After only one NBA game on Thursday, Friday brings two matchups, offering a larger pool of NBA DFS players. The Cleveland Cavaliers, dealing with injuries but led by Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, aim to recover from an 0-2 deficit against Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. ET. Later, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, expected to finish first and second in MVP voting, face off in Game 3 of their series at 10 p.m. ET. Selecting high-caliber players like these will consume a significant portion of your daily Fantasy basketball salary cap, making it crucial to fill out your NBA DFS rosters with value picks.
Role players often excel when playing at home, making options like Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, and Christian Braun appealing. Nesmith, in particular, could be a hidden gem in your NBA DFS strategy, averaging 17.8 points over his last six games and potentially exceeding his price tag on NBA DFS platforms. Before finalizing your NBA DFS selections, be sure to consult the NBA DFS advice, player rankings, stacks, and top daily Fantasy basketball picks provided by SportsLine`s Mike McClure.
McClure is a DFS expert with over $2 million in career earnings. He also works as a predictive data engineer at SportsLine, utilizing a powerful prediction model that simulates every game minute 10,000 times, factoring in matchups, statistical patterns, and injuries. This enables him to pinpoint the best NBA DFS values on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel and develop optimal lineups, which he exclusively shares on SportsLine. These are essential resources for any NBA DFS player.
For example, on Wednesday (when he last provided picks), McClure highlighted Thunder guard Gilgeous-Alexander as a key NBA DFS pick on both platforms. The outcome: Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 34 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, accumulating 50.5 points on DraftKings and 48.8 points on FanDuel, offering significant value for NBA DFS lineups. Anyone who included him in their lineups was likely well on their way to a profitable day.
McClure`s Top Picks for Friday, May 9
McClure has now focused his attention on Friday`s NBA schedule and locked in his top daily Fantasy basketball selections.
For Friday, one of McClure`s top NBA DFS recommendations is Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, priced at $9,500 on DraftKings and $9,600 on FanDuel. Despite the 0-2 series deficit, Mitchell is coming off one of his best playoff performances, which is notable given his career average of 28.2 points, the seventh-highest in NBA playoff history. On Tuesday, Mitchell scored 48 points, along with nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals. The point and assist totals were his fourth-highest in the postseason, while the steals tied a playoff career-high.
While Cleveland might see the return of some key players for Game 3, don`t expect Mitchell to ease up, considering the Cavs` difficult situation. He posted 35 points and nine assists in his only regular-season game in Indiana and had 38 points and nine rebounds on his previous visit there. Mitchell has a history of performing exceptionally well after a loss; in his last three games this season, including the playoffs, following a defeat, he has recorded either a game with over 30 points or a double-double in all three instances.
Another component of McClure`s optimal NBA DFS strategy involves Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray ($6,800 on DraftKings and $7,600 on FanDuel). Murray is expected to benefit from returning home for Game 3, as he has averaged 25.8 points at Ball Arena during the 2025 NBA playoffs, compared to 18.4 points on the road. He clearly feels more comfortable shooting in Denver, evidenced by his 61% true shooting percentage at home in the regular season versus 57% away.
Although Murray had only 14 points in Game 2, he contributed across the board in the series opener with 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a steal. He has demonstrated the ability to score effectively against Oklahoma City`s top-ranked defense, having dropped 34 points on OKC in their last regular-season meeting. Following a tough 43-point loss in Game 2, the Nuggets` key players will be motivated to prove that performance was an anomaly, so look for Murray to be assertive from the start.
How to Set Your NBA DFS Lineups
McClure is also targeting a player who could deliver massive numbers on Friday due to a highly favorable matchup. This pick could be crucial for success in both tournament and cash games.
Curious about which players DFS expert Mike McClure is including in his optimal NBA DFS lineups for Friday? Visit SportsLine now to access optimal NBA DFS picks, rankings, advice, and stacks, all compiled by a professional DFS player with over $2 million in career winnings.
Jasper Hawthorne