The Eastern Conference finals have finally arrived as the New York Knicks prepare to play against the Indiana Pacers. This series will show a clash of two very different styles of basketball. Whereas the Pacers like to spread out the ball to everybody, the Knicks run their offense really through one player with a couple of side pieces. That will certainly affect who should be started for DFS, since one of these teams has an entire starting five that can have a good game.
Lock of the Game
Jalen Brunson
New York Knicks
VS
Indiana Pacers
(0-0)
Jalen Brunson might not be viewed as the best guard going into this round of the playoffs (partly because Anthony Edwards is playing amazingly well), but he should really get more credit for what he is pulling off. Brunson takes command of the half-court offense, considering that most of the shots the Knicks take either come from Brunson himself or from Brunson kicking the ball out as he drives and pulls the defense in.
Brunson is also shooting the ball extremely well, being able to sink shots with heavy defense on him. DFS players might have trouble picking between Karl Anthony-Towns or OG Anunoby since they’re both a little streaky, but a strong Brunson performance is almost guaranteed.
Start ‘Em
Andrew Nembhard
Indiana Pacers
AT
New York Knicks
(0-0)
The Pacers have so many shooters that it’s hard to go wrong starting either of them. That being said, Nembhard has consistently been shooting the lights out. There’s only been one game in the last four where Nembhard shot for less than 50%.
That partially comes from his playstyle; he rarely forces his shot and waits for good opportunities. The Pacers have other shooters like Nesmith who can pop off, but Nembhard has popped off most frequently.
Pascal Siakam
Indiana Pacers
AT
New York Knicks
(0-0)
Picking up Pascal Siakam halfway through the season is looking like one of the best moves in the NBA right now. Siakam is looking the way he did during his Toronto Raptors championship season, playing hard down low and shooting from distance. He scored 21 points in the last two games of the series against the Cavaliers.
It’s not like the Knicks defend Siakam’s position well either, considering how many points they gave up to fellow power forward Jayson Tatum. At 15.9 K, he may seem expensive, but he also doesn’t fold in these moments, so there’s a level of reliability in that pick.
Sit ‘Em
Tyrese Haliburton
Indiana Pacers
AT
New York Knicks
(0-0)
This may seem like a crazy pick considering Haliburton is coming off a 31-point game. If you look at Haliburton’s stats throughout the series, though, those 31 points were an anomaly. Haliburton’s had games where he’s only scored four points. He usually drops around 15.
In terms of gameplay, that doesn’t really matter when he is also dishing assists to Nembhard, Siakam, Turner, etc.. For DFS, though, 21 K is a lot of money to pay for a player that might only end up with 15 points. Hailburton does tend to take over in elimination games, which probably explains his 31-point night.
Josh Hart
New York Knicks
VS
Indiana Pacers
(0-0)
Hart is a difficult player to evaluate. He has had a couple of 20+ point games against Boston, but outside of that, his performances have been average.
Given the fact that Brunson likes to shoot unless he can find Karl Anthony-Towns or Anunoby in a good spot, it’s hard for Hart to stand out in the offensive scheme. Therefore, it’s more likely that Hart drops his usual 16 points. DFS players can get more value for that 14.1K easily.
Fade of the Game
Cameron Payne
New York Knicks
VS
Indiana Pacers
(0-0)
Cameron Payne may have a very tempting price at 1.5 K, but it’s not like he is in a position to ball out. Payne has only gotten a couple of minutes here and there recently.
The Knicks are going to want Hart and Brunson out on the court for as long a possible. So, while Cameron Payne is a cheap buy, he likely won’t grab any points.
