Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: Best NBA DFS DraftKings Lineup for April 19
Stat-sheet stuffers like the Boston Celtics' Evan Turner are valuable commodities in the DraftKings world. They're able to post solid fantasy points without having a huge game scoring.
That's why I like Turner as one of the best and reasonably salaried options available for Sunday. Turner has raised his level of play since the All-Star break, and he stands as one of the driving forces behind the Celtics' strong second-half run.
Since the break, Turner is averaging 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. The Celtics are on the road at Cleveland for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Cavaliers, and Turner has better stats away from Beantown than he has at home (10.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.9 APG away vs. 8.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5 APG at home).
Turner may not deliver a triple-double—though he has three this season—but he should produce a nice stat line and solid fantasy production for his $6,500 DK salary. Here's a look at my entire optimal lineup for April 19:
| PG | Evan Turner | Cleveland | $6,500 |
| SG | Allen Crabbe | Memphis | $3,000 |
| SF | Kawhi Leonard | L.A. Clippers | $8,400 |
| PF | Blake Griffin | San Antonio | $9,200 |
| C | Tyler Zeller | Cleveland | $4,200 |
| G | Kyrie Irving | Boston | $7,700 |
| F | Jeff Green | Portland | $5,000 |
| UTIL | Mike Conley | Portland | $6,000 |
Allen Crabbe ($3,000) at Memphis Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers are banged up in a major way. Because of injuries to Arron Afflalo and Wesley Matthews, Allen Crabbe will be in position to play extended minutes. Per Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, Crabbe is more likely to get the start than C.J. McCollum. McCollum is also hurt but did practice Friday and is probable against the Grizzlies, according to NBA.com's Casey Holdahl:
Crabbe started only one game this season at guard. He produced a decent line with eight points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Crabbe didn't shoot the ball well in that game, but he is a solid three-point shooter. He made 35 percent of his attempts from deep this past season, and that figures to be where he can do the most damage Sunday. For a low cost, Crabbe could surprise and create some cap room to grab some higher-priced players.
Mike Conley Jr. ($6,000) vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Memphis Grizzlies' point guard sat the last four games of the regular season nursing an injured foot, but this looks like a spot where Conley Jr. can shine. Per Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal, Conley is probable for Game 1:
The Blazers' Damian Lillard isn't known for his defense. Because of this, the Grizzlies may very well look to go right at him with Conley this series. During the season, Conley had great success against the Blazers.
He's averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 8.7 assists, a steal and less than one turnover per game. Even though Conley has battled injury, the extended rest should have him prepared to hold to the form he's displayed against Lillard and the Blazers all season.
Kyrie Irving ($7,700) vs. Boston Celtics
LeBron James is obviously the star for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Kyrie Irving has reminded us all season long that he is a heck of a player in his own right. In two games against the Celtics, Irving is averaging 22.5 points. He's also shooting just under 46 percent from three-point range at home.
In what will be his first postseason game, Irving could be a little nervous, but great players have a way of rising to the occasion.
Bet on Irving being the best value of all the elite point guards available.
Kawhi Leonard ($8,400) at Los Angeles Clippers
If you take a look at the last month of the season, the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard has regained the form he displayed in the team's championship run last season.
In his last 10 games, Leonard is averaging 19.9 rebounds, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. The fact that Leonard missed 28 games during the season should help him in the Spurs' first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.
He should be fresh and active in Game 1. Also, the Clippers don't have much of a defensive presence at small forward to slow Leonard. Leonard's three-and-slash offense should produce a solid game. Leonard is also a good bet to plug in six to 12 fantasy points off steals alone.
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