Chalkboard NBA Picks Today, May 5 | DFS Projections & Free Squares
The second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs provides fresh opportunities for DFS players as the Lakers and Cavaliers kick off their respective series on the road. We are diving into the data to find the best "More" and "Less" targets for tonight’s action, focusing on a returning sharpshooter in LA and a designated marksman in Cleveland.
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Austin Reaves (LAL) Less Than 20.5 Points
Austin Reaves has been a warrior for the Lakers, returning from an oblique strain to help eliminate the Rockets. However, he is still finding his rhythm. While he averaged 18.5 points in his two games back, he shot just 16.7% from three-point range. Tonight, the Lakers face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who possess elite perimeter defenders in Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With LeBron James likely taking on a massive scoring burden in Luka Doncic’s absence and Reaves potentially dealing with the defensive pressure of OKC, 21 points is a high bar for a player still working back to 100% efficiency.
Sam Merrill (CLE) More Than 1.5 Three-Pointers Made
Sam Merrill has become the ultimate "X-Factor" for the Cavaliers' second unit. Merrill is a specialist who exists to catch and shoot, and he has the ultimate green light. In Cleveland’s last outing on May 3rd, he provided 13 points in just 23 minutes. Merrill’s efficiency is elite; earlier this year, he recorded a game with 9 threes, and he averaged nearly two makes per game in limited minutes during the first round. Against a Detroit defense that will be preoccupied with the Mitchell-Harden backcourt, Merrill should find enough open looks in the corners to sink at least two triples tonight.
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