NBA DFS Picks & Playbook For Today: 2024 Playoffs, May 2nd

The first round of the NBA Playoffs continues to march toward the finish line in the Eastern Conference. We have a two-game NBA DFS main slate that includes two Game 6 elimination matchups.
The first game tips off at 6:40 so we have an earlier lineup lock. We have the Milwaukee Bucks taking on Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers. There was a report per Woj about mid-day saying that both Damian Lillard is working toward returning tonight.
Then the second matchup of the night is Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks taking on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. This point guard matchup with Brunson and Tyrese Maxey is must-see TV right now.
So, buckle up as we dive head-first into the matchups and unearth the hidden gems that could propel your DFS lineups to victory on this pivotal night in the NBA postseason.
NBA DFS Tools To Dominate Tonight's NBA DFS Slate!
Don't forget to review the NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections for today before locking in your lineups. Take advantage of our NBA Consistency Report to pinpoint players who have been outperforming their price tags this season, and don't miss out on our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!
GET YOUR CHANCE AT WINNING FREE STUFF!
Secure your shot at winning fantastic FREE FA SWAG by clinching a top-three spot in our Daily Pick'Em contest on BettorEdge for Wednesday's NBA Playoff games. Don't miss out on this chance to seize big rewards!
Bucks vs. Pacers DFS
Total: 216.5
Spread: IND (-5.5)
NBA Injury Report Today, 5/2
Bucks NBA DFS Injuries
- Giannis Antetokounmpo - OUT
- Damian Lillard - IN
- Khris Middleton - Probable
- Patrick Beverley - Probable
Pacers NBA DFS Injuries
- Tyrese Haliburton - IN
Milwaukee Bucks NBA DFS Breakdown
The Bucks were able to extend the series back to Indiana on the Back of Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. They both finished with 29-point double-doubles and played just about 40 minutes and scored close to 50 DKP. Now there is talk that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard could come back tonight. Lillard is more likely to play.
If Lillard plays, It might drop ownership for Khris Middleton making him an intriguing play no matter what tonight. With Lillard in the lineup in these playoffs his usage dro[s from 32% to 28% which is still solid. He is also still getting up close to 20 shots per game. Middleton is very much in play tonight.
As long as Giannis does not play Bobby Portis is a lineup lock tonight still sitting at under 8K on DraftKings. He is playing close to 40 minutes as long as he does not get ejected. Portis also has had a great floor in these playoffs grabbing double-digit rebounds in every game minus Game 4 when he was ejected. If Giannis plays, Portis likely go back to the bench making him less appealing.
Patrick Bervely and Malik Beasley are both in play in this one if the lineup stays the same. The Bucks need Beverley on the court giving them an edge with his tough-guy mentality. If Lillard stays out I like Beasley but if he is in, I like him much less as he is averaging just 15 minutes a game in this series when Lillard plays.
- Top Play(s): Khris Middleton
- Secondary Play(s): Bobby Portis, Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley
- Punt(s):
Indiana Pacers NBA DFS Breakdown
The Pacers have to be starting to get nervous with the reports of Lillard and Giannis on the break of the return. They had a chance to wrap things up in Game 5 and ended up getting blown out.
After scoring over 60 DKP Pascal Siakam has really taken a step backwards in this series failing to score over 20 DKP in the last game. In those two games he saw a usage rate of over 30%. Since that game, his usage rate hasn't gone over 22% and it is quite alarming. I will be passing on Siakam with him being the highest-priced player on the Pacers.
Haliburton is an interesting play tonight back at home. He is dealing with some back issues, but it hasn't affected his shot. Haliburton has knocked down at least four three-pointers in back-to-back games, as he still continues to shoot with confidence.
What we don't love to see is him having just a combined 10 assists over the last two games. I expect Haliburton to be a bit more aggressive and put together a complete game to make sure to close the series out.
The last guy I want to talk about on the Pacers is Myles Turner. I put him on the cover of the playbook on Tuesday and he let me down. I will make this quick just by saying I am going back to him tonight. Game 5 was an outlier of this series.
Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith are playing over 30 minutes a night which makes them cheaper, solid options. Toppin is coming off the bench but getting steady 17-23 minutes in the last four games and is averaging 2.2 fantasy points per minute.
- Top Play(s): Tyrese Haliburton
- Secondary Play(s): Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith
- Punt(s): Obi Toppin
Knicks vs. 76ers DFS
Total: 201
Spread: PHI (-3)
NBA Injury Report Today, 5/2
Knicks NBA DFS Injuries
- Mitchell Robinson - Questionable
- Bojan Bogdanovic - OUT
- Julius Randle - OUT
76ers NBA DFS Injuries
- Robert Covington - OUT
New York Knicks NBA DFS Breakdown
The Knicks rotation is very simple. They are going to play seven guys with just Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson off the bench if he plays. Both of those bench pieces are in play with them playing 25+ minutes each and sitting below $4,500 on DraftKings.
