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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (4/18/18): NBA DFS Lineups

The playoffs continue and will feature three solid games on Wednesday night. With so many high-cost options available, you may have to depend on guys who aren't going to hit value, but will get you just enough to make a difference. The Indiana/Cleveland game will feature the fastest pace, followed by Houston/Minnesota and then OKC/Utah.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/18/18. 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 read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. Let me know how I did by giving me a shout on Twitter @Den_Clausen. Good luck!

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DraftKings DFS Guards

James Harden - PG/SG, vs. MIN ($11,200)

Harden played freakishly well against Minnesota on Sunday, scoring 44 points over 40 minutes of play. He seemingly toyed with the Wolves all game long, Euro Stepping and Step Backing all over the place with little effort. Game 1 wasn't an isolated incident either as the MVP front-runner has had their number all season. Expect nothing to change in Game 2.

Russell Westbrook - PG, vs. UTA ($10,800)

Westbrook is another obvious choice for DFS lineups on Wednesday as he played astoundingly against the defensively-sound Jazz in Game 1. He has played well against Utah at home this season, averaging 29 points, 11 boards and 10.5 assists at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Those numbers diminish significantly playing on the road in Utah, but we can worry about that in a few days.

Eric Gordon - PG/SG, vs. MIN ($4,700)

With Gordon, I am choosing to look at the bigger picture here. Game 1 was a mess for him, finishing with only seven points. However, he did take an abundance of shots and also played 30 minutes, which is a lot for anyone to play off the bench in the Playoffs. He is too good of a shooter to go only 3-for-10 from the field and 1-for-7 from deep, so if you are willing to take a risk, which is something we have to do in these big-time tournaments, it could pay off.

Derrick Rose - PG, @ HOU ($3,600)

Rose will likely be a popular DFS play as a result of his sturdy play in Game 1. Rose came off the bench and played 24 minutes on Sunday, finishing the night with 24 fantasy points, which was just under eight times his value. You can also choose to fade him out of your lineup altogether if you are looking to get a leg up on those who are hoping for a repeat performance in Game 2. In the case, if you have a few extra bucks to spare, you can throw in Jamal Crawford instead.

Other DraftKings DFS Guards to Consider: Jamal Crawford, Alex Abrines, Victor Oladipo, Donovan Mitchell (if he plays), J.R. Smith

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

LeBron James - SF/PF, vs. IND ($11,500)

James also had a stellar Game 1 performance, scoring 24 points on 7-for-17 shooting from the field in addition to 12 assists and 10 rebounds. He has played well against the Pacers all season, averaging 28.8 points, 10.5 assists and 8.5 rebounds over four meetings with the club throughout the year. With the lack of offensive options on the Cavs' roster, the King is a sure bet to amass a serious amount of fantasy points. However, you will likely get similar production from either Westbrook or Harden, and you will save some money to boot.

Paul George - SF/PF, vs. UTA ($8,300)

George didn't see too much of a price hike despite playing well on Sunday. We tend to forget how talented George can actually be, and though he isn't going to get you LeBron-like numbers on a consistent basis, he can get you something close to it and at a reduced price. Priced at only $8,300, he will only need 41.5 fantasy points to hit value, something that will likely happen in Game 2.

Carmelo Anthony - SF/PF, vs. UTA ($5,400)

Melo is another guy who received only a minimal price increase for Game 2. Priced at only $5,300 on Sunday, Anthony accumulated 36.3 fantasy points in Game 1. He's not consistent by any means and is a risky play, but at only $5,400, it is a risk worth taking.

Other DraftKings DFS Forwards to Consider: Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr., Bojan Bogdanovic, Jae Crowder, Corey Brewer, P.J. Tucker (if Ryan Anderson sits), Taj Gibson

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Karl-Anthony Towns - C, @ HOU ($8,900)

Towns had a very disappointing performance in Game 1. Despite matching up favorably against Houston during the regular season, Towns disappeared, scoring only eight points off of nine shots. He did grab 12 boards, but to say he played like garbage is an understatement. Coach Thibs was not too pleased either after this disastrous performance and as a result, look for Towns to come out hot in Game 2.

Other DraftKings DFS Centers to Consider: Clint Capela

 




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Jrue Holiday

Wants to Stay in Portland
Ayo Dosunmu

Timberwolves Hope to Bring Back Ayo Dosunmu
Dylan Harper

Considered Questionable for Friday Night
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Game 3
Jalen Williams

Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Alex Tuch

Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Sidney Crosby

Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Troy Terry

Could Miss Start of Next Season Due to Hip Surgery
Arber Xhekaj

Scratched for Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
Jakub Dobes

Seeks More Success Against Hurricanes
Frederik Andersen

Looks to Stay Undefeated Thursday
Calvin Ridley

Not Taking Part in OTAs as Value Continues to Plummet
Carnell Tate

Receiving Early Buzz at OTAs
Ashton Jeanty

Bigger Role Could be Coming for Ashton Jeanty in Year 2
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Malik Nabers

' Goal is to be Ready for Start of the Season
De'Von Achane

Dealing With Injury at OTAs?
Dalton Kincaid

Says he Feels "Really Good"
Keenan Allen

Door isn't Closed for Keenan Allen in Los Angeles
Ty Simpson

Does Ty Simpson Have First-Round Appeal in Rookie Drafts?
Fernando Mendoza

Working Behind Other QBs
Cam Ward

is "Perfectly Healthy"
James Cook III

Absent From OTA Practices This Week
Darnell Washington

Is it Time to Drop Darnell Washington in Dynasty Leagues?
Fernando Mendoza

a Top Dynasty Target Even if He Doesn't Start Week 1?
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty Outlook Dependent on Landing Spot
Mack Hollins

Should Managers Trade for Mack Hollins Amid Roster Questions?
Michael Wilson

a Prime Dynasty Sell Candidate
Jake Ferguson

Insurance Upside Makes Him a Borderline TE1 in Dynasty
Brock Bowers

One of the Most Valuable Assets in Dynasty
Devin Vassell

Contributes 22 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mike Gesicki

Still Provides Some Dynasty Insurance as His Standalone Value Fades
Stephon Castle

Tallies Team-High 25 Points in Game 2 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Records Eighth Postseason Double-Double
Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith Arrested for Speeding and Reckless Driving
Isaiah Hartenstein

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Dylan Harper

Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
Jalen Williams

Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Valeri Nichushkin

Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Nathan MacKinnon

Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Brett Howden

Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Tomas Hertl

Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Carter Hart

Records Third Consecutive Win
Timothy Liljegren

Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF