After a wild Game 1, the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks matchup for Game 2 at Madison Square Garden at 8:00 pm ET. The Knicks look to hold serve at home court on the back of a possible fifth straight 40-point game from Jalen Brunson while the Pacers look to steal one on the road with Tyrese Haliburton getting back on track.

I think there are multiple ways to approach showdown slates, but when you have very expensive star power, don’t be afraid to use both guys and punt 1-2 spots in your lineup. Now, punt with guys that will see time, but you don’t need everyone to crush their price point. You’ll lose to those getting 80 FP at 1.5x in the captain’s spot.

 

 

Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks

Total: 219

Spread: NYK -5


Season Series: 1-0 NYK

 

NBA DFS Injury Report

Pacers Injuries

Knicks Injuries

 

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

I mean, he can’t score 40 actual points every game..can he? CAN HE? HELLO? IS THIS THING ON? He’s scored 40+ points in four straight playoff games for just the fourth time EVER. Certainly he won’t do it for a fifth straight tonight, RIGHT?

Josh Hart, New York Knicks

48, 46, 53, 46, 43, 48, 42. Those aren’t lottery numbers, they’re the amount of time Josh Hart has spent on the floor during the postseason. He’s put up a floor of 36 DKP and has flashed a 50+ DKP ceiling twice as well. His rebounding rates could be on the rise even more with Mitchell Robinson ruled out for the rest of the postseason.

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

Of all the starters in Game 1, Myles Turner dominated the squad in usage sitting at 25.4% and Pascal Siakam was second at 22.1. Turner had a great start in the Pacers opening round series and did so again in Game 1 of this series pouring in 23 points. He’s had a LOT of success against the Knicks this season from the three-point line shooting 10-for-16 (63%) and that should continue here.


NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks

A few things stood out to me about Game 1. First, Hartenstein was stretched to 36 minutes. That was the first time this postseason he’s played north of 30 minutes. He averaged eight boards, had six, and averaged 2.2 stocks during the regular season and had none in the opener. I really like Hartenstein here.

Donte DiVincenzo, New York Knicks

There’s a $400 difference between he and OG Anunoby and one guy has a very high ceiling while the other is very safe. In back-to-back games, DiVincenzo has lit his opponent up from three making five threes in each game and he posted 35 and 50 DKP. If the Knicks continue to lean on his shooting and ball pressure on Tyrese Haliburton, he’s in for HEAVY minutes, which is why in tournaments I’d lean him over Anunoby if I had to choose.

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

He had an 11% USG rate in Game 1. 11%. That’s unacceptable. They scored 117 points and their best player had an 11% usage rate. I know the back injury he’s dealing with is an issue but look for him to be more assertive in this spot.

OG Anunoby, New York Knicks

Anunoby is very safe. He’s been great offensively, which we haven’t really been able to say about him since returning from his elbow injury, and has dominated on the glass too. Plus, it’s hard to dislike a guy who has played 42+ minutes in four straight.

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Top Plays

T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers

Game 1 makes you think if McConnell has it going again, do you even consider taking him off the floor? He poured in 18 points AGAIN and has been the Pacers’ best player for two straight games. He’s put up 25+ DKP in three of four and leads Indiana in USG rate at 27.2% this postseason.

Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers

If Nesmith stays out of foul trouble, he’ll play big minutes because of how good a defender he is. He shot 40% from three this year too, so he can space the floor and be a difference there for Indiana.

Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers

Toppin has been great this postseason. He has put up 26+ DKP in three straight games and 21+ in five of six off the bench. He’s been a monster on the glass and he’s scoring the ball at a high clip, notching 12+ points in five straight outings.

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Top Punts

Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers

Jackson checks in with the most risk of the punts because we never know when Rick Carlisle is going to decide to use him, Jalen Smith, or neither, but he has an incredible ceiling. He put up 21.75 DKP in 13 minutes in Game 1.

Precious Achiuwa, New York Knicks

With Mitchell Robinson out, Achiuwa will operate as the backup center. In the one game Robinson missed this preseason, Achiuwa played 20 minutes and had 20 DKP. He was nearly a FP/min guy during the regular season and is a solid punt as the backup five.

Ben Sheppard, Indiana Pacers

Sheppard is the guy at this tier playing the most. He also has a very low floor because outside of a few three’s he takes when he checks in, he doesn’t accrue many stats. That said, he’s very cheap and let’s you get a lot of expensive players.