The second round of the NBA Playoffs continues this Thursday with a pair of Game 2 matchups. The Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 on Tuesday, and the Oklahoma City Thunder took care of the Los Angeles Lakers. Both No. 1 seeds have a 1-0 advantage coming into Game 2, while the Lakers and Cavs will look to even the series before hosting Game 3 on Saturday. The action begins at 7:00 p.m. ET in the Motor City, so let’s break down how to play this two-game slate for our NBA DFS picks this Thursday.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
In the FantasyLabs projections, Cade Cunningham has the top median, ceiling, and floor projections at point guard, and he also has the second-highest Pts/Sal at the position, indicating he can post a big enough game to be worth his hefty $11,000 salary.
In Game 1, Cunningham had 23 points, seven assists, and 40.25 DraftKings points in 42 minutes. He led the Pistons to a 10-point win, but he finished below salary-based expectations after an impressive three-game run to finish the series against the Magic with 59, 59.5, and 56.75 DraftKings points.
Even though he didn’t have his most efficient scoring game, he still reached 20 points for the eighth straight playoff game. He’s averaging over 50 DraftKings points per game in the postseason and always carries a heavy workload.
While he wasn’t awful in Game 1, his DraftKings points were a little down, but the projections like him to have a huge bounce-back performance in Game 2.
Value
Cunningham’s teammate, Daniss Jenkins, has the highest Plus/Minus projection of any player on the entire slate by a wide margin. Jenkins had been quiet in the playoffs for most of the first round before breaking through with a huge Game 7 and continuing that success into Game 1 against Cleveland.
Jenkins had 16 points, five assists, and 29.75 DraftKings points in Game 7 against Orlando after finishing with under 15 DraftKings points in each of the first six games of that series. He had 12 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists in 29 minutes in Game 1 against the Cavs, racking up an impressive 32.75 DraftKings points.
For Game 2, Jenkins is still very affordable at under $4,000, but he has proven he can produce if he gets this much time and usage.
Fast Break
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander always has a high ceiling since he is the focus of the Thunder’s efficient and high-scoring offense. He had a very quiet Game 1 with just 18 points and 32 DraftKings points in 35 minutes. He didn’t need to take his game to the next gear, though, as the Thunder cruised past the Lakers in Game 1. He’s still averaging 30.6 points, 7.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks through five games this postseason for an average of 48.4 DraftKings points per game. He may not have to post a monster performance for his team to get the win, though, so he is slightly higher-risk than Cunningham.
James Harden has exceeded salary-based expectations in three of his last four games after scoring 22 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists in Game 1, producing over 45 DraftKings points for the third time in his last four games. He’s not carrying the full scoring load and heavy usage he did earlier in his career with his new squad, but he’s filling up the stat sheet enough to be a solid play if you don’t have the salary to pay up for one of the top superstar guards.
Especially without Jalen Williams (hamstring), Ajay Mitchell is in a key role for the Thunder, and he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at point guard this Thursday behind only Jenkins. Mitchell has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his five games this postseason, averaging 28.8 DraftKings points in 29 minutes per game. He scored 22 points and had a playoff-high 36.5 DraftKings points against the Suns in the closeout game of Round 1, and he has similar potential as long as he stays in such an active role in this round against the Lakers.
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
When breaking down a slate, it can be helpful to have a second perspective, and one way to get that is by adding the ShotQuality projections to your models. In the ShotQuality projections, Donovan Mitchell has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard, and one of the best Plus/Minus projections of all the pay-up plays across the entire slate.
Mitchell has carried a huge scoring load for the Cavs throughout the playoffs, although having James Harden in the backcourt next to him has cut down a little bit on his non-scoring numbers. Mitchell had 23 points and 33.5 DraftKings points in Game 1, but the ShotQuality projections expect a good bounce-back performance from him in Game 2.
Spida is a proven playoff performer, and the Cavaliers will need a huge game from him as they try to even the series on Thursday.
Value
In both sets of projections, Marcus Smart has the highest Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard, as he continues to step up for the Lakers in the absence of Luka Doncic (hamstring).
