DraftKings NBA Picks April 5

DraftKings NBA Picks April 5

There is a huge 11 game NBA slate tonight after giving college basketball the stage last night. This is one of the larger DraftKings tournaments left in the NBA season. Do we use all early players due to the unpredictability of the lineups in the last week of the season?

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Last night the money line was at 278.75 DraftKings points. That is a pretty good total considering Westbrook “only” had 55.75 last night. My lineup was ruined by

and

both going well under 20 points. There is no coming back from that with the money line that high.

The winning lineup had an impressive 379.75 DraftKings points! He paired the value of Ron Baker and Kyle O’Quinn with the huge games of DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson, Paul George, Kevin Love, and Gary Harris.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to watch our Twitter feed right up until lock time. We will try and relay the information out to you as soon as we can, along with any lineup changes. If you can’t do that, it may be best to avoid any of the later games. With the season running down, playoff contenders are sitting players more and more, and there isn’t always a lot of advanced notice.

If you would like to try DraftKings for the first time, use this link for the referral bonus! It is good for $10 worth of free entry tickets. We have plenty of advice on the site to help you turn that into a solid bankroll!

Point Guards

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($12,700): How spoiled are we when triple-doubles and 70+ point DraftKings games are the norm? Westbrook has seven straight of the former and five out of his last six of the latter. And before you say Memphis will bury him, don’t be so sure. Westbrook has averaged 59.3 DraftKings points per game against the Grizzlies this year. That leaves him a tad under value, but considering how he has been playing lately, I have a hard time fading him.

Stephen Curry ($10,000): Curry now has seven straight games with more than 45 DraftKings points. He is playing at a high level right now. There is the chance of a blowout here, but if it comes to that, Curry will be perhaps the biggest reason why. He sat more than half of the fourth quarter last night and still topped 45. He should at least be close to 5x value.

Honorable Mention:

Isaiah Thomas ($8,500): Thomas has 139.5 DraftKings points in three games against Cleveland this season. This game will feel like a playoff game, considering we are in April already. Of course, Cleveland could kill that atmosphere if they decide to rest any players on the second night of a back to back. The only certain thing is that Kyrie wont be one of them, so Thomas is still a strong play regardless of if the Cavs are at full strength or not. However, I would expect Cleveland to have all hands on deck. This is for first place in the East!

Kyrie Irving ($8,100): Thomas has had his issues on defense this year, so it should come as no surprise that Irving has 136 DraftKings points against the Celtics this season. Thomas probably has a little more upside considering he doesn’t have a bunch of other superstars around him, but Irving is good for 5.5x value tonight, and maybe a little more.

Tyler Ulis ($7,600): Looking at the matchup, this is a dangerous game. That said, I have a feeling the Warriors may rest some players considering they are in the second game of a back to back against a team that has lost 12 in a row. So why Ulis? Well, other than the fact that this game may stay close, there is a chance he wont have to deal with Curry. Even if everyone plays and this game is a blowout, Ulis will still play. He has played at least 40 minutes in all but three games of this losing streak.

Dark Horses:

Ish Smith ($5,900): The worst kept secret in the NBA is that Reggie Jackson wont play again during the regular season. Everyone knows it even if the Pistons wont say it. That means Smith will get a healthy load of minutes, and he has been doing a lot with them. He has at least 5x value in all but two games since Jackson went down. Toronto is playing better against the point, but if he gets 30 minutes, which he should, Smith will have no issues hitting at least 5x value.

Jamal Murray ($4,500): He will start as long as Jameer Nelson is out, and though Emmanuel Mudiay has played pretty well, the Nuggets still are going to let the rookie take most of the minutes. For this price and playing as much as he does, there is a lot of potential with Murray. There is a lot of value at PG tonight, but I don’t trust Yogi Ferrell against the Clippers and Tony Parker and Patty Mills only cannibalize what value the other may have.

Beno Udrih ($3,500): Udrih has played well enough that he is getting 16-20 minutes backing up Smith. In response, he has at least 5x value in each of the last three games culminating in 32.75 against the Bucks on Friday. If you really need to go cheap, you can do worse.

My picks: Thomas(PG), Smith(G); Murray(PG), Udrih(G)

Shooting Guards

Best Bets:

James Harden ($12,500): Harden missed his first game of the season on Sunday because of a case of the flu. He should be like a pacing caged animal waiting to be let out right now. He will be unleashed on Denver tonight, a team that he has 187.5 DraftKings points against in just three games. You really can’t go wrong with him or Westbrook, but considering Westbrook is playing a tough Memphis team and played last night, Harden is the safer play because of an easier opponent and he is well rested.

