👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/16/24)

Stephen Curry - NBA DFS Picks, Daily Fantasy Basketball

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Max Kulish's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on April 16, 2024.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Tonight we've got the Western Conference play-in games. 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.

The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/16/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. As always, feel free to follow my X/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!

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

There aren't many surprises to be found on tonight's slate -- all four teams are coming in healthy, and both games will be the fifth matchup of the season for the teams participating. So unsurpisingly, we have some familiar names in top plays.

  1. Steph Curry, GS at SAC – PG ($8.7K DK; $8.9K FD)
  2. LeBron James, LAL at NO – SF/PF ($9.4K DK; $10.3K FD)
  3. CJ McCollum, NO vs. LAL – PG ($7.7K DK; $8.5K FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Welcome to the playoffs, where there just isn't much value to be found. Stars play more minutes, meaning cheaper options are thinner. When all teams involved are this healthy, it can be tricky to save salary. The only clear and obvious value play tonight is Keon Ellis, who has seen a substantial increase in production since 6MOTY candidate Malik Monk went down at the end of March.

Top Value Plays:

  1. Keon Ellis, SAC vs. GS - PG/SG ($4.5K DK; $4.9K FD)
  2. Larry Nance Jr., NO vs. LAL - C ($4.2K DK; $4.5K FD)
  3. Andrew Wiggins, GS at SAC – SF/PF ($4.9K DK; $5.9K FD)

 

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Will Priester! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Will's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code BARNER at checkout to save 10%

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

After posting 45+ fantasy points in six of his last seven games and with an average of 31/6/4 against the Kings this year, Steph Curry gets the stamp of approval as my favorite play on the slate tonight. PG is as deep as it can be on a two-game slate, so don't feel like he's an absolute must-play if you have other places you'd prefer to spend up at.

Top PG Options:

  1. Steph Curry, GS at SAC ($8.7K DK; $8.9K FD)
  2. CJ McCollum, NO vs. LAL ($7.7K DK; $8.5K FD)
  3. De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs. GS - ($8.6K DK; $9.9K FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

Even if you wanted to, you can't really pay up at SG tonight. The most expensive option is only $7.3K, and only four players are over the "value" threshold of $5K.

Top SG Options:

  1. Keon Ellis, SAC vs. GS ($4.5K DK; $4.9K FD)
  2. Brandin Podziemski, GS at SAC – ($4.7K DK; $5.1K FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

With the exception of LeBron, there is nowhere to spend up at SF tonight. LeBron figures to be a widely popular play after his 81 fantasy-point performance against the Pelicans on Sunday, so fade him at your own risk.

Top SF Options:

  1. LeBron James, LAL at NO ($9.4K DK; $10.3K FD)
  2. Andrew Wiggins, GS at SAC ($4.9K DK; $5.9K FD)
  3. Harrison Barnes, SAC vs. GS ($4.3K DK; $4.7K FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

PF seems to be the most flexible roster spot tonight. Solid options across the board paired with plenty of players with multi-position eligibility means there are numerous ways to approach your build here.

Top PF Options:

  1. Herbert Jones, NO vs. LAL ($5.1K DK; $5.6K FD)
  2. Keegan Murray, SAC vs. GS ($5.5K DK; $6.4K)
  3. Jonathan Kuminga, GS at SAC ($5.9K DK; $6.6K FD)

 

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

Center has solid options tonight, but it isn't very deep. Pick whichever starter fits your build/budget the best and don't worry about getting cute.

Top C Options:

  1. Anthony Davis, LAL at NO ($9.7K DK; $11.5K FD)
  2. Larry Nance Jr., NO vs. LAL ($4.2K DK; $4.5K FD)
  3. Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. GS - ($9.6K DK; $10.8K FD)

 

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

  1. Lakers at Pelicans (225 total)
  2. Warriors at Kings (223 total)

 

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

  1. While Domantas Sabonis led the league in triple-doubles this season, he didn't post one against the Warriors in four attempts, and has only gone over 20 points three times in his past 18 games.
  2. Brandon Ingram looked pretty bad in his first game back in a month, and could be seeing a minutes limitation again tonight.

