Daily Fantasy Basketball Plays for 4/18 & 4/19, Playoff Edition. 

So pumped because it is playoff basketball time in the NBA..YES!! (Go Grizz). That means starters will be playing heavy minutes and there are a lot of older players that will get more playing time because this is their time to shine. Therefore, it is a lot harder to find cheap players that have a lot value, but I got y’all covered. Below are players I like based on value, production, and matchups. The cheap plays are players who should exceed their value while not costing a lot, the mid-tier group are players that should produce big numbers while not breaking the bank, and the expensive players are high priced players who are worth every penny.

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Cheap Plays

*All prices and fantasy points (FP) are based on DraftStreets scoring system

Kevin Garnett ($7,497)- The reason why the Nets traded so much for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce was for this exact reason: To play during the playoffs. Garnett should get plenty of minutes as the Nets have been saving him all season so he could be healthy for this series. In two games vs the Raptors he averaged 9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2 assists in only 25 minutes. Last year he averaged 12.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists/blocks per game in 35 minutes of playing time during the playoffs. K.G. played roughly 20 minutes per game this season, but that should increase to 30 or more during the playoffs. He is my favorite cheap play because he is going to start, play plenty of minutes, and tear up a weak Toronto frontcourt.

Roy Hibbert ($8,988)- The hardest player to predict because he has been atrocious vs the Hawks this season by averaging a measly 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21 minutes in thier four meetings, but averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the playoffs last season. The minutes will be there, but he has always struggled vs the Hawks. Hard to stay away from, but just as hard to trust in lineups. Play at your own risk. Pero Antic makes for a great cheap center as well.

Manu Ginobili ($8,536)- Another player that is going to see an increase in minutes and production because it is playoff basketball. He averaged 11.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5 assist per game during the playoffs last season. The reason that is important is because we can expect him to play just as many minutes and produce similar numbers. Also, those numbers are almost identical to his averages vs Dallas this season. It is hard to find value and he will get 20 plus FP which isn’t bad for his price.

 

Mid-Tier Value Plays

Tony Parker ($11,657)- Always steps up his game during the playoffs, in the last two seasons has averaged 20 points,7 assists, 3 rebounds per game in 36 minutes of playing time during them. Add in the fact that he tore up the Mavericks for 23.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 31 minutes of PT in there three matchups this season and he is a great play. Plus his low cost of $11,657 makes him a must-play and will be in every one of my lineups.

Brooklyn Nets- Already talked about Garnett, but also really like Paul Pierce who averaged 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2 assists in the playoffs last season, and Deron Williams who will get 30 plus fantasy points while only costing $12,654. Both players are cheap ( Pierce cost $10,729) and will have big nights so make sure to roster them

Paul George ($15,855)- Hate to keep saying players step up their game during the playoffs, but it is true that playoffs are a whole new ball game. The budding superstar averaged 22.5 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.3 steals in four meetings vs Atlanta this season. He will produce similar numbers to the elite players while costing a lot less ($15,855).

David Lee- Was dumbfounded when I saw his price at only $13,453 because he averaged 21.8 points, 9 rebounds, 3.3 assists in four games vs the Clippers this year. That is well over 30 FP and there is a great possibility that he reaches 40 FP. This is the lowest I have seen his price DS all season so be sure to take advantage of it.

Expensive Plays

LaMarcus Aldridge ($18,414)- Will be in all of my lineups as he’s owned the Houston Rockets this season to a tune of 27 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists/steals/blocks in their four meetings. The Rockets have no one who can matchup with LMA so he will continue beating them like a red-headed step child. Has to be in lineups as since he will get close to 50 FP.

Al Jefferson ($18,567)- Has owned the Heat this season by averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds in three games vs them. He is safe expensive play as he should easily reach 40 FP with the chance to explode for a big because the Heat have no one that can stop or even contain Al-J.

DeAndre Jordan ($16,226)- My favorite “value play” of the expensive options because he is averaging 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks vs the Warriors. Now, the Warriors will be without Andrew Bogut and Jermaine O’Neal is nothing special so Jordan should have a monster game. Predicting 15 points, close to 20 rebounds, with 3-4 blocks. Hell, Timofey Mozgov had 29 rebounds vs Golden State just last week so they are prone to giving up huge numbers to opposing centers.

Chris Paul ($19,359)- Has used and abused the Warriors this season by averaging 28 points, 4 rebounds, 12.7 assists, and a gaudy 3.7 steals per game in there three meetings. Has to be in lineups that are just for Saturday’s game, but he will also cost a lot so it will be hard to fit multiple expensive players in your lineup.

James Harden ($19,049)- The Trailblazers are realizing it is just too hard to guard James Harden because he has gone NBA Jam on them by averaging 30 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assist per game in their four meetings. That is well over 40 FP per game and that is why he makes for a great play. However, I would go with CP3 over Harden.

Get ready for some amazing basketball. It is going to be a lot of fun and good luck out there to all you DFSers. Feel free to hit me up on twitter @datrueguru with any fantasy sports related question.