FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-April 9
High Salary PG
Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City Thunder (10,600): Westbrook and the Thunder regulars sat out OKC’s last game, but they’re expected to return tonight after three days off since their last contest. Westbrook has had an impressive season helping the Thunder secure the three-seed in the West and is one triple-double away from breaking Magic Johnson’s mark of 17 for the most in a season since 1985-86. He should be in a place to get it tonight since the Kings allow the fifth-most fantasy points in the NBA to opposing PG and Westbrook has averaged 18.7 points, 13.3 assists, and 10.7 rebounds in his three games against the Kings this season. Sacramento has surprisingly played the Thunder tough this season, so I don’t think this will be a blowout forcing Westbrook to play his usual minutes in a competitive game. In his last eight games, Westbrook has at least 45 fantasy points six times including three games with at least 55 fantasy points. He’s a very expensive option tonight, but if you can save up the salary for him he has a very high ceiling tonight in Sacramento. ∗∗∗
Stephen Curry-Golden State Warriors (10,500): Curry has stated he wants to go for the regular season wins record which means the Warriors would have to win out in their three remaining contests. Tonight they’re in Memphis to take on the bedraggled Grizzlies who are their opponents in two of their remaining three games. Curry has at least 47 fantasy points in each of his last three games after scoring 27 points to go with nine assists and five rebounds on Thursday against the Spurs. The big risk with Curry is that his coach really wants to rest his stars now that they’ve wrapped up the top seed in the Western Conference and may not give Curry his full run of minutes. Obviously, the MVP can go off on any given night, but I think he’s at risk of playing fewer minutes than normal tonight. ∗∗
Rajon Rondo-Sacramento Kings (7,900): Rondo has been resting coming down the stretch for the Kings as they try to improve their lottery chances. He has been excellent when he has been on the floor though including in his last game when he exploded for a massive triple-double of 27 points, ten boards, and 12 assists for 59 fantasy points in 42 minutes against the Blazers. Rondo will probably play tonight (although maybe not quite that many minutes) as the Kings play their final home game of the season. In his three games this season against OKC, Rondo has averaged 10.3 points, 13.7 assists, and nine rebounds. It wouldn’t surprise me if both he and Westbrook have triple-doubles tonight in what should be a high-scoring game if both teams stick with their regular starting lineups. The Thunder have given up the seventh-most fantasy points in the NBA to opposing PG, so Rondo should be set up for success tonight as long as he isn’t a surprise scratch again. ∗∗∗∗
Tim Frazier-New Orleans Pelicans (6,600): The Pelicans are relying heavily on Tim Frazier and Alexis Ajinca coming down the stretch which shows just how deep they’ve had to go on their roster due to a plethora of injuries throughout the season. Frazier has come up big for New Orleans with at least 26 fantasy points in six straight contests. He only managed to score seven points last night against the Lakers but did have 12 assists to total 27.6 fantasy points in his 26 minutes. Tonight, he’ll be in another favorable matchup as the Pelicans look to make it two in a row at home as they host the Suns who have allowed the second-most fantasy points in the NBA to opposing PG. ∗∗∗∗∗
Derrick Rose-Chicago Bulls (6,400): With the Bulls clinging to their faint playoff hopes, they’ll host the Cavs tonight who have been struggling on the defensive end lately. Rose should be able to put up solid numbers against them tonight like he did in his most recent game against them when he scored 28 points to go with seven rebounds the first game after the All Star break. Recently, Rose returned from his latest injury (elbow) with back-to-back games with 27 fantasy points against the Grizzlies and Heat. He’s a solid option tonight since he and the Bulls desperately need a win and the Cavs haven’t been slowing people down much lately. ∗∗∗
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