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)
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Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 54.89 DK - 59.43
This is a pretty high leverage game in the standings for the Eastern Conference playoffs and play-in situation. Both of these teams have the exact same record and though the Nets own the season series, they’d like to distance themselves from Atlanta if possible here. It should still be a close one though and we know the Hawks will run Trae huge minutes down the stretch. He’s scored 30 or more points in three of his last five games with 15+ assists in two of those. The Nets’ defense has been suspect at times this season and the pace should be there. This game’s 241 total is 10 points higher than the next closest game on the day.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 51.01 DK - 54.51
It’s probably going to make sense to stack as much of this Brooklyn Nets - Atlanta Hawks game as possible considering the total and the context around each team. The Nets are now going to be without Goran Dragic and Bruce Brown for this one who are both out with illness and Seth Curry remains somewhat limited. That could mean minutes in the 40s for Kyrie who the team will need in every way imaginable. The price on FanDuel is such that I think you are getting him somewhat at a bargain if the scoring upside could really be there in the matchup.
Opponent - CHA
Proj Pts FD - 51.14 DK - 55.81
Looking at the all-day aspect of NBA’s action on Saturday, the 76ers are in a great spot against the Hornets. Charlotte plays the third-fastest pace in the league this season with a defense that’s decidedly below average. That’s a great place to be for opposing offenses and Philly is still fighting for home-court advantage at least through the first round of the playoffs. The 76ers have lost three straight and Doc Rivers started to throw Harden under the bus after last game. We’ll see how the latter responds and has seen a price dip in the short-term thanks to some poor shooting. I think he’s now a decent value, especially on the shorter afternoon slate.
Note: If Harden were to rest the first half of the back-to-back then Tyrese Maxey becomes a must-play.
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 29.07 DK - 31.71
The Jazz have started to push Conley’s minutes a bit higher as it gets later in the season and closer to the playoffs. He’s played 30 or more in three of the last four games averaging 16 points and five assists in that stretch. On a shorter slate of games it’s much easier to stomach these mid-tier price points. Oh, and the Warriors’ defense has been more than a little suspect of late, allowing 120+ points to opponents in three of their last four games. I think we can stack a few Jazz here and then hope the game doesn’t turn into a blowout.
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 54.68 DK - 58.6
The Nets are in such a precarious spot right now with the play-in game looming and the team not really able to get fully assured for the 8th seed. This game is an incredibly important one for them, really like all the rest are down the stretch. They’ve needed everything and more from Durant this season and over the last seven he’s averaged 32.4 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while putting up more than 2.5 defensive stats as well. He’s been every bit the superstar and is holding up his end of the bargain on both ends of the court. I like the floor for him here especially considering that in a close game he’s going to push towards 40 minutes.
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 29.04 DK - 30.3
The Hawks are getting a bit healthier so I don’t think Huerter is a massive favorite to play minutes in the upper-30s, but he should get the start and see enough looks in a game that could be up and down the court throughout. His fantasy production overwhelmingly comes from knocking down threes, so he’s going to have to hit the triples. But that’s built into the price at this point. I like him as a cash game play more than GPP because I’m not sure the ceiling is all that high, but he should be safe enough considering the opponent and the nature of this game.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 21.72 DK - 24.85
Strus got the start in the two last games for the Heat over Duncan Robinson and it looks like he will stick there against the Bulls on Saturday. If that’s the case then he makes for one of the few (for now) cheap plays on the day. Injuries and late-season shenanigans tend to open these kinds of things up, but for now, he’s one of the punts. He’s taken nine threes in each of the last two games, scoring 14 and 8 points respectively. Strus is able to get on the glass and contribute on the defensive end just enough to consider on the cheaper side of things and he does help round out some lineups especially considering there are a few upper-tier plays you will want on Saturday.
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 43.74 DK - 45.61
Robert really is one of the steadiest fantasy performers out there on a game-to-game basis considering the rebounds are a near-constant for this dude and the Jazz will keep him on the floor longer stretches in close games. He’s played 36 or more in each of the last three and put 25 points and 17 rebounds the last time out. The Warriors are just going to trend smaller especially when they play Draymond at the five so this is another prime spot for Gobert to hammer it on the boards. I love the price on both sites, but especially DraftKings with the looming double-double bonus.
Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 32.05 DK - 32.94
The good news is we saw Draymond’s minutes jump up to 31 last game as the Warriors try to hang on to a first-round home playoff scenario in the wake of Stephen Curry’s injury timeline looking a bit fuzzy right now. With more run, Green was solid, posting a balanced line of eight points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five blocks+steals. You’ll take that all day considering the price hasn’t moved all that much on either side. He’s a great value on DraftKings as long as the minutes stay in this range and one would think they will considering where the Warriors are at this point of the season.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 30.75 DK - 32.66
It looks like Toppin will get the start for Julius Randle this game and last time that happened the former ran 23, 40, 26 minutes in a three-game stretch. He’s not the safest play considering the starting gig doesn’t necessarily mean he runs mid-30s minutes, but he’s coming cheap enough to not really worry all that much about it. On the shorter, early slate I think he’s pretty much a must at his price point considering the context and the lack of options. Toppin has double-double upside if things break completely right.
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 24.86 DK - 26.07
The Cavaliers are still without both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, leaving them very thin at the five. Brown has gotten the start in each of the last two games and, from a fantasy perspective, was very good last game putting up 15 points and 13 rebounds in his 26 minutes. He could be in line for similar run in this game against a Knicks team that will try to play bigger across the backline with Toppin and Mitchell Robinson. I like the floor for Brown here, especially on DraftKings where he continues to come too cheap.
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