This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Saturday's four-game playoff offering tips off early at 2:00 p.m. ET. To cover both feature slates, I will provide a few more sections for the BOS/BKN and POR/DEN game for those who wish to tackle the late slate that begins at 8:00 p.m. ET. It's a day where I recommend taking a look at both slates because the final two games will be much faster-paced and are just better DFA options overall.
Heat @ Bucks (Bucks -4.5, O/U: 227)
ELITE
Jimmy Butler, MIA ($8,800)
Bam Adebayo, MIA ($7,900)
Jrue Holiday, MIL ($7,700)
While we will see a good outing from Giannis Antetokounmpo, cheaper-priced stars on this slate are preferable, especially if Giannis doesn't go too much above his floor. The Greek Freak loves to show up in big games, and his playoff numbers are excellent, but as you'll see, we have a lot of big names today, and we'll be able to scoop up better value against cheaper elites.
Conversely, I think a healthy Jimmy Butler is priced exceedingly cheap, and we should expect a playoff-worthy stat line from him. Like Giannis, he turns on the gas in the playoffs, but he's a far less expensive option in this contest. Adebayo is also at an excellent salary point and has a good matchup against Brook Lopez in a faster-paced matchup. He finished the season with a reliable floor in the 40 FDFP range, so he's tough to avoid below 8k.
Although Khris Middleton ($7,300) is viable, the matchup for Holiday is just a little better, and for $400 more, he looks to be the best high-end Buck against Kendrick Nunn.
VALUE
Kendrick Nunn, MIA ($5,100)
Goran Dragic, MIA ($4,900)
Trevor Ariza, MIA ($4,300)
You shouldn't stack the two, but on a night where we can afford to price down a bit in the backcourt, either guard is a good option. Nunn will start, but we should see around 30 minutes from Dragic as well. He's a great point-per-minute player who could make the $200 pivot from Nunn worthwhile. Ariza finished out the season strong with a string of games in the 25-25 FDFP range, and although he wouldn't be as palatable at a higher salary, he's a perfectly reasonable call if cash gets slim.
Mavericks @ Clippers (Clippers -5.5, O/U: 218)
ELITE
Kawhi Leonard, LAC ($8,800)
Paul George, LAC ($8,400)
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL ($6,900)
Much like Giannis, Luka Doncic ($10,000) doesn't rank as high as other elites in the field, and although he'll put up a decent line as usual, I doubt he'll be worth it compared to Leonard and George, who are entirely too cheap in a playoff scenario.
This game holds the most potential blowout risk, so while stacking Leonard and George is OK at their respective salaries, I would lean toward Leonard, who comes alive in the postseason and always has a heroic play or three to add to the highlight reel. Assuming he sees around 30 minutes, Porzingis is worth a shot at $6,900. He'll face Ivica Zubac and Serge Ibaka in a committee approach, which is as good of a matchup as any. He's a bit of a risk as he will fade out in a blowout.
VALUE
Serge Ibaka, LAC ($5,400)
Tim Hardaway, DAL ($5,100)
Rajon Rondo, LAC ($4,300)
Although Zubac will draw the start, Ibaka should see more minutes after getting several days off, and he's a better overall fit to play opposite Porzingis. He's an excellent point-per-minute contributor when healthy. Value for the Mavericks is consistently a dart throw, but the most consistent player is Hardaway. Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith hold more variance due to their uncertain minute count, but you can usually count on 30 minutes from THJ, regardless of how the matchup shakes out.
Rondo is an intriguing pick, but I love him for value as Patrick Beverley's backup. PatBev is usually the first guy off the floor, and Rondo's playoff experience will allow him to continue as an assertive (and rather talkative) leader at the point when he comes into the game.
Celtics @ Nets (Nets -8, O/U: 229.5)
ELITE
Kevin Durant, BKN ($10,400)
Jayson Tatum, BOS ($10,000)
Kemba Walker, BOS ($7,800)
Kyrie Irving, BKN ($9,200) - LATE SLATE
Since neither of these teams are defensive powerhouses, the game total will be high and fast-paced. Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden have only played together a handful of times, and while you can't fade any of them, it's hard to tell who will have the best game.
