Thursday features a two-game main slate starting at 7:30 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 another two-game slate on tap for Thursday, and it has the potential to be a banger. Both of the teams facing elimination – the Pistons and the Clippers – are at home, and both teams are slight favorites. If they’re able to take care of business, it would set up two decisive Game 7s on Saturday night.
For the Pistons to get the job done, they’ll likely need another big performance from Cade Cunningham. He wasn’t quite at his best in Game 5, but he still finished with 50.0 DraftKings points thanks to 24 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block. He had at least 56.0 DraftKings points in each of his prior three outings, and he played at least 42.4 minutes in all three contests.
Cunningham’s minutes and shooting percentages were slightly down in Game 5, so that feels more like a floor outcome for him. It makes him one of the best plays of the day at $9,700 on DraftKings, and he ranks second on the entire slate in projected Plus/Minus. His 13 Pro Trends are also the top mark at the point guard position, while he’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at greater than a 47% clip. Ultimately, he checks all the boxes.
Value
Finding a value option at the position is significantly tougher. There simply aren’t a ton of players who are expected to see significant minutes outside of the top studs.
However, Kris Dunn is a possible exception. He’s currently projected for 24 minutes at just $3,800, and that’s enough to put him in play. Dunn has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of five postseason outings, and he has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.21 with a comparable salary and minute projection (per the Trends tool). Dunn can also be used in either backcourt spot, which increases his viability on this slate.
Fast Break
Jalen Brunson has often been the bridesmaid at point guard during the postseason. He’s opposing Cunningham, who routinely stands out as the stronger DFS option in our Models. That said, Brunson is still very capable of doing damage. He scored at least 49.0 DraftKings points in each of his first four outings before struggling in his last contest. The big X-factor here is his health. He suffered an ankle injury in Game 5, so it’s possible he’s not at 100% in Game 6. However, that will likely lower his ownership, making him an interesting option in tournaments.
Russell Westbrook is another potential value option. He’s not quite as cheap as Dunn, but he has been the superior fantasy producer. He’s averaged 1.07 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he scored 21 points with a 35.9% usage rate across 25.3 minutes in his last outing. If not for unusually low production in the peripheral categories – one rebound, one assist – he would’ve done better than his 23.25 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 Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Jamal Murray dialed up a vintage playoff performance in Game 5. He delivered some huge scoring outbursts in the bubble and in the team’s championship run two years ago, but he has not looked like the same player in 2025. There was concern about whether he was still the same player, but he erased those doubts with 43 points in a massive Nuggets win.
Murray ultimately finished with 71.25 DraftKings points, giving him the clear top ceiling at a weak position. I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance, but it’s nice to know that it’s still within his range of outcomes.
Value
Norman Powell has been one of the Clippers’ most consistent scoring threats all season. He averaged a career-best 21.8 points per game, and he led the team in scoring during the early part of the year when Kawhi Leonard was sidelined.
His numbers have dipped with Leonard and James Harden essentially at full strength, but so has his price tag. He’s down to just $5,500 on DraftKings for Game 6, and he has some appeal at that figure. Powell is coming off a down performance in his last contest, but he had at least 29.25 DraftKings points in both games in Los Angeles. That includes a game where he saw just 29 minutes, and he should play significantly more if Thursday’s game is more competitive.
Fast Break
The Nuggets’ depth has been a major issue this season, and it’s part of the reason why they ultimately fired Mike Malone before the start of the playoffs. They’re essentially playing just six guys at the moment, and one of them is Westbrook. That’s far from ideal, but it has allowed Christian Braun to establish himself in recent contests. He’s scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he’s averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Bogdan Bogdanovic got a bit more run in the Clippers’ last game, and he responded with more than 30 DraftKings points. It’s possible that trend continues in Game 6. We currently have him projected for 20 minutes in our NBA Models, making him an interesting punt play at just $3,300.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code FL55.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
OG Anunoby has looked far from studly in this series vs. the Pistons. He did erupt for 46.25 DraftKings points in Game 1, but he posted a negative Plus/Minus in his following three contests.
The good news is he bounced back with 37.0 DraftKings points in Game 5, and that feels like the type of production we should see moving forward. He plays as much as any player in basketball, and his 40 projected minutes on Thursday are tied for the top mark at small forward. Anunoby has averaged 0.85 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so there’s no reason he can’t pay off his $6,400 salary with that much playing time.
Value
Michael Porter Jr. is reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 shoulder sprain, which is typically a four-to-five week injury. That said, the Nuggets really don’t have any choice other than to trot him out at this point. He hasn’t been a particularly strong source of fantasy production while dealing with the injury, posting a negative Plus/Minus in four of his five postseason outings.
