DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup – April 28, 2018
The best high salary and value picks for DraftKings fantasy basketball on Saturday, April 28.
One first round series will end while a second round series will begin on Saturday:
*8 p.m. ET: The Bucks and Celtics meet in Game 7
*10:30 p.m. ET: The Pelicans take on the Warriors in Game 1 of the second round
My favorite plays of the day can be found on the following slides in FanSided’s DraftKings daily picks. The first five slides will have my favorite high salary and high value players at each position. After that, I’ll have a game-by-game preview featuring advice on how to approach certain matchups. The last slide includes some final advice as well as an example lineup.
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Important note, every day the goal of this post is not to give you a copy-and-paste lineup. Instead, each selection is given while highlighting the factors you need to consider when building a customized lineup for yourself. If you want to see an example lineup, you can find it on the final slide of the post, but I suggest you adjust your lineup to fit your personal taste.
To keep up with all of FanSided’s DFS NBA coverage head over to the fantasy basketball hub where each day you can find a post like this tailored for DraftKings as well as one specifically designed for usage on FanDuel. In this post, all salary and “fantasy points” references are to DraftKings scoring system and salaries. If you have any additional questions or thoughts or are looking for updates as we approach tipoff, follow @FanSidedFantasy on Twitter or you can follow my account @jeremylambert88.
Let’s take a look at your best options for both studs and value players at each position.
High Salary PG
Terry Rozier ($6,600): Rozier has been strong all series and in Game 7, at home, with the defense Eric Bledsoe has played, he should be in for another solid outing. The salary is in his favor as 30 fantasy points put him at value. He should be over that number without too much trouble. ****
Rajon Rondo ($7,500): Playoff Rondo was in the building in the first round, and he may draw an easier than expected assignment in Game 1 of the second round. Even if the Warriors don’t have Steph Curry, they’re a tougher assignment than the Trail Blazers. No Curry makes him more valuable and he was great in the April 7 game against the Warriors, posting 48 fantasy points. ***
High Value PG
Marcus Smart ($4,600): Smart’s game didn’t travel like I expected it to in Game 6. But this has been a series where the home team has won every game. Based on that trend, and Smart’s play in Game 5, there’s good reason to believe he’ll bounce back in Game 7. He’s a guy I have full confidence in when it comes to showing up for this moment. ***
Malcolm Brogdon ($4,500): Brogdon deliver in Game 5 with 27 fantasy points. He’s been more miss than hit in this series, but he’s a role player who gets minutes and shots. And he had a strong Game 1 in Boston. He may not hit value, but the chances will be there. **
High Salary SG
Jrue Holiday ($7,800): Holiday had his coming out party in the first round against the Blazers. He was great against the Warriors in the regular season, averaging 42.8 fantasy points in four games. That includes two games of being over 50 fantasy points. Expect him over 40 fantasy points in Game 1. ****
Khris Middleton ($6,900): Middleton has been under value in his last two games, which is slightly worrying heading into Game 7. However, his salary has dropped to where he needs 30 fantasy points to reach value. He’s still the second best option on the team and a miss will not be for a lack of trying. ***
High Value SG
Klay Thompson ($6,200): Thompson’s value is dependent on the status of Steph Curry. If Curry plays, Thompson moves to the third option and his ceiling isn’t quite as high. But if Curry is ruled out, Thompson is back to being the second option with a chance to be over 40 fantasy points. At this salary, whether Curry plays or not, he’s a good bet to at least hit value. ***
Eric Bledsoe ($5,800): Bledsoe had 18.5 fantasy points in Game 6. He’s been a disappointment all series, but his salary is where he needs 26.3 fantasy points. Given his role on Milwaukee, he should be over that number. But it’s nearly impossible to trust him right now. And in a big game, it’s even more impossible to trust him. He’s a risk and the reward may not be high enough. **
High Salary SF
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,100): Giannis has been over 50 fantasy points in the last two games. Game 7 is when stars show up and he’s the best player on either side of the court. They’ll need him to be huge and he’ll deliver in a big way. *****
Jaylen Brown ($6,500): Brown was down to 21.75 fantasy points in Game 6. He’s been held to 14 points in the last two games, which is slightly worrying. But at home, in Game 7, he’s the best perimeter option on the Celtics. Look for him to have a bounce back performance and be over 30 fantasy points at the very least. ***
High Value SF
Jayson Tatum ($6,000): While Brown struggled in Game 6, Tatum had 33.75 fantasy points. He’s been up-and-down for most of the series, so his performance in Game 6 may spell bad news for him in Game 7. This is a big moment for him and it feels like it could go either way. He’ll either have a huge game or be relatively invisible. **
Jabari Parker ($5,600): Parker has been solid since he became a fixture in the rotation. He’s been over value in four straight and his salary is low enough to where he should have no issue being over value again. Even if his scoring isn’t there, he’s made up value with rebounding in the last three games. ***
High Salary PF
Kevin Durant ($9,700): If Steph Curry doesn’t play, Durant will easily be over value. If Curry plays, he’ll likely end up around value, but his ceiling is much higher. He had 62.5 fantasy points in the Apr. 7 game against the Pelicans. Durant is guaranteed points at a reasonable salary, especially if Curry misses this one. *****
Draymond Green ($7,700): Green was great in the first round, going over 40 fantasy points in four of the five games. With or without Curry, his value remains the same. In fact, it probably goes up because it gives him more assist opportunities. There are no questions concerning Green’s level of play in the playoffs. ****
High Value PF
Marcus Morris ($4,800): Morris has simply been better at home in this series. He’s been at 25 fantasy points or higher in all three home games and under 20 fantasy points in all three road games. Game 7 is at home and his magical shot making powers will be in full force. ***
Kevon Looney ($3,200): Looney saw some extended run in the first round against the Spurs. And he did contribute 20.5 fantasy points in the April 7 game. He’s not a great option, but there are no real great options below Morris. And Looney seems to have a spot in the rotation, at least with Curry out. *
High Salary C
Anthony Davis ($11,100): Davis averaged 64.8 fantasy points in three games against the Warriors in the regular season. He’s been a monster in the playoffs, going over 55 fantasy points in three of the four games. You know what you’re getting from him. He’s going to push 60 fantasy points at the very least. *****
Al Horford ($6,700): Horford had 34 fantasy points in Game 6. Game 7 will be a new experience for some of the younger Celtics, but this isn’t Horford’s first rodeo. He’s been the best player on the Celtics all series and he’ll raise his game once again on Saturday. *****
High Value C
JaVale McGee ($3,400): McGee starts for the Warriors, so that’s something. And he had 15 fantasy points on April 7 against the Pelicans. So, that’s something else. He can contribute in bunches, but maybe his athleticism works against Anthony Davis. *
David West ($3,300): West is a veteran who has the trust of the Warriors, which means something in the playoffs. He might see some extra minutes as the Warriors try to throw anyone they can at the duo of Mirotic and Davis. *
Bucks-Celtics (Series Tied 3-3)
The only player I didn’t cover on the previous slides who may make an impact is Semi Ojeleye. And if Game 6 is any indication, it won’t be much of an impact.
Game 7 is a time to take guaranteed value. That means Antetokounmpo and Horford if you’re looking for guys to build your roster around. I absolutely love Horford at his salary. Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris are two guys who will elevate their game at home in Game 7 as well. Both are nice low cost options who should hit value and have a relatively high ceiling.
The young players like Tatum, Rozier, and Brown are more of a question mark. They’ve all stumbled at various points in this series, but they’ve also been big impact players. They’re going to get plenty of minutes and opportunities, but one of them will probably fall short of value. If I had to take a guess, I’d say it will be Tatum
No salary feels too high for Giannis. He’s the best player on the court and sometimes Game 7 just comes down to that. He’s going to have a monster game. Everyone else on Milwaukee is up in the air. Middleton and Parker have been the two most consistent players. Bledsoe and Brogdon probably aren’t worth it unless you’re in a pinch.
Pelicans-Warriors (Series Tied 0-0)
Much like guaranteed value is the best option in Game 7, it’s also the strategy in Game 1.
I mentioned the April 7 game throughout the previous slides, but I’d be foolish not to point out that it has little bearing on Game 1. The Pelicans were fighting for their playoff lives. The Warriors were coasting and still figuring things out with Durant at the helm and Quinn Cook as their starter.
Steph Curry’s status puts a monkey wrench into everything, especially on the Warriors side. If he doesn’t play, you know you’re getting guaranteed value from Durant, Thompson, Draymond Green, and probably Andre Iguodala. But if Curry plays, the ceiling for those guys lowers a bit.
That’s assuming Curry is effective.
The Pelicans looked unstoppable in the first round, but this is a much better team they’re up against. Still, they have guys at a reasonable salary. Mirotic is the x-factor for me. He’s been rolling, and while I expect his hot streak to continue, I also acknowledge that he can go cold in an instance. And with Draymond in his face all game and the Warriors crowd fired up, Mirotic will have to prove his mental toughness.
Lineup and Advice
My best advice is to wait and see if Steph Curry is going to play in Game 1. A lot of lineups will hinge on him and for good reason. If he plays, he could be a steal at his salary. He could also be a bust if he’s not quite 100 percent and Rondo and Holiday do a number on him. His questionable status has lowered the salary of a lot of players on the Warriors. They could be huge hits if he doesn’t end up playing.
Center is the big position as you’re either punting or grabbing a high salary guy. There is no in-between.
Example DraftKings Daily Picks Lineup
Where to find me for daily for NBA takes, articles, videos and updates:
Twitter: @jeremylambert88, @FanSidedFantasy
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Al Horford
G: Andre Iguodala
F: Jabari Parker
U: Jrue Holiday
Next: ‘No pressure’ in Game 7; Giannis is just happy to be here
Explanation of the stars after each pick: Each one of my picks is ranked on a scale of one to five stars. Picks that I give five stars (∗∗∗∗∗) are players that you almost have to own and I have no reservations about owning at their price. Players that get four stars (∗∗∗∗) are players that I think are strong picks to build your roster around. Three-star players (∗∗∗) are middle-of-the-road solid picks who are fairly reliable to produce a good game. Picks receiving two stars (∗∗) are high-risk, high-reward players who do offer enough upside to be in my picks, but also have a significant risk factor that makes them dangerous. One star (∗) players are picks that are the best option around that price point, but who I don’t think are great options. I would take any one-star player over any option not in my picks, but they aren’t picks to build your roster around.