We’re in the second week of Conference Semis, so we’re getting close to elimination games. The good news is that we won’t get any sweeps, but these series could swing drastically tonight as we put together our NBA DFS lineup picks. Dallas and Boston are one win away from commanding 3-1 leads. We still have a ton to be decided until then, so let’s go ahead and dive into this Monday card and my top NBA DFS picks.
Core Plays
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,500 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
Tatum averaged over 48 DraftKings points per game during the regular season, scoring at least 30 fantasy points in all but one game this year. That floor and average make him one of the best core plays out there. He’s also averaged 55 DraftKings points per game in the postseason since last year. In addition, JT has scored at least 45 DK points in all six matchups with Cleveland this year, dropping 62 DK points in his most recent outing.
Evan Mobley (PF/C – CLE): $7,400 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
Mobley has taken his game to another level with Jarrett Allen sidelined, seeing his minutes, shot attempts, and rebounds all rise in his absence. That’s led to Mobley scoring at least 41 DraftKings points in three of his last four fixtures. This defensive stud flirted with a 40-point average when Allen was out during the year, and with that ability, he should be above $8K on DraftKings.
Cash Game Considerations
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $11,200 DraftKings, $11,600 FanDuel
Doncic led the NBA with 66 DraftKings points per game during the regular season and has a 70-point average since the break. We haven’t seen that 70-point average in this series, but as long as he plays 40-45 minutes and takes 25 shots a night, Doncic is the best bet for 50-70 DK points on every slate.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $9,800 DraftKings, $10,900 FanDuel
SGA finished second in MVP voting, averaging 53 DraftKings points per game during the regular season. He did that damage while establishing a 40-point floor, but he’s taken his game to another level in this series. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 60 DK points in three straight games, which is no surprise since Dallas posted a 22nd OPRK against opposing guards.
GPP Targets
Jrue Holiday (PG/SG – BOS): $5,600 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
Holiday has struggled throughout the postseason but seeing him below $6K is bizarre. This guy has been closer to $8,000 for most of his career, and the Porzingis injury has forced him into a more substantial workload. That’s led to Jrue scoring at least 27 DK points in four of his last five fixtures while dropping 39 fantasy points in his most recent outing. We’ve seen this guy average 40 DK points per game for months at a time, and we’re willing to take the risk on him at this diminished price tag.
Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
Dallas can be a frustrating team to figure out when it comes to Gafford’s playing time, but this guy is a beast whenever he plays 25 minutes. In the 42 games he’s played at least 25 minutes, Gafford is averaging 38 DraftKings points per game. We’ve also seen him score 42 DK points in two of his last four matchups with OKC, and it feels like 25 minutes should be his floor since Kleber is still sidelined.
Value Plays
P.J. Washington (PF/C – DAL): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
Washington has been the Mavs’ most valuable player in this series, averaging 27 DK points per game during the regular season but has 40 and 59 fantasy points in the last two games of this series. We don’t expect him to drop 40-60 DK points from here on out, but all you need is 30-35 DK points for PJ to be of immense value. The role is what makes it look likely to continue because he’s locked into 40 minutes and double-digit shots with Kleber out.
Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Horford has always been a better player as a starter, and he’s starting at center in the absence of Porzingis. In his 37 starts this season, Horford is averaging 28 DK points per game across 30 minutes a night. That average is above 30 fantasy points when KP is out, but we expect that to be his floor if he matches the 39 minutes we saw in Game 3!
Luguentz Dort (SF – OKC): $4,800 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
Dort doesn’t have a massive upside, but he’s one of the safest bets to play 40 minutes. OKC needs him out there to guard Doncic, playing exactly 40 minutes in the Game 3 defeat. That means he should be seeing 30-35 minutes, with Dort averaging 28 DK points per game when he plays over 30 minutes this year. If you get that from a sub-$5K player, you have one of the pieces of the optimal lineup.
Advantageous Pricing
- Evan Mobley (PF/C – CLE): $7,400 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG/SG – OKC): $9,800 DraftKings, $10,900 FanDuel
- PJ Washington (PF/C – DAL): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel