DFSGhost 
Cash game scores have been surprisingly low throughout NBA playoff slates, so I hope everyone has been taking advantage. There have been plenty of players that garnered high ownership on any given slate that simply flopped, so today we will continue building around our solid core while considering factors listed at the end of this article. While these plays are often my core for cash games, I typically use them in tournaments as well and surround them with low owned plays, especially on DK where players are multi-position eligible. Let’s get to it:
The Lock: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000 DK / $11,300 FD)
The Greek Freak is my lock for today. Posterizing the Magic on the glass in the series, Antetokounmpo is averaging 18.5 rebounds to go along with 29.5 points. He single handedly can win this series for the Bucks, and with Khris Middleton shooting an abysmal 5-for-20 from the field in the first two games, this offense is all Giannis now, even more so than it was before. Leading the NA playoffs with a 39.1 usage rate and sporting an absurd 2.11 FPPM, Giannis is the go-to stud today, along with a fellow Rocket listed below.
The Core Gems
James Harden ($11,600 DK / $11,700 FD)
He hasn’t had the 70-80-point performance we always hope for from arguably the most prolific offensive player in the NBA, but when he does, I’ll make sure to have him in my lineup. We’ve said it time and time again that Harden’s usage rate is simply through the roof without Russell Westbrook in the lineup, and while he did manage to put up 50 FP in Game 2, that was with a 5-for-16 shooting performance, including 2-for-11 from deep. If Harden knocks down just a handful of those shots, he’s creeping into the 70 FP range and I think today is the day we see that happen.
Nikola Vucevic ($9,100 DK / $8,500 FD)
While this play is more suitable on FD, Vuc deserves consideration after continuously going underowned on back-to-back slates despite averaging 56 FP per game in the series. Without Aaron Gordon in the lineup in these NBA playoffs, in addition to Jonathan Isaac, Vuc has a 32.1% usage rate, which is higher than the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Nikola Jokic. If the Magic want to steal another game in this series to really make it interesting, they’ll need their big man to continue his impressive run, where he is averaging a 30-point double-double in the series.
The Value Gems
Orlando Magic / Milwaukee Bucks Value
This game has a ton of value to go around on both sides, With Aaron Gordon ruled out once again, we can go back to the well with James Ennis on the wing, in addition to the guard duo of Markelle Fultz and DJ Augustin. On the flipside, these Bucks are all premier targets in the mid-range, including Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton.
Miami Heat Value
The Miami Heat quietly have one of the deepest rotations in these NBA playoffs. Unlike teams such as the Lakers and Raptors, the Heat have the privilege of having elite talents such as Tyler Herro come off the bench, in addition to other value plays here today in the starting lineup, such as Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder, and Duncan Robinson.
Houston Rockets Value
I do prefer the other teams listed above for value; however, these Rockets’ prices have simply not moved. While I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance from Danuel House here today, both Eric Gordon and Jeff Green remain too cheap across both sites to not warrant consideration in our NBA lineups.
Also Consider: JaVale McGee, C ($3,400 DK); you already know how I feel about this one.
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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