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The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 3, 2019. Daniel Benjamin provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
Tonight marks the last Friday of the NBA season and there are a plethora of games with 13 contests on the docket. While 13 of the 16 playoff spots have already been accounted for there are still some things left to be decided, mainly in the east. There is a lot of juxtapositioning going on in both conferences
Just three of the 13 games on tap involve both teams currently in the playoff and of those trio of games, only two are interconference matchups -- Celtics at Pacers and Trail Blazers at Nuggets. Both games are important in terms of playoff positioning, although more so in the C's-Pacers game. Boston and Indiana are in a deadlock for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, the Celtics would essentially have a two-game lead over the Pacers if the C's were to win as they would take the series 3-to-1. Denver will likely be the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference as the Nuggets are currently two games behind the first place Warriors and one-and-a-half games in front of the third place Rockets with four games remaining. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers, who are 8-2 in their past 10 contests, are just a half-game in back of the Rockets for the third seed in the west. Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, and Miami are all battling for the last two Eastern Conference playoff spots and all could use a victory to help their cause.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/5/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups too early. Be sure to check all the NBA starting lineups and player statuses.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Rajon Rondo: PG @ LAC ($6,900)
The Lakers and Clippers are among the worst defensive teams in the league and the teams have combined for at least 125 points in each of their three meetings. Plus, opposing point guards have been taking advantage of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lou Williams, and Patrick Beverley's defensive all season long. While the Clippers have been better at containing opposing point guards lately, Chris Paul and James Harden combined for 50 points and 14 assists in the Rockets 135-103 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday.
With the Lakers very shorthanded, Rondo will likely look to carry the team on offense once again. The 33-year-old is coming off a terrible game against the Warriors on Thursday -- compiling just 12 points, four rebounds and two assists along with two steals -- and has struggled shooting the ball lately, making just 35.8 of his field goal percentage and 30 percent from beyond the arc over his last six games. On a positive note, 13th-year pro is averaging 10 points, 9.5 assists, 5.5 caroms, as well as 2.5, steals during this stretch. He has registered at least 10 rebounds and/or assists in four of his last six contests.
Rondo has been fabulous in his two games against the Clippers this year. The Kentucky product has compiled 19 points, 11.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and one steal while shooting 50 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc against the Lakers' fellow Staples Center tenants.
Lou Williams: PG/SG vs. LAL ($6,900)
Williams has seen his minutes limited the last three games (23 minutes a game) as the Clippers have been involved in blowouts in each of the contests. Still, the 31-year has compiled 49 points and doled out 15 assists during these three outings. He has scored in double-figures in each of his last 44 appearances overall. Williams could be in line for an increase of playing time against the Lakers as Beverley (hip) is a game-time decision.
As good as Rondo has been against the Clippers, Williams has been even better against the Lakers. The 14th-year pro is averaging 27 points, 4.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor in three games against them.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Justin Jackson: SG/SF vs. MEM ($4,300)
The second-year pro is a value play here and he could pay big dividends if he knocks down his shots. Jackson has seen 30 or more minutes and attempted at least 10 shots from the field in five of his last eight appearances, scoring 14 or more points four times during this stretch. As a result of his recent production and Tim Hardaway's injury, the 23-year-old is expected to continue to see plenty of court time.
Jackson has also grabbed at least three rebounds and doled out two assists in each of his last four contests. Overall, Jackson is averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor over the last 10 games.
Kenneth Faried: PF/C vs. NY ($3,900)
Faried is another value play. The 29-year-old has played in two straight games after missing the previous three games with a knee injury. He has registered a double-double in two of his last three appearances overall, although Faried has been plagued by fouls the last two contests. New York owns one of the worst defensive frontcourts in the league.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Rudy Gobert: C vs. SAC ($8,900)
The 7-foot-1 Frenchman has been dominant the entire season. But he has been even better since the all-star break. Gobert has produced a double-double in eight straight games and has recorded multiple blocked shots in each of his last six appearances. Overall, Gobert is averaging 17.1 points, 13.1 rebounds (four offensive), 1.4 assists along with 2.7 blocks while shooting 71.1 percent from the field.
The sixth-year pro, who has registered at least 44 DK fantasy points in six consecutive games, is averaging 16.7 points along with 15 caroms, two assists and two blocks in three games against Sacramento this year.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Vucevic, Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle, and LaMarcus Aldridge are other top plays. Christian Wood, Steven Adams, Marc Gasol, Draymond Green, and Hassan Whiteside are mid-level players. Luke Kornet and Dragan Bender are cheap plays.
