NBA DFS Picks & Playbook For Today: 2024 Playoffs, May 11th
As the NBA action heats up and the second round of the playoffs begins, tonight's DFS slate presents an intriguing mix of games that promise excitement and ample opportunities for fantasy success. The spotlight shines on clashes between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, and the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder lock horns in a battle of skill and strategy, promising a showdown filled with high-flying plays and intense competition. With star-studded rosters and playoff implications at stake, tonight's games are poised to deliver exhilarating moments that DFS players won't want to miss
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Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
Total: 218
Spread: DAL -2.5
NBA Injury Report
Thunder NBA DFS Injuries
- Olivier Sarr - OUT
Mavericks NBA DFS Injuries
- Luka Doncic - QUEST
- Maxi Kleber - OUT
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper - OUT
- Greg Brown - OUT
Thunder NBA DFS Breakdown
It was a tough Game 2 for the Thunder but it was impossible to think they’d go undefeated throughout the entire postseason, so we’ll see how they respond heading to Dallas with the series tied 1-1.
Starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren
Bench: Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was tremendous in Game 2 despite the loss and he’s been doing it in every facet of the game. As long as he continues to be sub-10K, he’ll be an elite spend-up. Arguably the best on the slate. Cason Wallace played 21 minutes off the bench for the second straight game as Josh Giddey continues to be iced from the rotation.
Speaking of Josh Giddey, he played 11 minutes in Game 2 and didn’t start the second half of the game. He is being left wide open and cannot make Dallas pay. He won’t be long for this game either if that’s the case. Isaiah Joe was another guy who was extended for 19 minutes. He can make shots in a hurry and is very cheap.
On the wing, Luguentz Dort couldn’t stay out of foul trouble again but was solid from a fantasy perspective. He’s a decent last piece in as he’ll be on the floor as much as possible as long as he’s not fouling. Aaron Wiggins started the second half in place of Josh Giddey and played 14 second-half minutes. That’s a great number for a guy under 4K and has been at .97 FP this postseason.
We’re going to get 38+ minutes out of Jalen Williams and he has a really safe floor at his price. Chet Holmgren has a really massive ceiling at just $7K on DraftKings, he just needs to make shots. At just 3.3K, Jaylin Williams is worth taking a shot on in a stars-and-scrubs build considering he's started this series and is the clear backup center option over Kenrich Williams. He even saw some time alongside Chet Homgren in the second quarter of Game 2.
Top Play(s): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams
Secondary Play(s): Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins
Punt(s): Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams
Mavericks NBA DFS Breakdown
It was a BIG win in Oklahoma City in Game 2 and it was on the backs of Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington. What will Dallas have to offer in Game 3 as home favorites here?
Starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford
Bench: Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Dereck Lively II
Luka Doncic is dealing with knee sprain AND ankle soreness and took a shot to his face in Game 2. It’s been a rough patch for Doncic this postseason, yet he still had 29-10-7 and put up 63 DKP. The price continues to drop, too. Kyrie Irving once again played 40+ minutes and although he wasn’t great offensively, we know he can explode at any point. He scored 30+ actual points three times in the Mavericks opening series.
Derrick Jones Jr. has not been as effective against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he was against Paul George and he hasn’t played high 30s minutes. GPPs only at 4.4K. For $600 fewer, I prefer Tim Hardaway Jr., especially if he makes shots like he did in Game 2. I mentioned it in the previous write-up, but before the starters were pulled, he was playing with the starters in the 4th quarter, and again, in Game 2, he was in the closing lineup ahead of Derrick Jones Jr. That’s made shots dependent, but going back to Dallas, THJ should be very comfortable when he steps on the floor. I prefer THJ to Josh Green, personally.
P.J. Washington was the difference maker in this game and when he makes shots the way he did. Obviously, it’s hard to replicate 11-for-18 from the floor and 7-for-11 from three, but there is obviously a ceiling. Daniel Gafford was very solid once again and is going to be one of the safer plays on the board. Dereck Lively II is a pivot off the chalky Gafford.
