DFSGhost 
Day 5 of the NBA playoffs from the bubble in Orlando and we have not been disappointed, NBA fans. We have another two matchups from each respective conference on tap for today’s slate, with the reigning champions looking to take a stranglehold on their series versus Brooklyn who will be without sharpshooter Joe Harris, the 76ers searching for answers without Ben Simmons, another tightly contested battle between Utah and Denver, and the ever-so-controversial Dallas/LA series. Let’s dive into the Gems on this Friday:
The Lock: Nikola Jokic, C ($9,400 FD / $9,300 DK)
The flashy center is my lock for today. With Jamal Murray hoping to find his game that he produced in Game 1, Jokic will remain the focal point on both offense and defense for this Denver Nuggets team looking to take advantage of a questionable Western Conference right now. With the 7th-highest usage rate in the NBA playoffs thus far at 32.9%, a substantial increase from his 26.6% usage rate from the regular season, Jokic seems poised to be a big factor in this game today. He’s a walking triple-double and is the best passing big man in the NBA, has a 3-point shot, and can both attack and guard the rim. His price is attractive on both sites and makes for a premium pay up option without sacrificing the rest of your lineup.
The Core Gems
Fred VanVleet, SG ($7,900 FD / $7,600 DK)
As much as Kyle Lowry is the heart and soul of the Raptors, and Pascal Siakam has taken a big leap this year since the departure of Kawhi Leonard, it’s VanVleet that seems to be the key to their playoff run this year, just as he was a crucial part to their NBA championship win last year. I say it time and time again that Coach Nick Nurse is known for running his starters into the ground if a game is meaningful, and when it’s the playoffs, that ramps up even more: after missing 4 minutes in the first due to foul trouble and offensive struggles, VanVleet only took a single minute off the court for the remainder of the game – a single minute! He dropped an efficient 24/5/10 on 8/22 from the field in 43 minutes of action, and if the Nets can manage to keep this one close, he’ll play another 40 here today. With how loaded SG is on FD, I prefer him on DK, but he makes for an elite target on the former, nonetheless.
Caris LeVert ($8,400 FD / $8,100 DK)
With the Nets looking to stay in the series by stealing a Game 3 here this afternoon, I expect big things from Caris LeVert. He’s been proving to be both the efficient scoring option that he always has been this season, while also putting some impressive passing skills on display; he’s averaging 13 assists per game in the series and has seen north of 35 minutes in each one despite Game 1 being a blowout. The Nets are thin, and if they want to keep up with the reigning NBA champions, they’ll need LeVert in a big way today.
Also Consider: Donovan Mitchell ($8,200 FD only)
The Value Gems
Lou Williams, SG ($5,600 FD / $5,600 DK)
Oh, Sweet Lou, have we missed you. The definition of what a 6-man is supposed to be, Lou Williams was vintage in the Clippers last game by dropping 23/4/7 in 32 minutes and took over as primary ball handler off the bench with Patrick Beverly out. Beverly is yet again doubtful for this one, so while Reggie Jackson will likely get the start again, I don’t foresee LouWill getting any less than 30 minutes here and being heavily involved in the offense.
Brooklyn Nets Value
This one is a little tricky, but if we get it right, it can lead to tournament takedowns. The Nets will be without Joe Harris today, and someone needs to soak up his usage and 37+ minutes per game. I expect the majority of the offense to roll through LeVert, Allen, Temple, and TLC, respectively, but look for some value in guys like Martin, Musa, Kurucs, Johnson, Anderson, and possibly Hall. Keep up in Discord for updates from our team.
A Quick Note on NBA DFS
While there are many different sports and various contests pertaining to DFS along with their respective strategies, we focus on the main approaches to build both reliable cash and GPP lineups for a successful NBA night including pace, the projected over/under, one on one matchups (DVP), a player’s usage rate, and a team’s defensive rating. Make sure to stay active when building NBA lineups – if you cannot be in front of a computer, tablet, or on your phone an hour before lock, do not throw your money away! NBA DFS lineups can change at the blink of an eye and are the most variable compared to any other sport in DFS; players get injured, some sit for load management, and others find themselves on the DNP list for other reasons; any of which can sway your lineup and where to find value. Stay alert on the WinDaily Discord chat to follow along with our updated plays. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
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