Monday`s NBA schedule features crucial Game 4 matchups in two series currently standing at 2-1. The action tips off with Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics visiting Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks, followed by Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves heading to face Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors. While these marquee players are central to the NBA DFS landscape, a winning strategy often relies on identifying impactful role players. Consider Payton Pritchard, who recently delivered 23 points off the bench, or Jaden McDaniels of the Wolves, whose scoring average has increased significantly in the 2025 NBA playoffs compared to the regular season. Pinpointing which lesser-known players might step up on Monday is key.
Successfully building an optimal NBA DFS lineup involves strategically combining high-priced stars with more budget-friendly daily fantasy basketball options. Many fantasy managers find the latter challenging, lacking awareness of players who aren`t consistently in the spotlight. To help navigate Monday`s slate, we turn to the expert insights of Mike McClure, a DFS professional from SportsLine with over $2 million in career winnings. McClure utilizes a sophisticated predictive data model that simulates every game thousands of times, factoring in matchups, statistical trends, and injury status to pinpoint the best NBA DFS values and create optimal lineups.
As an example of his expertise, on Friday`s slate, McClure highlighted Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell as a top NBA DFS play on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Mitchell subsequently posted an impressive stat line of 43 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, translating to excellent fantasy point totals (65.2 on DraftKings, 62.3 on FanDuel) and providing significant value for those who rostered him.
Turning his focus to Monday, Mike McClure has locked in his top daily fantasy basketball picks. One prominent selection is Boston Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown, available at $9,700 on DraftKings and $7,600 on FanDuel. Despite some shooting struggles in the current series against the Knicks, Brown has maintained a solid fantasy floor, consistently providing at least 19 points and six rebounds per game, alongside five assists in two of the three contests.
Given Jayson Tatum`s uncharacteristic 32% shooting in the series and Kristaps Porzingis`s limited output (averaging 4.3 points) due to illness, Boston may lean heavily on Brown for scoring in Game 4. Brown has historically thrived in hostile environments, averaging 23 points over his last nine road playoff games and 24 points in his last eight appearances at Madison Square Garden (excluding a limited-minute regular-season finale).
Another key component of McClure`s optimal strategy for Monday is Golden State Warriors power forward Jonathan Kuminga, priced at $5,200 on DraftKings and $5,100 on FanDuel. After inconsistent minutes earlier in the postseason, Kuminga seized his opportunity in Game 3, delivering a postseason career-high 30 points off the bench, along with six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. This followed his previous postseason best of 18 points in Game 2, showcasing efficient shooting at 66% from the field over the last two contests.
With Stephen Curry sidelined, the Warriors desperately need offensive production, and Kuminga is one of the few players capable of creating his own shot. He demonstrated success against the Wolves during the regular season, scoring in double-figures in all three matchups and averaging 14.7 points in under 30 minutes. Kuminga played 36 minutes in Game 3, his highest workload since December, and is expected to see similar minutes tonight. Rostering Kuminga now offers excellent potential value before his DFS salary potentially increases significantly while Curry remains out.
McClure is also targeting another player poised for a potential breakout performance on Monday due to a favorable matchup. This crucial pick could be the deciding factor in cash games and tournaments.
To discover who this high-upside player is and access Mike McClure`s complete optimal NBA DFS picks, rankings, advice, and stacks for Monday`s slate, be sure to visit SportsLine. McClure is a trusted resource for DFS players looking to maximize their potential winnings.
Jasper Hawthorne