DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy Basketball Advice 4-5-16

Jan 7, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson reads “How to Scare a Lion” on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy Basketball Advice 4-5-16

April 5th has the making to be a great day for Draftkings Daily Fantasy Basketball. With 12 games slated, there are numerous players to choose from. When looking at the matchups more than a few have the potential to be competitive, fast paced, games; which typically means they’ll be high scoring (both in actual and fantasy points). With this in mind, I ignored a few of the matchups as I believe it will be hard for any player involved to score enough fantasy points to justify putting them into your lineup. One of those games is the San Antonio Spurs @ the Utah Jazz simply because it is a game between two of the top defenses in the league. Another I choose to steer clear of was the Pistons @ the Heat despite the fact that both Andre Drummond and Hassan Whiteside have potential for big games. When looking at their recent play, coupled with their extreme cost, they are hard to advocate for; especially at a position where there are several bargain players who could end up matching or even outproducing the high salary centers.

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To the right of each of the players, after the arrow, I have displayed the opposing team’s defensive rankings over the last 10 games. These rankings are calculated by determining the average stats/Draftkings Points allowed to each specific position.

In the slides that follow I have listed out several options from each position that I fell will produce big, however due to the fact that several teams are locked in/out of the playoffs I highly recommend checking lineups before each game!!! (and having backup options just in case your pick is sitting). In the end, I hope my picks can be as accurate as before and as always, I wish you luck on your quest for the perfect fantasy line-up:

Next: Point Guards

"Mar /

Point Guards

$10,600-Russell Westbrook–(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets) → 23rd

Russell Westbrook has been playing extremely well the last few weeks and should look to keep rolling against a beatable Denver defense. Along with the great matchup is the fact that Westbrook has absolutely killed the Nuggets each of the three times he has played them this year averaging 54 Draftkings fantasy points per game. In addition to this, Westbrook is still trying to move up the list of triple-doubles in a single season, right now he’s at 16 just one shy of Magic Johnson.

$7,800-Rajon Rondo–(Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings) → 24th

Rondo missed the Kings last game for rest purposes, which means he should be fresh and ready to go against the Trail Blazers. This makes him an intriguing option for daily fantasy because on top of being fresh, he gets a solid matchup versus a weak Portland defense. In addition to the matchup the game flow should be fast, which typically means more fantasy points for everyone involved. The final incentive to pick Rondo, which is honestly the biggest, is the fact that he has earned 39.35 and 40.75 Draftkings fantasy points in his two games versus Portland this year.

$6,700-Ricky Rubio-(Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors) → 11th

Ricky Rubio does not have the best matchup tonight, but in what should be a high scoring affair I expect him to have plenty of opportunity to justify his price. In his only game against the Warriors this year he had 20 points to go along with 11 assists, earning him a very respectable total of 51.5 Draftking points. At his price he is hard to avoid, even when considering his recently inconsistent play. Overall, I believe he will be under-owned on Draftkings and with his potential to turn in a monster game, he is a sneaky play at point guard.

$6,100-Jeff Teague–(Phoenix Suns @ Atlanta Hawks) → 13th

Jeff Teague is an interesting option tonight as he gets a matchup against the lowly Suns. Despite their recent success versus point guards I believe Teague could be in for a big day. In his only matchup versus the Suns this year he was snuffed, earning only 18 Draftkings points; however, he has been playing incredible ball lately and could be looking for revenge. Overall, Teague does not seem like an appealing option, but I have a gut feeling that he will keep rolling especially after being a major part of Atlanta’s offense two nights ago with 28 points and 9 assists.

$4,100-Jeremy Lin–(Charlotte Hornets @ Toronto Raptors) → 4th

If you’re looking for an extremely cheap option at point guard tonight I highly recommend Jeremy Lin. Lin has not been playing every night, but with Nicolas Batum questionable (and the Hornets essentially secure in their playoff spot) he could be in for a few extra minutes. Assuming he gets the opportunity, Lin should be in for a decent amount of fantasy points despite the difficult matchup. Last time he faced the Raptors, Lin was able to secure 35 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists for 50.75 Draftkings points. Overall, Jeremy Lin is the epitome of a boom or bust play; however with minutes I believe he will come through in a big way.

Next: Shooting Guards

"Nov /

Shooting Guards

$6,900-C.J. McCollum-(Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings) → 18th

McCollum is an intriguing play tonight against a beatable Kings defense, who give up the most 3-point attempts of any team in the league. C.J.’s stats against the Kings are decent, in his two games with Damian Lillard playing he’s averaging 26 Draftkings points; however, in the first of the three matchups which Lillard missed, McCollum went off with 74.25 Draftkings points. Overall, McCollum has a ton of potential against a offensive minded Kings and should not disappoint.

$6,100-Andrew Wiggins–(Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors) → 10th

As one of the Timberwolves primary scorers, Wiggins has had very big games against the Warriors and should be able to continue his trend tonight in Golden State. At his price, he is hard to pass up as he should easily overproduce (he’s averaged 35 fantasy points in two games against G.S.). In the end, in what should be a high paced and possibly competitive game Wiggins could be in for a very big night.

$5,300-Will Barton–(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets) → 26th

Will Barton has been extremely inconsistent lately and could be in for a rough day, however in three games against the Thunder this year he has found some success. Over those games Barton is averaging 24 Draftkings points, however recently Oklahoma City has not played shooting guards well. This coupled with the fact that he is coming off of a horrid night against Sacramento (shooting 0-9), he should be looking to get back on track and definitely has potential for plenty of success.

