Fantasy Basketball Showdown: Top NBA DFS Lineups for Tuesday, May 6

Following a captivating Monday evening of NBA playoff games, we saw an exhilarating overtime match in Boston and a remarkable comeback orchestrated by Nikola Jokic and his team, the Denver Nuggets. The trio comprising Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges propelled the New York Knicks to overcome a substantial 20-point gap, ultimately defeating the Celtics by just three points. In contrast, out West, the underdog Denver squad managed to turn things around despite initial difficulties. They emerged victorious against the highly seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, thanks largely to Aaron Gordon's timely trey which sealed their narrow triumph at 121-119—a scoreline indicating Denver hadn’t been ahead until right after tip-off.

This evening features a doubleheader. The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to bounce back from an unexpected Game 1 defeat against the Indiana Pacers, heading into Game 2 as 8.5-point favorites. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves (-6.5) will welcome the Golden State Warriors for Game 1 of their matchup.

Multiple crucial injuries might affect tonight's games. Cleveland's head coach, Kenny Atkinson, mentioned on Monday that both De'Andre Hunter and Evan Mobley are uncertain participants due to their respective injuries from Game 1. Although Darius Garland is labeled as questionable, indications suggest he will likely play. On the side of Golden State, Gary Payton II's availability will be determined at game time, whereas Minnesota’s Rob Dillingham continues to sit out.

Considering this, let's dive into today's NBA DFS lineup on DraftKings and FanDuel and point out the best options to consider.

NBA DFS Guards:

Stud: Donovan Mitchell from the Cleveland Cavaliers at $8,900

Indiana threw a wrench in Cleveland’s gears in Game 1, stifling their offense with disciplined perimeter defense. Expect the Cavs to flip the switch tonight, bringing a relentless on-ball attack—and no one’s more equipped to ignite that fire than Donovan Mitchell. Whenever the lights shine brightest, Spida tends to erupt, and tonight feels like another one of those moments. He’s already notched four games north of 60 fantasy points this season, and all signs point to another monster performance on deck. With home court already compromised, Cleveland needs to punch back, and Mitchell should come out swinging.

Though he tallied a respectable 47.75 FPTS in Game 1, a deeper look reveals serious untapped upside—Mitchell dropped 33 points on 30 shots, yet went just 1-for-11 from downtown. He’s not going to miss 10 three pointers again. The ceiling is sky high.

Should Darius Garland and Evan Mobley be sidelined or have their playing time restricted, Donovan Mitchell’s utilization might escalate to an exceptional level. Given this critical situation where the Cavaliers have set the highest implied team total for tonight at 119.5 points, Mitchell appears significantly undervalued considering his importance, consistent performance, and high ceiling of potential impact.

Value: Benedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers ($3,500)

This pick offers a golden opportunity to free up considerable cap space, allowing you to slot in two premium studs like Donovan Mitchell and either Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Halliburton. Personally, the Mitchell-Edwards combo looks like an optimal strategy with this value play added to the mix.

Benedict Mathurin had a solid, albeit brief, showing in Game 1, playing 23 minutes and accumulating 11 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block for a respectable 21.75 DraftKings points. However, his role has been somewhat unpredictable throughout the postseason. During the Bucks series, Mathurin logged fewer than 20 minutes in three of the games, which means there’s a chance his playing time could dip back into the teens in Game 2.

Nevertheless, at his current price, Mathurin provides considerable potential. He possesses an ability to quickly get into a scoring groove and can accumulate points in quick succession when he finds his rhythm. In his past 17 games, he has recorded double-digit fantasy points in each contest, with six of those outings totaling more than 30 fantasy points. His highest score during this period was an impressive 57.5 points on DraftKings.

Considering his affordable cost, Mathurin only needs to score approximately 25 fantasy points to prove a worthy pick, which seems quite achievable given Indiana’s fast-paced gameplay. Additionally, he consistently performs well against Cleveland during the regular season, averaging 14.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over three matches. Such stats should easily help him surpass the required value mark, making Mathurin an appealing choice with minimal risk but substantial potential returns.

NBA DFS Forwards:

Stud: Pascal Siakam from the Indiana Pacers, priced at $7,200

In Indiana’s stunning Game 1 victory against Cleveland, Pascal Siakam scored an impressive 35 fantasy points and might see an even greater performance if Evan Mobley sits out. Early in the game, Siakam emerged as the primary focus of Indiana’s offense, concluding with a balanced statsheet: 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Although he slowed down later, his initial aggressive play indicated Indiana’s strategy to center their attack around him—this pivotal role would likely grow significantly should he face less defensive pressure from the recently named Defensive Player of the Year.

Across three regular-season meetings with the Cavs, Siakam averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 block, and 0.7 steals—a solid baseline with upside in a favorable matchup. Priced below marquee forwards like Jimmy Butler ($8,600) and Julius Randle ($7,500), Siakam offers the strongest floor-ceiling combo among the trio. Butler draws a nightmare matchup against elite stopper Jaden McDaniels and could be sluggish following a grueling Game 7. Randle, meanwhile, has a history of playoff inconsistency and will have to navigate Golden State’s physical frontcourt, anchored by Draymond Green.

