NBA DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups, Injuries & More: Friday Playbook
Happy Friday May 9th, we have two Game 3's as the Indiana Pacers are on their home floor up 2-0 on the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the Denver Nuggets tied 1-1 in their series.
The stars are out as Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Donovan Mitchell, and Tyrese Haliburton are taking the floor in their most meaningful games of the year.
Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.
- News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
- Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
- Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
- NBA DFS Projections
- Lineup Generator
- NBA Ownership
Pre/Post-Lock Update
This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock.
Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.
All status updates after contest roster lock will be made in the Fantasy Alarm Discord: https://discord.gg/2yATJxXe8G
NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 5/9
- Evan Mobley - QUEST (expected to play)
- Darius Garland - QUEST (expected to play)
- De'Andre Hunter - QUEST (expected to play)
NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews
In the section below, I’m listing the most notable things we need to look at in Las Vegas, including notable O/U and spreads. Not every game is listed, but every game listed has the pace and defensive numbers listed.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
- Total: 228.5
- Spread: CLE -3.5
Cavaliers NBA DFS Breakdown
- DRtg (Playoffs): 4th
- Pace (Playoffs): 7th
Who knows what's going to happen with Cleveland here. They were without Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter last game but there's nothing confirmed on with who's going to play and who isn't. Now, for what it's worth, all three players have been seen going through shootaround which bodes well for the team.
If Garland plays, there could potentially be some sort of limitations attached, but if there aren't, he's definitely a decent option. If Garland plays, that obviously hurts Ty Jerome's upside, but he's looked more comfortable coming off the bench. 5.5K with a healthy team is not comfy. Donovan Mitchell was a superhero in Game 2 and it wasn't enough, but if Garland or Mobley are at all limited, they're going to rely on him once again.
The wings are an interesting conversation if Hunter does end up playing. Max Strus played 40 minutes in Game 2, but it's not likely he'd play that much again if Hunter's available but if he continues to make shots, he's going to continue to play because of the spacing he provides. They could just elect to take one of their bigs off instead.
Will Evan Mobley be limited if he plays? To be determined. But if he isn't, it's a good matchup for him. If he can't suit up, lock Jarrett Allen into your lineups and move on. I think he's OK if Mobley plays, but is just a secondary play.
Pacers NBA DFS Breakdown
- DRtg (Playoffs): 3rd
- Pace (Playoffs): 3rd
The Pacers have been incredible in this series and their resilience has been wonderful. Tyrese Haliburton has been quite good this series, but Andrew Nembhard has been a better per dollar play between the two. Nembhard has played 30+ DKP in four straight and in six of seven and is still under 6K on DK.
As long as Aaron Nesmith stays out of foul trouble, he'll play 30+ minutes here and if he doesn't, it's likely that Benedict Mathurin is the guy that's extended. He had a 26% USG in Game 2 and was an essential scorer off the bench and the most minutes. More than T.J. McConnell who doesn't feel like much of a factor in this series, more than Obi Toppin. It's been a subpar stretch of games for Pascal Siakam and his price has dropped drastically because of it. GPPs for sure.
As Siakam has taken a step back, Myles Turner has elevated his game. He's scored 20+ points in three of four games and has 33+ DKP in four straight and 38+ in three.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
- Total: 232.5
- Spread: OKC -5.5
Thunder NBA DFS Breakdown
- DRtg (Playoffs): 1st
- Pace (Playoffs): 1st
If Oklahoma City treats Game 3 like the did in Game 2 there might not be anything that Denver can do, but the series shifts to Denver so that's something. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was incredible in Game 2 and is still sub-10K. With the game in hand early, the team was able to let Alex Caruso just chill. He didn't have to play at all but if you think this game is close, look for Caruso to get extended. I'd play the lower owned play between he and Luguentz Dort.
Jalen Williams was obviously going to shoot better than 5-for-20 and he did, putting up a solid fantasy number of 36 in just 26 minutes. He's put up 36+ DKP in every game this postseason. Will we see early early Andrew Wiggins again? he was GREAT for OKC in the second quarter but he hasn't played a lot this postseason.
Between Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, one of them will probably have a big outing. Holmgren is the guy between the two that is likely extended.
Nuggets NBA DFS Breakdown
- DRtg (Playoffs): 11st
- Pace (Playoffs): 8th
We know how this goes for the Nuggets. They aren't play a deep rotation. There are six usable players in DFS and Michael Porter is a borderline option because of his shoulder.
Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are tier-1 plays. Both Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook are both borderline tier-1 options too and I lean Westbrook between the two. Jamal Murray and Porter Jr. are tier-2 options.
NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks
High
Mid
Value
- Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun, Max Strus, Luguentz Dort, Bennedict Mathurin (GPP)
Player News
Tony Bradley (hip) is questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Bradley suffered a strained left hip flexor during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. While he was made available for Game 6 on Saturday, the Pacers’ backup center did not see any time, with Rick Carlisle deciding to go with Thomas Bryant as Myles Turner’s backup instead. Even if Bradley is available for Thursday’s series opener in Oklahoma City, that does not guarantee he’ll get on the court.
Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars told NOLA.com that Zion Williamson remains a “focal point” for the franchise moving forward.
While Williamson has shown flashes of the talent many expected him to be when selected first overall in the 2019 draft, there have been availability concerns. He’s surpassed 60 games twice in six seasons in New Orleans, most recently making 30 appearances in 2024-25. Add in the off-court concerns, including Williamson being named in a recent lawsuit , and it’s fair to question his place within the Pelicans’ hierarchy. Based on his recent comments, Dumars does not appear to share those concerns. “I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Phoenix Suns have hired Jordan Ott as their next head coach.
Ott will replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after just one season in Phoenix. Five of the Suns’ last six head coaches have been one-and-dones, and Ott will look to buck that trend with a successful inaugural campaign. He has experience with the Hawks, Nets, Lakers and most recently, the Cavs. According to Shams, Ott got the stamp of approval from Devin Booker, who was actively engaged in the coaching search.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Knicks have relieved Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach.
One year after signing a three-year extension, Thibodeau is out as head coach of the Knicks. New York had back-to-back 50-win seasons and made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years under Thibodeau, but the team is looking for a new voice to help the organization get over the hump after five years with coach Thibs. The Knicks’ pursuit of a championship for the first time since 1973 will begin this offseason with the search for a new coach.
The Suns have been aggressive in pursuit of trading Kevin Durant and regaining control of draft capital, according to Kelly Iko of the Athletic.
Since the end of the season, according to Iko, the Houston Rockets have fielded several calls from the Suns, who have gradually lowered their asking price for Durant. The Suns are interested in getting some of their first round picks back as Houston controls their first round selections in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The asking price is still not low enough for the Rockets, who aren’t keen on breaking up their young core of players for the 36-year-old small forward, casting doubt over a deal ever materializing.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jarace Walker will miss at least Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder.
At the earliest, Walker could return for Game 3 on June 11. Though Walker has had some solid minutes, he hasn’t played a significant role for the Pacers in the playoffs to this point. Obi Toppin will continue to fill out the majority of the backup power forward minutes.