RADIO
NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, and MLB daily games. This is the time of year in which FanDuel and DFS players get as giddy as Augustus Gloop receiving a golden ticket to tour the Willy Wonka Chocolate factory. So many games and so many options are available that it can be hard to keep up at times. Don’t worry, Rotoballer is here to help you with your NBA playoffs picks so you don’t drown in a metaphorical chocolate river of DFS debt.
We have provided our daily picks throughout the year and we will continue to push hard during this second NBA season. Below are our favorite FanDuel DFS picks for Saturday April 18th, 2015.
Keep in mind, fantasy basketball is a fickle game when it comes to injured players, so be sure to check all lineups prior to tip-off. If you want to chat about your roster picks, check out the DFS chat room at the bottom of this post.
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Worth the FanDuel Investment
Bradley Beal (Wsh, G) - $6,600
Let’s start off with a (somewhat) bargain pick for the guard position. Bradley Beal was never too great of an option during the regular season due to lingering injuries as well as a lowered ceiling compared to other possible value picks. However, the pool during the playoffs is incredibly small, and with only three games on Friday, Beal looks to be a great value pick. You can pay for a great player in him and then have enough left over to invest in stars in other positions. Beal just makes sense as a pick in Friday’s slate of games because he could provide more production-per-dollar than James Harden and Demar Derozan. In his two games against Toronto, Beal has averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. The Wizards rely on him to score, and are more than willing to tolerate poor percentages from the young guard. We are very tolerant of low shooting percentages from Beal as well, simply because the pure counting stats have been great in this match-up against the Toronto Raptors, who just have not shown up to play much defense.
Honorable Mention: Chris Paul (LAC, G)
Blake Griffin (LAC, F) - $10,200
Blake Griffin takes complete responsibility for the Clippers’ loss in game two of their match-up against San Antonio. Griffin definitely had opportunities to try to seal the game, but crucial turnovers on his part as a result of poor handling and bad shot selection allowed San Antonio to tie up this series. Griffin already had a triple-double in that game, but expect Blake Griffin to come out and completely dominate the ball on Friday, as he will look to redeem himself after a rather poor late fourth quarter and overtime performance. In his two games in the playoffs, Griffin has averaged 27.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists. Those who complained about Griffin’s lack of rebounding and inside presence can’t really complain about his performance in the playoffs thus far. In fact, it may be safe to suggest that Griffin wanted to save his body during the regular season, but can very easily revert back to the dominant paint presence he has proven himself to be in years past.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Smith (Hou, F), Kawhi Leonard (SA, F)
Dwight Howard (Hou, C) - $7,500
Speaking of saving himself for the playoffs, Dwight Howard has definitely made his stamp on the playoffs once again. We all remember the valiant effort he put up against Portland in last year’s playoff series, and this year Dwight is at it again. Did you guys see Game 2? The Rockets look like they have the potential to win this series very soon with the terrible match-up problems they present to Dallas. Anytime Dirk Nowitzki is on the floor, he is an automatic defensive liability, and Howard is a dunking machine. My image of that Game 2 is completely marred by the helplessness of Tyson Chandler trying to play defense for his entire team in the fourth quarter. Howard’s great connection with long-time teammate Josh Smith is really showing as the 4/5 pick and roll is proving to be a unique and deadly play for the Rockets. It may be predictable, but it will continue to be used until the Mavericks figure out some way to defend it or decide to bench Dirk. Pick your poison.
Honorable Mention: Marcin Gortat (Wsh, C)
FanDuel Sleepers & Value Picks
Patrick Mills (SA, PG) - $3,700
Patty Mills definitely surprised everyone watching Game 2 of the Spurs and Clippers series. Tony Parker looked injured out there, and Mills came in and made several huge plays as well as free throws to really throw the game in the Spurs’ favor. Look for "Pop" to have to rely on Mills once again in case Tony Parker doesn’t seem ready to go on Friday or if Parker can’t play many minutes in the game. Parker left in the middle of Game 2, and Mills serves as a great value pick to put up large chunks of scoring at a time. Look for him if you have a little investment money left and are looking for that scratch-off lottery ticket on your lineup.
Honorable Mention: J. J. Reddick (LAC, SG)
