NBA DFS Value & Advice: Suns Offer High-Priced Contrarian Plays (April 6)

The NBA DFS slate for Thursday features five games for daily fantasy players to craft their optimal lineups. We will monitor injuries and exciting matchups that could lead to high-scoring contests, as well as assess each game to uncover possible NBA DFS value picks.

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NBA DFS Value and Advice | April 6

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic

The Cleveland Cavaliers offer a lot of NBA DFS value options. With no player costing more than $3,800 on DraftKings, it is likely that the starting lineup will determine who to prioritize. Ricky Rubio and Cedi Osman are expected to be top plays, but there will be plenty of other value options to consider as well. On the other hand, the Orlando Magic face a skeleton squad and look better than usual. Players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. are all strong tournament plays. However, Banchero is likely to be the most popular of the group.

Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers

In this matchup, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are all secondary plays. They are expected to play big minutes, and they are reasonably priced. However, no other player from Miami looks appealing. The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, are a big question mark, as they are locked into the third seed in the East. Joel Embiid and James Harden are not currently on the injury report, but Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton and P.J. Tucker are questionable. Embiid and Harden are somewhat risky, assuming they play, since there is some chance that the 76ers limit their minutes. Without hearing otherwise, it is safe to assume that they will still get low- to mid-30s minutes. However, Tobias Harris will look better if Maxey sits. Jalen McDaniels or Georges Niang could end up offering NBA DFS value if more than one of the questionable players are out.

Update: Bam Adebayo (quad) is now listed probable for Thursday.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs

In this game, the Portland Trail Blazers are without Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Justise Winslow, Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Jerami Grant and Keon Johnson, while Matisse Thybulle is doubtful. Shaedon Sharpe, Trendon Watford and Cam Reddish are questionable. If the questionable players play, Sharpe, Drew Eubanks and Skylar Mays will look like the most appealing options. However, if the questionable players sit, there are more minutes available for additional players like Kevin Knox. Sharpe’s status is important because he is so involved in the offense. His absence will open up increased production for Mays and Shaq Harrison in addition to increased playing time. On the other side, Keldon Johnson and Romeo Langford are questionable. Zach Collins is probable after missing the last game. Johnson, Collins and Tre Jones are all strong plays if Johnson is in, and Malaki Branham will be a decent contrarian play as well. If Johnson sits, Keita Bates-Diop, Collins, Jones and Branham will all look better.

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz

Oklahoma City is the only team on the slate that is playing a game that truly matters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best pay-up options, and he’s in a good matchup against the Utah Jazz. Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams are solid plays as well. Talen Horton-Tucker is likely to be one of the most popular plays on the slate, with Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton sidelined. Luka Samanic offers some value if he remains in the starting lineup, and Kelly Olynyk and Kris Dunn have relatively high ceilings for their prices. Don’t completely overlook the combination of Udoka Azubuike and Damian Jones, as they combined for 48 minutes in regulation last game and neither one is projected for any ownership.

Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are questionable for Denver in a meaningless game. If they play, they are high-upside options that carry plenty of risk since there is a real chance that of them playing shortened rotations. If Jokic sits, Jeff Green will get more playing time at an inexpensive salary. Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon will project better as well. If Murray is out, Bruce Brown will start and play more minutes. There are no priorities from the Suns, but Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton make for good contrarian plays on a slate where there is plenty of NBA DFS value but not a ton in the way of pay-up options. The Suns have nothing to play for, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them continue to play relatively normal rotations as they try to get everyone in sync for the postseason after Durant’s 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].