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FanDuel NBA Breakdown: Monday, 4/1 – April NBA is No Joke!

By Dan Palyo

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 07: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up to dunk the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 07: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up to dunk the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 07: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up to dunk the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NBA Breakdown: Monday, 4/1

Welcome back to the Monday edition of the FanDuel NBA Breakdown! I’m “Thunder Dan” and I love playing and writing about FanDuel NBA DFS. As always, my goal is to help you get your research started for tonight’s NBA DFS slate on FanDuel.

My goal when I created the Breakdown was to make this an all-inclusive article that gives you a place to start your research for FanDuel NBA cash games and GPPs. When making my cash and GPP picks I always take into account salary, Vegas trends, ownership, and match-up and I always do my best to give you a clear rationale for why I believe each player makes a great GPP or cash target.

After taking the weekend off to focus on MLB, the Breakdown is back for tonight’s 9-game main slate on FanDuel.  NBA DFS is becoming increasingly more challenging as the season winds down, but as I said before, if you’re willing to put in the time and research there’s definitely still an edge to be had.

The FanDuel NBA Breakdown is a first look article that is intended to be a starting point for your cash game or GPP research for FanDuel NBA DFS.

I would encourage you to really take these first look articles with a grain of salt.  I do my best to try to anticipate what injuries and rest situations we might encounter each night, but in the final month of the season we are going to see a lot of players sit out and we aren’t always going to know who it will be until later in the evening. We do have a good bit of injury info for tonight’s slate ahead of time, so let’s waste no time getting into our safest cash plays.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 25: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz gestures toward his bench during their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 25, 2018 in Salt Lake City , Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 25: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz gestures toward his bench during their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 25, 2018 in Salt Lake City , Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NBA Breakdown: Cash Game Core

Welcome to the cash game core section of the Breakdown!  I’ve been giving you a GPP core in the past, so instead, I wanted to provide you with a solid trio of players to start building your cash game lineups with tonight. I highly recommend playing cash games on a nightly basis to help build that bankroll.

Ben Simmons (10k)

I definitely want to pay for one of the two elite plays at point guard today, and I’ll take the 500 dollar savings on Simmons over Damian Lillard. Joel Embiid has been ruled out for the next few games as the Sixers manage his load, and so Simmons and the rest of the Philly players will have to pick up the slack.

Simmons is coming off a 50 FD point outing against Minnesota and has another solid matchup here against Dallas, a team that ranks in the bottom half of the league against point guards. In 14 games without Embiid this season, Simmons is averaging a stellar 20-10-7.5 and I think he cruises to another triple-double tonight. He’s one of the safest plays on the board.

Joe Ingles (7k)

Speaking of triple-doubles, don’t look now but Joe Ingles has been doing a pretty good Ben Simmons impression lately (except he takes and makes three-pointers). Ingles missed a triple-double by one rebound against the Lakers last week and then piled up 18-5-10 against Washington last Friday.

As far as solid floors go, Joe has been as steady and dependable as they come. He might seem overpriced at 7k at first glance, but he’s averaged over 30 FD points in his last 20 games and his fantasy-friendly game should be on full display tonight about a Charlotte team that really struggles to defend wing players.

Luke Kornet (4.8k)

This is not a prank, I promise you. You know it’s April basketball when a guy who’s been riding the pine most of the season for the New York Knicks is magically transformed into a core play for cash games. In all seriousness, Kornet isn’t a terrible player by any stretch of the imagination. He is a good 3-point shooter and can rebound as well as block some shots with his length. He became the starting power forward for New York this weekend and responded with a massive 48 FD point performance against the Heat. I’m not saying we should count on a repeat performance, but even 60% of that output is going to give us plenty of value today.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 07: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to make a pass against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the game at Amway Center on December 07, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 07: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to make a pass against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the game at Amway Center on December 07, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NBA Breakdown: GPP Plays

For tournament plays, I’m looking for more than just 5x. I’m looking for 6-7x or more and we really want to chase those players with high ceilings, not just floors. We also want to take some risks on players that we think we can get at lower ownership than the chalkier cash game plays.

Nikola Vucevic (9.6k)

The Magic sit one game out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference and they badly need a win against Toronto tonight. That’s one reason why I love Orlando big man Nikola Vucevic as my top GPP play on the slate. Targeting players who are playing in meaningful games is definitely a good strategy in April and today we get an underpriced Vucevic in a solid matchup.

Toronto is a great team, but they’ve been exploited by centers at times this season. Vuc has averaged over 54 FD points against the Raptors in their three meetings and I don’t think Gasol, Ibaka, or Siakam can slow him down in the paint or on the perimeter. Toronto could also rest some guys tonight which would help soften the matchup even further.

Dwayne Wade (6.1k)

Wade and the Heat happen to be the team holding down that 8th seed in the East. I don’t love having to pay 6k for a bench player, but you can’t really argue with Wade’s recent production as he’s been over 30 FD points in 3 of his last 4. The Heat have a tough matchup in Boston tonight, but Wade’s steady role off the bench at 27-30 minutes brings a solid floor and a nice ceiling as we know he can toss up a vintage D-Wade line at any time as evidenced by his 47 FD points performance against Orlando last week.

Cedi Osman (6.3k)

The Cavs play the Suns tonight in a game between two of the worst defenses in the league. These games are gross, but you can’t totally ignore players like Osman (or even Devin Booker who is outrageously now priced at 11.5k tonight) who are going to play 36+ minutes in good matchups. Cedi has been not been consistent lately at all, but did just drop 40+ FD points in his last outing and I don’t think we see Kevin Love play tonight as he’s nursing a sore shoulder and this game means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 26: Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic in action against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on March 26, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 26: Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic in action against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on March 26, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NBA Breakdown: Value Plays

For our purposes here at the Breakdown, we classify players priced at 5000 or less as “value plays.” Identifying value has been crucial this year on FanDuel as the new “drop score” rule has forced us into playing a lot of “stars and scrubs” rosters in both cash and GPP formats.

Michael Carter-Williams (4k)

MCW continues to get it done in less than 20 minutes a game. He’s now posted 20+ FD points in 3 of his last 4 and while he’s not my favorite cheap play, you could do a lot worse than 5x value from a cheap 4k player.

Dragan Bender (5k)

Bender has logged 29 and 30 minutes in his last two games and is starting to flash a little upside. DeAndre Ayton is out tonight against the Cavs, and so Bender should see minutes at center and likely draw another start in a good matchup. There’s some serious value at power forward today between Kornet, Bender, and the next guy I’m going to talk about..

Jonah Bolden (4.5k)

Bolden had a huge game against Minnesota with 44 FD points in 31 minutes as he was the primary beneficiary of Embiid’s absence. I’ll go right back to him tonight against Dallas and he’s still way too cheap for his upside. He has a legit chance at 10x value again.

Sterling Brown (4.2k)

Brown is fresh off a 52 FD point performance against Atlanta and tonight the Bucks get a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. We don’t know yet if Giannis or Middleton will play in this game, but I certainly think that it’s possible we see Milwaukee continue to give some of their core players nights off as they have a pretty tight grip on the #1 seed at this point.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 17: Jonah Bolden #43 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 17: Jonah Bolden #43 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NBA Breakdown: Position Rankings

What some players find really helpful are position rankings. I will rank my favorite players at each position based on their upside and point-per-dollar viability for cash and GPP.  Think of this a type of “cheat sheet” but it’s not an exhaustive list of my player pool by any means.

Point Guard

  1. Ben Simmons
  2. Damian Lillard
  3. Shaq Harrison

Shooting Guard

  1. Jimmy Butler
  2. Dwayne Wade
  3. Dion Waiters

Small Forward

  1. Joe Ingles
  2. Bojan Bogdanovic
  3. Cedi Osman

Power Forward

  1. Domantas Sabonis
  2. Luke Kornet
  3. Jonah Bolden

Center

  1. Nikola Vucevic
  2. Mitchell Robinson
  3. Enes Kanter
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 11: Luke Kornet #2 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 11: Luke Kornet #2 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

FanDuel NBA Breakdown: Sample Lineup and Overview

If you’re not familiar with how I wrap up the Breakdown, this is where I give you my thoughts on roster construction and briefly discuss my strategy for how I want to attack the slate.

More from FanSided

I usually like punting one or two spots on FanDuel with this year’s new “drop score” rule. Playing a lineup of all 5-7k players just makes zero sense to me and you’ll find that the guys winning consistently on FanDuel are going “stars and scrubs” pretty frequently.

In fact, Stars and Scrubs is likely going to be the chalky build for NBA DFS for every slate the rest of the season with the amount of value that we are going to have on a nightly basis.

Today’s sample lineup is a cash game lineup with my cash core and then some of my favorite value plays and mid-tier plays mixed in. There are a lot of injury situations that we don’t know about just yet so obviously make sure you are monitoring those throughout the day. My final lineup may end up nothing like one, I just want to warn you.

Remember, the sample lineup is for illustrative purposes and is not necessarily a “plug-and-play” lineup. This time of year so much can change in the course of 10-12 hours from when you begin to research a slate to when it actually locks. I rarely end up playing this lineup as there are always pivots that need to be made as the slate unfolds during the day!

PG: Ben Simmons (10k)
PG: Kyle Lowry (6.8k)
SG: Dwayne Wade (6.1k)
SG: Sterling Brown (4.2k)
SF: Bojan Bogdanovic (6.5k)
SF: Joe Ingles (7k)
PF: Jonah Bolden (4.5k)
PF: Luke Kornet (4.8k)
C: Nikola Vucevic (9.8k)

Next. MLB DFS Picks and Pivots - Monday, April 1. dark

I hope you enjoyed my slate breakdown and I appreciate you taking the time to read my article. Be sure to share it with friends and fellow DFS players, leave comments or hit me with other feedback or questions on Twitter.  And keep coming back to FantasyCPR for the best free content in the industry! Good luck with your contests