NBA Playoffs DFS Picks & Lineup Advice: Sunday (5/4)

Sunday’s two-game NBA DFS slate tips off at 6:00 p.m. ET with the Indiana Pacers taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. This matchup carries a 229.5 total, with Cleveland favored by eight points.

The nightcap features the Golden State Warriors facing off against the Houston Rockets at 8:30 p.m. ET in Game 7 of their first-round matchup. Houston is favored by 2.5 points, with the game carrying a 205.5 total.

With just two games on the slate, every roster decision carries heightened impact. Narrow player pools demand precision. Uncovering the right value plays is crucial as teams lean on tighter rotations. This breakdown highlights top targets by position, digs into key matchups and identifies cost-effective options to help separate your lineup from the field.

Let’s dive into the slate and uncover the edges that can help you cash tonight.

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

Let’s dive into the slate and uncover the edges that can help you cash 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

Alperen Sengun (C – HOU)

DraftKings: $9,200
FanDuel: $9,600

Alperen Sengun has emerged as a cornerstone for the Houston Rockets during the postseason, elevating his game when it matters most. The 22-year-old has been a force on both ends of the court, averaging 20.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and two steals per game through the playoffs.

Sengun’s ability to operate out of the post, facilitate from the elbow and finish through contact has made him a matchup nightmare. Against a Golden State Warriors frontcourt that lacks physicality and size, Sengun has repeatedly exploited mismatches and controlled the paint.

What makes Sengun even more appealing tonight is his commanding 27.1% usage rate during the postseason, the highest on the team. The Rockets run their offense through him, and the Warriors have shown no real answer defensively. With Golden State often resorting to smaller lineups and switching schemes, Sengun’s size and skill give him a significant edge.

Steph Curry (PG – GSW)

DraftKings: $9,400
FanDuel: $8,700

Steph Curry heads into Game 7 as one of the slate’s premier targets, especially after a high-usage showing in Game 6. Despite shooting just 39% from the field (9-for-23), Curry still delivered 29 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals — a testament to his ability to contribute even when the shot isn’t falling. The volume is there, and so is the opportunity, with a 29.7% usage rate underscoring just how heavily the Golden State Warriors lean on him in pressure moments.

Curry’s postseason pedigree speaks for itself, and Game 7 scenarios are where he historically raises his level. With the Houston Rockets likely keying in on other scorers, Curry’s off-ball movement and deep shooting range make him a constant threat to explode. Given the sheer volume of threes he attempts and his ability to rack up points in bunches, his ceiling is among the highest on the slate.

NBA DFS Cash Game Targets

Jimmy Butler (SF, PF – GSW)

DraftKings: $8,400
FanDuel: $8,900

Jimmy Butler delivered in a big way in Game 6, finishing with 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and one block despite the loss. With the season on the line again in Game 7, Butler is exactly the type of player to lean on, as he’s known for raising his game when the stakes are highest.

Butler’s ability to fill the stat sheet across multiple categories gives him a safe floor and elite upside, especially in high-leverage matchups.

Andrew Nembhard (PG, SG – IND)

DraftKings: $5,500
FanDuel: $4,800

Andrew Nembhard played a pivotal role for the Indiana Pacers in their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, finishing third on the team in minutes with 32.2 per game. He made the most of his opportunity, averaging 15 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals while playing steady two-way basketball.

Nembhard’s ability to contribute in multiple categories and stay on the floor in high-leverage situations makes him one of the more dependable mid-range options heading into tonight’s slate

Nembhard’s consistent production translated to strong fantasy returns, hitting at least 5.5x value in four out of five games during the first round. At his current price point, he remains a strong salary-saver with upside, especially given his role as a secondary ball handler and capable perimeter defender.

NBA DFS GPP Targets

Tyrese Haliburton (PG – IND)

DraftKings: $8,800
FanDuel: $9,000

Tyrese Haliburton may have been a rollercoaster DFS option during the regular season, but he’s flipped the switch in the playoffs, emerging as a true floor general for the Indiana Pacers. Through the first round, he averaged 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 11.6 assists per game, showing complete control of the offense while also crashing the glass.

Haliburton’s ability to rack up assists and push the pace has been instrumental in Indiana’s success, especially in their quick dismantling of the Milwaukee Bucks.

What makes Haliburton especially appealing on this slate is his elite playmaking and high minutes floor. He’s locked into a featured role and has responded with a strong all-around production. Against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that prefers a slower tempo, Haliburton’s ability to speed up the game and pick apart defenses in transition will be vital. If his shot is falling, he has slate-breaking upside.

Amen Thompson (PG, SF – HOU)

DraftKings: $5,700
FanDuel: $7,100

Amen Thompson has settled into his role as the series has progressed, bouncing back after a quiet start in Games 1 and 2. His athleticism and relentless motor have started to translate into consistent DFS production, as he’s now averaging 18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, three steals and one block per game.

His impact isn’t limited to just scoring. Thompson’s defensive activity and ability to contribute across multiple stat categories give him one of the highest floors among value guards on the slate.

NBA DFS Value Plays

Aaron Nesmith (SG, SF – IND)

DraftKings: $5,200
FanDuel: $5,300

Aaron Nesmith was a steady contributor for the Indiana Pacers throughout round one, averaging 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. His consistency stood out in a series that featured shifting momentum, and his ability to play big minutes on the wing while contributing on both ends of the floor kept him firmly in the Pacers’ core rotation.

Nesmith’s energy, rebounding from the perimeter and spot-up shooting continue to carve out fantasy value, especially for his mid-range price point.

What makes Nesmith particularly appealing is his ability to smash value when the shot is falling. He topped 37 DraftKings points twice during the series, showing he has tournament-winning upside without needing a massive usage rate.

Against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that will prioritize containing Indiana’s top options, Nesmith is the kind of low-rostered player who could benefit from extra open looks and defensive attention shifting elsewhere.

Steven Adams (C – HOU)

DraftKings: $3,800
FanDuel: $4,400

Steven Adams made his presence felt in Game 6, putting up 17 points, five rebounds, one steal and three blocks in 31 minutes, easily smashing value relative to his sub-$4,500 salary on both FanDuel and DraftKings.

With his size and physicality, Adams provides the kind of interior toughness the Golden State Warriors have struggled to handle, especially when they lean on smaller lineups.

If Adams sees 23+ minutes again tonight, he’s a strong bet to exceed salary-based expectations. Even if his scoring regresses, his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities can generate enough peripheral stats to keep him fantasy-relevant.