Wednesday 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
Point guard has routinely been one of the strongest positions to pay up for during the postseason, but that’s not exactly true on Wednesday. The two highest-priced targets – Luka Doncic and Steph Curry – both own negative Plus/Minus projections in our NBA Models.
That said, it’s impossible to knock Doncic’s upside. He hasn’t had the best showing in a tough matchup vs. the Timberwolves, but he played nearly every minute in Game 4. He racked up 45.8 minutes overall, and he didn’t leave the floor at all during the second half. Doncic’s production has been down since joining the Lakers, but he can still do plenty of damage with that much court time.
The Lakers also stand out from a Vegas standpoint. They have the top implied team total on the slate, though the gap between all four teams is admittedly small. Ultimately, Doncic has the top ceiling projection in our NBA Models, so he’s a justifiable stud target.
Value
Sticking with the Lakers, Austin Reaves is another player who should see a massive workload on Wednesday. Doncic wasn’t the only member of the team to play the entire second half in Game 4. In fact, they played just five players total, with Doncic, Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith all going the full 24 minutes. Reaves ultimately finished with “just” 35.1 minutes in that outing, but he probably would’ve played more if not for some foul trouble.
Reaves is currently projected for 42 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute over the past month. He still managed to get to 39.75 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in back-to-back games. He’s simply too cheap at a sub-$7k price tag.
Fast Break
The Rockets are desperately looking for answers on offense during the playoffs, and Fred VanVleet stepped up in Game 4. He launched 12 3-point attempts, knocking down eight and finishing with 39.5 DraftKings points. I wouldn’t expect the same type of efficiency in Game 5, but the upside is there. He also stands out as one of the best pure values at the position on DraftKings, where his $5,700 salary comes with an 84% Bargain Rating.
If you do want to jam in Doncic on Wednesday, you’re going to need to find some value. Mike Conley could be one of those guys. He hasn’t had the best season, but he’s projected for 24 minutes at just $3,500. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.27 (per the Trends tool). In the two games where he’s shot well in this series, he’s finished with 21.25 and 23.75 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
Anthony Edwards was a breakout star in the playoffs last season, and he’s cemented his status in 2025. He put together back-to-back big games in Minnesota, ultimately propelling the Timberwolves to a 3-1 series lead. His performance in Game 4 was a masterclass, finishing with 43 points, nine rebounds, and six assists en route to 67.25 DraftKings points.
Edwards isn’t priced nearly as aggressively as some of the other stars on this slate, but his production has been in line with most of them over the past month. Edwards’ average of 1.31 DraftKings points per minute over that time frame trails only Curry (1.47) and Doncic (1.37), and he’s projected for 42 minutes on Wednesday.
Ultimately, he stands out as one of the top combinations of value and upside. He’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations more than 38% of the time, which is the second-highest mark among players priced above $7,000.
Value
Donte DiVincenzo struggled with foul trouble in Game 2, which limited him to just 16.1 minutes. Other than that, he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each game vs. the Lakers.
That includes at least 24.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back outings, despite the fact that he hasn’t shot the ball well in those contests. He’s just 7-24 from the field and 3-12 from 3-point range in those contests, making him an extremely appealing option at $4,800. He’s proven that he can pay off his salary even when his shot isn’t falling, which gives him plenty of upside when it is.
Fast Break
Jalen Green erupted for 38 points and 61.0 DraftKings points in Game 2, but he’s been dreadful in this series otherwise. He’s failed to crack 10 points in the other three games, and he had five turnovers and just eight shot attempts in Game 4. Still, he remains the Rockets’ best creator on offense, and he’s going to need to play better if they have any chance of making a comeback. His salary is down to just $6,700 for Game 5, and he has plenty of upside at that figure.
Brandin Podziemski was a big part of the Warriors’ rotation down the stretch, and that has carried into the playoffs. He’s coming off his best performance in Game 4, finishing with 47.75 DraftKings points in 40.0 minutes, and he’s capable of contributing in every category across the board. He’s not projected for quite as much playing time on Wednesday, but he should still have a chance to provide value.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Love him or hate him, what LeBron has done in his 22nd professional season is nothing short of remarkable. He’s played more minutes (including playoffs) than any player in league history, and most of his minutes have been grueling. He made 10 straight trips to the NBA Finals, so his body has taken an excruciating amount of punishment.
