FanDuel Single-Game NBA DFS Picks and Helper: Pacers at Celtics (5/21/24)

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 the Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 single-game slate on FanDuel.

NBA Single-Game DFS Picks for Pacers-Celtics

Game 1 Preview

All NBA odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 21st at 8:10 p.m. ET

Spread: Celtics -10.5 (-108)

Total: 221.5 (-110/-110)

Studs to Target

Jayson Tatum ($16,000) -- Until the series shifts to Indy, Jayson Tatum is the clear No. 1 option for the 2x MVP slot. Tatum was lights-out in the Conference Semifinals, averaging 26.8 real-world points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.6 stocks per game. He exceeded 58 FanDuel points (FPs) in each of the final three games and is now averaging 48.8 FPPG this postseason. Per FantasyPros, the Pacers have let up the sixth-most FPs to PFs, and Tatum notched at least 30 real-world points in all four regular season meetings against them. He's an intriguing bet to put up points early, and he should be uber-popular in DFS.

Tyrese Haliburton ($14,500) -- I'd appreciate a bit more consistency from Tyrese Haliburton, but you can't argue with the upside. Haliburton popped for 61.7 and 57.3 FPs in Games 2 and 3 last round, averaging 42.9 FPPG for the series. He was kept under 35 FPs three times (twice on the road), but it was encouraging to see him shoot 44% from deep after shooting 30% in Round 1. Haliburton's regular-season production against Boston was up-and-down, but he did peak at 60.5 FPs back in December. Haliburton would be a savvy contrarian MVP if the Pacers were to cover 10.5 points (-112) or win outright (+385).

Mid-Range Options

Jaylen Brown ($13,500) -- Jaylen Brown may have the third-highest salary tonight, but he boasts our third-highest projection (41.2 FPs). Indiana has struggled against wings all season, and that's continued into the postseason. Donte DiVincenzo (37.3 FPPG) and Josh Hart (35.0 FPPG) both popped against them last round, mirroring Brown's strong results (38.6 FPPG) against Indiana in the regular season. Brown is the only non-Tatum Celtic I'd consider for MVP, but he's best used in the 1.5x STAR or 1.2x PRO slots.

Myles Turner ($12,500) -- Myles Turner has cooled off after a red-hot first four games of Round 1, but he still notched 33 FPs in five of seven Conference Semifinal games. The Celtics held Turner under 30 FPs in four of five regular season meetings, but he went for 17 actual and 36.5 FanDuel points the one game Porzingis missed. Considering Evan Mobley just put up 40.9 FPPG against them, I like Turner's chances this series -- at least until the unicorn returns.

Value Plays

TJ McConnell ($9,500) -- T.J. McConnell has busted a few times this postseason, but when he's hit, he has hit. McConnell has exceeded 30 FPs four times in the last eight games, averaging 12.9 real-world points and 6.4 assists per game over that span. He cleared 30 FPs in two of four regular season games against Boston, so we know there's upside despite the tough matchup. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith ($9,000) both carry the same projection, and Nesmith's averaged more minutes this postseason (32.7 to 19.3). McConnell has shown a higher ceiling, but Nesmith boasts a lower salary. Both are viable salary-savers.

Payton Pritchard ($8,000) -- Payton Pritchard has failed to crack 13 FPs three games in a row, but I still like him as a salary-saver at home tonight. Pritchard is still averaging 22.7 minutes per game in the playoffs, and he's played 20+ minutes in 9 of 10 games. That's only resulted in three 20-FP outings, but all three came at home. With Indiana allowing 116.1 points per game on the road this postseason, Prichard could see more run than usual if Boston can cover the spread.

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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.