NBA DraftKings DFS Lineup Picks 5/18/21
Contents
Point Guard
Devonte Graham ($6,100) vs Pacers- Graham has had his struggles this season, but he is playing his best basketball when it matters most for the Hornets. Over the last 4 games, Graham is averaging 19.0 PPG 5.0 APG, and 2.8 RPG and has shot the ball better from the field and from 3 than he has during the whole season. The backcourt is crowded in Charlotte but there have still been enough shots for Graham to be an effective fantasy player. With Graham scoring 40+ FPTS in 2 of his last 4 games, there has shown to be a lot of upside, and in a 2 game slate that is what we are going to have to go for.
Shooting Guard
Evan Fournier ($6,000) vs Wizards- With the season-ending injury to Jaylen Brown, Evan Fournier has really stepped up and proven why he was worth what the Celtics gave up for him at the trade deadline. In the last 5 games, Fournier has put up 20.0 PPG 5.2 APG, and has shot the ball superbly 50.7% FG & 56.4% from 3. This type of point total aligns with what we saw in Orlando and the Celtics are definitely going to need his scoring if they want to advance past the play-in game. The Wizards defense leaves a lot to be desired so I like Evan Fournier and others tonight in Boston.
Small Forward
Aaron Nesmith ($4,100) vs Wizards- Rookie Aaron Nesmith had some troubles finding the floor but with the injury to Jaylen Brown, he has been forced to step up and play big minutes. He has averaged 7.5 PPG 4.3 RPG and 1.5 APG over the last 6 games and has been playing almost 20 minutes a game. Obviously, you want to see more from the young rookie but in a 2 game slate, I think you have to take some long shots if you want to win big. It is unclear how much he will play but he has proven to be able to score 25+ FPTS which would be great for someone at this price. If you want to take a risk on a young player getting playing time, look at Nesmith tonight.
Power Forward
Domantas Sabonis ($10,000) vs Hornets- Sabonis is questionable heading into tonight’s game, but if he plays he should put up big numbers. In 3 games vs the Hornets this season Sabonis, has put up 17.3 PPG 10.7 RPG, and 6.7 APG which has been good for 42.5 FPPG. Sabonis is a lot like Jokic from a fantasy sense just stuffing the stat sheet and racking up easy fantasy points. The Hornets come into this game allowing the most DK points to opposing big men, so this is a perfect matchup for the young all-star. $10,000 is steep but is needed in my opinion for tonight’s slate.
Center
Oshae Brissett ($5,400) vs Hornets- Brissett wasn’t widely known before this season but he has shown flashes this season for Indiana. He is also coming off his best game of the year where he went 10/16 with 31 PTS 10 REB and 3 AST. We can’t expect that every night but this has marked 2 out of the last 3 games where he has eclipsed 30 FPTS. The minutes have been there and as you can see, so has the production. As I mentioned before the Hornets have struggled on the defensive end so I would consider taking a look at Brissett in this matchup.
Sleeper Play
Raul Neto ($4,600) vs Celtics- Neto has been banged up but he is expected to be on the floor tonight in the Wizards matchup vs the Celtics. Neto has been a solid option behind the guard tandem of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal this season. He comes into this game averaging 9.3 PPG in the last 3 games but has hit 5+ FGs in 3 of the last 4. Neto is hovering around 30 minutes per game off the bench and they are going to need him to produce if they want to win this game. With 19+ FPTS in 3 of the last 4, I would consider Neto as a guard option in this slate that only contains 2 play-in games.
