We have a two-game NBA DFS main slate tonight and TWO elimination games are taking place as both teams at home are down 3-1 in their respective series. Can Julius Randle and the Knicks push this series to a Game 6? Same thing for Stephen Curry and the Warriors? Be sure to check out our NBA DFS projections, powered by FanJections, NBA DFS Lineup Generator, and all of the rest of our NBA DFS content and tools! Plus, be sure to check out NBA player props and NBA best bets from our friends at Bettor Sports Network before tonight's NBA Playoffs matchups. Let's dive into my NBA DFS pick and top plays for daily fantasy basketball lineups tonight. 

 

Miami Heat @ New York Knicks

O/U: 209

Spread: NYK -3.5
 

Heat Injuries

Knicks Injuries

Miami Heat NBA DFS Breakdown

The Heat are in control of this series up 3-1 heading into Madison Square Garden for this contest and some of their guard play has been one of the main reasons as to why. Despite coming off the bench, Kyle Lowry has been fantastic lately. He’s put up 23+ DKP in four straight games this series and he’s scored 14+ points in three of them. He’s playing 25-to-31 minutes each night and is a very safe option at 5.3K on DK. Gabe Vincent was great the first two games and has been bad in the last two, but it hasn’t stopped him from shooting. I’d be OK getting to Vincent in tournaments, especially if his shot is falling.

On the wing, Max Strus has been the MVP of this Heat team outside of Jimmy Butler. He’s scored 16 points or more in three straight games and has 28+ DKP in back-to-back games. He’s a streaky shooter that is valuable when he’s scoring. If he’s not, he’ll likely lose minutes to the Caleb Martin’s of the world. Martin’s minutes have been all of the place this series, but we’ve seen him play upwards of 38 in Game 2. If Strus and Vincent struggle, Martin could find himself in a big-time role.

In the front court, I love Jimmy Butler obviously as he’s had a 40 DKP floor and a 60 DKP upside this series. He has 58 DKP or more four times this postseason. Kevin Love has played a bigger role lately as he’s put up 23-24 minutes in each of the last three games of this series. The shots aren’t falling, but the rebounds have been consistent, we know his passing acumen, and IF he makes more shots, he could be a winning piece to the puzzle on Wednesday. I love the Bam Adebayo price tag as he continues to play some excellent basketball. He’s put up 35+ DKP in three straight games, has two straight double-doubles, and is coming off a 23-point, 12-rebound, and 43.75 DKP game.

Tier 1 play(s): Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin (GPPs), Kevin Love

Tier 2 play(s): Max Strus, Gabe Vincent

 

New York Knicks NBA DFS Breakdown

Although Jalen Brunson had a great Game 4, he doesn’t look healthy out there. His ankle is clearly bothering him. He’s put up 30+ actual points in two of three games and Brunson has been really good despite that. I’m not sure we HAVE to get to him at 8.7K, but I’m also OK if that’s where you end up with Immanuel Quickley sidelined. Outside of Brunson, Quentin Grimes played 40+ minutes in Game 4 without Quickley active. His outing went pretty much up to snub with what he is. He spaces the floor for the Knicks and plays defense. With how poor they’ve been shooting threes, they need Grimes to knock down even more shots than he did in Game 4. I could see the minutes approaching the Game 4 number.

Outside of Game 3, RJ Barrett has been quite good this postseason, even dating back to the close-out game against Cleveland. He’s scored 21+ points in four of the last five games. He’s put up 32+ DKP in six of seven games as well. Josh Hart played the fewest number of minutes he had since being traded to the Knicks. It was the first time since Game 3 of the Cleveland series Hart played less than 30 minutes. Assuming we see an uptick there as well.

Julius Randle needs to play well. He needs to play REALLY well here. He’s been pegged as the scapegoat of this series, but that’s because he has not played anywhere close to his potential outside of Game 2. I like the price, but Randle hasn’t had a steal or a block in FOUR straight games. Talk about not being active on the defensive end at all. Someone the Knicks NEED to be active defensively is Mitchell Robinson and he was finally able to stay out of foul trouble in Game 4, giving the Knicks 33 minutes. He wasn’t great, but we know what he can do on the glass and when he’s blocking shots defensively, he’s a great fantasy asset. I like this price point for him. If he does get into foul trouble, Isaiah Hartenstein is there and he’s a lineup filler.

Tier 1 play(s): RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson (GPPs)

Tier 2 play(s): Julius Randle, Josh Hart
 

Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors

O/U: 226

Spread: GSW -7

 

Lakers Injuries

Warriors Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers NBA DFS Breakdown

It’s been a near-flawless series for the Lakers to this point as they head into Game 5 up 3-1 on the defending champion Warriors. It’s been an up-and-down series for the guards of the Lakers and D’Angelo Russell was a hero in Game 3, but shot 1-10 in Game 4. Dennis Schroder has played anywhere from 19 to 35 minutes. Austin Reaves played his best game of the series in game 4 and is still just 5.7K here. I like him in all formats. Lonnie Walker IV has been a difference maker for the Lakers the last two games. He’s going to be very popular at 4K, but if he’s going to top 24 minutes and be efficient offensively he’s viable.

Playing LeBron James is an option but there hasn’t been a lot of upside at his price point. I’d rather just play Anthony Davis. Lonnie Walker’s emergence has essentially canned Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura and neither guy is really all too valuable unless you’re being contrarian and moving away from Walker.

Tier 1 play(s): Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Dennis Schroder (GPPs), Lonnie Walker

Tier 2 play(s): LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell
 

Golden State Warriors NBA DFS Breakdown

The Warriors are hosting the Lakers in this game in a must-win scenario. They’ve been excellent at home this year and they’re going to need their stars to show up. Stephen Curry has been incredible in some big spots this postseason including his 31-point triple-double in Game 4. The Warriors probably start Gary Payton II again here as he was great in Game 4. He scored 15 actual and 21.75 DKP and is still sub-4K on DK. Look at Klay Thompson’s splits this year. He’s been amazing at home and significantly worse on the road. I really like Thompson in a bounceback spot in GPPs.

Moses Moody is an interesting last piece in or a player to use in showdown considering the role he’s been playing. Sure blowout run has been a part, but he played 19 minutes in Game 4, a three-point loss. He’s $200 off min salary. Andrew Wiggins is a fine player to land on, more of a tier-two option, while Draymond Green has a very high ceiling. Donte DiVincenzo is similar to Moses Moody, but has Moody overthrown DDV in the rotation?

I don’t think either Kevon Looney or JaMychal Green are in play unless they’re in the starting lineup. In that case I’d feel MUCH better about Looney if he starts. If Looney starts, that hurts guys like Payton, Jordan Poole, Moody, and DiVincenzo.

Tier 1 play(s): Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II (if starting)

Tier 2 play(s): Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody