NBA Picks and Pivots – FanDuel Picks April 3
NBA Picks and Pivots – FanDuel Picks April 3
Welcome to the Sunday edition of Picks & Pivots, a daily fantasy column focused on providing analysis for the upcoming NBA FanDuel slate. The purpose of this column is to first identify key building blocks that can be used for any roster construction and then identify pivot points to help differentiate your lineup in hopes of a big pay day!
As always, thank you for reading and continuing to provide great feedback on how Picks and Pivots can better serve you each day while building your roster. Follow me on Twitter @2lockSports and feel free to pose questions each day as you work to construct your DFS roster on FanDuel!
Today’s NBA Schedule kicks off at 1PM EST with the Pelicans at the Nets as the first of 11 games on this Sunday. From a FanDuel perspective, we have 3 separate slates due to the start times of the games with a 1PM All Day, 3:30PM afternoon only slate and a 6PM “Main” Slate. As a reminder, the NBA is off on Monday as it takes a back seat to MLB, so we will be back on Tuesday with NBA Picks and Pivots.
Now on to the picks…
Next: Top Point Guards
Point Guard
- Shelvin Mack ($6,000) – When trying to construct a roster this late in the season, I am looking to target games that have playoff implications where we can avoid late scratches that tank our lineups. This is especially important on FanDuel where rosters lock at the start of the first game and if you opt to play the all-day slate, you may not have all the relevant news by the 1PM start. The Jazz right now sit in the 8th spot in the Western Conference with an identical record as the Mavericks and 1 game ahead of the Rockets so we know the Jazz starters will be locked into major minutes. Oh and look here, they get to play the Phoenix Suns today who present one of the most favorable matchups to opposing backcourts on the season. Last game against Phoenix, Mack out up 15 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists, good for 37.6 fantasy points. At this price point, 5x value in this matchup seems a lock with the upside to crush 6-7x times. I will lock in Mack across all formats today.
- Russell Westbrook ($10,700) – This OKC-Houston game today checks in with a game total over 220 and an expected close spread so you will want exposure to the stars in this projected high priced matchup. My only concern with the Thunder is they will opt to rest some of their starters, so a potential pivot would be to save $500 and get Stephen Curry ($10,200) in your lineup who will be ready to erase the memories of their loss last game out. Taking the savings in this instance also allows us to target the more favorable matchup as Portland has struggled to contain opposing PG’s all season.
Next: Top Shooting Guards
Shooting Guard
- James Harden (10,700) – There will be no lineup I play today that does not include the Beard. This game has an incredibly high total and the Rockets sit one game out of the playoffs right now so we know Harden will be all in. I expect him to be heavily owned, but I don’t see how you can afford to fade the player who will likely be the highest scoring option across all games today.
- Jimmy Butler ($7,800) – I would just like to thank Jimmy Butler for his massive 73 point triple double last night as he likely brought many of us a nice score on Saturday. The best part of him playing again today is FanDuel has not yet adjusted his price so I have NO issue firing him up again today. Usually I will look to fade players after a massive performance as gamers “chase the points” but the Bulls are in full on desperation mode now and Butler will need to do everything he can against Milwaukee today to keep the Bulls playoff hopes alive.
Next: Top Forwards
Forwards
- SF – Jordan Hamilton ($4,500) – With so many high priced targets in the backcourt, I will look to save at the forward spots today and go back to the well with Jordan Hamilton against the Nets. Since joining the Pelicans, Hamilton has averaged 23.6 points per game and even with his price increased to $4,500, still delivers solid 5x value. Hamilton has played 31 and 32 minutes his last two games and the Nets present a favorable matchup across the board which allows us to roster a great bargain play.
- PF – Trey Lyles ($4,000) – Derrick Favors sat out last night and is questionable to play today. Lyles got the start on Saturday night and delivered 28.5 points in 35 minutes. If Favors is ruled out again, Lyles makes for a tremendous value play against the Suns. My hope is gamers missed Lyles effort last night and will overlook his potential on this larger slate.
Next: Top Center Play
Center
- Rudy Gobert ($6,100) – Ok one last Jazz player, I promise! Gobert has averaged 37 points per game over his last 3 games which is good for 6x value. In his last game out against the Suns, Gobert put up 32.2 points so I feel confident locking in Gobert with a 5x floor and a 6x+ ceiling!
Next: The Economics Of FanDuel: April 3
Best of luck tonight gamers! As always keep an eye out on the late breaking news throughout the day as the season winds down and players start to take games off!