DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (4/18/23): Today's Top NBA DFS Lineups

April 18, 2023

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on April 18th, 2023. Max Kulish provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! The 1st round is underway, and we've got three more Game 2's tonight. These articles focus on the overall best plays, which are typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/18/23. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.

As always, feel free to follow my Twitter (@Maxadelphia) to keep up-to-date with NBA news and for my nightly NBA bets if you're into that sort of thing. Let's go!

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Donovan Mitchell - PG, CLE vs NYK ($9,200 DK, $10,200 FD)

After putting up one of the best performances across the opening weekend, Mitchell saw his price decrease on both sites, which feels just plain wrong. This game doesn't project very well (implied total of 213.5 at the time of writing), but Mitchell took 30 shots in Game 1, and who needs projections when you take 35% of your team's shots?

Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, BOS vs ATL ($8,500 DK $9,200 FD)

Brown was the Celtics' best player in Game 1 offensively, and while that won't be the case every game, he will always offer a similar upside to Jayson Tatum while providing some salary relief. The Hawks ranked dead last against SFs in the regular season, so Brown should continue to score at a high level.

Quentin Grimes - SG/SF, NYK @ CLE ($4,000 DK, $5,600 FD)

With Josh Hart listed as doubtful, I can only assume his absence would open up more minutes for Grimes, who started and played 27 minutes in Game 1. The Knicks keep a tight rotation, and if they decide to not give anyone else minutes Grimes will have a great opportunity to showcase himself.

Others to consider: Devin Booker ($8,700 DK, $9,700 FD), Derrick White ($5,300 DK, $6,600 FD)

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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Kawhi Leonard - SF/PF, LAC @ PHX ($9,400 DK, $10,300 FD)

Kawhi is guaranteed to see another massive workload tonight with the continued absence of Paul George, who will not be returning in Round 1. At this price, I think Kawhi is the best play on the slate.

John Collins - PF/C, ATL @ MIA ($4,600 DK, $5,500 FD)

Collins didn't do anything special in Game 1, but at his price range, he's a starter in a sea of back-ups. Rotations are tight and value is hard to find in the playoffs, you're not going to find someone under $5,000 who's playing 30 minutes very often.

Eric Gordon - SG/SF, LAC @ PHX ($4,400 DK, $4,600 FD)

Gordon has been the Clipper to fill in for Paul George in the starting 5, and he had a very productive Game 1 against his former team. He ended up with 24.75 DK points in that contest on 50% shooting. Scoring is just about all Gordon is good for, so it's good to see him getting called on early in this series.

Others to consider: Kevin Durant ($9,000 DK, $9,800 FD),  Bogdan Bogdanovic ($4,800 DK, $5,500 FD)

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Julius Randle - PF/C, NYK @ CLE ($8,600 DK, $8,500 FD)

Randle wasn't exactly efficient in the Knicks' Game 1 loss against the Cavs, but he did grab a team-high 10 rebounds and took the second-most shots on the team. If the Knicks are going to steal a second game in Cleveland, Randle will have to score more, and I think the Knicks will look to get him going.

Ivica Zubac - C, LAC @ PHX  ($5,000 DK, $6,100 FD)

Zubac got the start in Game 1 and provided a formidable matchup for Deandre Ayton and the Suns. Zubac was tasked with keeping Ayton off the boards, and he did an admirable job posting 15 rebounds in Game 1. It's a bit ambitious to hope for another 15 boards, but I can see Zubac posting another solid double-double stat line.

Others to consider: Mason Plumlee ($4,000 DK, $4,500 FD)

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis