Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: May 24

FantasyPros breaks down the top DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy players for Friday's Dallas-Minnesota playoff matchup.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

Updated on May 24, 2024 4:02 PM

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards is averaging 49 DraftKings fantasy points per game across his last 12 games.

Here are our top NBA DFS picks for tonight’s playoff game between the Mavericks and Timberwolves.

Core Plays

Kyrie Irving (PG/SG – DAL): $9,800 DraftKings, $14,000 FanDuel

Irving had 43 DraftKings points against Minnesota in Game 1, taking 23 shots in that win. The workload is significant because Kyrie will go off in any game he takes at least 20 shots. It’s not surprising when looking at his last game against the Wolves, dropping 64 fantasy points in that masterpiece earlier in the year.

Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $11,400 DraftKings, $15,500 FanDuel

Edwards fell two assists shy of a triple-double, scoring 51 DK points in that game. Those stat lines have been a regular thing for this stud, averaging 49 DK points per game across his last 12 outings. He’s also showcased a 56-point upside in five of those and could have a similar output in this must-win Game 2. Not to mention, Edwards had at least 62 DK points in two of his last three meetings with the Mavs before Game 1.

Cash Game Considerations

Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $13,400 DraftKings, $17,500 FanDuel

Doncic led the NBA with 65 DraftKings points per game during the regular season, establishing a 50-point floor as well. No player in the league can match this stud, scoring 60 DK points in Game 1. Amazingly, Doncic has scored at least 52 fantasy points in 70 of 78 games this season, generating a 70-point average since the All-Star break. Don’t be the guy who fades Luka.

GPP Targets

Jaden McDaniels (SG/SF – MIN): $6,000 DraftKings, $10,500 FanDuel

McDaniels has at least 35 DraftKings points in three straight games, posting a 38-point average in that span. That’s one of the best three-game stretches of this guy’s career, and it’s clear there are plenty of chances for him with Edwards and the big men swallowing up so much attention. We also don’t mind that Dallas ranked 19th in total defense during the regular season!

Daniel Gafford (C – DAL): $5,200 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel

Gafford is one of the best per-minute producers in the NBA, averaging 37 DK points per game when he plays over 24 minutes. That’s been more common with Maxi Kleber sidelined, and Gafford should be locked into 20-25 minutes against the largest team in the NBA. Gafford will be held below that 25-minute total a few times, but he’ll be one of the best per-dollar players out there when he surpasses it.

Value Plays

Rudy Gobert (C – MIN): $8,400 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel

Gobert had a +9 plus-minus in Game 1 and completely dominated the paint when he was in there. He played 37 minutes in that defeat but scored just 28 DK points. It was only his second game with fewer than 30 DK points over the last two months, averaging 37 fantasy points per game in that span. A guy with a 30-point floor and 40-point average should never be this cheap, making him one of the best value plays out there.

Dereck Lively (C – DAL): $5,400 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel

Lively has been playing more than Gafford the last few games, scoring at least 26 DraftKings points in four straight fixtures. He’s also averaging 33 DK points per game across 26 minutes a night in that span and played like that for weeks at a time during the regular season before Gafford arrived. It’s unclear who will get the bigger workload between these centers, but both are usable for DFS since Dallas needs these big bodies to match up with Minnesota.

Advantageous Pricing