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Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Mike Barner's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on April 5, 2024.
The NBA closes out the week with 12 games on Friday. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have included the first 10 games of the evening in their main slates.
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 4/5/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Let's first take a look at our matchup ratings to see who we want to target for our top spend-ups tonight.
Victor Wembanyama continues to churn out ridiculous stat lines. In a tough matchup against Nikola Jokic on Tuesday, he produced 23 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and nine blocks. For the season, the rookie is now averaging 21.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.5 blocks. His ceiling is as high as any player included in this slate.
The injury to Brandon Ingram (knee) has resulted in the Pelicans relying more on CJ McCollum. He has not disappointed, averaging 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists over the last seven games. Look for him to roast a Spurs team that has allowed the most points per game in the league to opposing point guards.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadriceps) has been ruled out for the Thunder’s matchup with the Pacers. He has already missed four of the previous five games. Over the four games that he missed, Josh Giddey averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. An expanded role against a Pacers team that has played at the second-fastest pace in the league should be a recipe for success for Giddey.
- Victor Wembanyama, SA at NO – PF/C ($11,000 DK; $11,900 FD)
- CJ McCollum, NO vs. SA – PG/SG ($8,100 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Josh Giddey, OKC at IND – PG/SG ($7,500 DK; $8,000 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
The Trail Blazers have packed it in. While he hasn’t been officially ruled out for the remainder of the season, don’t expect to see Jerami Grant (hamstring) again. His absence has benefited Jabari Walker, who has averaged 10.1 points and 7.8 rebounds over the last 10 games. A matchup against a Wizards team that has played at the fastest pace in the league should further help his cause for providing a valuable stat line.
In one of the more unexpected stat lines of the season, Malachi Flynn scored 50 points against the Hawks on Wednesday. That was clearly an outlier performance, but he had averaged 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over his previous five games. Cade Cunningham (knee) has been ruled out, so Flynn could play enough to warrant his cheap salaries on both sites.
The Wizards won’t have much size for their matchup with the Trail Blazers. Marvin Bagley III (knee) and Kyle Kuzma (ankle) have been ruled out, while Richaun Holmes (toe) is listed as questionable. If he misses his fifth straight game, Tristan Vukcevic could play a ton. He started against the Lakers on Wednesday, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds, and one block over just 21 minutes.
Top Value Plays:
- Jabari Walker, POR at WAS – PF/C ($5,500 DK; $5,700 FD)
- Malachi Flynn, DET at MEM – PG ($4,500 DK; $5,400 FD)
- Tristan Vukcevic, WAS vs. POR – C ($4,200 DK; $5,400 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
In addition to McCollum and Flynn, Scoot Henderson is another point guard to consider. Anfernee Simons (knee) has already been ruled out, which will mark his seventh straight absence. Over the previous six games, Henderson averaged 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Scoot Henderson buries it from deep 🎯pic.twitter.com/G8GAIKI0YK
— Blazers Nation (@BlazersNationCP) April 3, 2024
Top PG Options:
- CJ McCollum vs. SA, ($8,100 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Scoot Henderson WAS, ($7,100 DK; $6,800 FD)
- Malachi Flynn at MEM, ($4,500 DK; $5,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Working our way down the salary scale from Giddey at shooting guard, Trey Murphy III is also an appealing option. He has taken on a more prominent role down the stretch, averaging 32 minutes over his last 18 games. During that span, he provided 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. With Ingram still sidelined, Murphy’s role isn’t going to decline anytime soon.
The Raptors are tanking down the stretch, hoping to get their first-round pick in the 2024 Draft into the top six. If it falls outside of the top six, the pick will convey to the Spurs. With them sitting key players on a nightly basis, Javon Freeman-Liberty has averaged 10.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals over the last seven games. For those looking to go really cheap in tournament play, Freeman-Liberty is worth a look.
Top SG Options:
- Josh Giddey at IND, ($7,500 DK; $8,000 FD)
- Trey Murphy III vs. SA, ($6,700 DK; $6,700 FD)
- Javon Freeman-Liberty at MIL, ($4,900 DK; $4,800 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
It’s a bit risky rolling with Khris Middleton because the Raptors have been getting blown out on a nightly basis. However, Middleton has been excellent since returning from injury, averaging 17.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.9 assists over his last seven games. Damian Lillard (groin) is listed as questionable, and if he misses his fourth straight game, that could further elevate Middleton’s upside.
The Grizzlies are sitting most of their key players Friday, including Desmond Bane (back) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (quadriceps). Even Santi Aldama (foot) and Brandon Clarke (rest) won’t play. That leaves GG Jackson II with tremendous upside against a Pistons team that has the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league.
Corey Kispert has moved into the starting lineup as the season comes to a close with the Wizards playing so shorthanded. Over the last 14 games, he has averaged 17.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.1 three-pointers. No reinforcements are coming for the Wizards on Friday, so expect Kispert to remain busy.
Top SF Options:
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- Khris Middleton vs. TOR, ($7,500 DK; $7,100 FD)
- GG Jackson II vs. DET, ($6,000 DK; $5,900 FD)
- Corey Kispert vs. POR, ($5,900 DK; $5,700 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t the only key member of the Thunder who should be out Friday. Jalen Williams (ankle) is listed as doubtful. His absence will put them in a tough spot to slow down Pascal Siakam, who has posted six double-doubles and averaged 23.0 points over the last 12 games.
Pascal Siakam for the lead with three minutes remaining 🔥 pic.twitter.com/f30rFvpMR3
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 4, 2024
RJ Barrett did not play Wednesday against the Timberwolves in what was the second game of a back-to-back set for the Raptors. He is not on the injury report for Friday, so expect him to take the floor. Despite only logging 26 minutes against the Lakers on Tuesday, he recorded 28 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Top PF Options:
- Pascal Siakam vs. OKC, ($8,200 DK; $8,300 FD)
- RJ Barrett at MIL, ($7,600 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Jabari Walker at WAS, ($5,500 DK; $5,700 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
We’ve already touched on what makes Wembanyama and Vukcevic appealing center options. Another player to consider is Deandre Ayton, who has averaged 23.1 points and 13.3 rebounds over his last 10 games. With the Wizards lacking size up front, another juicy double-double could be in the cards for Ayton.
Top C Options:
- Victor Wembanyama at NO, ($11,000 DK; $11,900 FD)
- Deandre Ayton at WAS, ($8,000 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Tristan Vukcevic vs. POR, ($4,200 DK; $5,400 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Thunder at Pacers (234 total)
- Warriors at Mavericks (227.5 total)
- Kings at Celtics (226 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- The Celtics have already locked up the best record in the NBA, so they could limit the minutes of some of their starters during their matchup with the Kings.
- I’m staying away from the starters on the Magic, who could see added time on the bench in the fourth quarter if they race out to a big lead early against the Hornets.
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: Josh Giddey
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Victor Wembanyama
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Scoot Henderson
- My favorite value play: Jabari Walker
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