The NBA Playoffs roll on on Thursday night with three games on the docket. Can the Warriors overcome their choke job from Game 2 of their series? Can Jamal Murray carry over his fourth quarter performance from Game 2 of the Denver/San Antonio series? We'll find out.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/18/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups too early.
Be sure to check all the NBA starting lineups and player statuses. If you have any questions or need to talk NBA during the downtime, feel free to find me on Twitter @juscarts.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Jamal Murray - PG/SG, @ SAS ($6,500)
So, I know that the idea of "momentum" is one of those things that's really hard to define and might not exist and etc. etc. etc., but, umm, did you see Murray catch fire in the fourth quarter of Game 2? He couldn't miss and led the Nuggets to a 1-1 series tie when it looked for a long time that they'd be going down 0-2.
Of the teams in play tonight, the Spurs allow the most DK points to opposing point guards, and the Nuggets seemed to figure some things out late in Game 2 about this Spurs defense. Murray's still a bit of a risk because we've seen him go from strong performances to lackluster ones in the blink of an eye -- remember, he scored 48 points earlier in the year and then was so inconsistent afterwards that he was briefly relegated to the bench for a game a week later -- but at his best, he's an offensive explosion waiting to happen.
J.J. Redick - SG/SF, @ BKN ($4,800)
In Game 1, Redick scored five points and hit under 30 percent of his shots. In Game 2, he scored 17 and hit almost 60 percent of his shots.
So, which version of Redick will we get in Game 3? Based on how Philly's offense adjusted to the Nets last game, I'd be willing to bet we see more of the sharpshooting version of Redick in Game 3. Redick struggled in Philadelphia's earlier meetings with Brooklyn, but in the final regular season meeting he looked more like the Redick we're used to seeing, and his ability to connect on catch-and-shoot jumpers should be important on Thursday night.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Danilo Gallinari - SF/PF, vs GSW ($6,900)
Despite some struggles from two-point land in Game 1, Gallinari's three-ball has been there in both postseason meetings and he's coming off a 24-point outing in Game 2 in which he was 8-for-17 from the floor and 3-for-6 from deep. He's also capable of giving you good production as a rebounder and passer and with the Warriors defense not looking its best so far, you can expect Gallinari to have some strong production as the Clippers get their first home game of the series.
LaMarcus Aldridge - PF/C, vs DEN ($7,500)
Aldridge remains a focal point of the Spurs offense here in the postseason and had 24 points and eight rebounds in Game 2. Of all the Spurs players, he's the one most capable of going off, especially when matched up with a slow defender like Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets do have some other guys they can throw at Aldridge, but his shot making ability and shooting volume should win out.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Joel Embiid - C, @ BKN ($9,800)
Even hobbled by a knee injury, Embiid is averaging 22.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in this series. He should be closer to full health on Thursday, and the Nets just don't have an answer for him. Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis have been thoroughly outplayed all year when facing the Sixers, and that's unlikely to change on Thursday. Expect big numbers from Embiid.