Primarily, Siakam continues to be Indiana’s key scoring option, whereas Butler and Randle frequently step back for more prominent players. As the Pacers aim to secure a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, anticipate Siakam playing extensive minutes with an objective of achieving over 20 points. Although Halliburton represents the team's future star, it is Siakam’s experience during playoffs along with his varied offensive skills that position him as crucial for Game 2. Should Mobley participate in the game, think about shifting your focus towards Rundle or another standout forward; however, Siakam still stands out as the best choice considering the current cost involved.

Value: Max Strus, from the Cleveland Cavaliers team with a salary of $3,500

In Game 1, Max Strus delivered a subtly impressive performance with minimal fanfare, clocking in 32 minutes and contributing across multiple categories like a versatile tool. Despite having an uncharacteristically tough time scoring, making just two out of eight attempts from long range for only seven points, his influence permeated all aspects of play. He added seven boards, three helpers, two thefts, and one block, amassing a respectable 27.25 DraftKings points regardless of his chilly outside shot.

The previous standout shooter from Miami excels at long-range shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. If he gets into a groove from deep in Game 2, his performance has the potential to soar dramatically. Strus performs exceptionally well in fast-paced, unpredictable settings. Given that Cleveland might be without three crucial rotational players—Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter—all of whom are currently tagged as questionable, there is a significant possibility that his offensive responsibilities will increase noticeably.

Apart from his reliable three-point shooting, Strus contributes with effort statistics and tough-to-quantify qualities that ensure consistent performance. As a guard/small forward, he excels at rebounding aggressively, making smart passes, and actively disrupting plays both inside and outside the arc. These additional metrics boost his overall fantasy score, even on off-nights when his shooting might not be sharp. It’s worth noting that it won’t take long until we see him step up under pressure during crucial games and knock down four or five triples effortlessly.

With his playing time assured and the possibility of increased use on the horizon if Cleveland’s injury report turns concerning, Strus appears to be a promising choice for Game 2. The Pacers’ quick-paced style suggests more scoring chances for the Cavaliers' offense. Although Strus may not stand out immediately, he has the ability to accumulate substantial statistics without costing much, making him undervalued. Keep an eye on this under-the-radar asset.

NBA DFS Centers:

Stud: Jarrett Allen from the Cleveland Cavaliers priced at $6,500

The success of this game plan relies completely on Evan Mobley’s condition. If the recently awarded Defensive Player of the Year might miss time due to injury, Jarrett Allen would have to take on a larger, more critical role surpassing his usual responsibilities. The Cavaliers’ depth behind their starting center is very limited—Tristan Thompson is the lone available substitute, and with him not playing at all in the previous series, it seems unlikely that he’d suddenly see significant minutes for a crucial Game 2 following a disappointing home-court defeat in Game 1.

This places Allen as the central figure in Cleveland's frontcourt on both defensive and offensive plays. Should Mobley be sidelined, Allen would likely experience an increase in his role, taking charge defensively, actively participating in rebounding, and playing a bigger part offensively. Despite having some difficulties coping with Indiana's toughness earlier this season, Allen remains poised for consistent double-digit scoring and rebounding performances each night. In their first game, although he only saw action for 30 minutes and recorded the lowest number of rebounds—five—in the playoffs so far, Allen managed to score 12 points by converting six out of seven shots.

In Game 2, an increased playing time might reveal significant upside. His consistent performance paired with high potential makes him stand out as my top choice for centers—if Mobley does not play. Should Mobley suit up, then shifting focus towards Myles Turner ($6,200), or another player discussed here, may prove to be more strategic.

Valuation: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves ($5,900)

The former Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, recently delivered one of his strongest performances this season during Minnesota’s Game 5 victory against the Lakers, scoring an impressive 62.5 DraftKings points. His stats included 27 points with a shooting accuracy of 12-for-15, along with grabbing 24 rebounds and making two blocks within 39 minutes of playtime. Although repeating such a standout game might be unlikely, he certainly has shown what he can do. Now more than ever, the team seems to understand how to utilize strategies that allow them to maximize Gobert’s effectiveness, particularly when facing teams known for their outside shooting capabilities.

The Golden State Warriors might opt for a smaller lineup where Jimmy Butler plays as a power forward, potentially benefiting Rudy Gobert. Considering Draymond Green will probably defend the posts, this setup may provide Gobert chances to secure favorable positions and dominate defensively against mismatched defenders. Should he get off to a strong start, expect Minnesota to feed him frequently near the basket. While the team’s offensive focus remains on Anthony Edwards, Gobert only needs limited involvement to achieve good returns—he just has to rack up another typical double-double along with some key defensive statistics. Facing this particular match-up and riding recent positive trends, Gobert appears to be an excellent choice with solid floor performance and reasonable upside when playing centers today.

Other Recommended Plays: Anthony Edwards ($9,400), Myles Turner ($6,200), Buddy Hield ($4,200)

The probabilities for game outcomes update regularly and can vary over time.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with a gambling issue and seeks assistance, dial 1-800-GAMBLER for support.

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The article was initially posted on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Fantasy Basketball: NBA Daily Fantasy Picks (Tuesday, May 6) .