We’ve got a nice little NBA DFS slate on tap for tonight. Six games. That’s all we need to get paid. Smaller slates tend to be my favorite because when you get your player pool correct, you’re going to have a majority of your lineups cash, since there are only so many viable variations. Onward!
Playing NBA DFS can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also make your head spin. It’s our job to make sure you’re winning as much as possible! There are countless variables that can lead to a player’s individual performance, but I’ve found it’s best to focus on just a few that can lead to better predictability.
My favorite factors to track for NBA DFS targets: Matchups (Offensive/Defensive Ratings), Opportunity (expected player minutes, game pace), and Recent Form.
This is the AM VERSION of a living article that will be updated throughout the day, as news comes through the wire.
LET’S GET INTO THE SLATE!!!!
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NBA DFS Targets and Preview for April 13
Clippers vs. Pacers
The Clippers are clicking. They’re winners of five straight games, and they also are 20 games above .500. The Pacers are just now getting Sabonis and Brogdon back healthy, and even when they were healthy, the Pacers were a middling team this year. LAC is 2nd in the league in net rating, while the Pacers are 15th (literally middling). Clippers should take this one, even if a star sits.
DFS Targets: LAC targets: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Morris, and Jackson. IND targets: Brogdon, Sabonis, and McConnell.
Hawks vs. Raptors
I’m not exactly sure how this happened, but the Hawks are a better team than the Raptors this year. It doesn’t seem like it should be that way, but it’s true. Hawks are over .500, while the Raptors are 12 games under .500. The Hawks are 10th in the league in net rating, while the Raptors are 14th. On top of all that, Toronto is re-introducing Kyle Lowry to the lineup on a bit of a minutes limit, after playing without him for over a week, which gave shine to a lot of young talent on the roster. I think the Hawks handle the Raptors with ease tonight.
DFS Targets: ATL targets: Young, Bogdanovic, Huerter, Collins, and Capela. TOR targets: Siakam, FVV, Boucher, and Lowry (even on a minutes limit, he is efficient enough at his current salaries to make your player pool).
Lakers vs. Hornets
If the Lakers can beat the Nets without LeBron and Anthony Davis, then they can beat the Hornets. Even after all this time that the two stars have been out, the Lakers are still top-10 in net rating and first in defensive rating. Andre Drummond has really added a lot to this team and is a tremendous upgrade on both sides of the court over Marc Gasol (feet made of cement). I wouldn’t overthink this one.
DFS Targets: LAL targets: Drummond, Dennis the Menace, Trez, THT, and Morris. CHA targets: Bridges, Rozier, Graham, and Washington.
Thunder vs. Jazz
Jazz. The Thunder are rebuilding. The Jazz are not.
DFS Targets: I really hate to dismiss games on such a small slate, but this is a clear scenario where a blowout is likely. I don’t want to bet my hard-earned money on players that may only play three quarters. I would fade this game, but if you must play it, stick with the stars.
Heat vs. Suns
This should be a fantastic game. Both the Heat and the Suns are top ten in defensive rating. That should keep this game relatively competitive. The scale tipper is that the Suns are the squad with the offense that can’t be ignored. They’re 7th in offense, while the Heat are 24th. At the end of the day, this Suns squad is too loaded to win being one-dimensional. I like the Suns.
DFS Targets: MIA targets: Butler, Bam, Nunn, and Herro. PHX targets: CP3, Booker, and Ayton.
Celtics vs. Trail Blazers
The Celtics’ biggest weakness is their lack of a front-court stud. I like Robert Williams, but he’s not quite there yet. The Blazers are 6th in the league in offense, while the Celtics are 15th in defense. On the other hand, the Celtics are 11th in offense and the Blazers are 29th in defense. We should have a high-scoring affair on our hands with this one. The thing that tips the scales to me is that the Blazers have a robust frontcourt, where the Celtics do not. That should win them this game on possessions that don’t require transition defense.
DFS Targets: BOS targets: Tatum, Brown, and Smart. POR targets: CJ, Dame, Kanter, Nurkic, and Powell.
Don’t forget to check back later in the day as Bradlee will be updating his NBA DFS preview with all the info you need to turn tonight’s slate into a resounding success!
If you are reading this on Fantrax.com make sure to head on over to FantraxHQ to check out Brad’s afternoon updates.
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