Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: May 1

FantasyPros breaks down the top DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy players for Wednesday's 2-game playoff slate.

James Harden has scored at least 37 DraftKings fantasy points in the last seven games.

This is going to be a chaotic card. We only have two games to discuss, but almost every big-name player is on the injury report. We expect most of those guys to sit, and that’s what we’re going to rely on here. With that said, let’s look at these two Game 5s!


Core Plays

James Harden (PG/SG – LAC): $8,300 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel

The Beard took over at the end of Game 4, and he will keep doing that as long as Kawhi remains out. We’re willing to trust Harden because he will stuff the stat sheet whether Leonard is in or not. The former All-Star has scored at least 37 DraftKings points in the last seven games he’s finished, posting a 41-point average across 36 minutes a night. That will be his floor with Leonard out, especially since he faces an 18th-ranked Dallas defense.

Bam Adebayo (C – MIA): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel

Bam is in a tough spot but has to take over with Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier both sidelined. This guy was already a 20-10 threat, but he has to be a playmaker with those two out. That’s led to Adebayo scoring at least 35 DraftKings points in every game of this series, showcasing a 53-point ceiling in Game 4. With Miami staring down elimination, look for Bam to carry the load once again and stuff the stat sheet across 40-45 minutes!


Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $11,800 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel

Luka looks nicked up, but he’s still stuffing the stat sheet at ease. The MVP candidate has scored at least 53 DraftKings points in 65 of 74 games this year, posting a 70-point average in the second half of the season. That total has Luka as the leading scorer in the NBA, and he’s genuinely poised for a 30-point triple-double with a 40% usage rate. That sort of usage is scary since he might play 40-45 minutes in this critical Game 5!

Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,700 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel

Tatum hasn’t had many massive games in this series, but there are not many better bets for 40 fantasy points. The All-Star has scored at least 44 DraftKings points in every game of this series, surpassing at least 33 DK points in all but three games during the regular season. He’s also been even better throughout his postseason career and could be colossal in this closeout game without Kristaps Porzingis.


GPP Targets

Derrick White (PG/SG – BOS): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel

White was the best player on the floor in Game 4, scoring 55 DraftKings points. We saw that upside multiple times during the regular season, averaging 34 DK points per game. That makes this price tag hard to understand, but White also had a 50-point game against Miami earlier in the year. Not many people do well in this tough matchup, but with White’s elite defense, he’s one of the few guys who can provide value through hustle statistics.

PJ Washington (PF/C – DAL): $5,900 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel

Washington was a critical trade acquisition by Dallas, stepping in as their starting power forward. While he’s not a focal point of the offense with Luka and Kyrie, it’s hard to overlook his role. Washington played 41 minutes in Game 4 and should be a $7K player in that type of role. Over the final 10 games of the regular season, PJ averaged 34 DK points per game across 33 minutes a night. That’s amazing from such an affordable player, and it would be hard to avoid him if he played 40 minutes once again.


Value Plays

Ivica Zubac (C – LAC): $6,300 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel

Zubac doesn’t get talked about much with the three studs in LA, but this center is as important as anyone. The big man has scored at least 31 DK points in three of four games in this series, but that’s no surprise since he’s played at least 30 minutes in all of those. In the 31 games that Zoo has played at least 28 minutes this year, he’s averaging 35 DK points per game.

Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,500 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel

It sounds like Porzingis will have to sit here, which should force Big Al into the starting lineup. We saw the former All-Star play 33 minutes in Game 4 when KP went down, and he typically does that whenever a starter is out. In fact, Horford is averaging 31 DK points per game in the 19 starts that he’s played at least 31 minutes. If you get that from someone this cheap, you have a piece of the optimal lineup!


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