RADIO
It's hard to write any lede other than PLAYOFFS over and over because that's how excited I am. Clearly it's containable but expect some of this energy to be let out in risk picks and dramatic reasonings. The first game of the postseason is one of the most telling games and everyone will get a much clearer picture after this weekend. Momentum carries a ton of weight in DFS and postseason basketball, so depending on who plays well and who breaks out, the picks will come much more natural with every minute played. Regardless, most of the superstars tonight are good to be inserted into any lineup, especially ones with prior playoff experience.
Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Hassan Whiteside is my go-to starting five, especially if you are considering value. Joel Embiid playing could inhibit Whiteside's upside considering he plays...but, Whiteside is still going to carry his weight in the paint as the premier paint protector that is going to get some serious work this series.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/14/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. Let's get rolling.
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FanDuel DFS Guards
Kyle Lowry - PG, vs WAS ($6,800)
Yes, this is the exact moment the Raptors have been waiting eagerly for all season. Will Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan show up or will it be more of the same. Well, I'm absolutely confident that both Lowry and DeRozan will produce, the bench is where they will struggle. Most of Toronto's bench will be getting their first dose of playoff basketball and if anything, they will look to rely on their best players. Yes, Lowry lines up against John Wall, but that shouldn't scare you seeing how Wall has yet to play against this year's Raptors team. Lowry has had the widest gap between good and bad games when facing the Wizards, but it will be a bit different this game. Expect him to exceed his projected handily with a big game in both points and assists.
Dwyane Wade - SG, at PHI ($4,400)
I'm really liking this Heat-76ers matchup in terms of DFS. The 76ers have an easy team to stack and the Heat have so much value that's ready to leave their projected scores in the dust. Tonight, just in case the Heat struggle to generate offense, Dwyane Wade is in store for a heavy usage night. He won't have many big nights left in him, but this is where he thrives. The regular season games between these teams were always intense, but Wade has the chance to see this team five separate times, only losing once and scoring 27 as a member of the Heat. His price is super low for what he should produce, but also feel free to spend up for Josh Richardson.
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Rudy Gay - SF, vs. GSW ($5,500)
With the early game and the only real upside as a player on the Spurs, Rudy Gay is familiar with carrying the scoring effort. The Spurs offense doesn't allow for much stagnancy so it will be a little more difficult for the entire offense as a whole to fail, but we've seen them flounder earlier this season. Gay is automatic offense and even though the Warriors don't have many weak spots, Gay's consistency is what makes this a more appealing play. If the Spurs are scoring, Gay will be a big part. If they aren't, Gay's usage and production will go up.
Bam Adebayo - PF, at PHI ($3,500)
If Hassan Whiteside doesn't play, you need to play Bam Adebayo. Even if Whiteside plays, playing alongside Adebayo will be the tandem needed to stop the 76ers offense. Keeping Ben Simmons from generating points at the rim and closing out on shooters will be their best chance. Adebayo is unlike other rookies whereas he relies on his defense, while other rookies rely on scoring. It's hard for good defenders to not be consistent and most generate offense FROM their defense. While the 76ers have the edge because of what the stats say, I expect the Heat to be a serious threat to their playoff stake and Adebayo is exemplify his strengths on a more significant level.
FanDuel DFS Centers
JaVale McGee - C, vs. SA ($3,600)
Risky pick, but I'm really thinking the Warriors absolutely explode in this first game. While they are returning champions and some (Earl Watson) think they won't advance past the first round without Stephen Curry, believe it or not they have something to prove. They have received inter-team criticism about their effort level and I have little reason to believe they have not been waiting for this particular game for a long time. Not necessarily versus the Spurs game one at home, but be sure they aren't worried about the matchup. The Warriors will need to shake off the doubters and the Spurs are not the best team to face during a time of adversity but Javale McGee being such a integral part of the secondary scoring for this team, I'm sure he will get a weird amount of looks. The Warriors know they need to play their game and work the offense, meaning Draymond Green will be looking for McGee on the backside the entire game. The Spurs defense is good, but I won't give up on the Warriors being able to put up Captain Insano type numbers without Curry.
