Daily Fantasy Basketball 2015: NBA DraftKings Best Lineup for April 21
Monday night, four teams played in the second game of their respective playoff series. Both games were close: each saw the underdog road team jump out to an early lead, only to be caught and eventually passed late in the game.
Though each game is obviously different, trends have already emerged through two games. For instance, Pelicans coach Monty Williams has no choice, but to lean heavily on his all-world power forward Anthony Davis. According to Statmuse.com, through two games, Davis is averaging nearly 43 minutes, 30.5 points, three blocks and 51.9 fantasy points per game.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has countered (unsurprisingly) with a healthy dosage of Swiss army defender Draymond Green. The 6'8" positionless freak isn't too far behind Davis. Through two, he's been good for a double-double, six assists, three steals and 48 fantasy points per night.
With at least three, and potentially as many as six more games in each first-round series, it's our job to pick up on these trends and act on them before our opponents.
| Position | Player | Opponent | Price |
| Point Guard | Isaiah Thomas | @ Cle | $6,700 |
| Shooting Guard | Bradley Beal | @ Tor | $6,500 |
| Small Forward | Trevor Ariza | vs. Dal | $6,200 |
| Power Forward | Dirk Nowitzki | @ Hou | $6,900 |
| Center | Tyson Chandler | @ Hou | $6,600 |
| Guard | Kyrie Irving | vs. Bos | $7,900 |
| Forward | Terrence Jones | vs. Dal | $5,800 |
| Utility | J.J. Barea | @ Hou | $3,100 |
Bradley Beal ($6,500) @ Raptors
Shooters gon' shoot!
On Saturday in Toronto, Beal certainly felt this way. The Wizards shooting guard made just six of his 23 shots, including going one of seven from deep. Despite his inaccurate jumper, per Statmuse.com, Beal still managed to post 36.8 fantasy points because he played a whopping 48 minutes in the overtime win.
Beal's playing time will drop, and he'll likely take fewer than 23 shots in Game 2, but if he even sniffs his season-long shooting percentages of 42.5 from the floor and 40.5 on threes, he'll exceed his fantasy value.
Isaiah Thomas ($6,700) @ Cavaliers
Isaiah Thomas has been integral to the Celtics' surprise run to the playoffs. The lightning quick former Mr. Irrelevant has provided immediate offense off the bench for Boston. He shoots a high percentage, draws contact, makes his foul shots, and finds open teammates—sometimes in spectacular fashion.
Thomas was terrific in his playoff debut on Sunday. He showed a complete floor game with 22 points, 10 assists and five boards in the loss. Isaiah played more than 31 minutes off the bench, but Brad Stevens will have to consider getting him more playing time. Thomas and shape-shifting guard Evan Turner are the only two Celtics who can create off the dribble for teammates.
Stack the Rockets vs. Mavericks game
Game 1 saw both of these teams score well over 100 points. Neither team is afraid to push the pace, but they both rely on heavy minutes from their starters.
James Harden, Trevor Ariza, and Terrence Jones all played more than 33 minutes for the Rockets. But only Ariza and Jones scored above their projected value. In fact, Harden averaged just 44 fantasy points per game against the Mavs this season. Six points fewer than his standard 50.
Rockets fans and Cory Brewer owners rejoiced when he dropped 13 in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the home team. But Brewer only played 23 minutes and is too reliant on his shaky jump shot to be a safe fantasy start.
On Dallas' end, I love Tyson Chandler and Dirk Nowitzki. The Rockets depend on Jones to provide offensive spacing and efficient scoring from the power forward position. But Jones was abused by Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge in the Rockets' first-round series last year. Per Statmuse.com, Aldridge averaged 54 fantasy points per game while mostly being checked by Jones last season.
Dirk is a similar player to Aldridge. They're both long, savvy, jump-shooting All-Star big men. Nowitzki scored 24 points on just 14 shots on Saturday. We could be in for a vintage Dirk series.
Chandler gobbles up rebounds. With apologies to DeAndre Jordan, Tyson's still the best pick-and-roll center in the league. He's a safe bet for a double-double and has 20-rebound upside every night.