However, he still looks like he’s in his physical prime. He might not be quite as good as he was at his peak, but he still averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game during the regular season. He’s kicked things up a notch during the playoffs, going for at least 67.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. James led all players with more than 46 minutes in Game 4, and his combination of volume and efficiency is tough to ignore at $9,000. He should see another massive workload in an elimination contest, and he leads the Lakers with an average of 1.37 DraftKings points per minute during the postseason.
Value
With Jimmy Butler currently ailing, the Warriors are looking for someone else to step up offensively. Buddy Hield has answered the bell in each of the past two games. He’s scored 30.0 DraftKings points in both contests, and he’s averaged nearly 30 minutes in those games. Hield is projected for another 29 minutes on Wednesday, and he’s averaged 0.80 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s an excellent value at just $4,000, especially given his 90% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Things have not gone as hoped for Amen Thompson in his first playoff run. His defense on Curry hasn’t been as impactful as anticipated, while he’s struggling to produce on the offensive end. He’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in all four games, but his salary has decreased to a more reasonable $6,900 for Game 5. That’s a massive decrease from $8,000 in Game 1, and Thompson is still an excellent per-minute producer. There’s some buy-low potential here, especially at what should be reduced ownership.
Hachimura has been playing with a mask during the postseason, but he’s already been declared available for Game 5. He’s another member of the Lakers who should carry a tremendous workload. He’s projected for 40 minutes at just $4,700, and that’s a tough combo to pass up: players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.87.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
There was some concern that Butler would be limited in his return to the lineup, but he ultimately ended up playing 40 minutes in the Warriors’ Game 4 win. He finished with 44.75 DraftKings, and he’s scored at least that much in six of his past seven games. The only exception was the game he exited after just 7.9 minutes.
There’s simply no reason to doubt “Playoff Jimmy” at this point. His track record of elevating his game during the postseason is second to none. His production in his last outing feels more like his floor than his ceiling, and that was still enough to return positive value.
Value
Jaden McDaniels has been the Timberwolves’ X-factor in this series. In the team’s three wins, he’s managed 42.75, 41.75, and 37.75 DraftKings points. In their lone loss, he had just 16.0. McDaniels is typically where the Lakers try to hide Doncic on defense, and when he has taken advantage of that matchup, it’s worked out in the team’s favor.
McDaniels has increased his production to 0.93 DraftKings points per minute during the postseason, and he’s played at least 38.2 minutes in three straight games. He’s shown the ability to produce as a scorer (30 points in Game 3) and on the glass (11 rebounds in Game 4), so he has multiple paths to relevance on Wednesday’s slate.
Fast Break
At this point, Draymond Green is who he is. He’s no longer the same player that he was in his prime, but he remains the heartbeat of the team’s defense. That’s not great for fantasy purposes, but he’s still capable of chipping in from time to time. He’s averaged 0.88 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s expected to see around 34 minutes on Wednesday.
Dillon Brooks is about as unsexy as a DFS option gets, but he’s projected for 32 minutes at $4,600. That’s enough to put him in play in “stars and scrubs” builds.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Julius Randle struggled to find his footing early with the Timberwolves, but he has played well in the postseason. He’s scored at least 35.75 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s had at least 41.75 DraftKings points in two of them.
He stands out as one of the best options at the weakest position on the slate. The Warriors and Lakers essentially don’t play a traditional center, leaving minimal players to choose from. Randle leads the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he has the highest optimal lineup rate at center as well.
Value
Finney-Smith is the final member of the Lakers worth considering. He’s not a traditional center, and he technically comes off the bench behind Jaxson Hayes. However, DFS still logged more than 40 minutes in his last outing and responded with 27.0 DraftKings points. He’s an uninspiring per-minute producer – he’s averaged just 0.67 DraftKings points per minute over the past month – but he should be able to pay off his $4,000 salary through sheer volume.
Fast Break
Alperen Sengun doesn’t stand out as quite as good a value as Randle, but he undoubtedly has the higher ceiling. He’s averaged 1.28 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which is the top mark among Wednesday’s centers. He’s also been increasingly more aggressive as the series vs. the Warriors has progressed, culminating in 31 points and a 35.5% usage rate in Game 4.
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Pictured: Anthony Edwards
Photo Credit: Getty Images
