Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Lineup Strategy for Knicks vs. Pacers Showdown on May 8

The Knicks and Pacers continue their Eastern Conference Semi-Finals series with Game 2 on Wednesday after New York won Game 1 on Monday. DraftKings is offering some huge Showdown contests for this playoff matchup and below, I dive into some of my favorite options for this Showdown slate.

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New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers

Captain’s Picks

Jalen Brunson ($18,000) – Brunson has been absolutely incredible and paying up for the guard at captain is the most optimal route for roster construction for this Showdown slate. Brunson’s usage has been at a massive 35.5% during the playoffs, which is a huge increase from his 31.1% average during the regular season. As a result, Brunson has produced 63.3 DKFP per game in his last five starts, while logging at least 44 minutes in every one of these contests.

Combine this godly role with a plus matchup vs. the Pacers – who rank dead last in defensive rating of the remaining teams in the playoffs – and Brunson far and away brings the highest ceiling on the slate.

OG Anunoby ($11,400) – If not rostering Brunson as captain, paying down for Anunoby is the best choice. The Knicks’ defensive splits are truly elite with the wing on the floor and given this factor, Anunoby has barely seen the bench this postseason, logging 41.6 minutes per game. The ex-Raptor posted 34.75 DKFP in Monday’s Game 1 win over the Pacers and he has supplied 34.7 DKFP per game in his last five. Plus, Mitchell Robinson (out, ankle) being unavailable is a boost for Anunoby, as he will see more work at center, naturally improving his rebounding numbers.

Indiana ranks third in pace this season and Anunoby has a ceiling near 40 DKFP in this up-tempo matchup.

FLEX Plays

Myles Turner ($8,200) – Turner has been efficient against the Knicks and their stout defense this season. The center finished with 34.5 DKFP in Game 1 and he also had two outings over 40 DKFP against New York during the regular season. Robinson’s absence improves this matchup for Turner and the big man is the best value to target from the Pacers for this Showdown slate.

Obi Toppin ($4,400) – Toppin spent the first three seasons of his career with the Knicks and he got some revenge against the club in Monday’s Game 1, posting 27 DKFP in 19 minutes off the bench. The forward has now scored at least 25 DKFP in three of his four matchups with New York this season. Furthermore, Toppin has recorded at least 21 DKFP in five of the Pacers’ seven postseason games, while handling a 23.1% usage rate during this time, which is a huge jump from the 16% usage rate he garnered during the regular season. Toppin’s current salary doesn’t reflect the role he has seen in these playoffs and he is one of the better cheap targets this slate has to offer.

Precious Achiuwa ($2,200) – With Mitchell missing, Achiuwa should see 15-20 minutes off the bench, making him a strong punt play. In the lone game Mitchell has been inactive for this postseason, Achiuwa logged 20 minutes off the bench and posted 20.25 DKFP vs. the 76ers. The center is contributing right under one DKFP per minute this season and is a necessary play if rostering Brunson as captain.

Fade

Tyrese Haliburton ($10,400) – Haliburton is way overpriced at this price tag and is an easy fade for this slate. The guard only finished with 28 DKFP in Monday’s loss in New York and is now averaging 33.2 DKFP per game in his four road starts this postseason. Overall, Haliburton’s production has dropped to 1.1 DKFP per minute during the playoffs, which is a dramatic decrease from the 1.5 DKFP he generated in the regular season.

The Outcome

Competing in Madison Square Garden is a different animal and the Knicks should take a 2-0 series lead over the Pacers on Wednesday. New York’s offense has been much improved during the postseason – they rank third in offensive rating among playoff teams – and they are 3-1 on their home floor during these playoffs, while the Pacers are 1-3 on the road, which is mostly attributed to Haliburton’s struggles away from Indiana. New York is only favored by 4.5 points on the DraftKings Sportsbook and backing them at this line is the right move. Against Eastern Conference teams this season, the Knicks are 40-19 and they are 35-22-1 ATS.

Final score: Knicks 115, Pacers 107

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $400K Shootaround [100K to 1st] [IND vs NYK]

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.