NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
Welcome to the Thursday NBA DFS lineup. The Conference Finals are in full swing, and last night’s action was certainly captivating. The Pacers’ comeback in Game 1 was something to witness, and we can only hope that tonight’s Game 2 between the Thunder and Timberwolves provides a similar thrill. With only this matchup on the slate, we’re entering a series of showdown formats for the remainder of the year, so it’s essential to think outside the box. Ultimately, it’s all about making strategic picks, and that’s where I come in. Let’s dive into the top plays for this slate.
**Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC)**
At the moment, Shai appears to be garnering nearly a third of the captain ownership on DraftKings, and I plan to exceed that average. In Game 1, his usage rate soared to a remarkable 41 percent, and I believe he didn’t even play to his full potential. He attempted 27 shots but only converted 10, marking his lowest shooting percentage over the past six games. The 2025 MVP recorded nine assists in the first game, suggesting he’s on track for a double-double tonight, given his elevated usage. He’s clearly the top candidate to be the leading fantasy scorer this evening, making him indispensable for your lineup.
**Anthony Edwards (PG/SG/SF – MIN)**
If you’re not opting for Shai, your next best choice is certainly Anthony Edwards. I recommend placing him in your captain position, as he holds a 50 percent overall ownership yet is only about 18 percent for the captain slot. If Minnesota keeps this contest competitive, it will likely hinge on Edwards’ performance. Embracing this strategy allows him to serve as an excellent GPP leverage option with the potential to rack up 50 or even 60 fantasy points. Edwards came close to a double-double, falling just one rebound short, and his scoring was lower than usual in the playoffs. While Oklahoma City’s defense poses a challenge, I see 35 fantasy points as his baseline for this matchup. If the Thunder maintain their dominance, it will be because Edwards struggles, making him an intriguing captain choice, albeit with some risk given his price.
**Kenrich Williams (PF/C – OKC)**
To succeed in showdown formats, you must uncover solid value, and Kenrich Williams is the foundation I would begin with. Williams is likely to emerge as one of the top value plays and is a solid GPP candidate due to his low ownership. While there is a risk he only sees about 10 minutes of play, even if he returns 10 fantasy points, that can be beneficial elsewhere in your lineup.
**Cason Wallace (PG/SG – OKC)**
Another popular value play this evening is Cason Wallace, and I’m willing to embrace that option. He logged 33 minutes in the series opener, and I anticipate more of the same tonight. If the game gets out of hand, he could see an increase in playing time, which is a plausible scenario. Even in a close matchup, he should still play around 20 minutes, and with an expected output of approximately one fantasy point per minute, he’s projected to deliver around 20 fantasy points, which is excellent.
**Rudy Gobert (C – MIN)**
After a lackluster performance in the series opener, I’m returning to Rudy Gobert. He played just 21 minutes with only three shot attempts, but Minnesota is likely to utilize him much more tonight. He’s certainly capable of achieving a double-double and is projected to appear in less than a quarter of lineups. With his price dropping significantly since Game 1 and throughout the playoffs, it’s tough to overlook him at under $6k, especially knowing he can score 30+ fantasy points. Another option from Minnesota to consider is Donte DiVincenzo, who takes a considerable number of shots. However, the Timberwolves roster seems somewhat straightforward, and the pricing is generally elevated, making it hard to significantly lean into any one player.
**Jalen Williams (SF/PF – OKC)**
Lastly, I’m banking on Jalen Williams, who is projected to be the third most owned player on the slate, following Edwards and Shai. He had a stellar outing on Tuesday, scoring 47 fantasy points, and he didn’t even operate at full capacity, shooting 39 percent from the field in just 33 minutes. There’s still a lot more potential for Williams to tap into, even after his playoff high, and I’m excited to see where he goes from here.
