NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: April 17
Miami’s Jimmy Butler has averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this season.
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That Tuesday card was tremendous, and we have more Play-In action here. I’m excited to discuss these Eastern Conference Play-In games, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
Core Plays
Trae Young (PG – ATL): $9,200 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel
Young just returned from a hand injury last week, but we assume he’s ready for a full workload. He played 32 minutes in the final game of the regular season and averaged 46 DK points per game across 36 minutes a night during the year. He also had at least 32 fantasy points in all but four fixtures and should be looking at 40 minutes, 20 shots, and double-digit assists in this elimination game. He’s also got at least 42 fantasy points in 11 of his last 12 meetings with Chicago over the last four years!
Jimmy Butler (SF/PF – MIA): $8,700 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
Playoff Jimmy has been struggling during the regular season, but we’re finally in the playoffs! We saw this guy average 50 DraftKings points per game in last year’s postseason, and there’s no doubt he brings it in the most important games of the season. A matchup with Philly can be frightening on the surface, but he averaged 27.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in their six-game series against them last year.
Cash Game Considerations
Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,100 DraftKings
Embiid returned from knee surgery, and he seems as dominant as ever. The 2023 MVP had 62 and 74 DraftKings points in his final two games of the season, which is right on par with his 63-point average during the regular season. We would be worried about the Miami matchup for most players, but matchups don’t matter when it comes to a beast like Embiid.
DeMar DeRozan (SF/PF – CHI): $8,400 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
DeRozan has taken over this offense without LaVine and Ball, averaging over 40 DraftKings points per game. He was even better in the final month, scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in the final 11 games. He also had a 48-point average in that expanded role and should not have any issues annihilating an Atlanta team that ranks 27th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
GPP Targets
Nikola Vucevic (C – CHI): $7,800 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
Vucevic should go off in this matchup. The big man has quietly had another consistent season, averaging nearly 40 DraftKings points per game. He’s also showcased a 30-point floor but should have his way against Atlanta. The Hawks were 27th in total defense during the regular season, with Vucevic scoring at least 37 DK points in three of his last four matchups, while scoring 45 or more DK points in two of those.
Tyler Herro (PG/SG – MIA): $7,500 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Miami needs Herro to step up in this critical game. What many people don’t realize is that he was breaking out before his injury, averaging 36 DraftKings points per game. He’s been close to that since his return, scoring at least 37 fantasy points in three of his last four fixtures. We also love his splits against Philly, scoring at least 41 fantasy points in both matchups this year.
Value Plays
Clint Capela (C – ATL): $6,800 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
The injuries have dismantled this Atlanta frontcourt, but they’ve allowed Capela to swallow up all the rebounds. The big man scored at least 36 DraftKings points in 13 of his final 19 games, flirting with a 40-point average in that span. They need him to do that with Bey, Okongwu, and Johnson all nicked up, which is incredible since Capela collected 37 DraftKings points against Chicago just two weeks ago!
Alex Caruso (PG/SG – CHI): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
Caruso has been cheap all season, and it’s hard to understand why. He’s taken over as a starter with Ball and LaVine out, averaging over 25 DraftKings points per game in this newfound role. What we love is that he’s finally being unleashed, scoring at least 32 DK points in the final three games of the regular season. That culminated with 43 DK points across 41 minutes in the finale, and a line like that could be in play against one of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Advantageous Pricing
- Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,100 DraftKings, $11,900 FanDuel
- DeMar DeRozan (SF/PF – CHI): $8,400 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel
- Tobias Harris (SF/PF – PHI): $6,200 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel
- Kevin Love (PF/C – MIA): $3,900 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel
