What better way to start your weekend than some NBA DFS Playoff basketball? We’ve yet to cross the threshold of the playoffs where multi-night slates are necessary, so we’ve got a chance to go ahead and take home first place in one night.
Playing NBA DFS can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also make your head spin. It’s our job to make sure you’re winning as much as possible! There are countless variables that can lead to a player’s individual performance, but I’ve found it’s best to focus on just a few that can lead to better predictability.
My favorite factors to track for NBA DFS targets: Matchups (Offensive/Defensive Ratings), Opportunity (expected player minutes, game pace), and Recent Form.
This is the AM VERSION of a living article that will be updated throughout the day, as news comes through the wire.
LET’S GET INTO THE SLATE!!!!
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NBA DFS Targets and Preview for May 28
Knicks vs. Hawks (Series Tied 1-1)
If I’m being honest, I was expecting the Knicks to sweep this series. My thinking involved the game slowing down in the playoffs, and the Knicks’ elite defense stifling the Hawks. That simply hasn’t happened. We’ve played NBA DFS all year, and I can’t think of a time when Julius Randle played like anything other than the best player on the Knicks. During the first two games, that title belongs to D-Rose or Alec Burks. Could you anticipate Randle bouncing back to a more typical performance from this year? Yes. Am I going to do that? No. I think we need to give the Hawks credit for throwing Capela and Collins at the big man. It’s working.
Further, DeAndre Hunter hasn’t ruined the Hawks’ cohesiveness with his return to the lineup, and Bogdanovic has turned into a bonafide second option, behind Trae. The Hawks are headed home for the first time in this series, and just as the New York crowd was a factor, the wonderful people of Atlanta are going to return all the hate that was spewed against their team these past two games. I think Atlanta takes this one, and you should weight your lineups toward that outcome.
DFS Targets: ATL targets: Bogdanovic, Young, Collins, Capela, and Gallinari for value. NY targets: Barrett, Burks, and Rose.
Nets vs. Celtics (Nets Lead 2-0)
The Nets will be in Boston for the next couple of games. I can’t forecast the scenario where they leave Boston without completing the sweep. At the end of the day, this series has been simple. The Celtics’ only chance to win would rely on monster games from Jayson Tatum. Something Tatum is entirely capable of doing. The problem is, he’s not capable of doing that with Kevin Durant guarding him. Most coaches would adjust to this by relying on second and third options, but Brown is out with injury, and Kemba…well….he’s been a better real-life player, than a DFS talent.
To make this matchup even scarier for DFS purposes, there is potential blowout risk in this matchup on a nightly basis. I think the best way to approach this is to find cheap shooters on both sides and target only one superstar on the Nets. This isn’t the game to stack.
DFS Targets: BKN targets: Kyrie, Harris, and Bruce Brown. BOS targets: Smart, Fournier, and Robert Williams.
Clippers vs. Mavericks (Mavs Lead 2-0)
This has been a fascinating matchup. The range of outcomes on this one is infinite. I guess that’s always true, but you know what I mean. Kawhi has been looking like himself (elite). Luka has been incredible. Kristaps has been shooting well. Paul George…Playoff P…Pandemic P…whatever you want to call him, has even been playing well. The four stars are doing what’s expected of them. However, with the talent that LAC has on its roster, I would’ve thought that meant the Clippers would be leading. Nope! The Mavs are headed home with a two-game lead.
I think the most likely outcome is that we’re going to see a more aggressive Paul George. That could be a good or bad thing for the Mavs, but for DFS purposes, it means we need to target him. Paul George carrying more of the load on offense, likely means Kawhi will be transferring his focus/energy to guard Luka on more possessions. Luka has held his own against anyone guarding him, but Kawhi’s good for a few more stops than any other defender. I’m anticipating a close game, but a frustrated Luka can suck the energy out of the Mavs arena. Clips win this one.
DFS Targets: LAC targets: George, Leonard, and Morris. DAL targets: Luka, Kristaps, and Hardaway.
Don’t forget to check back later in the day as Bradlee will be updating his NBA DFS preview with all the info you need to turn tonight’s slate into a resounding success!
If you are reading this on Fantrax.com make sure to head on over to FantraxHQ to check out Brad’s afternoon updates.
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