NBA DFS Value & Advice: Knicks Depth Pieces Good Value (April 5)

On Wednesday’s NBA DFS slate, there are eight games available for daily fantasy players to construct optimal lineups. We’ll keep an eye on injuries and compelling matchups that could result in high-scoring games, and analyze each game to uncover potential NBA DFS value picks.

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NBA DFS Value and Advice | April 5

New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers

The Knicks will be without Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson for this game, while R.J. Barrett is questionable. If Barrett plays, he should play a significant role offensively. However, if he sits, there will be more secure minutes available for Josh Hart, Quentin Grimes and Obi Toppin. Immanuel Quickley can be expected to start in place of Burks and play significant minutes in a favorable matchup.

For the Pacers, Myles Turner is questionable. If he sits, either Isaiah Jackson or Jalen Smith could be reasonable value options, but playing them together is not recommended. T.J. McConnell and Buddy Hield offer potential value off the bench, but their minutes are a concern.

Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons

Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, Nicolas Claxton and James Johnson are all good tournament plays for the Nets, but none stand out as top priorities. We need an injury report for the Pistons to identify value options. Last game, Jalen Duren started alongside James Wiseman in Marvin Bagley’s absence, and they played a combined 66 minutes instead of their usual 48. Killian Hayes is still underpriced at $5,800 coming off a 42-minute performance.

Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics

Neither team has any priorities for this game. Any of the Raptors starters are fine in tournaments based on playing time, but nothing stands out. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart are questionable for Boston. Jaylen Brown is not on the injury report after sitting out last night. If Tatum sits, Brown will look very good. It will also benefit Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Smart (if he is in). Smart’s absence will open more minutes for White and Brogdon.

Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks

We need an injury report for both teams. Assuming all of Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis are out, Delon Wright and Brandon Goodwin will be strong options. Wright missed yesterday’s game, but if he is out, we can also go back to Kendrick Nunn. Johnny Davis will also look better the more guards that are out. Deni Avdija also missed yesterday’s game, which opened the door for Anthony Gill to start and play 21 minutes. Xavier Cooks got extended run off the bench and is an interesting tournament flier. Jay Huff split center minutes with Daniel Gafford last night and is an intriguing value option at $3,200 on DraftKings.

Update: Delon Wright, Monte Morris, Kristaps Porzingis ruled out.

Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter were out for Atlanta last night. If they are out again, Cam Reddish and Bogdan Bogdanovic are likely to start (assuming Bogdanovic plays the back-to-back) and will both be strong values. Dejounte Murray will also look better if Young is out. Young himself will look very good at $8,700.

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks

For the Bulls, any of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are good tournament plays. None stands out as a top priority on the slate. We need to wait and see if the Bucks are going to rest anyone. If they do not, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only piece worth interest. If Antetokounmpo rests, Bobby Portis likely will start and become a strong play. It will also bump up Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. If Holiday sits alongside Antetokounmpo, Middleton will become a clear priority, even at an elevated price tag.

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Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans

Assuming the Grizzlies’ normal players play, there are not any priorities. We once again saw extended minutes for Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, however, so there is still some GPP upside. Brandon Ingram continues to play huge minutes and be heavily involved for the Pelicans. He is expensive, but it’s warranted. C.J. McCollum is a strong tournament play as well.

Update: Ja Morant is doubtful.

Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks

There are no top options from the Kings, but De’Aaron Fox is the most appealing play. Domantas Sabonis is always good if he fits. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are probable for the Mavericks. They are strong tournament plays at relatively low ownership in a must-win game against a team that cannot play defense. There is nothing else to see from Dallas.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

This should be an entertaining game with big playoff implications. It is tough to find much NBA DFS value, though, unless one or both of LeBron James and Anthony Davis sit after playing overtime last night. The Clippers are mostly healthy (other than Paul George), and prices have increased in his absence.

Author

Adam Scherer

Adam "ShipMyMoney" Scherer has been playing and analyzing DFS full-time since quitting law school in 2016. He has qualified for the 2016 FanDuel MLB Playboy Championship, the 2016 DraftKings Fantasy Baseball World Championship (3x) and the 2019 DraftKings Fantasy Basketball World Championship. You can find him on Twitter at @ShipMyMoneyDFS or by emailing [email protected].