Devin Booker ($8,000): Much like Ulis, Booker is still playing around 40 minutes a night even in blowouts. Why? because he is a threat to score from anywhere on the court. Booker has at least 36 DraftKings points in each of the last six games. He will continue to be one of the better DFS plays down the stretch this year.

Honorable Mention:

Klay Thompson ($7,300): Of course, this depends on who, if anyone, sits out. There is a chance that Thompson himself could sit or at least see limited minutes. However, at times this year, the Warriors have left Thompson in there with the bench in a blowout. In that case, he could be in for well above his value tonight. He has averaged 34.8 DraftKings points in the previous three games against the Suns this year. That is a little under value, but he has the potential for a lot more if anyone rests.

Avery Bradley ($5,900): Bradley has 93.25 DraftKings points in three games against Cleveland this season. The Cavs are finally healthy at shooting guard, which good be a good thing for Bradley. That means less time matching up with Iman Shumpert and more time with J.R. Smith or Kyle Korver, both of whom aren’t quite as good on defense. He should have at least 5x value tonight.

Eric Gordon ($5,800): Gordon has put up 78 DraftKings points in three games against Denver this year, which leaves him a little under value. However, Gordon has been picking up quite a few more minutes with Ryan Anderson out. Denver leaves a lot of open shots and plays a fast paced game. Gordon has the potential for a good game here.

Dark Horses:

Gary Harris ($5,600): Harris had a big game last night against the Pelicans, going for 23 points in 41 minutes. He was afforded more playing time with Jameer Nelson out. Nelson would seem to be out again tonight, and Harris has played well against Houston this year. He has 74 DraftKings points in two games against the Rockets this year. Harris could be way above value again tonight if Will Barton misses another game with his ailing foot.

David Nwaba ($3,200): Nwaba was phased out against Memphis on Sunday with the return of Ingram to the lineup, but it was also partially because he didn’t match up well with Memphis. The Lakers don’t have anything to play for, so Nwaba should continue to see solid minutes. With the Spurs old on the perimeter, he could have a decent game, but we really don’t know just how much he will play.

My pick: Bradley(SG); Harden(SG)

Small Forwards

Best Bets:

LeBron James ($10,200): James picked up his second straight triple-double last night, and is firing on all cylinders trying to get the Cavs the one seed in the East. He has 183 DraftKings points in three games against the Celtics this season. Boston doesn’t have anyone that can stop him, and this game could decide the one seed in the East. Expect the King to play like a man possessed once again.

T.J. Warren ($7,100): Don’t get me wrong, I like Kawhi Leonard, just not against the Lakers. He has only played 90 minutes against them in three games this year. I will go with Warren, who is playing a ton of minutes and will be going against a Warriors team that is resting (at the least) Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. Warren has 74.75 DraftKings points in just two games against the Warriors this year. What can he do when he doesn’t have to tangle with Draymond?

Honorable Mention:

Danilo Gallinari ($6,300): Gallinari also had a big game last night, as Denver scored in the 130’s again. They could do it against Houston as well, but Gallinari will be matched up with Houston’s best defender in Trevor Ariza. His price is low enough that he could still get value tonight, but having Ariza on him really caps his upside.

Trevor Ariza ($5,900): More than just a defensive menace, Ariza has picked up his scoring with Anderson out as well. Anderson is generously listed as doubtful for tonight, so Ariza should have at least one more game of above average production.

Wilson Chandler ($5,900): Chandler has only played one of the games against Houston this year, but he picked up 35.75 DraftKings points in that game. With Denver’s front line ailing again, Chandler should see plenty of run again tonight, and could have a game well above his price range.

Dark Horses:

Josh Richardson ($5,400): Richardson started slow after being inserted into the starting lineup when Dion Waiters went down, but he is starting to pick it up now. Richardson has at least 5x value in three of the last four games. He has 46.25 DraftKings points in two meetings with Charlotte earlier this year. That is a little under value, but if he continues his upward trend, he should hit at least 5x value.

Patrick McCaw ($3,000): He got first crack at replacing Kevin Durant with mixed results. For one night only, McCaw is back in the starting lineup with Andre Iguodala being rested. With 25-30 minutes, he should be able to hit at least 7x value for this price, especially against the Suns. However, as we saw with his earlier starts, big minutes don’t always mean big stats.

