NBA DFS value plays $5K or under for Tuesday’s playoff games

The 2024 NBA Playoffs continue Tuesday with two Game 5s on tap featuring the New York Knicks hosting the Indiana Pacers and the Denver Nuggets facing the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both series are tied 2-2, and these critical Game 5s could be determined by breakout performances from role players. Which ones are the best to roster in DFS lineups tonight?

In NBA DFS, you can find quality value plays $5K or under that can give you a quick 10 points off the bench, grab some rebounds, or stuff the stat sheet. We are going to provide you with four players that you need to put in your lineup.

Miles McBride, Knicks, $4,000

McBride logged 30.3 fantasy points in Game 4, although it didn’t come in the way Knicks fans were hoping for. The backup point guard saw playing time thanks to the blowout nature of the contest, and it would be unreasonable to expect him to get that much run in Game 5. However, the Knicks do need some scoring outside of their Villanova trio and McBride has upside as a three-point threat. He’s worth adding at this price point.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nuggets, $4,400

The minutes will always be there for Caldwell-Pope, even if the usage is not. At some point, the Timberwolves will start guarding Aaron Gordon offensively and that means KCP is going to have to hit some shots. He’s more likely to have a strong game at home, where he shot 10% better from behind the arc during the regular season. Caldwell-Pope will always be a factor defensively but perhaps tonight is the night he has a big offensive showing. I’d add him to lineups as a bargain play.

Andrew Nembhard, Pacers, $4,600

T.J. McConnell ($5,100) has gone over the value threshold slightly, so we’ll have to change gears when it comes to Pacers role players. McConnell’s surge has made Nembhard a bit less relevant but he still had one of the biggest shots in the series late in Game 3. The guard is still getting 20+ minutes per game and does enough of everything to cobble together a solid fantasy showing. He’s cooled off since the Bucks series but remains a solid addition to lineups.

Naz Reid, Timberwolves, $4,500

Reid was on fire in the first two games in Denver before falling back to Earth in Games 3 and 4 in Minnesota. Perhaps a return to the Mile High City will spark the Sixth Man of the Year in Game 5. Reid offers some upside as a three-point shooter, and there’s always a chance he gets some extended playing time if Karl-Anthony Towns gets in early foul trouble. He’s worth rostering as Minnesota’s top role player, even though his last few games have been underwhelming.