Mitchell Thoennes 
Isaiah’s Protocol for the NBA DFS slate is built around DraftKings pricing, but is good across the industry with some slight adjustments to salaries on the various sites. I’d like to point out that the players I’m recommending are best used together for cash game purposes. These players are also decent considerations for guaranteed prize pool (GPP) tournaments when used individually with other contrarian type players.
The NBA playoffs are finally here. We’re looking at an exciting 4 game NBA DFS slate that’s packed with intriguing players. There is some injury news out there to keep an eye on. I like to advise all my readers to join the staff at WinDaily in our Discord chat rooms as we discuss some of the important news leading up to tip off, and break down some key players even further.
Strategy
It’s extremely important to understand that this is a cash game article. My focus is to find 8 players on the DraftKings NBA DFS slate that will get the recommended 300 point total that should be enough to finish in the top 50% of double up, 50/50, or head to head games. The roster building process is different for GPP tournaments where it’s wise to use more expensive players for their scoring upside, and pair them with players that may exceed their value to get you in the top 10% of your contest. Finding high risk/reward players while paying close attention to ownership percentages is important to differentiate your lineup in GPP’s. For cash games, ownership is far less important as we’re simply looking to find a roster that will finish in the top 50% of the contest, and win some cash. Proper bankroll management is important for limiting the number of deposits you make with your own money. Doubling a wager in cash games is an excellent way to counter risks you may take playing GPP contests. It’s always better to take shots at bigger GPP contests with the “house” money you’ve already won playing cash games.
DraftKings gives us a $50,000 salary cap to roster 8 players. This gives us an average of $6,250 per player. Getting to the recommended 300 point plateau, we need all 8 players to average 37.5 DraftKings fantasy points (DKFPTS). While it may sound challenging, keeping this elementary math in the back of your head while building your roster is important. Limit your risk as much as possible and find 8 players that fit this criteria. Lets take a look at this NBA DFS slate.
Cash Game Core (Spend Up)
Rudy Gobert ($7700) I know there are probably better options at center with Gobert squaring off against Nikola Jokic, and the Denver Nuggets. Keep in mind that we’re staying focused on the math (above). Rudy is a key starting piece of the Utah frontcourt and will be leaned on heavily for his presence down low. In 3 games vs. the Nuggets this season he averages 40 minutes, and supplies a 20 point, 13 rebound double double. Gobert is also one of the better defending big men in the NBA, so there may be some added secondary stats as well. This equates to a 41 DKFPTS average.
Pascal Siakam ($7500) Pascal hasn’t looked to be the superstar he’s supposed to be in the bubble so far. This is the playoffs, and a different story. It’s been a long known fact in NBA DFS to target big men verse the Brooklyn Nets. This is no exception. Toronto is the biggest favorite on the NBA DFS slate (-9.5), and has the second highest expected point total (222). I love targeting this Raptor squad as much as possible. In 3 games verse the Nets this season, Pascal is averaging 35 minutes, 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. That gives him 45 DKFPTS on average for $7500. Lock him in at the tricky PF spot on your roster.
Cash Game Core (Average)
This is where I will be locking in 3, if not all 4 (including utility) of my guard spots on this NBA DFS slate. I’m not going to break them all down as they should speak for themselves. All 4 of them are starters projected for at least 30 minutes, have 40 DKFPTS upside, and have salaries that fit perfectly in our template. They are all seasoned veterans that should thrive in running their respective offenses in the playoff hunt.
Kemba Walker ($6900)
Fred VanVleet ($6800)
Jamal Murray ($6500)
Mike Conley ($6300)
Cash Game Core (Value)
While we may have overspent a little so far, I think we can still make it happen. Let me give you a list of potential players I’m considering to finish filling out my cash game roster. I’ve listed them in order of salary, not upside, or favorite.
Joe Harris ($4700), Marc Gasol ($4300)(keep an eye on Ibaka’s status here), Marcus Morris Sr. ($4200), Alec Burks ($3900), Jordan Clarkson ($3800), Chris Boucher ($3700) (again, Ibaka status), Monte Morris ($3600), Royce O’Neal ($3500)
I highly encourage all readers to join myself, and the rest of the WinDaily family in the Discord chat rooms as we break down and discuss our favorite plays on this NBA DFS slate. Thank you for reading my content and feel free to leave a comment, or hit me up on Twitter @IsaiahsProtocol.