Jalen Bruson's price keeps going higher and higher. However, at this point if he is on the slate you almost have to build your lineup around him. His usage rate is sitting at a whopping 37.7% for the series and has gotten up at least 32 shots in back-to-back games.
Josh Hart is the other absolute must-play on this team as well just because of the floor he possesses with his rebounding numbers. Hart has grabbed at least nine rebounds in four of the past five games in this series. He shot 0-7 from the floor in Game 4 but it didn't shake his confidence. In Game 5 he took 17 shots scoring 18 game points while also dishing out four assists.
Og Anunoby is also in play for this Knicks team as well because of the sheer amount of minutes he is playing. He has played 39, 47, and 50 minutes in the last three games. Anunoby has also seen a price increase which makes it harder to fit him in your lineup, and that's when you pivot to Miles McBride or Mitchell Robinson
- Top Play(s): Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart
- Secondary Play(s): OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson
- Punt(s):
Philadelphia 76ers NBA DFS Breakdown
It has been Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid so far in this series and will continue to be those two spearheading the offense. They each have a usage rate close to 30% while everyone else outside of Cameron Payne has a usage rate of under 20%.
It was nice to finally see Tobias Harris produce in this series saving his best game for when Philly needed him most. Harris chipped in with 19 game points while also grabbing eight rebounds. His rebounding has been solid the entire series grabbing at least eight in four of the last five games.
However, it is the lack of aggressiveness he has shown throughout the playoffs as he hasn't gotten up more than 11 shots in any game. It is still hard to trust him at his price, but we may have to play him with a lack of options with him at $5,500. Or if you want to play his teammate who is a few hundred dollars cheaper in Kelly Oubre, that is also ok.
Nicolas is a dart throw option in this one as he has been hit or miss in those series but keeps getting good run for the most part. Even though Kyle Lowry started it was Batum who played more minutes with Lowry dealing with foul trouble. Batum is worth a look in GPP's.
- Top Play(s): Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey
- Secondary Play(s): Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre
- Punt(s): Nicolas Batum
Player News
Yang Hansen amassed 10 points (4-of-8 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.
After recording a complete 10/4/5/1/3 stat line in his summer debut on Friday, Yang was not as impactful on Saturday. The rookie recorded five turnovers, a reminder that there will be nights like this for the 20-year-old as he gets acclimated to the NBA game. However, Yang’s abilities as a facilitator were still evident, and that’s an area where he can offer value. Portland moving on from Deandre Ayton helped free minutes for Donovan Clingan, who will be the starting center, and Yang. However, Robert Williams III is also on the roster, and his presence may allow Portland to take a more conservative approach to Yang’s playing time next season.
Caleb Love shot 7-of-21 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Saturday’s loss to the Grizzlies, scoring 18 points with one rebound, one assist, one block and three three-pointers.
While Love finished Saturday’s defeat with a solid point total, this was not one of the rookie’s best efforts. He did not provide much value outside of points and three-pointers, and the undrafted rookie was inefficient as a scorer and playmaker. Love is on a two-way deal for the 2025-26 season, and becoming more consistent as a floor general will be critical for the former Arizona standout as he looks to solidify his place in the NBA.
Sidy Cissoko accumulated 20 points (7-of-14 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in Saturday’s loss to the Grizzlies.
Cissoko is on a two-way contract, so his fantasy value for the 2025-26 season is virtually non-existent. However, players on those deals can earn opportunities throughout the season. Cissoko, who was traded twice before the February deadline, played well against the Grizzlies, but he’ll have to do a lot to crack a deep forward rotation in Portland.
Armando Bacot accounted for 14 points (4-of-9 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and four blocks.
The Grizzlies have used two of their three available two-way contract spots, meaning the competition for the final slot should be fierce. Bacot is among the candidates, and his performance against first-round pick Yang Hansen was solid. The former North Carolina standout recorded a double-double and blocked four shots, with the rim protection not being something he was known for as a collegian or during his 2024-25 season in the G League.
Jaylen Wells finished Saturday’s win over the Trail Blazers with 23 points (7-of-16 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and two three-pointers.
While Wells was one of the most impressive players in last season’s rookie class, he only had two games in which he scored 23 points or more. With Desmond Bane no longer in the picture in Memphis, Wells is one of the players with more opportunities to contribute offensively. Saturday’s performance was excellent, as the second-year wing’s scoring did not diminish his defensive value. With the Grizzlies having played in Salt Lake City last weekend, it’s fair to wonder if Wells will be shut down soon. Regardless of what happens, he’ll offer solid fantasy upside next season.
Spencer Jones accumulated 19 points (8-of-12 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), six rebounds, two steals and three three-pointers.
Jones is on a two-way contract, and the moves made by the Nuggets this offseason likely limit his opportunities to change that. However, the Nuggets had to be pleased with his performance on Saturday, as Jones shot 66.7 percent from the field and grabbed six rebounds. There’s no need to consider Jones for fantasy leagues, but injuries can present opportunities throughout the season.