Strategy and Stats for 04/19/24 NBA Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock strikes 07:00 PM EST tonight, the NBA offers a thrilling double-header, but all eyes are particularly on the late showdown at the Smoothie King Center where the Sacramento Kings clash with the New Orleans Pelicans at 09:30 PM EST. This marquee matchup, boasting an Over/Under of 211.5, promises a high-scoring affair, making it a goldmine for fantasy points. Fantasy managers should closely monitor key players like the Kings’ dynamic guard and the Pelicans’ powerhouse forward, both of whom are anticipated to dominate their positions and rack up significant fantasy totals. This game not only sets the stage for an electrifying night of basketball but also serves as a critical focal point for our detailed game-by-game fantasy breakdown that follows.

Top PG Picks for Today’s DFS Lineup

De’Aaron Fox ($8800), Sacramento Kings – Projected 50.3 pts

De’Aaron Fox has been on a tear recently, showcasing his ability to dominate the court with an impressive average of 49.1 daily fantasy points over his last five games. His scoring prowess is evident with an average of 29.8 points per game during this stretch, complemented by 5.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds. Notably, his shooting efficiency has been stellar, hitting 52.4% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range. Despite a challenging upcoming matchup against the Pelicans, who rank #2 in defense against PGs, Fox’s increased court time (40.5 minutes per game) and high usage rate make him a formidable option. His DFS value score of 5.7 reflects strong value at his current salary, making him a top pick for today’s games.

CJ McCollum ($8100), New Orleans Pelicans – Projected 42.6 pts

CJ McCollum’s recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, especially from beyond the arc where he’s shooting an incredible 55.9%. Over the last five games, he has averaged 48.3 daily fantasy points, driven by an average of 30.0 points per game. His all-around contributions also include 4.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Although his assists and rebounds have slightly dipped compared to the previous five-game stretch, his scoring and shooting improvements have more than compensated. Facing the Kings, who are ranked #13 against PGs, McCollum’s matchup is less daunting, which could play to his advantage. With a DFS value score of 5.3, McCollum offers strong value and should be considered a key player in today’s DFS contests.

Shooting Guard Daily Fantasy Analysis

Onuralp Bitim ($1000), Chicago Bulls – Projected 0.0 pts

Onuralp Bitim’s recent performances for the Bulls have been less than stellar, with an average of just 2.3 daily fantasy points over his last five games. Despite a slight improvement in his scoring from 1.2 to 2.0 points per game, his assists have dropped, and his shooting percentages remain low at 33.3% from the field and a concerning 11.1% from three-point range. Playing against the Heat’s 12th-ranked defense against SGs, Bitim’s outlook doesn’t look promising. His minimal court time and low productivity give him a 0.0 DFS value score, indicating poor value at his current salary.

Jamal Cain ($1000), Miami Heat – Projected 0.0 pts

Jamal Cain of the Miami Heat also shows limited fantasy potential, averaging 3.1 points over his recent five-game stretch. His performance has notably declined from previous games, with reductions in points, assists, and rebounds. Although his three-point shooting looks impressive at 66.7%, his overall field goal percentage has alarmingly dropped to 0%. Facing the Bulls’ 22nd-ranked SG defense might seem an opportunity, but his extremely limited playing time and reduced shooting attempts make it difficult to justify any optimism. Cain’s DFS value score is also a 0.0, reflecting bad value for fantasy lineups.

Top Small Forward Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Trey Murphy III ($11500), New Orleans Pelicans – Projected 34.7 pts

Trey Murphy III has been on a hot streak, averaging 39.1 daily fantasy points over his last five games, a significant increase from his previous set of games. Scoring 22.2 points per game on an impressive 70.0% shooting from the field, Murphy has been a reliable source of points. Despite a slight decrease in assists and rebounds, his overall performance remains strong. However, with a DFS Value Score of 3.0, his high salary might not translate into the best value in today’s matchup against the Kings, who rank 13th in defense against SFs.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($9500), Miami Heat – Projected 28.7 pts

Jaime Jaquez Jr. has shown some improvement in his recent performances, with an average of 18.8 daily fantasy points in his last five outings. His scoring has slightly dipped to 8.8 points per game, but his three-point shooting has been exceptional at 70.0%. Despite these gains, his overall impact remains moderate due to limited minutes on the floor, averaging just 20.9 per game. Similar to Murphy, Jaquez holds a DFS Value Score of 3.0, indicating that his output may not justify his $9500 salary against the Bulls’ 22nd-ranked defense against SFs.

Power Forward Analysis for Upcoming DFS Slate

Keegan Murray ($5900), Sacramento Kings – Projected 34.7 pts

Keegan Murray has been a revelation for fantasy managers, especially in the recent stretch where he’s averaged 36.2 daily fantasy points. With a DraftKings salary of $5900, his value is calculated at 5.9, marking him as a strong value pick. Over the last five games, Murray has not only increased his scoring and rebounding but also his time on the court, averaging 39.2 minutes per game. Despite a slight dip in shooting efficiency from the field and beyond the arc compared to his previous five games, his overall contributions make him a robust option, especially against the Pelicans’ #11 ranked defense against PFs.

Caleb Martin ($6400), Miami Heat – Projected 23.9 pts

Caleb Martin, with a DraftKings salary of $6400, presents a different scenario. His recent performances average 21.4 daily fantasy points, resulting in a DFS value score of 3.7, which categorizes him as a player with bad value. Despite playing more minutes and improving his field goal percentage in the last five games, his fantasy output does not justify his current salary, especially when compared to other players in the same position. His next matchup against the Bulls, who rank #26 against PFs, might seem favorable, but his recent stats suggest caution in expecting a significant uptick in fantasy production.

Center Position Daily Fantasy Analysis

Domantas Sabonis ($9500), Sacramento Kings – Projected 57.8 pts

Domantas Sabonis continues to be a powerhouse for fantasy managers, especially in the center position. Over his last five games, Sabonis has maintained a robust average of 47.2 fantasy points per game, showing minimal fluctuation from his previous five-game stretch. His consistent scoring, coupled with impressive averages of 17.0 points and 14.2 rebounds per game, solidifies his role as a critical player. Notably, his assist numbers have seen a slight decrease, but this dip is well-compensated by his stable shooting percentages and increased minutes on the floor. Looking ahead, Sabonis faces the Pelicans, ranked #20 against centers, positioning him as a potentially lucrative pick. His DFS value score stands at 6.1, categorizing him as an elite value pick for the upcoming slate.

Bam Adebayo ($9800), Miami Heat – Projected 47.9 pts

Bam Adebayo, despite being a top-ranked center in generating fantasy points, shows a bit of a dip in his recent performances. His last five games averaged 33.2 fantasy points, a noticeable decrease from the previous set of games. This decline is reflected across his statistical contributions, with drops in points, assists, and rebounds. However, Adebayo’s field goal and three-point percentages remain strong, indicating his efficiency hasn’t waned significantly. The upcoming game against the Bulls, who have a strong defense against centers, might pose a challenge. With a DFS value score of 4.9, Adebayo is positioned as a core value player, suggesting that while he may not be the standout pick, he still holds considerable potential for solid fantasy contributions.