My Pick: Warren(SF), Chandler(UTIL); James(SF), McCaw(F)

Power Forwards

Best Bets:

Blake Griffin ($8,300): Dallas isn’t going to ride their veterans, including Dirk Nowtizki, hard or at all down the stretch since they are out of playoff contention. That means the teams with something to play for, like the Clippers, could do some serious damage against Dallas whereas they may not have earlier in the year. Griffin has three straight games of at least 46 DraftKings points. If he is in long enough, it should be four straight by the end of this one.

Kevin Love ($7,400): Boston’s sore spot has been power forward all year, and they did nothing to shore up that position at the trade deadline. They should have. Love has 95.75 DraftKings points in just 67 minutes against Boston this year. Word is that Cleveland is all hands on deck tomorrow, and they’re angry. This could be another big game for Love.

Honorable Mention:

James Johnson ($6,000): The Heat are still battling for playoff position, and Johnson is a big part of that as the leader of the second unit. He provides most of the scoring, and is a deceptively good passer for a big. Johnson hasn’t quite had the big games that he was becoming known for in early March, but he has still been right around 5x value.

Tobias Harris ($6,000): Harris has 94.5 DraftKings points in three games against Toronto this year, but it could be a little different with Serge Ibaka in the middle. Harris is coming off of the bench again in favor of Jon Leuer, but he will still play 30 minutes or more every game. He doesn’t have huge upside, but Harris is a good source of 5x value.

Julius Randle ($6,000): Randle has averaged 32.8 DraftKings points in three games against the Spurs this year. The Lakers need court time together, so the starters have still been in the game deep into blowouts. Couple that with the fact that LaMarcus Aldridge played a staggering 41 minutes last night, and you have Randle that may not have to deal with Aldridge much, if at all. Randle looks like a strong play once again.

Dark Horses:

Marquese Chriss ($5,700): Chriss has has issues with the Warriors because of Draymond Green. However, with Green out, Chriss could be primed for a big game against the likes of David West and James McAdoo.

Thomas Robinson ($4,000): Robinson continues to play at a high level despite playing less than half the game. While we don’t know if this will lead to more minutes or not, does it matter? He has averaged 27 DraftKings points per game in just 16 minutes per game! He has a lot of potential on the off chance that he gets more minutes, but even if he stays at his current level, he is a comfortable 6x value.

My pick: Chriss(PF), Robinson(F); Love(PF), Robinson(UTIL)

Center

Best Bets:

Nikola Jokic ($9,400): Jokic had a foul-riddled game against Houston, then he came back with a 51.25 DraftKings point effort two nights later. Jokic committed only three fouls in that one. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he is in line for a big night, and could be a bargain, even at this price.

Andre Drummond ($7,200): Drummond racked up 40 DraftKings points on the Raptors back on St. Patrick’s Day. His elite rebounding numbers make Drummond a low-risk option just about every game, but especially in games where he has a decided size advantage. This is one of those occasions.

Honorable Mention:

DeAndre Jordan ($7,100): Jordan struggled against Dallas with Andrew Bogut in there, but he picked up 43.5 DraftKings points against them without Bogut on March 23rd. The Dallas interior is not nearly as strong with Noel around, and with the Mavs possibly resting some starters again, Jordan could be in for a big game. He will have to do most of his damage via rebounds though because Chris Paul and Griffin rule the offense.

Marc Gasol ($7,000): Gasol has dominated the Thunder this year. In three games, he is averaging 46.9 DraftKings points per game. His return to the floor after a five game absence went pretty well last night. He should be good to go going forward.

Dark Horses:

Clint Capela ($5,800): Capela doesn’t have a lot of upside since the Rockets don’t play him more than 30 minutes per game. In the back to back against Denver in mid March, Capela racked up 63.25 DraftKings points in 51 minutes. He should be a solid 5x value, but it probably better suited for cash games due to the lack of significant upside.

Pau Gasol ($5,700): Gasol has four straight games of at least 32 DraftKings points. He has averaged 33.2 in three games against the Lakers this year. The Lakers still have a revolving door at center. The only question here is just how much Gasol will play. This game has blowout written all over it.

Nerlens Noel ($4,800): Noel has dominated the Clippers so far this year. He has 81 DraftKings points in two games against them, one of which was during his time in Dallas. His stint with the Mavericks so far has been plagued with inconsistency, but the team wants to showcase the youth over the last few games, so Noel’s minutes should be guaranteed from here on out.

My pick: M. Gasol(C); Noel(C)

Stay tuned for our FanDuel picks, and our picks for NHL and the PGA tour! We even have some EPL picks coming your way! We are also kicking up our MLB DFS coverage as well!