NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: April 7
Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis continues to be 1 of the most reliable players in Fantasy.
Injury Report
(As of 11:30 a.m. ET)
- Bojan Bogdanovic (Achilles) OUT
- Marvin Bagley (concussion) OUT
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT
- Tyrese Haliburton (tanking) OUT
- Myles Turner (tanking) OUT
- Bam Adebayo (quad) Questionable
- Kyle Kuzma (tanking) OUT
- Bradley Beal (tanking) OUT
- Kristaps Porzingis (tanking) OUT
- Deni Avdija (tanking) OUT
- Delon Wright (tanking) OUT
- Monte Morris (tanking) OUT
- LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
- Gordon Hayward (tanking) OUT
- Kelly Oubre (tanking) OUT
- Terry Rozier (tanking) OUT
- PJ Washington (tanking) OUT
- De’Anthony Melton (calf) Questionable
- Tyrese Maxey (neck) OUT
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) Questionable
- Dorian Finney-Smith (wrist) Questionable
- Julius Randle (ankle) OUT
- RJ Barrett (illness) Questionable
- Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT
- Steven Adams (knee) OUT
- Brandon Clarke (Achilles) OUT
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) Questionable
- Lonzo Ball (knee) OUT
- Andrew Wiggins (personal) OUT
- Klay Thompson (back) Questionable
- Jrue Holiday (resting) OUT
- Brook Lopez (resting) OUT
- Markelle Fultz (rest) OUT
- Wendell Carter (rest) OUT
- Franz Wagner (rest) OUT
Core Plays
Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – SAC): $10,300 DraftKings, $10,100 FanDuel
Domas has been one of the most reliable players in fantasy. The big man has scored at least 41 DraftKings in all but three games over the last three months. He’s also flirting with a triple-double in that span, and you know he’ll be hungry against a 23rd-ranked Warriors defense. Sabonis has scored at least 46 DK points in all three of their matchups this year, collecting 26 points, 22 rebounds, and eight assists in their most recent matchup.
Alperen Sengun (C – HOU): $7,700 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
The Turkish big man has had a breakout season in Houston, and this team is finally giving him more responsibility. That’s allowed Alp to score at least 41 DK points in four straight fixtures, scoring 55 and 52 DK points in his two most recent outings. That makes him tough to fade against one of the worst defenses in the NBA, especially since Charlotte surrenders the most fantasy points to opposing centers. When he played them back in January, Sengun scored 54 fantasy points!
Tobias Harris (SF/PF – PHI): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
With Embiid and Maxey resting here, Harris should be one of the focal points of this Philly offense. He flirted with a triple-double the last time the big man was out and would probably be an $8K player if the sites knew Embiid was sitting. Atlanta is an amazing matchup too, allowing the most fantasy points to opposing forwards this year.
Cash Game Considerations
Luka Doncic (PG – DAL): $12,400 DraftKings, $11,800 FanDuel
The Mavericks are playing a de facto playoff game here, and you know they’ll lean on their superstar in this spot. Luka is already leading the league in usage and also leads the NBA with 61 DraftKings points per game. That’s a terrifying thought because he could play 45 minutes and take 25 shots in this must-win game. Not to mention, Doncic had 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists in his last matchup with the Bulls.
Kevin Porter Jr. (PG – HOU): $7,900 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel
KPJ has had some off-court issues throughout his career, but this guy has quietly had a monster 2022 season. He’s been particularly good recently, scoring at least 35 DK points in 11 of his last 13 games. Porter is also providing a 40-point average in that span and should slice through this crappy Charlotte defense. The Hornets rank 23rd in points allowed and are missing every starter from their rotation.
Theo Maledon (PG – CHA): $7,000 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel
We just talked about how Charlotte is sitting their whole starting lineup, and it’s allowed Maledon to take over this offense. He’s been the primary ball-handler since this club started tanking, scoring at least 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. That’s absurd from a player in this price range, and he’s impossible to avoid with every Hornets player missing. Not to mention, Houston allows the most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
GPP Targets
Draymond Green (PF/C – SAC): $7,100 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
Green has quietly been going off in the second half of the season, and it’s strange he hasn’t seen the price bump he deserves. The former All-Star has scored at least 26 DraftKings points in 15 straight games, generating a 33-point average in that span. Those totals should be easy to reach against Sacramento, ranked 28th in points allowed. In their two most recent matchups, Green is flirting with triple-double averages!
Johnny Davis (PG/SG – WAS): $5,800 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Davis has always been a highly touted prospect, but he’s finally getting the chance to show us why he’s so good with everyone sitting. That’s earned Davis a start in three straight games, scoring at least 40 fantasy points in the two most recent fixtures. This guy is guaranteed 35-40 minutes and 15-20 shots in this expanded role, and he should never be this cheap with so many Wizards missing.
Isaiah Jackson (C – IND): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
It can be frustrating to predict I-Jax role, but he’s a beast whenever given a full allotment of minutes. That’s way more likely since Turner and Haliburton are both out, guaranteeing Jackson at least 20 minutes. That’s all he needs to be successful, averaging nearly 40 DK points per game when he plays at least 23 minutes. The matchup with Detroit couldn’t be better, with the Pistons ranked 27th in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency. That was on full display when Jackson dropped 44 DK points against them earlier in the year.
Value Plays
Mark Williams (C – CHA): $5,900 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
The Hornets have been rotating their centers, but Williams has been a monster when he’s the starter. That’s expected to happen here after sitting on Tuesday, with Williams averaging 29 DK points per game as a starter this year. That even includes a few duds, scoring at least 28 DK points in 10 of his 16 starts. Houston is a horrid defense, too, ranked 28th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
Jalen Duren (PF/C – DET): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
This rookie is incredible when he’s given a chance, and that’s happening right now. Bagley and Stewart are both out for the Pistons, allowing Duren to start in a 30-minute role. In the 14 games that JD has played at least 29 minutes, he’s averaging over 37 fantasy points per game. That should be his floor since he’s played 35 minutes in back-to-back games, which is incredible because Indiana owns a 27th OPRK against opposing big men.
Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Mitch-Rob is being asked to do more with Randle out, and it’s led to one of the best stretches of his career. The big man has scored at least 34 DraftKings points in three straight outings, totaling 54 fantasy points in his most recent outing. That’s a terrific total from such a cheap player, but it’s less surprising since this has been one of the best per-minute producers over recent years. New Orleans is not a problematic matchup, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Advantageous Pricing
Isaiah Jackson (C – IND): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $6,600 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Jimmy Butler (SF – MIA): $8,900 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
Gabe Vincent (PG – MIA): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel
Buddy Hield (SG – IND): $4,900 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Jalen Suggs (PG – ORL): $4,100 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Jaylen Brown (SG – BOS): $10,100 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $5,100 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Immanuel Quickley (PG – NYK): $9,000 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
Austin Reaves (SG – LAL): $7,300 DraftKings, $5,800 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.
