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)
We're already off to a wild start for this slate. The Grizzlies decided they would rest most of their starters on Saturday, and that's not only chaos that will ensue. The Nets, Sixers, and Wizards are all playing the second half of a back-to-back set, while the Warriors and Thunder are playing a frontend. You'd think we have a ton of games with that being the case, but we only have six games making up the main slate. I'm actually a huge fan of our picks, so let's go ahead and get into it!
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Opponent - UTA
Proj Pts FD - 38.86 DK - 40.1
The Sixers have been trying to cope without James Harden, but it's leaving Maxey with a ton of responsibility. The 22-year-old guard has seen his usage spike with Harden out, playing 38 minutes a night this year while taking on primary ball-handling duties. That's led to the best stretch of his career, scoring at least 28 DraftKings points in eight straight games. He's also maintaining a 38-point average in that span, taking over 20 shots a night! That's scary since his role could expand even more here, with De'Anthoy Melton sidelined and Joel Embiid possibly sitting in the second half of a B2B set. If both of those guys are out, Maxey needs to be used in every lineup. Not to mention, Utah owns a 25th OPRK against opposing point guards.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 32.95 DK - 33.68
Jones will be used in everyone's lineup, but that's chalk you need to swallow. Memphis already ruled out Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr for this game, leaving Jones as the primary playmaker. In his one start for Ja earlier this season, Jones dropped a season-high 46 DraftKings points. That's far from surprising when you see that Tyus averaged 31 DraftKings points per game in 23 outings as a starter last year. Those are numbers you usually see from a $6K player, making Jones the best per-dollar play of the day in this $4K price range. We also don't mind that he faces a 20th-ranked Washington defense.
Stephen Curry (FD $10400 DK $10200) has scored at least 45 fantasy points in every game this season, collecting 47 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists against these Kings less than a week ago.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 30.99 DK - 31.93
With Morant, Bane and Jackson all missing this game, Brooks might take every shot for Memphis. He was already trying to do that when this roster was at full health, but he could be looking at 25 shots with those three studs out of the lineup. Dating back to last season, DB had a 37 percent usage rate with those guys off the floor while averaging 1.2 DK points per minute. That makes it hard to believe that Brooks remains in this $5,000 price range, especially since he's flirting with a 30-point average across his last eight games. If he plays the 35 minutes and takes the 20-25 shots we anticipate, DB should be $2,000 more on both sites.
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 28.54 DK - 30.55
This is risky with how Klay is playing right now, but it's just a matter of time before this All-Star returns to form. What has us encouraged is his role, averaging 32.2 minutes and 17.8 shots across his last eight games. This guy was an $8K player in that role in the past, and it's wild to see him hover around $5K on both sites. He's also showing flashes of getting out of his slump, scoring at least 29 fantasy points in three of his last four games. That alone would be good from such an affordable player, and we haven't even discussed this magical matchup. The Kings sit 27th in defensive efficiency this year, with Klay scoring at least 29 DK points in each of his last eight meetings with Sactown.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (FD $10100 DK $11200) has been a Top-5 player in fantasy this year and is one of the best plays on every slate.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 56.76 DK - 56.9
We're going to find numerous cheap players with Memphis and Philly resting players, so getting a stud like Durant into your build is critical. This guy has been carrying the load for Brooklyn in the absence of Kyrie Irving, scoring at least 42 DraftKings points in every game this year. He's also posting a 52-point average, which is no surprise since he's playing nearly 40 minutes a night. KD is also flirting with a 35 percent usage rate while taking 20-25 shots a night, and that sort of role is incredible from one of the most talented basketball players ever. Facing the Lakers is lovely, too, with LA ranked 21st in defensive efficiency ratings.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 26.09 DK - 26.25
With so much usage out of the Memphis lineup, we'll find some immense value. Jones and Brooks are the obvious plays, but Konchar is one of the sneakiest options on this team. This versatile forward has always played well when given the opportunity, scoring at least 33 fantasy points in his first two starts this year. Both of those were without Brooks, but it becomes less surprising when you see that Konchar compiled a 32-point average across 31 minutes a night in his seven starts last year. He also averaged nearly 10 rebounds a game, and that sort of stat-stuffing makes him a reliable option in this price range.
Tobias Harris (FD $7800 DK $7300) is doing much more in the absence of Harden, scoring at least 28 DK points in eight straight games.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 34.58 DK - 33.49
We genuinely believe Mobley will be an All-Star player in the near future, and this pricing doesn't vindicate those notions. This youngster was slow to get going this year, but he's averaging 34 fantasy points per game across his last nine outings. Mobley is also coming off a season-high 46 DK points in his most recent game, and there should be more of those in the future. That upside is tough to find from a $6K player, and this matchup with Minnesota isn't too bad, either. The Timberwolves rank 22nd in total defense this year and send out one of the biggest frontcourts in the NBA. That should force Mobley into a monster role, and we truly believe he'll feast in a matchup with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 27.54 DK - 27.09
Let's cap off our Memphis stack with Aldama. This Spanish big man has been starting for JJJ all year, averaging 23 DK points per game across 27 minutes a night. Those totals are already great from a $5K player, and we have to assume his role will skyrocket with Morant, JJJ, and Bane all expected to miss this game. Aldama appears to be getting better by the day, too, scoring at least 26 DK points in four of his last six games. This team has about 60 points, 20 rebounds, 15 assists, and 80 minutes that need to be made up, and all four of these guys should get plenty of opportunity to do just that.
Michael Porter Jr. (FD $5900 DK $5800) is too good to sit below $6K. He's still averaging 30 fantasy points per game and has been an $8K player in the past.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 59.07 DK - 61.29
We've saved a ton of salary with all of these Grizzlies, so let's get the most reliable option in fantasy into our lineup. Dating back to 2020, Jokic has scored at least 39 DraftKings points in all but a handful of games. That floor is fantastic, with Jokic averaging over 60 fantasy points per game in that span. His averages are slightly down this season, but that's mainly because he can't stay out of foul trouble. We're not really worried about that with how much Nikola Vucevic plays outside of the paint. The Joker has played Chicago five times over the last four years, scoring at least 61 DK points in four of them while averaging 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists per game.
Opponent - LAL
Proj Pts FD - 32.03 DK - 30.31
The Nets are having a resurgence in the absence of Kyrie, and it feels like Claxton is a significant reason why. This center has been holding down the paint for Brooklyn, scoring at least 37 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. Clax is also providing a 38-point average in that span, seeing his scoring and minutes skyrocket in that stretch. That's all you can ask for from a $6K player, and he should continue that success against the Lakers. Not only does LA rank 21st in total defense, but they're also surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Joel Embiid (FD $10200 DK $11100) might sit in the second half of a B2B, but he's obviously a great play if he suits up.
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