Tonight’s four-game NBA DFS slate offers a unique strategic challenge, balancing potential blowouts with competitive matchups.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors projects as a close contest with a three-point spread, while Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies carries a hefty 15-point spread.
On a small slate with limited player pools, finding production at every roster spot is crucial. Finding value plays is even more important as team rotations shrink. This primer breaks down the key matchups, spotlights the top plays by position and highlights salary-saving options to help build a winning lineup.
Let’s dig in and pinpoint the players who can give you an edge tonight.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet 
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN)
- DraftKings: $11,500
- FanDuel: $11,600
Nikola Jokic has been unstoppable through the first three games of the series, recording at least 65 DraftKings points in each contest. He’s posted a triple-double in two of those outings, showcasing his complete dominance across all categories. The Los Angeles Clippers have yet to find any defensive answer for him, and their lack of interior presence continues to be a major mismatch that Jokic is exploiting.
Given his consistent production and sky-high usage, Jokic is once again a near-lock to finish among the top three fantasy scorers on today’s slate. With the Denver Nuggets leaning heavily on his all-around brilliance, Jokic remains one of the safest and highest-upside plays on the slate.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC)
- DraftKings: $9,900
- FanDuel: $10,300
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has struggled with efficiency in this series, shooting just 35.3% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. However, his aggressiveness remains encouraging, averaging 22.7 shot attempts and 24.3 points per game. Even with the poor shooting, his high usage keeps his fantasy floor relatively safe.
If Gilgeous-Alexander starts to find his rhythm tonight, the ceiling is massive. Given the volume he’s seeing against a depleted Memphis Grizzlies defense, a more efficient shooting night could easily translate into a monster fantasy performance, making him an appealing high-upside play.
Steph Curry (PG – GSW)
- DraftKings: $9,000
- FanDuel: $8,900
Steph Curry has been steady through the first two games of the series, averaging 25.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and six assists per game. As the series shifts to San Francisco, Curry should benefit from the energy of the home crowd, where he traditionally elevates his play.
With Jimmy Butler questionable due to a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion, Golden State will lean even heavier on Curry’s scoring and playmaking to regain the series lead. Expect Curry to carry a heightened offensive workload, making him one of the premier guard options on tonight’s slate.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
Donovan Mitchell (PG – CLE)
- DraftKings: $8,500
- FanDuel: $8,800
Donovan Mitchell has been on a tear to start the series, posting at least 50 DraftKings points in each of the first two games. He’s averaging 30 points, 5.5 rebounds, five assists and 2.5 steals per game, showcasing his ability to contribute across the board. With a heavy offensive workload and strong defensive activity, Mitchell continues to offer one of the safest fantasy profiles on the slate.
Facing a Miami Heat team that currently owns the worst defensive rating in the playoffs, Mitchell has been able to attack at will. Given how comfortably he’s handled this matchup so far, he’s positioned for another high-end performance and remains a top guard option for cash games and tournaments.
Kawhi Leonard (PF – LAC)
- DraftKings: $8,400
- FanDuel: $8,700
Kawhi Leonard has been outstanding for the Los Angeles Clippers this series, looking every bit like the playoff force he’s known to be. He’s averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting an efficient 60% from the field.
Leonard has hit 5x value in two of the first three games, a trend that’s tough to ignore with the Denver Nuggets struggling to contain the Clippers’ offense. Given his efficiency, high usage and playoff pedigree, Leonard remains a high-priority play and a strong building block in all formats.
Scotty Pippen Jr. (PG – MEM)
- DraftKings: $5,400
- FanDuel: $5,600
With Ja Morant ruled out due to a hip injury, Scotty Pippen Jr. is set to take on an even larger role for the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Pippen logged 38 minutes in Game 3, delivering an impressive stat line of 28 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. His ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him a strong value option.
