Mitchell Thoennes 
Today brings us another five-game slate for NBA GPP Picks 4/18. We do have a couple of quality players out in John Wall and Damian Lillard. That should open plenty of value for us on this slate. A key player that enters today questionable is Kawhi Leonard. Any news on him will alter the slate so be sure to join the WinDaily staff and me in the Discord Chat room. We offer our latest advice along with the latest news on today’s slate. The late-night hammer for this slate between LAC and MIN is projected for the highest total at 234 ½. We have a five-game NBA slate to talk about so let’s get into it!
In this article, I will be breaking down my two top plays at each position using DraftKings pricing. Due to the shorter slate, I may not get both for all positions.
Bombcarlo’s NBA GPP Picks 4/18
Point Guard
Cj McCollum – ($8,700)
When Lillard sat last game, McCollum led his squad in usage rate at 34%. A large part of that was him shooting the ball 26 times in that outing. It has been three straight games of over 36 minutes. I do think it is worth mentioning that McCollum is averaging five more real points and ten more fantasy points on the road. Combine that with his team-high in usage and McCollum will have a great night.
Anfernee Simons – ($3,600)
With Damian Lillard already ruled out we should see Simons play big minutes again. Last time out without Lillard Simons eclipsed the 30-minute mark and scored 29.5 fantasy points. When Lillard is absent Simons holds a 21.2% usage rate while averaging just under a fantasy point per minute. A matchup against a depleted Charlotte team is enticing too.
Shooting Guard
Paul George – ($9,300)
If Kawhi is out again this pick is a no-brainer it seems. Just play George and if he sucks so be it. In the past three games, he played without Leonard his lowest usage rate is 37%. All three of those games saw George score 50 fantasy points or more. A glorious matchup awaits PG as well with the Wolves being the fourth fastest team and ranking third-worst in defensive efficiency. Just fire him up he has scored over 50 in five straight now.
Gary Harris – ($4,200)
The former Nugget has been seeing around a 20% usage rate for his new squad. Harris has been getting worked back slowly and should be off any restriction he may have had. This is a smash spot in which Harris already scored 27 fantasy points in 28 minutes. With Houston ranking sixth fastest and fifth-worst in defensive rating Harris will have a fantastic opportunity at over 25 fantasy points.
Small Forward
Luguentz Dort – ($6,900)
In the past two games, Dort has led this thin Thunder team. Over the last two games, he is averaging a 36% usage rate while scoring at least 44.5 fantasy points in both. With the Thunder players off the floor that are already ruled out, Dort increases his usage by 10% and averages 1.22 fantasy points per minute. His last two massive fantasy performances were tough matchups against Utah and Detroit. This spot will allow Dort the possibility at a larger ceiling.
Miles Bridges – (7,200)
Due to the substantial number of injuries for Charlotte Bridges has been playing massive minutes recording 36 or more in six straight. If the same players sit that sat last game Bridge’s usage increases over 5% and he averages over a fantasy point per minute at 1.03. He is facing the second-worst defensive team in the league which could only be a benefit. If the Hornets are shorthanded again the minutes and shot attempts available are impossible to ignore.
Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis – ($9,000)
He comes with a price tag but if I am playing a Dallas player, I will choose Porzingis over Luka. I think you can play Luka since the Kings play at a top ten pace and still rank dead last in team defense. I will just prefer to pay less for Porzingis with a 55-to-60-point upside. The Kings are the fifth-worst rebounding team this season and will be without starting big man Richuan Holmes. I will want plenty of exposure to this game in general because it is going to be fantastic.
Darius Bazley- ($6,000)
Since the Thunder are shorthanded and since Bazley returned he has the second-highest usage at 24%. In three of this last four Bazley has gone for over 30 fantasy points while posting over a 25% usage rate in those three games. If you play Bazley and Dort you are getting over 50% of a team usage for a discounted rate.
Center
Christian Wood – ($8,500)
Since Houston will be without Wall tonight they will count on Wood and Porter Jr to absorb a majority of their usage. Their opponent brings a favorable matchup as they have been the fifth-worst defensive team since the deadline. We have just seen Wood go for over 50 fantasy points in two of his last three. Now tonight without a usage monster like Wall, Wood should have more touches against Orlando.
Ivica Zubac – ($5,400)
It will be up to Zubac to defend Towns so I believe his minutes will be safe here other than foul trouble. Other than his down performance last game Zubac had gone three straight games with 25 or more fantasy points. The Wolves are the best matchup he has had as they have allowed the second-most fantasy points to centers. Today’s icing on the cake is the Wolves’ fast-paced zero-defense basketball will allow Zubac to get a double-double.
Closing Bombcarlo’s NBA GPP Picks 4/18
It was fun breaking down today’s five-game NBA GPP Picks 4/18 slate. There is always the potential for slate-breaking news so don’t be afraid to jump in Discord. You can also check out our Projection Models before lock to stay updated on the best point per dollar plays. The majority of my spend-up options will come from SAC vs DAL or MIN vs LAC depending on Kawhi. I appreciate you tuning in. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and good luck!
