Draftkings NBA Daily Picks 4-21-16 First Round of the Playoffs
By Aaron Ziskin
Draftkings NBA Daily Picks 4-21-16: First Round of the NBA Playoffs
With three games scheduled in today’s slate the pickings are slim, however I believe there are still very solid options available in each position. The first game of the day kicks off at 7:00 eastern as the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks in a tied series. Shortly after they tip off, the Raptors and Pacers are scheduled to begin at 7:30 in another tied series.
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The last game of the night begins at 8:30 as the Warriors head to Houston to take on the Rockets (who are in a must win situation after dropping the first two in Golden State). Overall, today looks like a great slate of games as several elite teams are scheduled to play and most of these games have proven to be highly competitive matchups. Like always I will do my best to give solid fantasy advice as you impart on your quest for that perfect fantasy lineup:
Next: Point Guards
Point Guards
$10,900-Russell Westbrook-(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks)
Westbrook is my favorite option at point guard tonight, especially with Stephen Curry out or at least limited if he does play. Westbrook continued his fantastic season into the playoffs and should be able to come away with a big game after losing a heartbreaker at home in Game 2. Despite this loss, in the first two games of the series Westbrook has averaged 44.15 Draftkings fantasy points and, in my opinion, will definitely be able to match if not exceed that production tonight. Overall, Westbrook is the highest priced player, but in the end he has the most potential and should easily outscore everyone other Point Guard in tonight’s slate.
$8,000-Kyle Lowry-(Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers)
Kyle Lowry is an interesting option tonight as he has the potential for a huge game, however he may also flop like he did in game 1. With limited options at point guard Lowry is a solid option, especially at a price significantly lower than Westbrook. At his price and with the potential to earn 41.25 Draftkings fantasy points (like he did in Game 2) he is a solid addition in anyone’s lineup. Overall, Lowry is more of a boom or bust option; however, in a tied series he should be looking to lead the Raptors as they attempt to reclaim homecourt advantage and win the first playoff series in their franchise’s history.
$5,000-Patrick Beverley-(Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets)
Patrick Beverley had a horrid first game in terms of fantasy production as he had to focus on defense against Stephen Curry. However, in the second game of the series (which Curry missed) he stepped it up in a big way and could be in for even more success at home in Game 3. In Game 2 without having to focus on stopping Curry, Beverley was able to record 13 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks and 2 assists; for a total of 29.25 Draftkings fantasy points. Overall, assuming Stephen Curry misses another game to nurse a sore ankle, Beverley should be a solid option at point guard in a must win Game 3 for the Houston Rockets.
Next: Shooting Guards
Shooting Guards
$10,600-James Harden-(Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets)
Harden has had difficulty getting it going against the Warriors so far, but in his first home game of the series I believe he will be in for a huge performance. In his first loss of the series Harden struggled to do anything (only earning 24.25 Draftkings Fantasy points), however in Game 2 he looked as though he was finding different avenues for success and ended up recording 48.5 Draftkings fantasy points. Harden has played a little better at home all year and should be looking to continue that trend in a must win Game 3. Overall, this should be a high scoring and competitive game and I believe Harden will be able to justify his high salary cost.
$7,400-Klay Thompson-(Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets)
Klay Thompson really stepped it up in Game 2 without Curry and I fully expect him to continue to find success tonight. Although his value may seem heavily reliant on Curry’s health, I anticipate him to be the main offensive option for the Warriors (even if Stephen does play limited minutes). Like the first two games of the series I anticipate a fast paced and high scoring affair, which as we all know is the perfect mix for fantasy production. Overall, in a position without many options I anticipate Thompson to easily get enough Draftkings fantasy points to justify his price (especially with the only other elite option, Harden, being over $3,000 more).
$2,900-Rodney Stuckey-(Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers)
First of all, it’s his Birthday and he’s never played on his birthday before! Second of all, Stuckey has had limited success against the Raptors so far in the first two games of their playoff series. In those two games he is only averaging 17.5 minutes and 15.75 Draftkings fantasy points, but I believe he will receive more minutes tonight and thus have a greater potential for success. Overall, Stuckey is an extremely risky play; however I believe with few more minutes on his birthday and at a bottom of the barrel price (below the minimum), he may step up in a big way.
Next: Small Forwards
Small Forwards
$10,200-Kevin Durant-(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks)
Durant had one of the worst playoff outing of his career in Game 2 (going 7-33 from the field) and should be looking to rebound strong. With that in mind, Durant is hands down my favorite option at small forward tonight and I highly recommend paying up to get him into your lineup. There isn’t too much I feel that I have to say to justify picking him, however if you look back at his worst performances during this season he bounced back with a huge games several times. Overall, in a position lacking options I anticipate Durant will be well worth his price.
$9,000-Paul George-(Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers)
Besides Durant, Paul George is the only other high salary option in today’s slate; and he could end up producing a solid amount of points. In the two playoff games so far he has earned an average of 47.75 Draftkings fantasy points. With that in mind, Paul George could be in for a very big day especially considering the fact that he will be returning back to Indiana tonight and with the win in Game 1, will be looking to maintain homecourt advantage. Overall, I do not anticipate George to have more production than Durant; however if you are looking to save a little bit of money and still receive reliable production George is your guy.
$3,900-Andre Iguodala-(Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets)
If you are looking to balance out your lineup, Andre Iguodala is the perfect candidate and if Curry does not play he could be in for a big day. In Game 2 Iguodala was fantastic, he played more minutes than he has in a long time and earned every one of them scoring 33.75 Draftkings fantasy points. If Iguodala can get anywhere close to that kind of production again he will be well worth the near minimum price of $3,900. Overall he is a solid, reliable option and being priced so low; he is a perfect player to help balance out your lineup…especially with the high salary you will have to pay for any of the elite level players in today’s slate.
Next: Power Forwards
Power Forwards
$9,400-Draymond Green-(Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets)
Like Thompson and Iguodala, Draymond Green really stepped it up in Curry’s absence and should continue to find success tonight. Green was just two assists away from a triple-double in Game 2 and, in my opinion, in a position that is lacking depth he should easily outscore every other power forward. Overall, if you are not looking to pay up for Draymond there are other, cheaper options out there; but in my opinion Green will score the most fantasy points of any power foward.
$5,900-Serge Ibaka-(Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks)
Ibaka has been very solid for the Thunder so far in the playoffs and I anticipate he will be able to justify his price, especially after a difficult loss in Game 2. Despite losing, Ibaka was able to record 29 Draftkings fantasy points and, coupled with earning 37.75 in Game 1, he should be able to continue to find success today. Overall, although Ibaka probably won’t earn more points then Draymond Green; at a price that is $2,500 dollars less he may be able to get enough to justify selecting him as your power forward.
$3,400-Patrick Patterson-(Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers)
Like Iguodala (in the small forward position), Patterson has been playing very well in the playoffs and at a near minimum price he should be able to earn enough fantasy points to justify selecting him. Patterson is a solid option at a weak position and could be the key to balancing out your lineup. In his last two outing he has earned an average of 23.25 Draftkings fantasy points and should continue to see at least that much production throughout the rest of the series. Overall, Paterson is definitely not going to be the highest scoring power forward; but at a price that is so low he is a solid option who I believe you can rely on for at least 20+ Draftkings fantasy points.
Next: Centers
Centers
In my opinion, when looking back at the last two games (of each of these series) the only true options at center are Howard and Valanciunas. I am not saying that the other options will not be successful, however both Howard and Valanciunas should easily outscore every other option; especially considering several of the teams have center rotations that make it difficult to justify picking their players.
$6,400-Dwight Howard-(Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets)
I really don’t like the way Howard has been playing the Warriors, however he has been able to garner a solid amount of fantasy production and should continue to find success (especially playing at home). Howard has looked defeated on the court the last two games, but is still averaging 34.5 Draftkings fantasy points in this series. Overall, as the highest priced center Howard should be able to justify his cost and may end up overproducing as it is a must win game for the Rockets.
Next: My Fantasy Advice Prior to the First Game of these Series
$6,000-Jonas Valanciunas-(Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers)
Valanciunas has looked amazing so far this postseason and will be looking to continue his success in Indiana. He has averaged 44 Draftkings fantasy points per game this series and with the Pacers young big man Myles Turner banged up, he could be in for an even bigger day. Overall, Valanciunas is slated to be the highest owned center so it will be hard to differentiate yourself from other lineups if you select him. However, given his production so far, he could easily outscore every other center and be a must own player in today’s slate (especially without many other options at the center position).