NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Friday (4/21)
For the past five years, Jokic has been the top option for cash games.
This week has been amazing and it’s only going to improve. We’re delving deep into these series and there’s never been a more exciting time to be a basketball enthusiast. Each game holds more weight than the one before it, and it’s a thrill to watch these teams battle it out in the playoffs. There’s plenty to talk about, so let’s jump into this Friday’s card.
Injury Report
- Jaden McDaniels (hand) OUT
- Naz Reid (hand) OUT
- Nikola Jokic (wrist) Probable
- Rudy Gobert (back) Questionable
Core Plays
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
It’s going to be tough to fade Tatum on these short slates. The blossoming superstar has scored at least 33 DraftKings points in 71 of the 74 games he’s finished this year. He’s also averaging over 50 fantasy points per game, which should be his floor in the postseason. JT has played at least 40 minutes in both postseason games, dropping 52 fantasy points in his most recent outing. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Atlanta allowing the most fantasy points to opposing forwards.
Jalen Brunson (PG – NYK): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
It’s surprising to see Brunson in this price range given his exceptional performance. The overlooked All-Star is averaging 27.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists over his last 24 games. His regular season performance is impressive, and with the potential for 40 minutes and over 20 shots in the playoffs, Brunson’s stats could skyrocket. Particularly against Cleveland, he’s had noteworthy success, averaging 49 points in their last three encounters.
Cash Game Considerations
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $10,700 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel
For the past five years, Jokic has proven to be an optimal choice for cash-games. The current double MVP winner has been consistent, averaging 60 DK points per game during the regular season and maintaining a 50-point floor until the final month which was insignificant. His performance has notched up even higher in the postseason throughout his career, with statistics of 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in Game 2. Despite it not seeming as if Joker had a standout performance in that game, it demonstrates his reliability. Furthermore, he has been averaging almost 65 DK points per game against Minnesota in their most recent five encounters.
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,300 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Were you aware that Mitchell ranks sixth in playoff scoring throughout history? He’s netting an impressive average of close to 30 raw points per game, having scored 46 and 66 DK points in the first two matches of this series. His form leading into the playoffs has been exceptional as well, with a minimum of 53 DK points scored in five of his most recent six games. It’s also worth noting that New York currently holds a 22nd OPRK against rival guards.
GPP Targets
John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
The inconsistency in JC’s role this season is peculiar considering he’s typically been a $7K player for the majority of his career. His value is heightened due to his sub-$5K price tag, with an average of more than 25 DK points per game this season. He achieved even higher performance in the second half, and with a playing time of 30 minutes, he shouldn’t be this affordable. His track record against Boston over the past two years, averaging close to 35 fantasy points per game, further demonstrates his success.
Robert Williams (PF/C – BOS): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Throughout his career, Rob-Will has proven to be one of the top producers per minute, and Boston has increased his playing time as a result. The big man has consistently played a minimum of 22 minutes in four consecutive matches, which is sufficient for him to deliver value at his incredibly low price. This has resulted in him achieving 29 or more DK points in two of his last three games. His presence on the court is crucial for Boston, particularly when facing formidable opponents like Collins, Clint Capela, and Onyeka Okongwu.
Value Plays
Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
The postseason is a period where seasoned players excel. Their expertise renders them more valuable than any other players, but increasing their total playing time is of equal importance. This is particularly significant for Big Al, who has scored a minimum of 27 DraftKings points in four consecutive games. He’s also clocking an average of 35 minutes per game in this series, and as long as he maintains this pace, Horford’s value should be set at $7,000 on both platforms.
Mike Conley (PG/SG – MIN): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
Let’s continue to support the veterans, starting with Conley. This was a covert acquisition at the trading deadline, with Conley’s fantasy points averaging above 30 per game since he was signed to the Wolves. This is the most you could hope for from a player with such a reasonable price tag. We can safely assume that this young team will depend on their experienced leader in the crucial Game 3.
Advantageous Pricing
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $9,900 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
Jalen Brunson (PG – NYK): $7,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – CLE): $9,300 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Robert Williams (PF/C – BOS): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
Anthony Edwards (SG – MIN): $8,500 DraftKings, $9,600 FanDuel
Jaylen Brown (SG – BOS): $8,300 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
Jamal Murray (PG – DEN): $8,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $7,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel
Derrick White (SG – BOS): $6,100 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
Marcus Smart (PG – BOS): $5,800 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
