
Jarrett Allen’s role decreased for the Cavs after the acquisition of Hunter. However, he’s made the most of his playing time during the playoffs. He’s scored at least 35.75 DraftKings points in three of four games, despite the Heat being a tough interior defense. Things should be a bit easier for him vs. the Pacers, and Allen has averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Ultimately, he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Sometimes, the Rockets’ best offense has been simply missing shots. They have been offensive rebounding machines with Sengun and Steven Adams sharing the floor together, and they did that a lot in Game 6. Adams played more than 31 minutes, and he responded with 31.25 DraftKings points. There’s no guarantee he sees a comparable workload Sunday, but if he does, he would be one of the best plays of the day at just $3,800.
Myles Turner has had a quiet season, but he’s coming off nearly 43 minutes in his last outing. That represents a massive increase from his season average, and the Pacers are going to need his size to contend with the Cavaliers. He’s currently projected for 33 minutes in Game 1, and that could end up being a conservative estimate.
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Pictured: Amen Thompson, Stephen Curry
Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images
