Love these six game slates for NBA DFS when it comes to lineup construction. The player pools are sized just right and you can really focus on a core to build your lineups around. Part of that core build is identifying the top value plays to put in those lineups to help you get the top tier plays. Let's break down the top values for Yahoo, DraftKings and FanDuel for tonight.
Please note, that while these players may be under specific sites, they are all great values for tonight's contests and can be used across platforms.
Yahoo! Fantasy
Lonnie Walker, SG - Just $2 above min-price, Walker has been fantastic this season off the bench for the Spurs, having scored at least 17 points in three of the four games this year. In the Spurs overtime loss to the Lakers, Walker went for 21 points with six assists and two rebounds. He has seen at least 25 minutes in three of the four games this season which bodes well for his consistency moving forward.
Jalen Brunson, PG - The man just dropped a double-double and got bumped up to JUST $11. Brunson is instant offense off the bench for the Mavericks and with Kristaps Porzingis out of the lineup tonight we could very well see him get extended run as the Mavs play small and look for the offensive punch that Brunson can provide.
Desmond Bane, SF - Yahoo is asleep at the wheel here with Brunson being priced at just $13. All the man has done is average 31.6 fantasy points per game through the first four games of the year having played 30 minutes a night for the Grizzlies.
DraftKings
Devin Vassell, SG/SF - Vassell is off to a great start for the Spurs this season, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. With news that Doug McDermott is going to miss extended time we could see Vassell play 30+ minutes here once again. Great value.
Damion Lee, PG - While Steph Curry and Jordan Poole get all the love we have seen Lee come off the bench and average almost 20 FP over 27 minutes off the bench. Last time out he went for 26.75 DK points over 26 minutes against the Thunder. If you need a spend down option on this smaller slate then Lee could be the guy.
Hassan Whiteside, C - This one is trending towards being a blowout so we could get some extra garbage time run here from Whiteside who has always been an elite fantasy point per minute producer. In three games this season Whiteside is averaging 21.1 fantasy points per game over just 16.2 minutes. The Rockets are 9.5 point underdogs tonight.
FanDuel
Montrezl Harrell, C/PF - I know the price doesn't exactly scream "value" but take a real look at his price compared to other starting centers tonight and you will see that he is actually the cheapest starter on the board. Daniel Gafford went down with an injury last night against the Celtics and Harrell exploded for 25 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 38 minutes. Harrell has ALWAYS been a fantasy point per minute monster and could be in for a big workload against the Hawks tonight.
Maxi Kleber, PF - Likely going to enter the starting lineup tonight with Kristaps Porzingis out due to injury. Kleber isn't an exciting player but he is a guy that does a little bit of everything. Last season in 17 games in which he played at least 30 minutes he averaged 8.5 points. 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals over 33.8 minutes.
Keita Bates-Diop, SF - We saw him play 29 minutes against the Lakers and finish with six points, seven rebounds and two steals. With Doug McDermott out of the lineup we may see more of KBD here tonight and he is min-price.
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Zach Edey will undergo surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle.
Charania’s report indicates that Edey re-sprained the same ankle that forced him to miss some time last season. It came during an offseason workout, and he is expected to miss time to start next season. Edey secured the starting center spot for Memphis late last season after playing an inconsistent role for most of his rookie year. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo could opt to use Brandon Clarke as the starting center if he’s healthy, or he could use a smaller starting lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. to start next season. The Grizzlies’ PR team announced that a preliminary timeline will be provided after he has the surgery, but as of now, the expectation is that he won’t be available for opening night.
De’Aaron Fox (finger) has been cleared for on-court work and will be ready for the start of next season.
Fox underwent season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in mid-March, about six weeks after being traded to the Spurs from Sacramento. He recently told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle that he’s been cleared to resume on-court activities, which have included some 5-on-5 play. Also, Fox hopes to ink a contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. With one year remaining on his current deal, the point guard will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229 million on August 3.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Mannix said recently that Sam Hauser could be a trade candidate this offseason if the Celtics decide to shed salary.
The cost of contending for championships has gotten steeper, especially with the salary cap rules instituted in recent years. For the Celtics, the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Jayson Tatum may impact how the front office approaches this offseason. If the team decides that a group that won’t have Tatum for most of the season can’t be a factor in the East, the decision could be made to shed salary. And Hauser, whose four-year, $45 million extension goes into effect next season, may be a prime candidate to be moved. “Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.” Hauser being traded would make Scheierman worth a look in deep fantasy leagues next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Knicks are interested in talking to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
Toppin has been solid throughout this postseason, but he hasn’t had many big scoring nights. However, after he had 18 points in the Game 6 clincher over the Knicks, he added 17 more to kick off the Finals, with 15 of those points coming from beyond the arc. If Toppin is able to continue to make an impact off the bench like he did in this game, there should be more wins coming for the Pacers.
Aaron Nesmith recorded a double-double on Thursday with 10 points (3-of-9 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Indiana dominated on the glass in this game, but it wasn’t just because of the bigs. Nesmith was the leading rebounder in this game and was one of three Pacers to grab at least 10 rebounds. However, they lost the turnover battle 24-6, and Nesmith contributed five of those. The only player with more was Myles Turner, who coughed it up six times. Indiana won this game and still has things to clean up, which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward in this series.