We have the most recent history with Durant, and although he will likely line up opposite Tatum, his floor is the most attractive of the trio. Of course, Tatum will also be counted on as the primary go-getter without Jaylen Brown, and the potential face-off between Durant and Tatum will be one of the most watchable scenarios on the slate. Walker is also in a great spot, and the matchup against Irving should be a shot-for-shot back and forth matchup. Irving at $9,200 is right on the cusp here, so he will get some exposure in bulk-entry builds.
VALUE
Evan Fournier, BOS ($6,500)
Tristan Thompson, BOS ($4,400)
Joe Harris, BKN ($4,200)
Nicolas Claxton, BKN ($4,100) - LATE SLATE
Fournier should be the third-best scoring threat for the Celtics, but it all depends on which version of him shows up in the playoffs. His mid-range price makes him a bit safer, but finishing with a diverse stat line has been a bit elusive for him since joining up with Boston. As the presumptive replacement for Brown, he should see 30 minutes regularly, and if he can combine a decent scoring night with some secondary contribution, he'll generate a value-beating number.
Thompson will share the load with Robert Williams, but playoff experience combined with size should make Thompson the better call against Blake Griffin and Nicolas Claxton, who I've also endorsed this evening. This call won't get past the sharps, as Claxton's numbers solidly indicate his extreme value at this price. Joe Harris missed the final three games of the season due to injury, but he won't be on a minutes limit against the Bucks
Although his usage will take a bit of a hit with the Hydra of Lema healthy (that's a three-headed dragon for you Greek mythology buffs out there), his price makes him an excellent value in what will likely be a second-unit role.
Trail Blazers @ Nuggets (Nuggets -1, O/U: 227.5)
ELITE
Nikola Jokic, DEN ($10,700)
Damian Lillard, POR ($9,700)
CJ McCollum,POR ($7,700)
Michael Porter, DEN ($7,500)
Jusuf Nurkic, POR ($7,400) - LATE SLATE
This game will probably be the most productive from a DFS perspective and is one reason why the late slate will be much more enjoyable to play. There isn't much to say about the top-four targets that haven't already been said. They'll all get a lot more play on the late slate, and Jokic becomes a chalk play without much competition on that end.
Otherwise, you can potentially get away with cheaper at center. Damian Lillard is absolutely worth it at this price, but on the full slate, he may be tough to get to if you choose to spend up with guys like Leonard and Durant. If the numbers aren't adding up, McCollum is a very sensible pivot. He's consistently providing lines in the 35-45 FDFP range and will go step-for-step with whomever he draws on defense.
Michael Porter could be the guy that steps up a bit for some backcourt defensive work, and his excellent production over the past couple of months is already well-documented. He played a significant role in last year's trip through the bracket, but without Jamal Murray, he'll be called on to do a lot more.
Jusuf Nurkic isn't a bad contrarian pick on the later slate, but potential foul trouble against Jokic is a genuine concern here. Next to perhaps Rudy Gobert, Jokic can draw a foul better than any big man in the league, and Nurkic is known for racking up many penalties when in a mismatch like this. Since he'll be a bit less popular, I like him as a GPP pick in the late slate.
VALUE
Norman Powell, POR ($6,400) - LATE SLATE
Monte Morris, DEN ($4,300)
Carmelo Anthony, POR ($3,800) - LATE SLATE
Morris is one of the best value plays on the slate. After a solid week of rest, I expect him to get back to his usual workload, which will negatively impact Facundo Campazzo. If Austin Rivers ($4,200) suits up, we might see a bit less from Morris, but he should be a valuable piece without a minute limitation. I don't think Melo and Powell are necessary for the full slate, but they are worthwhile value candidates for the late tilt. Both Powell and Anthony have loads of playoff experience and should see a slightly expanded role.
