As the NBA playoffs continue to heat up, today's main slate showcases four electrifying matchups set to captivate both fans and fantasy basketball enthusiasts alike. With stakes higher than ever and every possession holding the potential to swing the tide of a series, the intensity on the hardwood is palpable. 

As DFS managers, navigating this landscape requires keen insight into player form, team dynamics, and strategic matchups. From perennial powerhouses to rising underdogs, tonight's slate promises a thrilling spectacle of athleticism, skill, and drama. So, buckle up as we delve into the matchups and unearth the hidden gems that could propel your DFS lineup to victory on this pivotal night in the NBA postseason.

 

NBA DFS Tools To Dominate Tonight's NBA DFS Slate!

Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. We also have the NBA Consistency Report to help identify players that have exceeded value based on their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!

WHO DOESN'T LIKE FREE STUFF?

Well, guess what? If you manage to secure a spot in the top-5 of our Daily Pick'Em contest on BettorEdge for the Sunday slate in the NBA Playoffs, you'll be walking away with some awesome FREE FA SWAG! Yes, that's right, it's your chance to win big!

 

 

Notable NBA Injury Updates

QUESTIONABLE

OUT

DOUBTFUL

Pace (Post All-Star Break)

Pace definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team uses in a game.

*key* Green is elite pace of play, Blue is decent pace of play, & Red is slow pace of play.

Green = Fast Paced team

Blue = Neutral Paced team

Red = Slow Paced team

Defensive Ratings (Post All-Star Break)

NBA Game Totals 

Top Tier Core Plays

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic is good. That’s the write-up. Doncic had a 36.5% USG and averaged 1.76 FP/min this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Herbert Jones's defense awaits, but that’s not keeping from a sub-10K SGA. He has a 33% USG and averaged 1.5 FP/min. SGA is a great spend-up if you can’t get to Doncic for 2K more.

Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks

I know Giannis isn’t officially listed out, but he’s doubtful and this could be the Damian Lillard show here. Lillard has the team lead in both USG at 35% and FP/min at nearly 1.4. He gets the second-largest USG bump at 6.9%, too. Indiana was the 18th-ranked defensive-rated team post-ASB and 24th on the year overall. This is a great pace-up spot for Milwaukee, too.

Mid-Tier Core Plays

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

Haliburton has lived rent-free in the Bucks head all year long and has had more success against them than maybe any other team this season. It’s a good spot for Indiana’s leader as Giannis won’t be there to protect the rim and anchor their defense when Brook Lopez isn’t on the floor. 50 FP is in the cards here.

Jaylen Brown & Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics

I’m OK getting to Jayson Tatum here, but I like both of these C’s in the 7K tier. Porzingis averaged 1.28 FP/min, which was second to Tatum and Brown was at 1.16. This is the worst game on the board, but the Celtics are nearly 14-point favorites, are virtually untouchable at home and their team is underpriced.

Khris Middleton & Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks

Although Lillard leads the team in USG & FP/min without Giannis, it’s Khris Middleton who receives the LARGEST bump in usage at 8.1% as he has a 32% USG and 1.17 FP/min. Portis is no slouch and should start here as he’s averaging 1.26 FP/min and has a 25.7% USG without Giannis.

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

This is just simply a bad matchup for New Orleans. Their center room has had trouble with Holmgren as he’s averaged 18.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 41.6 DKP/game. He’s done that on 4-17 from three, by the way. He’s a 37% three-point shooter this year. He was at 1.25 FP/min this year and hasn’t been below 7K since 11/1.

Value Tier Core Plays

Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat

With Jimmy Butler down for the count, it was Jaquez’s time to shine in the final play-in game and he did just that. Across 35 minutes, JJJ had 21 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds for 37.5 DKP. Jazquez has had a late-season resurgence, posting 25+ DKP in four straight. He has nearly a 21% USG without Butler this year.

Jose Alvarado & Larry Nance Jr., New Orleans Pelicans

In the most recent matchup we’ve seen between these two teams, we saw Larry Nance extended for 33 minutes and Nance has largely been the guy between he and Valanciunas the Pelicans have gone to. I expect that to be the case again with Chet Holmgren on the other side. On the Alvarado side of things, he’s played 24+ in back-to-back games in the play-in tournament and has put up 23.75+ DKP without his price rising at all.

Patrick Beverley, Milwaukee Bucks

We likely continue to see Beverley start alongside Lillard in the backcourt as the team's primary defender guarding the opposing team's best perimeter player. He's been solid averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals/blocks combined. Solid value option that should play 30 minutes. 

Delon Wright, Miami Heat

Wright's played 20+ minutes in each play-in game and should be in line for much of the same here with Terry Rozier and Jimmy Butler out. Duncan Robinson being questionable could lead to even more. He doesn't have a crazy high ceiling, but he's very active defensively and has been spacing the floor well. He's under 4K.

Andrew Nembhard & Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers (GPPs)

I'm interested in playing one or the other in GPPs. We've seen both have very productive outings and this is a a great game environment as it sits with the highest total on the board at 231.5. Toppin's minutes fluctuate more than Nembhard's, but he has a higher ceiling and has faired very well in this matchup this year. Nembhard will continue to start in all likelihood and can do a little of everything, but a starter in this game environment with 30 minute upside at just 4.2K is appealing. 

Derrick Jones Jr., Dallas Mavericks (GPPs)

This one carries risk, but Jones has settled in as one of the more reliable players Dallas has had considering his ability to defend. In must-win games down the stretch he played 25+ minutes in five straight and saw upwards of 35. He doesn't have a crazy high ceiling, but it's high enough to warrant attention at a sub-4K price. I'd like it even more if Tim Hardaway Jr. – listed QUEST – were to sit.


DFS NBA Lineup Lock Updates & Late-News Core Play Section

*Section for players we are considering “core plays” based on late-breaking news & research

Player Pool

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