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.
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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
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.