Smart had two monster games against the Rockets, posting 51 and 56 DraftKings points in Game 2 and Game 3 of Round 1, and he had a very solid 35.5 DraftKings points in Game 1 on 12 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals in 32 minutes.
The veteran guard has become a key part of the Lakers’ lineup, and even with Austin Reaves back in the mix, he should continue to be a good value to consider on the wing this Thursday. He has a very high ceiling along with a steady floor in his current role.
Fast Break
Austin Reaves has the second-highest ceiling projection at shooting guard in the ShotQuality projections and also has a positive Plus/Minus projection. He has come in under his salary-based expectations in each of his three games since returning from injury, though, and he only had eight points in 36 minutes in Game 1 while going a disappointing 3-for-16 from the field. He’ll need to improve his production for the Lakers to have a shot at stealing Game 2.
Luguentz Dort always plays plenty of minutes for the Thunder, but his role in the offense fluctuates from game to game. He has the third-highest Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections after chipping in six points, four assists, three rebounds, and 15.75 DraftKings points in Game 1. He’s a solid bargain under $4,000 if you need to save salary to get the stars you want in other spots.
Sam Merrill has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections, even though he didn’t score at all in Game 1. He only played six minutes after logging over 17 minutes in each of the team’s first-round games against the Raptors. He had 21.25 DraftKings points in Game 7, and Cleveland could look to get him more involved in Game 2.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
In these two games, there are no superstars at small forward, but it’s still a key position to get good production. Ausar Thompson has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at the position in both sets of projections, and he played a key role for Detroit in their Game 1 win.
Thompson had 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and 32 DraftKings points in Game 1. He had over 30 DraftKings points in three of the last five games against the Magic as well, including two games with at least 45 DraftKings points.
Even though he doesn’t typically score a ton of points, Thompson can stuff the statsheet and turn in strong defensive numbers to still earn a big total. He’s played at least 32 minutes in each of his team’s last six games, exceeding salary-based expectations in four of those contests.
Value
In both sets of projections, Jalen Tyson has the second-highest Plus/Minus projections at small forward from his bargain basement salary of just $3,200. The Cavs’ bench usage has been a little unpredictable in the postseason, but Tyson has shown he can step up when given the opportunity.
In Game 7 against Toronto, Tyson had seven points, nine rebounds, and 24.75 DraftKings points in 19 minutes. He cooled off in Game 1 against the Pistons, though, with zero points and five rebounds for only 7.25 DraftKings points. He did still play 18 minutes, though, which is a good sign that he’ll still be worth considering as a bargain play on Thursday for Game 2.
Tyson helped carry the load when Donovan Mitchell and other key starters were out in the regular season, and he brings a very high ceiling if he gets usage. Even in a reduced role, he has a good shot at doing enough to exceed salary-based expectations at this bargain salary.
Fast Break
In addition to Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura has stepped up for the Lakers without Luka this postseason. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his seven playoff games and had 21 points and 36 DraftKings points in Game 6 against Houston. He followed that up with 18 points and 28.5 DraftKings points in Game 1. Rui would probably threaten Thompson for the top spot if it weren’t for a potential hit to his workload with Reaves’ return.
The Cavs have used veteran Max Strus a little more in the playoffs, and he has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his last two games. He had over 28 DraftKings points in three of the seven games against the Raptors and started this series with 19 points and 31.75 DraftKings points in Game 1. He’s streaky and can be a volatile option as a result, but he definitely brings good upside to Game 2.
For the Thunder, both Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso are low-cost options who get enough minutes to be viable options at small forward. They both focus on the defensive end like Dort but have streaky offensive potential as well. Wallace has 20+ DraftKings points in each of his last two games, while Caruso finished the last series hot but cooled off in Game 1.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Without Luka, LeBron James has had to step up for the Lakers and carry even more of the workload in the playoffs. He has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward for this Thursday.
James has averaged 46.4 DraftKings points per game in the playoffs and had 43.5 DraftKings points in Game 1 against the Thunder. LeBron has scored at least 25 points in three straight and five of his last six games and has at least six assists in each of his seven games this postseason.