Top Play(s): Luka Doncic, Daniel Gafford, Kyrie Irving
Secondary Play(s): P.J. Washington
Punt(s): Tim Hardaway Jr.
Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Total: 211.5
Spread: BOS -7.5
NBA Injury Report
Celtics NBA DFS Injuries
- Kristaps Porzingis - OUT
Cavaliers NBA DFS Injuries
- Jarrett Allen - QUEST
- Dean Wade - QUEST
- Craig Porter Jr. - OUT
- Ty Jerome - OUT
Celtics NBA DFS Breakdown
What will the Celtics response be after losing Game 2 just like they did in their opening series against the Miami Heat? They’re sizeable favorites and this Cavaliers team is better than a Jimmy Butler Heatless team.
Starters: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford
Bench: Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet/Xavier Tillman
Game 2 was not Jrue Holiday’s best performance and has had difficulty staying in front of Donovan Mitchell. I like the price, but that’s really it. Without Kristaps Porzingis this postseason, Derrick White has a 23.4% USG while averaging 1.1 FP/min. Payton Pritchard has been very solid off the bench for Boston after a bad series against the Heat. Now, it’s harder for role players to thrive on the road, but he’s a decent value.
The Celtics need the J’s to show up here; Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were not great in Game 2. Tatum has only shot better than 45% once this postseason for a guy who averaged 26.4 PPG, he’s only topped that ONCE this postseason. Brown was GREAT in Game 1 and was not in Game 2. He still leads the team in usage this postseason without Kristaps Porzingis at 34.2%.
It’s been three straight games in which Horford’s failed to play 30 minutes and he’s only played at least 30 once this postseason. It’s largely due to blowouts, but it’s something I’m keeping my eyes on. Luke Kornet started as the backup, but Xavier Tillman was the backup in the second half. I think the shift may have started in Game 2 because of Tillman’s defensive presence.
Top Play(s): Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White
Secondary Play(s): Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard
Punt(s): None
Cavaliers NBA DFS Breakdown
It was a fantastic performance from the Cavaliers in Game 2 who shot the lights out of the ball and there was really nothing Boston could do about it. Can they repeat it as they travel back to Cleveland for Game 3?
Starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen (if Allen’s out, Isaac Okoro)
Bench: Caris LeVert, Marcus Morris Sr., Isaac Okoro (if Jarrett Allen is in), Dean Wade (?), Tristan Thompson
Once again, the primary question surrounding the Cavs is will Jarrett Allen play? Seems like a no, but they continue to list him as questionable so it keeps the door open.
Darius Garland only took EIGHT shots in Game 2 and yet Cleveland won. He was good peripherally to help him hit value, but he’ll have to shoot more if there continues to be no Jarrett Allen. He’s OK at 6.1K on DK.
Do you know who’s more than OK? Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell has 50+ DKP in four consecutive playoff games, pouring in 29+ points, 4+ rebounds, and 4+ assists in each. Despite the brutally tough matchup, it hasn’t mattered. During the postseason, Mitchell has a 35.8% USG and 1.28 FP/min without Allen on the floor. Caris LeVert was a spark plug in Game 2 scoring 21 points and 31.5 DKP. He’s a great value at 4.6K.
It’s been a rough go this postseason for Max Strus, but he finally made a few shots in Game 2 and played all the minutes. His two best shooting/scoring performances this postseason did in fact come at home, for what it’s worth. Isaac Okoro will likely start if Jarrett Allen can’t play, but Caris LeVert can play his way onto the floor over Okoro, and now Dean Wade may play and take some more minutes away from him.
Despite being in foul trouble in Game 2, Evan Mobley dominated for the second straight game. He’s been more aggressive against Boston than he was against Orlando, so I’m definitely OK getting to Mobley at 7.6K. He’s at 1.06 FP/min average without Allen this postseason.
Top Play(s): Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Caris LeVert
Secondary Play(s): Jarrett Allen (if he plays), Darius Garland, Max Strus
Punt(s): None
Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.