At his current price point, Pippen projects to be the highest-rostered player on the slate. Given his expanded role, heavy minutes and production in Game 3, he offers tremendous upside relative to salary and should be a staple in both cash and tournament builds tonight.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
Tyler Herro (PG – MIA)
- DraftKings: $7,600
- FanDuel: $8,400
There’s been some postgame trash talk between Darius Garland and Tyler Herro, and Herro is exactly the type of player who feeds off that energy. With the series shifting to Miami for Game 3, expect Herro to come out aggressively and look to take over, especially with the home crowd behind him. His confidence is high, and he’s shown he’s not afraid of the moment.
Herro was outstanding in Game 2, shooting 58% from the field and racking up 33 points, six rebounds and five assists. With his scoring touch locked in and added motivation from the back-and-forth with Garland, Herro profiles as a strong GPP option.
Desmond Bane (SG, SF – MEM)
- DraftKings: $7,100
- FanDuel: $7,800
Desmond Bane sees a noticeable usage bump when Ja Morant is off the floor, jumping from 22.1% to 25.6%. With Morant sidelined again, Bane should see a steady uptick in shot attempts, positioning him as a strong GPP target with upside. His volume will be there; it’s just a matter of whether the shots fall.
The problem for Bane in this series has been efficiency, he’s shot 25% or worse from the field in two of the three games. Part of that is due to Oklahoma City’s defense, which currently holds the best defensive rating in the playoffs. If Bane can find his rhythm tonight, he’s a strong candidate to smash his price tag and separate your lineup in tournaments.
Brandin Podziemski (SG, SF – GSW)
- DraftKings: $5,800
- FanDuel: $6,000
Brandin Podziemski started the series strong, delivering 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in an impressive Game 1 performance. However, Game 2 was a different story, as he failed to record a point, rebound or assist in 14 minutes before exiting early due to an illness. With a couple of days of rest now behind him, Podziemski should be closer to full strength heading into tonight’s contest.
Back at home and likely feeling better, Podziemski is in a prime spot to bounce back. His all-around game gives him multiple paths to fantasy production. If his minutes return to normal, he offers strong upside at an affordable price point for those looking to get different on the slate.
NBA DFS Value Plays
Dillon Brooks (PF – HOU)
- DraftKings: $4,500
- FanDuel: $4,600
Dillon Brooks saw a slight price dip on DraftKings heading into tonight, despite a solid Game 2 performance where he posted 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Even more encouraging, Brooks finished the game with a 29.3% usage rate, showing he’s a key part of the Houston Rockets’ offensive plans. His ability to contribute across multiple categories keeps him firmly in play as a strong value option.
Brooks should continue to see plenty of minutes, as the Rockets will lean on his toughness and defensive grit in a critical matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Given his usage and expected floor time, Brooks offers a solid floor.
Moses Moody (SG, SF – GSW)
- DraftKings: $4,000
- FanDuel: $4,400
Moses Moody has quietly carved out a significant role for the Golden State Warriors, ranking third on the team in minutes this series with an average of 26.1 per game. He’s putting up 9.5 points, two rebounds and one assist per contest. While those numbers that don’t immediately jump off the page, they are backed by steady floor time and opportunity.
Given his minutes and low price point, Moody becomes an intriguing value play, especially if Jimmy Butler ends up sidelined. More offensive opportunities could open up. With his consistent court presence, Moody offers a path to easily exceed value on tonight’s slate.
Nikola Jovic (PF, C – MIA)
- DraftKings: $3,500
- FanDuel: $4,300
Coach Erik Spoelstra’s ever-changing rotations can make trusting Miami Heat value plays tricky, but Nikola Jovic seems to have earned a steady role once again. Jovic logged 24 minutes in Game 2, delivering 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a strong all-around showing. While the minutes are never guaranteed with Spoelstra, Jovic’s recent performance suggests he’s gaining trust at a critical point in the series.
At his current price point, Jovic brings tremendous upside thanks to his ability to contribute across multiple categories. If he continues to see 20+ minutes, he has the potential to smash value and become one of the slate’s best low-cost options.
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