Fantasy

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: April 22

FantasyPros breaks down the top DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy players for the 3-game Playoff slate on Monday.

Joel Bartilotta, FantasyPros

April 22, 2024 5:03 PM

New York’s Josh Hart is averaging 38 DraftKings fantasy points per game since entering the starting lineup on Jan. 27.

After a wonderful weekend of basketball, we’re back with more playoff action here. There’s nothing quite like seeing these teams play at these levels, with the Pelicans-Thunder nightcap being the game of the weekend last night. The games only get better every time out because there’s more at stake the deeper we get into these series. With that in mind, let’s dive into this Monday card!

Core Plays

Jamal Murray (PG – DEN): $7,800 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel

Many people don’t realize it, but Murray has been one of the best postseason players of this generation. The Nuggets point guard is averaging 24.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in his 54 playoff games. Those numbers have been even better over recent years, with Murray averaging 58 DraftKings points per game against the Lakers in last year’s playoffs! He scored 50 DK points in Game 1 and didn’t even shoot well, so look for that fantastic playoff form to continue.

Josh Hart (SF/PF – NYK): $6,900 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel

There aren’t many players as reliable as Hart right now. This guy has been playing over 40 minutes a game for the last month, averaging 38 DK points per game across 40 minutes a night since entering the starting lineup on January 27. That’s an absurd average from such an affordable player, and we love that he had 46 fantasy points across 42 minutes in Game 1!

Cash Game Considerations

Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,500 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel

The Joker is about to win his third MVP in four years, averaging 61 DraftKings points per game this season. He’s asked to do even more in the playoffs, dropping 64 DraftKings points in Game 1. There is no better player to record a 30-point triple-double, especially since LA owns a 17th OPRK against opposing centers.

Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $10,500 DraftKings, $11,500 FanDuel

Embiid was the favorite for MVP before getting injured, averaging over 62 DraftKings points per game. That’s second to only Luka Doncic, with Embiid posting an even higher average just before his injury. We haven’t seen him return to that yet, but we’re encouraged that he has at least 52 fantasy points in four straight outings while showcasing a 74-point upside.

GPP Targets

Jonathan Isaac (SF/PF – ORL): $4,500 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel

Isaac has been limited all season, but Orlando was saving the forward for these postseason games. They inserted Isaac into the starting lineup in Game 1, dropping 31 DK points across 29 minutes. He did something similar in the finale, two of his best games of the season. If this defensive stud will play over 25 minutes, he needs to be above $6K on both sites!

Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $4,200 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel

Robinson was the starting center before breaking his foot earlier in the year, and it looks like he can reclaim this role when he’s hot. That was certainly the case in Game 1, with Robinson collecting 34 DK points across 30 minutes. This guy can average 40 fantasy points per game in a 30-minute role, making him a heck of a value because NY needs him to guard Joel Embiid.

Value Plays

OG Anunoby (SF/PF – NYK): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel

It’s hard to believe that we’re getting a player this talented in a 40-minute role in this price range. Anunoby hasn’t had many huge fantasy games since joining NY, but he’s still averaging over 27 DraftKings points per game this season. That’s all you can ask for from a player in this price range, especially since he’s locked into a 40-minute role as the Knicks defensive stopper.

Wendell Carter Jr. (C – ORL): $4,400 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel

I was shocked to see WCJ sitting at just $4,400. This guy has been hovering around $6K for most of his career, and he has the ability to return to that player on any given night. He only played 15 minutes in Game 1, but that will likely be an outlier since Cleveland has so many big men who need to be covered. That should force Carter into at least 25 minutes, making him a heck of a bargain behind his 25-point average.

Advantageous Pricing