Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: NBA DraftKings Ideal Lineup Picks for April 13
The NBA and the Oklahoma City Thunder might find out just how valuable Russell Westbrook ($11,800) is, something we already were well-versed on in daily fantasy basketball. After picking up his 16th technical foul Sunday (barring the league rescinding it), he faces a suspension from Monday night's important game in the Thunders' playoff fight, per NBC Sports:
DFS lineups, and the Thunder, just won't be the same Monday night without him. We help you work around his likely absence with our ideal picks for April 13.
PG Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers ($9,700)
The fact Paul hasn't played 81 games in a season before is working in his fantasy owner's favor. Paul wanted to prove healthy this season, and he has. The Clippers also want to keep playing to stay on the roll they have been on, according to NBA.com's Rowan Kavner.
Paul himself is on the right side of streaky. He has had just one game in his past 10 in which he didn't reach 40 DraftKings points, and he just missed it at 38.5. He is as steady as they come.
- Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves ($6,400)
- Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls ($7,000)
SG Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks ($6,000)
After a modest stretch in late March and early April, Middleton has gotten hot again, posting two big games (45.75 and 35.5 points). Middleton's price still isn't prohibitive, so consider his a solid mid-range buy, especially against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers, who are 27th at DraftKings against shooting guards.
- Dion Waiters, Oklahoma City Thunder ($5,000)
- Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings ($4,500)
SF Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves ($7,000)
Wiggins is getting big minutes down the stretch for the thinned-out Timberwolves, and it has helped him put the finishing touches on his Rookie of the Year resume. He has averaged over 40 DraftKings points in his past five games over 10 days and should be counted on to finish out the season with plenty of minutes and points. We knew he could score, but he is also chipping in rebounds and assists of late too. This is a burgeoning fantasy monster.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks ($6,500)
- Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets ($5,600)
PF Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls ($8,500)
The Bulls are deadlocked with the Toronto Raptors for the third seed, so expect the Bulls to continue to run Gasol out there for minutes in the season's waning days. Gasol has posted back-to-back double-doubles and shouldn't have much trouble getting another one here against the Brooklyn Nets, who are fighting for their own postseason lives and are just 26th at DraftKings against power forwards.
- Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons ($7,400)
- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers ($8,700)
C Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons ($8,400)
Speaking of double-doubles, Drummond has five consecutive, seven in his past eight games and eight in his past 10. He will get another one against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have sewn up the No. 2 seed and are likely to coast without big minutes from their stars in his one. Drummond is going to finish strong against the Cavs' backups.
- Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat ($7,300)
- Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets ($8,400)
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Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.