$4,700-Jamal Crawford–(Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers) →29th

Crawford has been great recently and tonight he gets a cakewalk matchup against a Lakers squad who has recently been torn apart by opposing shooting guards. At his price Jamal Crawford is well worth a look, especially since the Clippers have elected to give him more and more minutes in their last few games before the playoffs. Along with the extra minutes he’s seen and the juicy matchup Crawford, in the past, has made the most of the time he’s been given against the Lakers and I believe he will come through tonight as he has been the last few games.

Next: Small Forwards

"Feb /

Small Forwards

$10,300-Kevin Durant-(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets) → 30th

Not only is Durant playing the worst small forward defense in the league (during the last 10 games) but he has consistently blown away the Nuggets this season, with an average of 50 Draftkings points in 3 games. In the end, if you’re paying up for Durant you know why and with his potential he could easily be considered a must-own player for any line-up in tonight’s slate of games.

$10,000-LeBron James–(Cleveland Cavaliers @ Milwaukee Bucks) → 22nd

Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James has a very juicy matchup and should end up producing big for his owners. In his three games versus the Bucks, James is averaging 54 Draftkings Fantasy points. With this in mind, it is almost a must that you play either Durant or James in tonight’s slate of games as both have potential to play well enough to be the highest scoring fantasy players in any position.

If you are looking to avoid Durant and James and instead go for a bargain player at small forward there are a few options out there, I have listed my favorite below:

$4,400-Luke Babbitt-(New Orleans Pelicans @ Philadelphia 76ers) → 27th

I really like Babbitt, I offered him as a boom-or-bust play two games ago (on March 31st) and he did not let down scoring 22 points and pulling down 11 boards. He followed up that game with a 21 point performance (earning 31.75 fantasy points) in the following game and comes into tonight as one of the injury riddled Pelicans most reliable players. Overall, I love this play at such a low price and against Philadelphia’s 27th ranked small forward defense, he has a ton of potential.

Next: Power Forwards

"Mar /

Power Forwards

$10,200-DeMarcus Cousins–(Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings) →20th

DeMarcus Cousins has been spectacular all year and, coming off of the most rest he has seen in quite some time, he should be fresh and ready to go off for a big game. Cousins has missed his last two games, the first due to a suspension (after he received his 16th technical) and the second simply because the Kings are looking to rest their star. Before their last game, Sacramento said that they’d only play him in home games for the rest of the season. Overall, despite a less than spectacular matchup history, I believe he has the potential for a ridiculous night against a recently beatable Portland defense.

$8,500-Draymond Green-(Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors) →10th

Draymond Green has been a stud lately, averaging 53 Draftkings points over his last 6 games. With this in mind, Green could easily challenge Cousins for the title of best power forward of the night and at a significantly lower price he is a great option. To go along with his recently spectacular play he has averaged 57 Draftkings points against the Timberwolves this season and should continue to roll in tonight’s game. I would highly recommend playing Green tonight in what should be a fast paced and high scoring game.

$5,500-Serge Ibaka–(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets) → 21st

Ibaka is an interesting play tonight in a good matchup versus the Nuggets. In my opinion, he will have a very good game as recently the Thunder have been utilizing him more in their offense and after a disappointing (but not horrible) outing in their last game he could be looking to rebound. In his three previous games versus the Nuggets he is averaging 32.75 Draftkings points and with the extra attention he has been receiving, he has potential to put up a dominate performance. Overall, for the price I would highly recommend trying to fit him into your lineup.

$4,300-Ed Davis–(Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings) → 27th

If you’re looking for a low salary guy who’ll get you 20+ Draftkings points, Ed Davis is your guy. Davis hasn’t recieved enough minutes to have a monster game all year, however he has capitalized on any and all the time he has seen. Portland has played Sacramento three times this year and in the two Davis was a part of he averaged 22 fantasy points (in only an average of 22 minutes per game). Overall, I do not expect Davis to have a crazy game, but at his price he is a very solid option who’ll definitely not disappoint.

Next: Centers

"Mar /

Centers

Center is an interesting position tonight as there are several low salary options who all have potential for strong performances. With this in mind, I would not recommend paying up too much for one of the high salary centers because the lower salary guys could easily score as many if not more fantasy points.

$6,200-Al Horford–(Phoenix Suns @ Atlanta Hawks) → 28th

Horford is one of the few, slightly higher salary players that I am looking at in tonight’s slate. On top of having a good matchup, he has a solid record against the Suns, earning 41 Draftkings points against them in January (when he set his season high for rebounds 16). Overall, he is not the most enticing option; however the matchup, his history against Phoenix, and his recently consistent play; all combine to raise his potential for a great game.

$5,000-Enes Kanter–(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets) → 11th

I really like Enes Kanter tonight even despite his tough matchup against a Nuggets defense who have kept centers in check all year. Kanter has consistently outperformed his price when playing Denver this year and I expect him to continue that trend tonight. In three games against the Nuggets this year Kanter has produced an average of 31 Draftkings points and I believe he should continue to roll as he has been on fire lately, shooting 72% from the field in his last 3 combined. In the end, at his price Kanter is a very intriguing play and should be able to easily outproduce his price.

$4,900-Willie Cauley-Stein-(Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings) → 12th

Cauley-Stein is a great option tonight especially at his price. With Sacramento eliminated from the playoffs Stein has recently been seeing more minutes (the Kings have been deploying their younger talent the last few games to see what they can do). Knowing this, coupled with the fact that Stein has averaged 34.4 Draftkings points against Portland, I would highly recommend considering him either as your center…or even possibly in the utility spot.