The Thunder will focus on shutting him down, and the fatigue could start to wear on him as the series goes on. However, LeBron has been playing so well that he’s still worth considering as a building block even though his salary is up to $9,300, the highest of any power forward by a wide margin. Peak Playoff LeBron is worth paying up for, though, and he will need to show up with a big game if he wants to head to the West Coast with the series tied at one.
Value
The ShotQuality projections give Tobias Harris the highest Plus/Minus projections at power forward by a wide margin, and the third-highest Plus/Minus projection on the entire slate.
Harris had 20 points, eight boards, and 35 DraftKings points in Game 1, finishing with 35 DraftKings points, just under his salary-based expectations. It was his first game under salary-based expectations in the postseason after averaging 39.1 DraftKings points per game in the seven-game series against the Magic.
Harris has at least 20 points in six straight games and has at least eight rebounds in each of his last four games. He finished the series against Orlando with a monster 54.25 DraftKings points in Game 7 and has the potential to go off as the team’s secondary scoring option.
While he doesn’t have the same ceiling as LeBron, he does have a very solid floor and a high ceiling, so he’s a good value alternative if you can’t afford the salary to pay up for The King.
Fast Break
In the FantasyLabs projections, Chet Holmgren has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at power forward after posting his second straight game with exactly 24 points and 12 rebounds. He had 49 DraftKings points in Game 4 against the Suns with that total and had 51 DraftKings points in Game 1 against the Lakers. Holmgren carried the load in Game 1 with SGA a little quieter, and it should continue to be a favorable matchup for him against the Lakers. He’s also taking on a little more offensive responsibility with Williams out.
Evan Mobley is the other big-name power forward in action on Thursday. He had 37.25 DraftKings points in Game 1 and fell just one rebound short of a double-double. He has scored 15 points or fewer in four of his last six games, though, and the projections don’t favor him above Holmgren or Harris, with all three around the same salary.
If you have to go cheap at power forward, Jalon Tyson (discussed above) has the best Plus/Minus projections of the options under $6,000. Rui Hachimura can also fit as a mid-range play, or you can go ultra-cheap with Ronald Holland II or Aaron Wiggins, who each should get some minutes at the minimum salary.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Jalen Duren and Evan Mobley are very close in the projections across the board, but since Duren is cheaper and slightly more involved in the offense, he’s the preferred option in both sets of projections.
Duren had a slow start to the series against the Magic, but he finished with a big 15-point, 15-rebound double-double in Game 7, earning 40.75 DraftKings points. It was his first double-double in the series, and the first time he earned over 30 DraftKings points.
He continued his success in Game 1 against the Cavs with 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and 37 DraftKings points in 35 minutes. In his four games against the Cavs this season and postseason, he’s averaging 43.2 DraftKings points in 31 minutes per game. He and Cade seemed to click down the stretch, and the Pistons will likely lean heavily on that combo again in Game 2 as they look to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Value
The Cavaliers got a huge game from Jarrett Allen in Game 7 against the Raptors, and the big man brings the highest Plus/Minus projection of all centers in both sets of projections this Thursday. Allen has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus on the whole slate in the FantasyLabs projections, behind only Jenkins.
In Game 7, Allen went off for 22 points, 19 rebounds, and 58.75 DraftKings points against the Raptors, but in Game 1, he was in foul trouble and only played 18 minutes and had 8.75 DraftKings points. He is boom or bust, as those two games indicate, but he has enough upside to be a great play under $6,000 if you are ok with the added volatility.
Allen’s performance will be a key factor in Game 2 and throughout this series.
Fast Break
If you pass on the top options, Deandre Ayton has solid projections from the midrange. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his last four games and has three double-doubles during that span. In Game 1, he had 31 DraftKings points on 10 points and 12 boards in 27 minutes.
In both sets of projections, Jaylin Williams has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at the position at his bargain salary of $3,500. Williams had 17.75 DraftKings points in 20 minutes in Game 1 with three points, three assists, and seven rebounds. Williams plays an expanded role in blowouts and can still contribute in close games as well. He’s a good way to save salary at center if you spend up in other spots.
Pictured: Cade Cunnignham
Photo Credit: Imagn
