NBA Playoffs DFS Lineup Picks & Advice: Monday (4/28)

Welcome to the Monday NBA DFS slate. The NBA playoffs are in full swing, which means fewer games but a bit more predictable lineup rotations. If you’re going to play NBA DFS, you have to keep in mind lineup announcements and stay tuned for late swapping. That’s a bit less important with the playoffs, but still important.

We have a two-game slate tonight, so you will have to get creative with your GPP lineups. In the end, it’s about making the right choices and picking your spots, which is why I’m here. Let’s break down the top plays for this slate.

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

Steph Curry (PG – GSW)

DraftKings: $9,500
FanDuel: $9,000

It is spectacular to see one of the greatest athletic performances of all time. At 37 years old, with no Jimmy Butler and getting triple-teamed most of the game, Steph Curry still managed 36 points in an 11-point victory as a No. 7 seed team over a No. 2 seed squad. That’s some remarkable stuff.

I know regression is yelling for Curry to come back down to Earth, but it doesn’t seem like Houston has an answer for him. Even if Butler returns, Golden State gets another home game where Curry will get all the shot attempts he wants, like the 23 he had the other night. He’s going to be highly rostered based on his last performance, but I’m buying into it.

Evan Mobley (PF, C – CLE)

DraftKings: $8,000
FanDuel: $8,000

As frontcourt options go, I’m most comfortable with Evan Mobley after two straight 30+ fantasy point outings. He scored 19 and 20 points and is sitting at a 20% usage rate with an expected 34 minutes of play this evening.

Mobley has averaged just around 40 DraftKings points a night this season, and he’s improved each game as Cleveland handles Miami and their strong defense. I expect another solid performance from Mobley as the Cavaliers handle Miami on the way to a series sweep.

NBA DFS Cash Game Targets

Tyler Herro (PG/SG – MIA)

DraftKings: $7,700
FanDuel: $8,200

It hasn’t been the best series for Miami down 3-0 as a near double-digit underdog, but Tyler Herro has still been a high-usage player, and I expect he will get a lot of opportunity tonight if Miami is going to stay in the game. They got walloped last time at home, and I have to imagine they keep it respectfully close in Game 4.

Herro will play nearly 40 minutes and is in line for a big bounce-back game. Cleveland’s defense is formidable, but they’ve ranked 17th over their last 15 games played. Also, Herro gets to play at home with the higher total of the two playoff games, I’m confident to expect Herro to be able to get his as a well-priced option.

Brandin Podziemski (PG, SG – CLE)

DraftKings: $5,500
FanDuel: $5,900

This is entirely dependent on Jimmy Butler’s status, and I’m leaning on the idea that he’s going to be missing Monday night’s game. Without him in the lineup, Brandon Podziemski played 33 minutes while playing 35 to open the series. If things fall right, he can be one of the highest value options on the slate.

If Butler plays, Podziemski immediately moves to a leverage GPP option as he will still start and is capable of ceiling outputs. Since the All-Star break, Houston’s defense ranks 14th, which isn’t spectacular, but considering they ranked fifth on the season, it’s a bit concerning. Their road defense also takes a step back, ranking fourth at home and ninth on the road this year. Podziemski is one of the riskier cash options I’ve promoted, but if Butler is out in a two-game slate, it’s as good as you’re going to get at this price tag.

Ty Jerome (PG – CLE)

DraftKings: $5,000
FanDuel: $5,300

With two of his three playoff games returning over 39 fantasy points, Ty Jerome might be the highest-rostered player of the night, and I’m happy buying the chalk. He scored 28 points in 26 minutes to open the series against Miami and managed a double-double the other night despite being on the road.

Jerome will see the floor for over 20 minutes and has been an efficient player at his cheaper price tag. He has received a bit of a bump on tonight’s slate, which may push people off him. If he can break 30 again, this is a no-brainer.

NBA DFS GPP Targets

Bam Adebayo (PF, C – MIA)

DraftKings: $8,700
FanDuel: $8,300

Rostership is still coming in and is yet to be determined, but I don’t expect many to flock towards Bam Adebayo. He still has the chance to be the highest scorer on the slate, so from a leverage play, I like him over Alperen Sengun as the center option, and Jarrett Allen will get some higher rostership with his cheaper price tag.

Amen Thompson (PF, SF – HOU)

DraftKings: $7,100
FanDuel: $7,600

With his dual eligibility guard-forward status, I’m surprised Amen Thompson’s rostership is projected at only around 12-15% on tonight’s slate. He’s had a decent playoffs so far, but has played better on the road this year and is due for some positive regression after playing nearly 37 minutes the other night.

I expect Thompson to go over his seasonal average of 30 minutes a night again this evening and get back to his scoring ways, as he had a nearly 25% usage rate in the third game of the series.

NBA DFS Value Plays

Quinten Post (C – GSW)

DraftKings: $4,000
FanDuel: $4,000

It’s tough to find pure value right now, and the Jimmy Butler news will shake up a lot if he ends up out. Quinten Post started the last game. If Butler is out, I expect the same tonight. Post might even start with Butler in the lineup.

Post didn’t exactly go crazy last time out, but still managed 27 fantasy points and can do the same tonight. He’s averaged 16 a game but can well outperform that. At $4,000, recording above 20 fantasy points would be ideal. I see him capable of doing just that.

Fred VanVleet (PG – HOU)

DraftKings: $6,000
FanDuel: $6,200

It’s not exactly a pure value play as usually done in this category, but it’s the best I’ve got as a solid cash option as well. Fred VanVleet has stayed at this price through the playoffs, and by playing 40-plus minutes a night, he only has room for improvement.

VanVleet’s usage has been over his seasonal averages in two of the three playoff games, and he’s taking plenty of shot attempts. More just need to fall.