 

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

  • My favorite overall play on the slate: Steph Curry
  • My favorite CASH play on the slate: LeBron James
  • My favorite GPP play on the slate: CJ McCollum
  • My favorite value play: Andrew Wiggins


Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Marvin Harrison Jr.

a Buy-Low Candidate in Dynasty Formats
Hollywood Brown

a Cut Candidate in Dynasty Leagues?
Darnell Mooney

Barely Inside Top-100 WR Dynasty Rankings
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Christian Kirk

Can Christian Kirk Revive his Career in Bay Area?
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
Brashard Smith

Destined to Become Special Teams Player?
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Ben Sinnott

Dynasty Value Hindered by Free-Agent TE Addition
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Sam Darnold

Should Dynasty Managers Continue to Hold Sam Darnold?
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Justin Fields

Dynasty Managers Getting Ready to Sell High on Justin Fields?
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Dallas Goedert

a Target for Dynasty Managers in Championship Window?
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Theo Johnson

Not the Primary Option in New System?
Kyle Monangai

Still Time to Buy Low on Kyle Monangai in Dynasty Leagues?
Tarik Skubal

Resumes Playing Catch, Ahead of Schedule?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

an Unheralded Dynasty Cornerstone
Jerry Jeudy

Becoming an Undervalued Dynasty Depth Piece
Karl-Anthony Towns

Making an Impact as Playmaker in Playoffs
Skyler Bell

Could See Multiple Paths to Dynasty Relevance
Jalen Duren

Determined to Improve
Jayden Daniels

Still Worth Paying Up for in Dynasty Leagues
Kevin Huerter

Tagged as Questionable for Game 6 Against Cavaliers
Andrei Iosivas

' Already Low Standalone Value Sinks Lower
Caris LeVert

Considered Questionable for Friday
Duncan Robinson

Iffy for Game 6
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Tyjae Spears

has Limited Long-Term Upside in Dynasty Formats
Jaylen Wright

a Buy-Low Candidate as a Handcuff?
Ollie Gordon II

Dynasty Value Takes a Hit After Teammate's Extension
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
Micah Parsons

Expected to Miss the Early Part of the Season
Colby Parkinson

a Clear Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Paul Reed

Makes Big Impact Off the Bench Wednesday
Daniss Jenkins

Contributes 19 Points As Starter
Cade Cunningham

Tallies 39 Points in Losing Effort
Max Strus

Notches 20 Points With Six Triples
Evan Mobley

Close to Triple-Double Wednesday
Jarrett Allen

Records Double-Double in Game 5 Win
James Harden

Leads the Way for Cavaliers in Game 5 Victory
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Matt Boldy

Posts Two Assists in Season-Ending Loss
Scott Wedgewood

Perfect in Relief Effort
Martin Necas

Records Another Multi-Point Game
Brett Kulak

Sends Avalanche Into Conference Finals
Brayden McNabb

Suspended for One Game
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
Juan Soto

Exits Wednesday's Game Early with Ankle Injury
Kevin Huerter

is Cleared to Return for Game 5
Caris LeVert

is Available for Game 5 on Wednesday
Duncan Robinson

is Out for Game 5
Keegan Murray

Undergoes Ankle Procedure
Josh Giddey

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Pete Fairbanks

Returns From Injured List
Christian Yelich

Out With Back Tightness on Wednesday Night
Nathan MacKinnon

Chasing History Wednesday
Ryan Poehling

Won't Be an Option for Game 6
Robby Snelling

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Sprain
Francisco Alvarez

Mets Place Francisco Alvarez on Injured List With Torn Meniscus
Max Fried

Dealing With Left Elbow Posterior Soreness
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Ayo Dosunmu

Has Busy Night in Game 5
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Jaden McDaniels

Notches 17 Points in Game 5 Loss
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Julius Randle

Posts a Double-Double in Losing Effort
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Anthony Edwards

Held to 20 Points in Game 5 Loss
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
Jacob Wilson

A's Place Jacob Wilson on Injured List With Shoulder Subluxation
Christian Yelich

Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Nathan Eovaldi

Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Henry Bolte

Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
Mookie Betts

Dodgers Expect Mookie Betts to Return on Monday
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
William Byron

Is William Byron Playable in DFS Lineups at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson

May have A Positive Day at Watkins Glen
Chase Briscoe

May Compete for A Top-10 Finish at Watkins Glen
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger May have Another Solid Outing at Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain Worth Rostering for Watkins Glen Lineups?
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Watkins Glen?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?