FanDuel Single-Game NBA DFS Picks and Helper: Knicks at Pacers (5/17/24)

Since NBA DFS is easier to predict than baseball or football, it would likely get plenty of votes as the best sport to play on FanDuel. Basketball players usually stick to the same minutes and produce at roughly the same rate. Sounds easy, right? Trust me -- it's not!

As a result, NBA daily fantasy is highly reliant on a player's opportunity, so you'll need to ensure that you're up to date with key injuries. Our projections -- which are powered by numberFire -- update throughout the day to reflect current news. You can also turn to numberFire for player news updates as well as a matchup heat map and lineup optimizer to help give you an edge.

On top of all that, here at FanDuel Research, we'll come at you each day with this NBA DFS primer, which breaks down some of the day's top plays at each position.

Let's dive into today's New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers single-game slate for Game 6 on FanDuel.

NBA Single-Game DFS Picks for Knicks-Pacers

Game 6 Preview

Date and Time: Friday, May 17th at 8:30 p.m. ET

Spread: Pacers -6.0 (-110)

Total: 215.5 (-110/-110)

All NBA odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change.

Studs to Target

Jalen Brunson ($16,500) -- For me, the 2x MVP slot comes down to each side's point guard. Jalen Brunson probably has the highest ceiling tonight, and he's fresh off 44 actual and 56.3 FanDuel points (FPs) in Game 5. That was the second time Brunson scored 40 actual and 55 FPs this series, though both came at home. He only averaged 33 FPPG in the two previous games in Indiana. Still, we saw him drop 60.6 FPs on the road in New York's closeout win in Round 1, so I'm not totally off him tonight. If New York wants to cover as 6.0-point underdogs, Brunson will be the catalyst. As of Friday morning, his 50.3-FP projection tops the slate.

Tyrese Haliburton ($15,000) -- Tyrese Haliburton has attempted fewer than 10 shots in two of three games at Madison Square Garden this series, and he finished shy of 33 FPs both times. But he reached 57.3 FPs at home in Game 3 before putting up 34.7 in 28 minutes when they blew the Knicks out in Game 4. Haliburton hasn't hit his ceiling as often as Brunson this postseason, but he does have three 50-FP games, two of which came at home. He comes via a lower salary than Brunson, so there's certainly reason to play him in the 2x multiplier slot. Just know that he's less of a sure thing, even if Indiana comes out ahead.

Mid-Range Options

Josh Hart ($14,500) -- You know who is a sure thing? Josh Hart. Save for a 6.6-FP dud in New York's Game 4 no-show, Hart has been unbelievably consistent this postseason. He's scored at least 35 FPs in 10 of 11 games, averaging 15.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. The rebounding has been less reliable on the road, but he still has 17- and 18-rebound outings away from MSG. His rebounds prop is a game-high 12.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook, and that alone gives him a rock-solid floor. I don't trust Hart's scoring enough to consider him at MVP, but he's a strong option in the 1.5x STAR or 1.2x PRO slots, regardless of who your MVP is.

Myles Turner ($12,000) -- There's an argument for Pascal Siakam ($13,500) or Myles Turner as contrarian MVP options in Pacer-heavy builds, but I'm more comfortable deploying them as 1.5x or 1.2x multipliers. Fantasy-wise, Turner's been up-and-down this postseason, but he's still averaging 37.4 FPPG at home and has a 54.8-FP outburst in his back pocket from Round 1. With the Knicks banged up, I won't be surprised to see Indiana pound the paint. Turner should benefit from that, though it doesn't hurt that he shot 38% from three at home this season. With a 37-FP projection, Turner is our top point-per-dollar value on the slate (3.09 FPs per $1,000).

Value Plays

Miles McBride ($9,500) -- Miles McBride has benefited from OG Anunoby's continued absence, averaging 33.7 minutes and 22.7 FPs over the last three games. He earned the start in Game 5, notching 23.2 FPs and finishing with the second-most minutes (40) and second-highest +/- (+26) on the team. McBride's attempted 32 shots over the last two games, scoring 16 and 17 real-world points. His points prop (13.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook) points to a higher-than-expected floor in fantasy. He's the lowest-salaried Knick I'm considering in single-entry, though Precious Achiuwa ($7,500) is worth a look in larger tournaments.

Obi Toppin ($7,000) -- Obi Toppin only managed 15 FPs in Game 5, but he actually saw his highest minute total (21) of the second round. Obi's been a strong value in three of five games this series, notching 26.7, 28.1, and 24.2 FPs. We know there's upside here, and the per-minute numbers are rock-solid. In the postseason, Toppin is averaging .45 field goal attempts (third on the team) and 1.07 FPs per minute (fourth). His points prop is set at 8.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook, a line he's gone over eight times in 11 playoff games. Toppin is likely an essential part of any build involving both star point guards.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.