NBA Playoff DFS Picks For Fanduel 5/22/21

The NBA playoffs are officially underway! In the last two weeks, I am on my coldest DFS streak of the NBA season. Luckily, my success over the course of the entire season has kept me well in the profit, but it is still frustrating to experience a tough stretch like this. Part of the struggle can be attributed to the randomness of the recent games due to some teams having little to play for at the end of the season, and with the play-in slates only being one or two games. Hopefully, the start of the playoffs can serve as turning point for my misfortunes. For the first playoff slate, we have DAL-LAC, POR-DEN, BOS-BKN, and MIA-MIL. Just a quick note, my player pool will include most of the superstars since they are superstars for a reason, and we have entered playoffs, but my top plays are highlighted at the top of each position per usual. Let the fun begin! As I say everyday, the top plays and my lineup core can change with injury or rest news, so make sure to stay up to date. Let's dive into the breakdown of the NBA main slate on Fanduel today!

Reminder: If you would like the lineup that I will be using, RT the article post on twitter for at @SportsVerseHQ, DM @Excyphir, and follow them both. Since my lineups usually change with injury news, be sure to check DMs before lock in case of a change. I usually send my lineups out around 30 minutes to an hour prior to lock, so as long as you have followed the steps and DMed me, you will receive it.

Top Play:

Nikola Jokic - $10,700:

Who else would this spot go to other than the likely league MVP? Nikola Jokic has been incredible this season, and he will have to continue to do be in the playoffs if the Nuggets want any hope of making a run for a championship without Jamal Murray. To get back in scope, this article is only focusing on the first game of the first round, and that includes the Nuggets taking on the Blazers. The Blazers have been known to be one of the weakest defensive teams in the league for a few seasons now, although they are better at defending the frontcourt than the backcourt. Nonetheless, Jokic has a terrific match-up and will see extremely high usage as he has all year. $10,700 is too cheap of a price tag for him. He is a part of my core, but it is alright if you aren't comfortable locking in a center as you can only play one on Fanduel.

Picture Attribution: "Nikola Jokic" is licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://srbin.info/sport/zbog-ovih-brojki-amerikanci-proglasili-jokica-najboljim-centrom-nba-lige/)

Best Value:

Robert Covington - $4,600:

There are not many players priced under $5,000 that are excellent options on this slate, which is to be expected since rotations are tightening as we start playoffs. There wasn't a clear best value play for today in my eyes, but Goran Dragic, Aaron Gordon, and Robert Covington are all excellent candidates at price points just under the $5,000 cap for this title. I decided to give Robert Covington the final nod since he has the easiest path to a high minutes total. Dorian Finney-Smith is another cheap option who will see quality minutes and is solid value for his price. Robert Williams has a terrific price tag at $4,800, but there are some injury worries there, and you can't play him if you are locking in Jokic like me. There are some other forwards (Harris, Richardson, Griffin, Morris, Ariza) and a few punt plays under $4,000 that are playable, but the five players mentioned above are the obvious top value plays for me - none are locks, but all are solid.

Main Player Pool:

Point Guard:

Luka Doncic - $10,000

Kemba Walker - $7,800

Goran Dragic - $4,900

Other great plays: Damian Lillard - $9,700, Kyrie Irving - $9,200, Jrue Holiday - $7,700, Facundo Campazzo - $5,400, Kendrick Nunn - $5,100, Monte Morris - $4,300 (punt), Patrick Beverley - $3,700 (punt)

Shooting Guard:

Paul George - $8,400

CJ McCollum - $7,500

Marcus Smart - $5,700

Other great plays: James Harden - $10,500, Tyler Herro - $5,400, Donte DiVincenzo - $5,300, Tim Hardaway Jr. - $5,100, Landry Shamet - $3,900 (punt if he plays), Luke Kennard - $3,500 (punt)

Small Forward:

Kawhi Leonard - $8,800

Jimmy Butler - $8,800

Michael Porter Jr. - $7,500

Other great plays: Kevin Durant - $10,400, Khris Middleton - $7,300, Josh Richardson - $4,700, Joe Harris - $4,200, Dorian Finney-Smith - $4,000 (safest value at SF)

Power Forward:

Giannis Antetokounmpo - $10,900

Kristaps Porzingis - $6,900

Robert Covington - $4,600

Other great plays: Jayson Tatum - $10,000, Aaron Gordon - $4,800, Blake Griffin - $4,600, Marcus Morris - $4,400, Trevor Ariza - $4,300

Center:

Nikola Jokic - $10,700

Bam Adebayo - $7,900

Robert Williams - $4,800

Other great plays: Jusuf Nurkic - $7,400, Brook Lopez - $5,100, Ivica Zubac - $5,000, Tristan Thompson - $4,400 (punt)

Core/Lineup:

As of now, my core is Marcus Smart ($5,700), Kristaps Porzingis ($6,900), and Nikola Jokic ($10,700). It is fine if you aren't comfortable locking Nikola Jokic since you can only play one center on FD, but he is my favorite superstar on the slate.

If you would like the lineup that I will be using, RT the article post on twitter for at @SportsVerseHQ, DM @Excyphir, and follow them both. Since my lineups usually change with injury news, be sure to check DMs before lock in case of a change. Likewise, if you enjoy these articles, please follow @SportsVerseHQ and @Excyphir on twitter! Stay up to date there in case of potential news or changes. Good luck!