Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) passes over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 25, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
If you love watching a lot of basketball, this slate is for you. This is the appetizer for the NCAA tournament, with 12 games making up this massive Wednesday card. If you know me, you know that I kind of hate these slates. There are just too many teams and too many players to pick from. It always leads to some crazy high-scoring in DFS tourneys and it's tough to match up with some of the optimal bots out there. With that said, we feel like we have a great group of 10 players to choose from, so let's get started with some ball-handlers.
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Opponent - POR
Proj Pts FD - 28.86 DK - 29.26
Burks isn't necessarily a traditional point guard, but he's been the Knicks primary ball-handler for a month now. The Derrick Rose injury helped to bump his usage, but the Kemba Walker situation gave him all the point guard minutes he can handle. In fact, Burks has played at least 34 minutes in seven of nine starts since recapturing this role, averaging 29 DK points per game across 35 minutes in his 30 starts for the year. That's really all you can hope for from a $6K player, especially with Alec scoring at least 34 fantasy points in four of his last six games. The matchup with Portland is the icing on the cake, though, with the Trail Blazers ranked 26th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 26.26 DK - 25.89
It's hard to understand why Beverley has remained this cheap all season. Injuries have derailed a few games over the last month, but he's been amazing aside from that. Pat-Bev has at least 22 DK points in 27 of the previous 29 games he's finished, generating a 29-point average in that span. That's tough to find from a $5K player, but it's no surprise when you see that he regularly plays 30-35 minutes for a team that plays at the fastest pace in the NBA. That becomes even more attractive in this matchup, with LA ranked 25th in total defense and fifth in pace. In his three meetings with the Lakers this season, Pat is providing 33.3 DraftKings points per game.
Luka Doncic is a lock for 60 DK points if you have the salary to use him.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 38.48 DK - 40.32
Russell is the true point guard in Minnesota, even though Beverley is listed there. We absolutely love that here, with the Lakers surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season. They're actually being lapped by the field in that category, with Russell averaging over 38 fantasy points per game in their two matchups this season. That looks even better with D-Lo's recent form, scoring at least 35 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. All of that makes him a heck of a value at just $7K, and you know all of the attention will be on KAT after his 60-point masterpiece on Monday.
Opponent - MIL
Proj Pts FD - 24.18 DK - 24.85
It's always tough to gauge what the Kings are going to do, but if DiVincenzo keeps starting, we want to ride him at this $4K price tag. He scored 33 DK points across 35 minutes in his first start, and he's shown that sort of ability all season. Donte is averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game in the six outings he's played at least 25 minutes this year. We believe 25 minutes will be his floor since Sacramento acquired this guy, and you know he'll be motivated against his former team. Milwaukee isn't the most challenging matchup either, with the Bucks ranked sixth in pace and 15th in total defense.
Tre Mann is just $5K on both sites and has been fantastic for the last two weeks.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 56.24 DK - 57.17
We've presented you with some value plays to start with, so let's get into the big dogs. LeBron is just that, having one of the best stretches of a hall-of-fame career. James has actually scored at least 38 DraftKings points in all 49 games he's finished this season, generating a 56-point average in those outings. He's been even better recently, averaging over 57 DK points per game since the end of December. That's truly absurd, and it should be easy for him to have another gem against the fastest-paced team in the NBA. In their two matchups this season, LeBron is averaging 48 fantasy points per game!
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 54.22 DK - 55.49
With Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Joe Harris, and Seth Curry all sitting this game, KD could be in for another masterclass performance. That was the roster on Sunday, and Durant took 37 shots across 43 minutes of play. He did severe damage with that ridiculous role, scoring a season-high 78 DraftKings points! We don't necessarily expect him to reach that again, but with that sort of role, KD is looking at a 50-point floor. The matchup with Dallas certainly isn't easy, but it's tough to even think of who's going to cover him on this roster. The answer is no one!
Bruce Brown is just $5,200 on DraftKings and has played at a $7K level for the last three weeks.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 59.91 DK - 61.67
Antetokounmpo is our final top-priced player on this slate. He's got one of the best floors in DFS, scoring at least 31 fantasy points in every game while cracking 38 or more in all but two games. That's an absurd run, with Giannis scoring at least 45 DK points in 16 of his last 18 games. Antetokounmpo is providing a 56-point average in that recent stretch, and we love that he's played at least 35 minutes in three straight outings. If he gets that playing time against this Kings defense, Giannis should feast. We say that because Sacramento sits 29th in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency.
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 30.48 DK - 32.5
Love is risky with his volatile workload, but this dude can go nuts if he's given the playing time. We say that because he's averaging 28 DK points across 22 minutes a night for the season. That's one of the best rates in the NBA, and one would have to believe that minute total will bump up with Jarrett Allen out of the lineup. That hasn't necessarily been the case, but it looks like they're being cautious with the big man. A premier matchup with Philly is the perfect time to unleash him, though, and we genuinely believe he'll play 30 minutes in this highlight game. If you look at the 16 games Love has played over 24 minutes, he's averaging 35 fantasy points per game!
Josh Hart is getting expensive, but he's coming off the two best games of his career as the focal point of Portland's offense.
Opponent - HOU
Proj Pts FD - 38.14 DK - 39.39
DA has been feasting recently, and it's easy to understand why. Chris Paul has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, leaving Ayton with all he can handle. Losing Cameron Johnson has also put more on DA's plate, with Ayton scoring at least 27 DK points in nine of his last 10 games. He's also flirting with a 40-point average in that span, posting some ridiculous per-minute averages. A few blowouts have kept his minutes down, but that really doesn't matter here. We say that because Houston ranks second in pace and dead-last in total defense. That has led to them surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers, and we believe Ayton will feast whether this game is a blowout or not.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 33.36 DK - 34.03
There's a cheat code when using Capela. That cheat code is putting him in your lineup with John Collins is injured. That always guarantees Cap closer to 30 minutes of play, and that's all you need from him to be a monster at $6K. He's averaging 31 DK points per game across 27 minutes a night for the season, scoring at least 30 fantasy points in six of the last seven games. That directly correlates with JC's absence, leaving Capela with more minutes and more rebounds! The best part of this is the matchup with the Hornets, with Charlotte sitting third in pace and 28th in points allowed. In their three matchups this season, CC is averaging 31 DK points per game, despite playing just 27 minutes a night.
There are a million great center options. Some others include Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, Deandre Ayton, Andre Drummond, Mitchell Robinson, and Mason Plumlee.
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