Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: April 19

FantasyPros breaks down the top DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy players for the Play-In Tournament games on Friday.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

Updated on April 19, 2024 5:15 PM

Miami’s Tyler Herro has scored at least 37 DraftKings fantasy points in four of his last five games.

This is one of the best slates of the season. We rarely have two elimination games on the docket, but that’s what we have here! These are also challenging games to get a read on because these teams are so evenly matched. We have a ton to discuss, so let’s go ahead and get into it!

Core Plays

Tyler Herro (PG/SG – MIA): $7,900 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel

Miami has suffered more injuries than almost any other team, and it looks like they’ll be without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier here. That leaves Herro as the only ball-handler left, guaranteeing him 20-25 shots, 40 minutes, and a 30 percent usage rate. We love that when looking at his recent form, scoring at least 37 DraftKings points in four of his last five fixtures. He also scored at least 36 fantasy points in three of four matchups with Chicago last season!

CJ McCollum (PG/SG – NOP): $8,100 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel

With Zion out and Ingram nicked up, McCollum will have to do everything for the Pelicans. That’s what we saw late in the season, with CJ scoring at least 36 DraftKings points in his final 13 regular season games. He also had a 44-point average in that expanded role and could play 40-45 minutes in this elimination game. He’s also crushed the Kings, scoring 51 and 55 DK points in their last two matchups!

Cash Game Considerations

Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – SAC): $9,500 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel

Sabonis has been one of the most reliable options in fantasy, recording a double-double in all but five games this year. That led to Domas scoring at least 31 DK points in all but two outings, averaging nearly 55 fantasy points per game over the final three months of 2023-24. Four of those came against the Pelicans, and he should be in line for another in this elimination game.

DeMar DeRozan (SF/PF – CHI): $8,400 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel

DeRozan is one of the most reliable veterans in the NBA, and it’s not being discussed just how ridiculous he’s been over the final months of 2023-24. The All-Star has scored at least 38 DraftKings points in 12 straight outings, posting a 48-point average in that span. Chicago needs him to do that with LaVine and Ball sidelined, and we love that DeRozan dropped 47 DK points in his most recent matchup with Miami.

GPP Targets

Keon Ellis (SG – SAC): $5,000 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel

Ellis was the player of the game in the first Play-In game, collecting 15 points, four rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks en route to 40 DK points. That defense is what’s made him such a solid GPP option in the final month, scoring at least 27 DK points in four of his last five fixtures. As long as Monk and Huerter are out, Ellis should be locked into 30-35 minutes.

Delon Wright (PG/SG – MIA): $3,800 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel

When given an opportunity, Wright has always been an elite fantasy option, and it looks like Miami will need him to step up here. With Rozier and Butler out, Wright should play at least 25 minutes. In the nine games that Wright has played at least 22 minutes, he’s averaging 28 DK points per game. He was even better than that as a starter in the past, making him an elite GPP option at this dirt-cheap price.

Value Plays

Trey Murphy (SF/PF – NOP): $6,300 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel

This sharpshooter has taken his game to another level this season. Murph scored at least 29 DK points in 11 of his final 12 starts over the final month, filling in for Ingram. We expect the same thing to happen here with Zion out, with Trey totaling a 36-point average in that expanded role. Squaring off with Sacramento is sensational, too, with the Kings ranked 19th in total defense during the regular season. In his last start against them, Murphy had 42 fantasy points!

Javonte Green (PG/SG – CHI): $5,300 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel

Green has done an excellent job filling the void off the bench. Green has scored at least 24 DraftKings points in seven consecutive games, posting a 34-point average across 29 minutes a night. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, making him an excellent pairing with some of the studs mentioned above.

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