The good news is that it doesn’t appear to have significantly impacted his shooting numbers. He’s shot at least 50% from the field and 3-point range in three of his past four games, so he’s still putting the ball through the basket at an efficient rate.
The bigger issue has been his lack of peripherals. In the one game where he actually managed to hit the boards, he was able to get to 38.25 DraftKings points. It’s far from a guarantee that he’ll do that in Game 6 – MPJ’s effort and consistency aren’t great even at full strength – but it does give him some upside at $5,100. His price tag has come down significantly since the start of the series, and he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Separating Mikal Bridges and Anunoby is one of the toughest aspects of this slate. Both players look extremely similar on paper: plenty of minutes, decent per-minute production, and inconsistent postseason results. Both players have also benefited with Brunson off the floor this season, so both would get bumps if he’s limited. Anunoby stands out as the slightly better option in our NBA Models, but Bridges is slightly cheaper and has a comparable optimal lineup rate.
Malik Beasley had a phenomenal regular season for the Pistons, drilling more 3-pointers than anyone besides Anthony Edwards. Unfortunately, that success has not carried over into the postseason. His playing time has waned as the series has progressed, but he did go off for 36.0 DraftKings points in Game 1. His salary is down to just $4,100 on DraftKings, and he has some upside if he rediscovers his jumpshot.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Kawhi Leonard looks as good as he’s looked in years. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight matchups, including 55.25 DraftKings points in Game 5. His scoring numbers have been extremely efficient, while he’s pulled down at least nine rebounds in three straight games. Ultimately, Leonard has averaged 1.23 DraftKings points per minute during the playoffs, and he could play upwards of 40 minutes in an elimination contest. He wasn’t particularly aggressive in Game 5, finishing with just 15 shot attempts, so expect him to do a bit more offensively as well.
Value
Tobias Harris was a much-maligned playoff performer during his time with the 76ers, but he has been vital to the Pistons’ success against the Knicks. For fantasy purposes, he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of five games, and he’s coming off his best outing in Game 5. Part of that was due to six blocks + steals, but he’s still had at least 31.5 DraftKings points in all but one postseason outing.
Despite his success, his price tag has actually come down to $5,800 for Game 6. He stands out as one of the best values of the day at that figure, providing a nice combination of safety and upside.
Fast Break
The Thompson brothers might be the two most athletic players in a league full of freak athletes. Ausar Thompson’s athleticism was vital in the team’s Game 5 win over the Knicks on Tuesday. He saw a slight bump in minutes, and he responded with 34.75 DraftKings points. If he’s going to play around 30 minutes again on Thursday, he has plenty of appeal at $4,300. He’s the type of player capable of averaging well over a fantasy point per minute.
Josh Hart rounds out the trio of Knicks’ wings. Hart isn’t the same offensive threat as Anunoby and Bridges (at least on paper), but he’s been the most productive of the trio in this series. He’s scored at least 38.75 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s capable of producing in every category across the board.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Ironically, the Nuggets’ best game of the postseason was Nikola Jokic’s worst. That makes sense if you think about it. Jokic has had to carry such an insane burden all season, but his teammates were able to carry their own weight in Game 5. With Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Westbrook all contributing, Jokic simply didn’t have to do as much as usual.
Still, there’s no reason to expect that to continue. Before Game 5, Jokic had scored at least 65.0 DraftKings points in each of the first four games. That includes a massive 82.25 DraftKings points in Game 4.
Jokic owns the top ceiling projection in our NBA Models, but the gap between him and Cunningham is a bit smaller than usual. It makes Cunningham the clear preferred target from a value standpoint. Jokic is capable of breaking the slate every time he takes the floor, but he’s a bit tougher to justify than usual.
Value
Jalen Duren has had an excellent season for the Pistons, despite having to split the center minutes with Isaiah Stewart. That said, that hasn’t been an issue of late. Stewart has missed the past four games, and he’s officially questionable for Game 6.
If Stewart is out once again, the coast is clear to fire up Duren with confidence. He’s averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s seen a nice spike in minutes over his past four outings. He’s scored at least 35.75 DraftKings points in three of those contests, and he’s had at least 39.0 in two of them.
Fast Break
Ivica Zubac has been one of the most consistent centers in fantasy this season, and he’s basically kept it up during the playoffs. He’s scored at least 38.25 DraftKings points in four of five games, including 48.5 DraftKings points in his last game in Los Angeles. His price tag has come down slightly to $7,900, and he trails only Duren in projected Plus/Minus at the position.
Gordon hasn’t delivered any huge performances during the postseason, but he’s been pretty steady. He has at least 31.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he should continue to see all the minutes he can handle for a team with shaky depth.
Interested in more NBA action? Check out Fanatics Sportsbook and use our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
Pictured: Ivica Subac
Photo Credit: Getty Images
