FanDuel NBA Picks and DraftKings NBA Picks - Thursday 5/6/21

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Point Guard

Stephen Curry FD - $9900 DK - $10600
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 53.65 DK - 57.02
Man, this one is exceedingly tempting, even when you account for the blowout risk. Curry is on a well-documented tear at this point, plowing toward a first-team All-NBA designation. Meanwhile, the Thunder have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season, and those numbers build in times when they had their actual good perimeter defensive players. It's tough for the Dubs to blow people out without Curry's offense, though, so I think he's a great play regardless of the game script.

Alex Caruso FD - $3900 DK - $4100
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 20.83 DK - 20.38

This is truly an easy one. With Schroder still in the Covid protocol, Caruso is a near lock for 26+ minutes in what rates to be a tight contest with the Clippers. He paid 6x on these prices last game, and honestly, there is upside for more, even in a tough match-up.

Also considered: Reggie Jackson.

Shooting Guard

Fred VanVleet FD - $8000 DK - $8000
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 43.18 DK - 43.75
VanVleet is a funny recommendation because while the recent game log paints a picture of a fantastic value at these prices, it's easy to forget that both of those games were without Lowry. With Lowry left off the injury report for tonight's game, we can't expect FVV to be at quite those levels, so what do we do? Well, we readjust our expectations for the match-up. The Wizards have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards this season, and this game has the second-highest total on the slate. There isn't huge upside here, but there is enough floor that you can run him in cash.

Paul George FD - $8800 DK - $9500
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 46.87 DK - 48.86
Shooting guard gets thin quickly, but this FanDuel price on George might be too good to pass up. George sat near 10k for weeks, and our model isn't ready to give up after 4 tough games. The Lakers are a tough match-up on paper, but without LeBron the unique challenges presented by the Clippers' two great wings should give George enough space to operate.

Also considered: Terry Rozier is awfully cheap on FanDuel, even if Lamelo's return has taken him down a notch.

Small Forward

Kevin Durant FD - $10600 DK - $9900
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 54.05 DK - 55.59
Sooo I guess we're back? Durant went from a long hiatus to playing 39-40 minutes a game, and with Nets Nation (such as it is) in something of a panic after back to back losses I can't imagine that they start scaling his minutes back now. Durant is coming off of back to back games where he paid this value against one of the few people in the league capable of defending him, so going up against the Mavs and their 20th ranked defense should be a breath of fresh air.

Oshae Brissett FD - $6600 DK - $6900
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 33.83 DK - 32.9
Sabonis' return doesn't seem like it bodes well for Brissett, but Brissett has remained in the starting lineup, and he's still out there balling. He got in foul trouble against the Wizards, but played 40 minutes and supplied 47.1 FanDuel points against the Thunder in the previous game. The Hawks and their 21st ranked defense shouldn't slow him down, so he remains a great cash game value at these prices.

Also considered: Lugentz Dort.

Power Forward

Jalen McDaniels FD - $5300 DK - $5100
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 32.34 DK - 32.34

McDaniels filled in for Bridges (who is in the Covid protocol) on Tuesday, and dropped 37.3 FanDuel points in 38 minutes against the Pistons. It's an equally good match-up against the Bulls, here, and this is a simple price and opportunity mismatch that we'll happily take advantage of.

Thaddeus Young FD - $6000 DK - $6100
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 33.8 DK - 33.2

Power forward falls apart quickly after McDaniels, and while I don't relish the idea of running a player as inconsistent as Young it might be all we can do. The Bulls have been involved in a handful of weird games recently, but in close games he should be due for a 32 minute rotation if he's starting again. This game should be close enough, with the Bulls sitting as 3.5 point favorites here. The Hornets have been a fantastic match-up all season as well, considering they rank 2nd worst in the NBA against opposing power forwards.

Center

Ivica Zubac FD - $4300 DK - $5100
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 30.42 DK - 31.66
This is a juicy price for Zubac in a match-up against the long Lakers. Zubac is coming off 31 quality minutes against the Raptors in which he contributed across the board for 26.1 FanDuel points. He's under-priced on FanDuel, and really helps you fit some of the great expensive plays if no obvious value jumps off the page tonight.

Also considered: Clint Capela.

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