Best DFS lineup strategy for Knicks vs. Pacers Game 6

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers take the floor Friday evening for Game 6 of their second-round series in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, with New York holding a 3-2 lead after a dominant showing in Game 5. The Pacers look to maintain the pattern of the home team winning each contest tonight, which would then force a Game 7 in New York Sunday.

Here’s a look at one potential lineup strategy DFS managers can employ for Showdown contests involving Friday’s game with a captain pick, utility plays and fades.

Captain Pick

Jalen Brunson, $16,500

Even though Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have good cases to be in this spot, Brunson is the most reliable option when it comes to usage. The point guard is going to get heavy volume, and he’s coming off a huge 44-point outing in Game 5 which resulted in 59 fantasy points. He had a few down games late in this series but the rest in Game 4 helped. I’ll back Brunson to maintain his production as the Knicks try to close out this series.

Utility Plays

Josh Hart, $9,200

Hart logged 41.3 fantasy points in Game 5 thanks to a bounceback effort on the glass. The forward has been New York’s best rebounder in the playoffs, and his three-point shot has come around in the postseason. Hart should play most of this game barring a blowout, which means he’ll have ample opportunities to rack up fantasy points.

Donte DiVincenzo, $8,200

If you’re rostering two of the Villanova Knicks, you might as well add the third one. DiVincenzo’s perimeter game gives him tremendous upside in DFS lineups, especially at this price point. The shooting guard didn’t quite get back to his production from Games 2 and 3 where he topped 46 fantasy points in each contest, but he had a solid outing in Game 5 with 30.3 fantasy points. There’s a strong floor here and the ceiling is extremely high. Lock him in at this price.

T.J. McConnell, $6,000

McConnell has been alternating between good and bad games over the last three contests in this series after starting strong. He carried over some of his excellent play from the first round into Games 1 and 2 before going back to some inconsistencies. McConnell’s minutes have stabilized a bit, so that helps when trying to assess his value. He only logged 14 fantasy points in Game 5 so if you like patterns, that means a boom is coming in Game 6. I’ll back McConnell on his home floor to have a strong game.

Andrew Nembhard, $5,200

Indiana’s Game 3 hero has been a consistent producer in this series, even if he hasn’t reached the highest of highs as a value add. Nembhard is hovering around the 20-fantasy point mark in each game and that’s solid value for a player at this price point. If a few more perimeter shots go down, he could see a difference-making bump in fantasy production for DFS managers.

Miles McBride, $4,800

McBride has tallied 55.6 fantasy points over the last two contests, logging 25.3 fantasy points in his Game 5 start. I think the Knicks will start him again in Game 6 as they look for another source of offense to take pressure off Brunson. McBride is playing well at the moment and can hit the three-point shot at a high clip, which gives him good upside at this price point. Roster him to round out your DFS lineup.

Fades

Pascal Siakam, $8,600

It’s actually not a bad price for Siakam, who possesses the championship experience that can make a difference in these situations. However, the versatile forward simply hasn’t had a breakout performance offensively in this series. He’s been average, which is fine for the NBA but not for DFS managers at this price. I think Indiana relies more on strength in numbers in Game 6, which will limit how much of a role Siakam has as the featured guy. Fade him tonight.

Isaiah Hartenstein, $7,200

In a similar vein, the price point isn’t actually bad for Hartenstein. He’s coming off a huge outing in Game 5 with 37.3 fantasy points but he’s also had the dud in Game 4 with just 9.3 fantasy points. Hartenstein will get minutes as New York’s lone true big man but he’s the fourth option in the offense at any given point at best. That’s hard to overcome on the fantasy basketball side of things, even if he gives a solid effort on the glass. I’d stay away from him in Game 6.