FREE 05/14 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s two-game slate is short but has some clear DFS angles to focus on. The Knicks at Celtics game tips off at 7:00 PM ET with the highest total of the night at 207.5, so there should be plenty of scoring opportunities in that one. Later, the Warriors visit the Timberwolves in a 9:30 PM ET matchup with a total of 202.5, which also suggests a decent pace and scoring environment.

With just two games, every play counts, especially in those high-total matchups. Look for players who can take advantage of pace and usage spikes since there won’t be many other options to spread your lineup across. It’s a compact slate that rewards attention to game flow and how these teams push tempo on both ends.

Game Environment Analysis

NYK @ BOS (O/U: 207.5, Spread: -4.5)

• Pace: NYK (26th) vs BOS (30th)
• Off Eff: NYK (5th) vs BOS (2nd) 🔥
• Def Eff: NYK (15th) vs BOS (3rd)

GSW @ MIN (O/U: 202.5, Spread: -10.5)

• Pace: GSW (17th) vs MIN (25th)
• Off Eff: GSW (15th) vs MIN (10th)
• Def Eff: GSW (8th) vs MIN (6th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Derrick White ($7,700)

Derrick White has been a steady force for Boston in this series against the Knicks, consistently hitting over 15 points in each game and logging heavy minutes near 40 per outing. His shooting splits have been solid, especially from deep, which boosts his upside in a game expected to be competitive and moderately paced. At $7,700, White offers strong value with a 5.4x projection on DraftKings and a boom rate north of 26%, making him an efficient way to get exposure to the Celtics’ offense without breaking the bank.

Ownership is hovering around 45%, which is slightly above the field average but justified given his role and recent production. The Celtics will lean on him more if Tatum’s availability becomes an issue, increasing his usage further. The matchup against New York isn’t overly restrictive either, as they’ve struggled to contain guards capable of scoring at multiple levels. Given the combination of volume, efficiency, and price point, White fits well into many GPP builds where you want solid floor with upside in a tight series environment.

More PG Plays:

• Anthony Edwards ($9,400)
• Jalen Brunson ($8,900)

SG - Jaylen Brown ($8,200)

Jaylen Brown comes into this matchup against the Knicks with solid recent consistency, averaging just over 20 points and contributing across the board in rebounds and assists. He’s projected for 42 minutes and carries a strong boom rate near 39%, which aligns well with his usage as Boston’s secondary scorer behind Tatum and White. The Knicks have struggled defensively against wings who can score both inside and out, making Brown’s volume scoring a reliable floor on this slate. His value at 5.8x is justified given he regularly hits 30+ DK points, especially in playoff minutes that push him well beyond 40 minutes.

Ownership is extremely high at over 80%, which reflects his clear-cut role and steady output. While that chalk ownership limits leverage, it also confirms Brown as a core play given the Celtics’ pace and the implied game environment against New York. If you’re looking to differentiate, pivoting off Brown makes sense, but fading him outright could mean missing out on one of the slate’s safest floors combined with upside. Overall, his price and role make him an easy anchor in most lineups despite the heavy ownership share.

More SG Plays:

• Anthony Edwards ($9,400)
• Mikal Bridges ($6,200)

SF - Buddy Hield ($5,100)

Buddy Hield stands out as a strong value play at $5,100 with a 5.3x value and a solid boom rate over 20%. His minutes have been consistent around 30-35 per game, and he’s been reliable from deep, averaging nearly four made threes per contest in this series against Minnesota. The matchup is favorable enough—Minnesota allows decent production to shooting guards and wings, and the pace should stay moderate given the playoff context. Hield’s ability to stretch the floor will be crucial for Golden State without Curry, making him a steady source of points and peripheral stats.

Ownership is high at 53%, reflecting his role and floor in this slate, but that chalk appears justified given his usage and scoring opportunities. While he hasn’t hit a massive ceiling every night recently, his boom potential combined with steady volume makes him one of the safer GPP options in this price range. If you want leverage, it’s possible to pivot off him, but including Hield in your core lineups aligns well with the expected pace and scoring environment against Minnesota.

More SF Plays:

• Josh Hart ($6,900)
• Mikal Bridges ($6,200)

PF - Kristaps Porzingis ($5,000)

Kristaps Porzingis is coming in at a strong value price of $5,000 with a solid 6.16x value and a boom rate above 34%. His minutes have been steady around 20-25 per game in this series against the Knicks, but his production hasn’t matched that opportunity—he’s averaging just 5 points and 4 rebounds over the last four games. The Celtics need more from him, especially if Tatum misses time, so there’s some upside here if his usage ticks up. The matchup versus New York isn’t ideal given how limited he’s looked lately, but there’s enough scoring upside for tournament appeal.

Porzingis is highly owned at 53%, which reflects his low salary and potential ceiling despite recent struggles. The ownership level makes sense because he’s one of the few affordable options at PF/C who can deliver double-digit DK points on this slate. However, rostering him means accepting some volatility given his inconsistent shooting and limited touches. If you want exposure to Boston’s frontcourt without breaking the bank, Porzingis fits well as a middle ground play, especially in GPPs where his boom potential can pay off.

More PF Plays:

• Jimmy Butler ($8,700)
• Josh Hart ($6,900)

C - Draymond Green ($5,300)

Draymond Green is priced efficiently at $5,300 and offers solid value with a 5.4x multiplier on his salary. He’s averaging 0.8 FPPM and projects for 36 minutes in a tough matchup against Minnesota. While his scoring has been inconsistent, Green’s contributions come through rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks—components that boost his DFS floor. The Wolves don’t have an elite frontcourt defense, so Green should be able to find opportunities to rack up peripheral stats even if his shot isn’t falling.

Ownership sits at a moderate 31.6%, slightly above the field average but justified given his consistent role and the need for Golden State to lean on him without Curry. With a boom rate just over 21%, he can provide upside in tournaments while maintaining steady production for cash games. The Warriors’ pace and game environment are neutral here, so Green won’t get extra volume from tempo but his all-around game keeps him relevant as a mid-tier option who fits well into many lineups.

More C Plays:

• Julius Randle ($7,900)
• Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,000)

Good luck tonight! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!