RADIO
The NBA season is winding down, but there's still a few more days left before playoff basketball is here.
We've got just three games in the Association on Thursday and teams like the Lakers and Cavaliers as part of that three game schedule, but that doesn't mean there's not some good value to find for all of y'all DFS degenerates who are still out there.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/4/19. 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 and availability prior to opening tip.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Alex Caruso - PG/SG vs GSW ($4,700)
Caruso slumped for a little bit, but consecutive strong outings mixed with the disaster that is the Lakers mean he should play a sizable role on Thursday against the Warriors.
Over the last two games (#SmallSampleSizeAlert), Caruso has averaged 19 points, 6.5 assists, and three steals. He's finished with double-digits in scoring in eight of the 14 games since March 6th, when he started playing heavy minutes for this Lakers team. Caruso might not be an exciting prospect in real life at this stage, but he's a guy who can put up solid numbers when called on and represents a good value for DFS players.
Buddy Hield - SG/SF, vs CLE ($6,900)
Hield's breakout season continues to roll along, and the third-year guard has hit the 20-point mark in four straight games for the Kings. As has been the case all year, Hield's success is fueled by his three-point shooting. Over the past 18 games, Hield has taken fewer than eight threes just twice, and in that span he's making 3.4 threes per game on 37.6 percent shooting from deep. The percentage could be better, but volume has been the king for Hield.
Hield's also shot an otherworldly 96.6 percent from the free throw line over the past 18 games while adding 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, along with 1.1 steals. Those other numbers aren't the most impressive, but they're an added bonus for DFS players who trust the shooting touch of Hield.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Giannis Antetokounmpo - SF/PF, @ PHI ($11,000)
Yeah, Giannis is an obvious choice here and yeah, he's an extremely expensive choice, but he's also set to have a huge night against the Sixers and you could build a very strong lineup with Giannis plus some value plays.
In two games against Philadelphia, Antetokounmpo is averaging 42 points per game along with 17 rebounds and 8.5 assists. Those numbers are wild, and even with Joel Embiid returning from a three-game absence, we're likely to see another wild night from the Greek Freak. The only thing that could stop him would be a huge lead going into the fourth quarter, but while the Sixers have struggled without Embiid, his return should buoy the team and give us a close match between two of the East's top teams.
Nemanja Bjelica - PF, vs CLE ($4,300)
I'm a little surprised how cheap Bjelica is. In one of my season-long leagues, I've currently got him in my lineup for the championship week because he's a solid contributor for the Kings, and Thursday he gets a pretty good spot against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Two straight games of 10 points or more, and Bjelica should also be good to give you five or six boards to go along with efficient shooting numbers. He's not super exciting and his ceiling isn't high, but he's a good floor play who can help round out a lineup.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Moritz Wagner - PF/C, vs GSW ($4,200)
Another piece in the broken machine that is the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wagner has scored in double-digits in three of the last five games, but he's also a huge risk based on his inability to give you nightly consistency. He could grab seven or eight rebounds; he could also grab one. He could block a pair of shots, or he could fail to record any blocks. He could get hot from three, or he could go 1-for-5 from deep.
But Wagner has actually shot well in his limited action against the Warriors this season, and based on recent games, we know he's got a solid minutes floor here, so I'd expect some solid contributions. The center position isn't great on Thursday beyond Joel Embiid, and while I also like Brook Lopez as an option, I worry Embiid will slow him down too much.
