NBA Playoff DFS Roster Fillers For FanDuel
The NBA regular season is winding down, and with it, the fantasy playoffs for traditional leagues are coming to a close. However, the DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) season continues, but with a major shift. As the postseason begins, certain players will no longer be available, as only the top teams remain. Filling your roster with the best and most cost-effective players becomes a tricky task, as fewer options are available. In this article, we’ll explore some effective NBA Playoff DFS roster fillers for FanDuel that can help you optimize your lineup, even when the more prominent players dominate the spotlight. Additionally, keep in mind that fewer options will make it harder to fill your roster with less expensive players that may help you win.
How FanDuel Scores NBA DFS Contests
3-pointers: 1 point
Assists: 1.5 points
Blocks: 3 points
Field Goals Made: 2 points
Free Throws Made: 1 point
Rebounds: 1.2 points
Steals: 3 points
Turnovers: -1 point
At first, I was surprised to see they didn’t have points listed, but you get two points for field goals and an extra point for three pointers.
Four Good DFS Roster Fillers for the Playoffs
Now, since we don’t know for sure who every team in the postseason will be, I’m going to focus on the No. 1-6 teams in the standings for each conference as of the end of competition on Thursday, March 27.
Am I going to name a player for each team? No, because on some teams, the star players account for most of the fantasy-relevant stats.
These guys will not score a lot of points or pull down a ton of rebounds (because the star players will dominate those stats). However, they will be fairly consistent in recording stats in some of the higher scoring categories. Now for the players!
Isaiah Hartenstein, Center, Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is averaging a double-double with 11.4 ppg (5.4 FGM) and 11 rebounds. Factor in a few assists a night, the occasional block (eight games in March with 2+), and a steal in every other game, and it all adds up to a decent fantasy night. To that end,
I’ve seen his salary listed from $7400 to $7800 (if he’s listed at $7800, I think I’d pass).
Jarrett Allen, Center, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland center Jarrett Allen doesn’t do much when it comes to steals, assists, or blocks, but he leads the team in rebounds (10.0) and averages a double-double (13.7 points per game). At his cost, it would be nice to get a little more, but there is nothing wrong with steady production.
On Thursday, March 27, his salary was listed at $7400.
Josh Hart, Shooting Guard, New York Knicks
There were several nights last month when Knicks guard Josh Hart pulled down double-digit boards and recorded double-digit dimes. Against the Clippers (Mar. 7), he pulled down 20 boards, recorded 14 points, and dished out six assists. Even better is that, on average, he’s a decent roster addition while capable of putting up superstar stats from time to time.
On Friday, March 28, FanDuel had him listed at $7900 and said he averaged 37.53 fantasy points per game. I think it’s a little on the high side, but he’d be a solid addition to the roster if you have one or two spots left to fill.
Jrue Holliday, Point Guard, Boston Celtics
This is a guy you’ll consider when you have less than $6000 left and just want to fill a roster spot with a warm body. When Celtics guard Jrue Holliday is on the court with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis, chances are he doesn’t do much.
However, occasionally, he still turns in a game reminiscent of his younger days (i.e., vs. Miami on March 14, he had 25 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal). Also, as recently as March 18, FanDuel had his salary set at $5200.
When filling out your NBA Playoff DFS roster, the goal is to find hidden gems that contribute consistently, even if they don’t grab the headlines. While star players will dominate the scoring sheets, there’s value in selecting capable role players who can provide steady stats across multiple categories. Players like Isaiah Hartenstein, Jarrett Allen, Josh Hart, and Jrue Holiday may not always stand out, but they can contribute key fantasy points to help you win your contest. Adjust your strategy, stay flexible with your budget, and you’ll be poised to make the most of the playoff season.
