RADIO
We kick off the NBA work week with a robust nine-game slate, one that does feature a couple of double-digit spreads but otherwise shapes up as what should be a competitive night. There are some particularly intriguing matchups in 76ers-Mavericks and Nuggets-Warriors, as well as a Nets-Timberwolves tilt in Minnesota that both James Harden and Kyrie Irving will miss for Brooklyn.
Because of some of those big-name injuries, there are some solid value plays to consider Monday, as well as some mid- and high-salaried options that are in good position to deliver strong returns.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/12/21. I’ll be providing multiple player suggestions for players at guard, forward and center on FanDuel, aiming to highlight one option apiece at the high, middle and lower end of the salary scale. You can also check out DraftKings lineup picks and injury news before lineups lock. Good luck, RotoBallers.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
De'Aaron Fox, PG – at NO ($9,500)
Fox has been a constant for me lately in both cash and tournaments, as he’s simply been churning out stellar efforts with regularity. Most recently, the fourth-year guard has averaged 48.3 FD points over his last four games, and he’s averaged 28.1 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals across his 17 second-half games. He’s already touched up the Pelicans for 57.8 and 77.3 FD points in his first two prior contests against them as well, and New Orleans checks in allowing the third-highest offensive efficiency (30.5 percent) to ones along with the third-most FD points per game (50.7) to the position for the season.
DeMar DeRozan, SG – at ORL ($7,900)
DeRozan made up for missing a tip-in shot attempt against the Nuggets in the closing seconds Friday night by sinking a step-back jumper Sunday to seal a victory over the Mavericks. DeRozan has scored over 40 FD points on four occasions over the last eight games while averaging a solid 37.7 FD points per contest over the entirety of that span. The opposing Magic have also given up the second-most FD points per contest (44.4) to small forwards for the campign, and DeRozan, who averages 42.2 FD points per 36 minutes with the departed LaMarcus Aldridge off the floor this season, has already delivered over 5x his current salary in 24 of 44 games.
Eric Bledsoe, SG – vs. SAC ($5,800)
Bledsoe draws what’s arguably the best matchup for shooting guards this season, as the Kings have allowed the second-highest offensive efficiency (26.8) to two-guards, along with the third-most FD points per game (44.3) for the season. Bledsoe has averaged just under 30 FD points per 36 minutes with Lonzo Ball (hip) off the floor as well, and he’s averaging 26.6 FD points over his first two contests against Sacramento while shooting 52.0 percent, including 45.5 percent from three-point range. The veteran guard has also been playing some of his best ball of the season recently, as he averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds across an eight-game streak of double-digit scoring efforts that just ended in his most recent contest against the 76ers.
Also consider: Devin Booker ($9,400); Donovan Mitchell ($9,000); Ja Morant ($7,100)
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FanDuel DFS Forwards
Julius Randle, PF- vs. LAL ($9,600)
Randle is already one of the most reliable DFS assets at his position, but a matchup against his old Lakers squad should give him even more juice. Randle is averaging 44.0 FD points per contest and he’s averaged 46.9 FD points over his last 14 games. He’s been at his best at home as well, averaging three more points per contest at MSG and also shooting over four percentage points better from three-point range at home (42.9 percent) than on the road (38.5 percent). The Lakers have also been more vulnerable against power forwards lately, surrendering the sixth-most FD points per game (46.8) to fours over the last seven contests. It’s also worth noting that as hefty as Randle’s salary is, he’s managed to deliver at least a 5x return on it on 18 occasions already this season.
Anthony Edwards, SF – vs. BKN ($7.700)
Edwards has scored over 30 FD points in eight of the last nine games, a span that includes a 43 FD-point tally versus these same Nets on March 29. The rookie is still struggling with efficiency while shooting just under 40.0 percent for the season, but he’d been better of late prior to a 5-for-14 performance versus the Bulls on Sunday by shooting 44.6 percent in the 16 games prior. The Nets, which will be down both James Harden and Kyrie Irving on Monday, have allowed the third-highest offensive efficiency (25.1 percent) to small forwards, along with 46.1 percent shooting, including 39.0 percent from behind the arc, to the position.
Kent Bazemore, SF – vs. DEN ($5,200)
Bazemore is due for another run for the starting five Monday with Kelly Oubre already ruled out with his wrist injury. Bazemore produced 31.4 FD points in 32 minutes in that capacity against the Rockets on Saturday, and Monday, he’ll face a Nuggets squad surrendering the fifth-most FD points per game (44.5) to small forwards over the last 15 contests. Bazemore is also sporting a career-best 44.3 percent success rate from the floor and 39.5 percent from three-point range, and in a game that could be competitive for the most part, he could offer a strong return on investment.
Also consider: Kevin Durant ($9,400); Brandon Ingram ($8,000); Draymond Green ($7,300)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns – vs. BKN ($11,300)
Towns is the second member of the Timberwolves that I feel has a particularly bright outlook Monday against the Nets, which have been mostly trampled by centers this season. Brooklyn is giving up the fifth-highest offensive efficiency (34.2 percent) to fives on the campaign, along with 55.3 FD points per game. That includes a haul of 59.9 FD points that Towns compiled on March 29, and the ultra-talented big man has scored at least 50.4 FD points in nine consecutive contests. While he carries the highest salary on the slate, Towns has the ability to make the investment worthwhile, especially in a game that should be extremely fast-paced.
Jonas Valanciunas – vs. CHI ($7,800)
Valanciunas has been outstanding throughout the season and has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to exploit favorable matchups, which he’ll certainly draw Monday. The Bulls have surrendered Eastern Conference-high 35.1 percent offensive efficiency to centers, along with the third-most FD points per game (56.9) to the position. Valanciunas has averaged 40.1 FD points over his 18 second-half games, averaging a double-double of 17.7 points and 14.2 rebounds in that span. Moreover, his own team’s pedestrian 44.9 percent shooting on its home floor should give him some extra opportunities on the offensive glass and afford him a solid chance of delivering over 5x return on his current salary for the 17th time this season.
Andre Drummond – at NY ($6,500)
Now apparently healthy, Drummond has been impressive in his last two starts for the Lakers, posting 36.9 and 36.2 FD points against the Heat and Nets, respectively. The big man is undoubtedly refreshed after sitting out for an extended period before making his debut for the defending champs, and with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis still out, Drummond should once again serve as a primary source of offense Monday. The opposing Knicks make for excellent targets positionally for Drummond, as New York is allowing 49.9 FD points per game to centers in the last seven contests. Additionally, the Knicks allow just 44.9 percent shooting on their home floor and drain just 45.6 percent of their own attempts as well, meaning Drummond should have no shortage of opportunities on both the offensive and defensive glass.
Also consider: Nikola Jokic ($10,800); Deandre Ayton ($7,700); Kelly Olynyk ($6,400)
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