NBA DFS Showdown Playbook May 5: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Top Picks

We have the first Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs. With the Orlando Magic taking Game 6 at home the series shifts to Cleveland for the conclusion. This game will be very exciting with the young star-power in this matchup.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have been great for the Magic in this series. Looking at the Cleveland end of things Donovan Mitchell is fresh off a 50-point performance in the Game 6 loss.
This should be a fun grinded-out type of matchup, so buckle up, and let's dive into this NBA DFS showdown slate between the Magic and Cavaliers.
Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Total: 195
Spread: Cavs (-3)
NBA DFS Injury Report, 5/5
Magic Injuries
- Gary Harris - IN
Cavaliers Injuries
NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Mitchell is coming off a huge performance in Orlando in the Game 6 loss scoring 50 game points. He finished with 62.5 DKP dishing out four assists and grabbing four rebounds as well. Mitchell has the highest ceiling on the slate, and he isn't much more expensive than Paolo sitting just $600 more. In Game 6, he saw a whopping 47% usage rate, and back-to-back games of over 35%. Cleveland will go as far as Mitchell will take them, and I expect him to have a big game at home.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero is coming off three of his last four games being very good. He has scored at least 27 game points in three of those four games while also grabbing at least eight rebounds in those three games. He does not have quite the usage Mitchell has, but he has still seen usage of 39% in two of the last four games in the series. Paolo is in play if you need to save a few bucks from Mitchell, but with the pricing today, it will be hard to play both, that is why Mitchell is my top guy.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
For most of this series, it has been all Franz Wagner and Paolo on the offensive end. Franz is sitting at just a 22% usage rate for the playoffs which isn't as high as we would like, but his playing most of the minutes counter-acts the lack of usage. What we love about Franz is his aggressiveness taking the ball to the rim and getting to the free throw line 19 times in the past two games. The bad is he shooting just 2-11 from downtown. Franz could be in line for another big game if that corrects itself tonight.
NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley was atrocious on the offensive end in the last game going just 1-5 from the floor. To be fair it was tough for him to get in a rhythm dealing with foul trouble. Even with him giving nothing on the offensive end Mobley has to play because of his defensive prowess. Mobley has blocked at least two shots in his last four games including five blocks in the last game. If Mobley stays out of foul he is in line to have a solid night with Allen out, however, his price is very high.
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland is in play tonight with him being less passive in the last two games. Garland has gotten up 16 and 17 shots in the past two games while seeing usage of around 22%. If the Cavs want to win this game they are going to need a Robin next Batman Mitchell tonight, and Garland can give us that. Will he pay off at his $8,800 price tonight, I am not sure, but he should be solid.
Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
Suggs is the third guy for Orlando averaging over 15 points per game throughout this series. The issue is from a DFS standpoint you do not know what you are going to get. Suggs can give you 40 DKP if he knocks down his shots, if the jumper is not falling there is a chance he gets you less than 20 DKP. If the latter is the case, that will kill your lineup at almost 8K on DraftKings.
Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers
When the Cavs have been in my playbook I have been writing about how Max Strus will break out of his shooting slump. In the first three games of the series, Strus shot just 2-12 from deep. In the last three games, he has finally gotten it going, going 7-17 from behind the arc. If his shot continues to fall in this one he has 30+ DKP upside.
Wendell Carter, Orlando Magic
With the way pricing is on this slate, you almost have to play Wendell Carter. He has played over 30 minutes in the last two games and has gone for at least 29 DKP in each game. The rebounding and block numbers are good also having 20 rebounds and four blocks during that span. There is a low floor here, but let's hope he stays out of foul trouble and continues to produce.
NBA DFS Showdown Value Top Plays
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
With Gary Harris missing the last game Isaac slid back into the starting lineup but played just 23 minutes. He didn't produce like we had hoped finishing with just over 12 DKP. The good with Isaac was he grabbed nine rebounds. The bad was him going 0-5 from the floor and not scoring a point. This is a guy who can get you 30+ DKP at under 5K or he can get you 10. I will be playing Isaac tonight because when its good, it's great.
Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner is not someone we love because he is only playing 12-15 minutes. However, he has been able to produce somewhat scoring double-digit DKP in every game of the series. Carter gets in foul trouble in this one, we could see him get some extended run. Just know that there isn't a ton of upside with this play, but there aren't many worthwhile options at around his price.
NBA DFS Showdown Value Top Punts
- Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic - With Gary Harris out, Orlando opted for more of a defensive-minded approach. They started Jonathan Isaac and played Markelle Fultz for 23 minutes.
- Marcus Morris Cleveland Cavaliers - Like their counterpart Magic, Cleveland also went more defensive-minded by starting Marcus Morris for the injured Jarrett Allen. If he starts again Morris is locked into lineups.
- Issac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers - He played 20+ minutes off of the bench.
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Magic signed PF/C Moritz Wagner has agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal.
Wagner tore his ACL in December, and he’ll miss time to start the 2025-26 season. Before suffering the injury, he averaged career highs in points (12.9), rebounds (4.9) and three-point percentage (36) in just 18.8 minutes per game. Once he returns, he’ll likely take on a similar role as a microwave scorer and spacer off the bench.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports the Rockets have signed Kevon Harris to a two-way contract.
Harris appeared in 36 games for the Magic during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.9 minutes. While he did not play in the NBA last season, the 6-foot-6 wing flourished in the G League, averaging 19.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Harris is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball in Houston as a two-way contract player due to the Rockets’ depth.
Jahmai Mashack is headed to Golden State as part of the seven-team trade headlined by Kevin Durant.
Selected by the Rockets with the 59th overall pick in last month’s draft, Mashack was initially headed to Memphis via trade. Now he’s headed to Golden State as part of a trade that included an NBA record seven teams. Given his reputation as a rugged defender and “glue guy,” Mashack will look to earn an opportunity with the Warriors, who could use a low-cost contributor due to their current salary cap situation.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the 76ers signed Jabari Walker to a two-way contract.
To get a player of Walker’s experience level on a two-way contract is a shrewd piece of business by the 76ers. The 57th overall pick in the 2022 draft, Walker appeared in 60 games last season, averaging 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12.5 minutes. During the 2023-24 campaign, Walker started 23 of the 72 games he played, averaging 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in 23.6 minutes. With a healthy Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond, Walker’s minutes will likely be limited next season, but he’ll have some value on nights when Philadelphia is shorthanded in the post.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Jaxson Hayes and the Lakers have agreed to a one-year deal.
Hayes appeared in 56 games for the Lakers last season, making 35 starts. However, his role will be different in 2025-26, as Deandre Ayton has agreed to a two-year deal and will be the starting center. Hayes finished last season with averages of 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks on 19.5 minutes per game. He did not provide consistent fantasy value as a starter, which should remain the case now that Hayes will be coming off the bench.
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports the Suns are discussing a potential buyout for Bradley Beal.
Beal’s time in Phoenix has not been what anyone hoped it would be, due to the combination of injuries and underwhelming production. He’s been the focus of trade rumors in the past, but as one of two players in the league with a no-trade clause (LeBron James is the other), Beal has been incredibly difficult to move. Regarding a buyout, there are multiple issues at play. Accepting the deal would include Beal losing his no-trade clause, but he would be an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers. The more significant issue is that Phoenix has already waived and stretched Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell, so they will need Beal to leave some money on the table. Per league rules, the amount of salary stretched cannot exceed 15 percent of the salary cap.