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We're set for another trio of Game 2 clashes on Wednesday, and the expected absence of one megastar has a domino effect that helps inform several of our recommendations across the salary cap. There are also some favorable matchups for players in other games, leading to what should be a fun night of DFS play whether your preference is cash games or tournaments.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for a DraftKings and FanDuel slate locking at 7:30 pm ET on 4/19/23. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jrue Holiday - PG, MIL vs. MIA ($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD)
Holiday put up a ragged 6-for-18 shooting performance in Game 1, yet still finished with 52.8 DK/50.4 FD points. He now stands a very good chance of taking the floor without Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) for Game 2. Holiday owns a 30.9 percent usage rate without his teammate on the floor, seeing a team-high +5.7% bump in that category under those conditions.
Additionally, it's worth noting Holiday's offensive struggles against Miami were an anomaly for him. He's still shooting 50.8 percent, including 41.2 percent from distance, in five games against the Heat since the start of the season. He is averaging over 40 fantasy points per game on either site.
D'Angelo Russell - PG/SG, LAL at MEM ($5,800 DK $6,700 FD)
Russell's salaries, particularly his DK figure, are extremely low for a player who opened the series with 37 DK/35.3 FD points across 35 minutes. Russell has been a key figure alongside his two star teammates since returning to Los Angeles. He's averaging just under 35 fantasy points per game versus the Grizzlies in four games since the start of the regular season.
There's a 50/50 chance the Grizzlies are forced to operate without Ja Morant (hand) on Wednesday. Memphis already wrapped up the regular season by allowing over 50 fantasy points per game to point guards on either site in the final 15 contests. That was partly the byproduct of the Grizzlies conceding the third-most rebounds (7.3) and second-most made threes (3.8) per contest to the position during that span.
ALSO CONSIDER: Jamal Murray - PG, DEN vs. MIN ($7,600 DK, $8,700 FD); Tyus Jones (*if Morant out) - PG, MEM vs. LAL ($6,700 DK, $7,000 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
LeBron James - SF/PF, LAL at MEM ($9,900 DK, $10,800 FD)
James carries a probable designation he's fully expected to play through, and he got the series off to a strong start with 52.8 DK/51.7 FD points. It was his third straight game over the 50-mark dating back to the regular season. He's averaged 51.5 DK/51.8 FD points overall in two games versus Memphis since the start of the campaign.
The Grizzlies rank No. 17 in offensive efficiency rating allowed to small forwards (22.9). LeBron's expected usage rate and seemingly endless amount of playoff experience certainly gives him an excellent chance of continuing to thrive.
Khris Middleton - SF, MIL vs. MIA ($7,700 DK, $8,200 FD)
Middleton managed to rack up 48.8 DK/44.8 FD points in 33 minutes against the Heat in Game 1. Like Holiday, his outlook is brightened by the prospect of taking the floor without Antetokounmpo (back). Middleton sports a massive 32.1 percent usage rate and averages 48 DK/46.2 FD points per 36 minutes without his teammate on the floor.
Middleton is now shooting a blistering 59.5 percent against Miami in three games since the start of the regular season. Factoring in Game 1, the Heat are allowing an NBA-high 26.6 offensive efficiency rating to small forwards. Miami also conceded the fifth-most DK (46.3) and FD (44.8) points per game to the position in the last 15 games of the regular season, furthering Middleton's case.
Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF, DEN vs. MIN ($6,400 DK, $7,000 FD)
Porter set the right tone in terms of his fantasy prospects in Game 1, going off for 40.3 DK/37.2 FD points across 31 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range. That pushed his average versus the T-Wolves to 30.2 DK points in five games since the start of the regular season, a sample during which he's shooting 50.8 percent overall.
Minnesota is allowing the seventh-highest offensive efficiency rating to small forwards (23.6). Porter is now shooting an outstanding 43.4 percent from behind the arc in an extended stretch of 13 games dating back to March 12.
ALSO CONSIDER: Jaren Jackson Jr. - PF/C, MEM vs. LAL ($9,300 DK, $9,000 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Anthony Davis - C/PF, LAL at MEM ($10,100 DK, $11,900 FD)
Like LeBron, Davis is fully expected to play with his perpetual foot soreness. Despite missing some time with a stinger in Game 1, the versatile big man finished with 61.5 DK/67.9 FD points across 36 minutes. That marked Davis' eighth time over the 50-mark on either site in the last nine games dating back to March 29.
The Grizzlies have conceded over 60 fantasy points per contest on either site to Davis in three games overall since the start of the regular season. Memphis finished the campaign surrendering at least 56 fantasy points per game on either site to centers in the last 15 contests of the campaign.
Bobby Portis - C/PF, MIL vs. MIA ($5,700 DK, $6,300 FD)
Portis is yet another member of the Bucks that's likely due for a big role expansion on Wednesday due to Antetokounmpo's absence. He already recorded 31 DK points/30.6 FD points across 26 minutes off the bench in Game 1. Portis has a solid 23.7 percent usage rate and averages 45.7 DK/43.4 FD points per 36 minutes with his teammate off the floor.
Portis is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game against Miami on either site in four games since the start of the regular season as well. He could truly overdeliver on his modest salaries if he sees the extra opportunity that's expected.
ALSO CONSIDER: Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. MIN ($10,900 DK, $12,100 FD) *check injury status*
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