NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Sunday 4/24/16
If you've never played daily fantasy basketball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every NBA night.
Today's lineups can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.
Oh, and if you're interested, check out our daily fantasy basketball heat chart for today's slate. It's full of information like tonight's Vegas lines, team offensive and defensive efficiency ratings, pace, fantasy points against and so much more.
As for today's picks -- let's get to it.
The Best of the Best
James Harden ($10,400 on FanDuel) - Harden finally displayed the upside we knew he had in this matchup, putting up 58.1 FanDuel points in a Game 3 victory. With Stephen Curry supposedly returning for Game 4, this game carries more blowout risk, but Harden has as much upside as anyone on the slate. If Houston is going to keep this game close, it is going to be because of a big game from Harden.
Kawhi Leonard ($9,200) - Speaking of finally displaying upside, Leonard went for 61.4 FanDuel points in Game 3. The Grizzlies finally kept the game relatively close, and Leonard played 42 minutes as a result. Game 4 is also being played in Memphis, and thus has a decent chance of remaining competitive. Leonard has considerable downside at this price, but he has as much upside as any small forward and comes at a nice discount to LeBron James.
Al Horford ($7,900) - Through three postseason games against Boston, Horford is averaging 41 FanDuel points. He posted 43.6 in Game 3, despite only scoring eight points. His ability to contribute in all areas makes him a very appealing option again tonight. He has had no problem with the Celtics in the past, averaging 33.7 FanDuel points in four matchups this season, after averaging 34.6 last season. He will be chalky, but is once again the premier play at center.
Top Mid-Range Values
Kevin Love ($7,500) - We've been riding Love this postseason, and he has treated us well, averaging 37.2 FanDuel points. He's coming off of his third straight double-double, and that performance put his average against Detroit this season to 36.5 FanDuel points per game. He will continue to be heavily involved in the offense and is an easy play at power forward with the likes of Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Zach Randolph consistently disappointing through the first three games of their respective series.
Reggie Jackson ($7,000) - Jackson followed up a big Game 2 with an even better Game 3, and is now averaging 34.7 FanDuel points in his past eight games and is averaging 34.2 FanDuel points and 36.7 minutes per game so far this series. A big reason for his success is his matchup against Kyrie Irving, who is possibly the worst defensive point guard in the playoffs. In three regular season games against Cleveland this season, Jackson averaged 34.4 FanDuel points.
Evan Turner ($5,600) - Turner will continue to have to fill a larger role for Boston with Avery Bradley sidelined. Through the first three games, Turner has averaged 33.7 minutes and 29.8 FanDuel points. Those numbers are very similar to Turner's averages without Bradley this season (33.7 minutes and 25.8 FanDuel points per game). Despite a 36.9 FanDuel point performance in Game 4, he saw an $800 price reduction from Game 2 to Game 4 and remains a safe value play tonight.
Basement Ballers
Kent Bazemore ($5,600) - Bazemore has been a revelation for Atlanta and fantasy owners through the first three games of this series, playing through a knee injury, but still averaging 33.3 FanDuel points and 32.3 minutes per game. What's truly impressive about those totals is that he has been able to attain them while shooting 37 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from beyond the arc in the playoffs. His ability to pile up peripheral stats makes him a safe option, and he has a high ceiling as well if he can find his shot, which he displayed in his last game (35.6 FanDuel points). For whatever reason, FanDuel hasn't moved his price up. As a result, he is close to a must-play tonight.
Patrick Beverley ($4,800) - Over the final three games of the regular season, Beverley averaged 36.1 FanDuel points in 33.7 minutes per game. He's been slightly disappointing in this series, averaging 23.6 FanDuel points through the first three games. That still is fine value considering his price, though. In the two more competitive games, he has averaged 33 minutes and 24.6 FanDuel points. He's not a flashy pick, but he's a safe bet for 20-to-30 FanDuel points and over 30 minutes at a cheap price.
Jonas Jerebko ($4,000) - Jerebko has seen his role increase in each game this postseason, and Coach Stevens went as far as to give him the starting nod in Game 3. He was not disappointed, as Jerebko put up 33.4 FanDuel points in 37 minutes. Jared Sullinger has been absolutely dominated by Horford in this series, and seems to be falling out of the rotation for the time being. Keep an eye on Kelly Olynyk's status too, because he could steal a few minutes from Jerebko if healthy. If Jerebko is in the starting lineup again tonight, he is a must-play at this price.
