DFSGhost 
The NCAA season came to a close with Kansas cutting down the nets, but now, it’s time for the NBA Playoffs and baseball. The action kicks off on Taco Tuesday with the first two Play-In matchups, while the other two will take place on Wednesday night. Two teams stand out above the rest in the four combined games, but they have to make it out of the Play-In first, making the Playoffs as good as it can be.
The NBA Playoffs have arrived, but the strategy remains the same. Be sure to utilize the tools, as you have been all season long:
If you have not been following the NBA’s new playoff format in recent years, the image below will explain how the new seeding works. Essentially, the former 1-8 seeding in both the Eastern and Western Conferences has been modified to allow the 9th and 10th seeds a chance to get into the Playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets (7) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (8)
A preseason favorite for the NBA title, the Brooklyn Nets now find themselves in the Play-In tournament amidst a season of turmoil. Gone is James Harden, in are Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond, and this Nets team is now turning to its stars even more than anticipated. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have had their fair share of adversity, dealing with season-long injuries to Collin Sexton and mid-season acquisition Ricky Rubio, only to acquire Caris LeVert from the Pacers as their third secondary ball handler next to Most Improved Player (MIP) candidate, Darius Garland.
Brooklyn Nets (-8.5)
The combination of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will certainly dictate how far the Nets go, while contributions from a supporting cast of Andre Drummond, Seth Curry, Bruce Brown, and Patty Mills will be crucial in its own right before the possible return of Ben Simmons. As much as I want to play Kevin Durant on this NBA slate, it’s simply not doable on DK with my top priority coming in this next game. However, Kyrie Irving is certainly enticing at a respectable tag, coming into this one having taken 20 or more shots in six straight games while posting a 29.2/4.8/6.2 scoring line on 44.5% shooting, including 4.5 3PM per contest, through a 28.9% usage rate.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+8.5)
The Cavaliers are surprisingly deep on offense, but they clearly run through Darius Garland. Leading the Cavaliers in both scoring and assists, Garland posted a career-high 21.6 PPG and 8.6 APG, being the sole player on the team to average over 20 PPG. However, his price point is tough to get to on DK, but there is some interest in some of his teammates. Cleveland suffered a major blow with the loss of Jarrett Allen (finger) for tonight, meaning rookie Evan Mobley will be tasked with heavy minutes in the front court. Moreover, the combination of Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen will be crucial off the bench and on the wing, respectively, while Caris LeVert makes for an intriguing play in the mid range. If you need a guard over a forward/center, LeVert is your preferred option here, but Mobley stands out above the rest.
The Pick: Brooklyn Nets win (ML), but Cleveland covers the spread (+8.5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (7) vs. LA Clippers (8)
Minnesota Timberwolves (-3)
The trio of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell look to make a mark in this year’s playoffs, should they make it there. The three have near identical usage rates on the season, at 27.7%, 26.4%, and 25.1%, respectively, while also combining for over 48 FGA per night. I can’t stomach playing any of the three, despite Towns being in a great matchup versus a Clippers front court that ranked 25th in the NBA in points allowed in the paint per game. The reason for this is that Edwards often goes hero ball in the clutch, which we can’t afford on such a small slate. Rather, I’ll get exposure to the better of the two games in Patrick Beverley, who faces his former team and always shows up for the big games; no statistics for this play, simply watch him and you’ll know why he’s needed.
LA Clippers (+3)
I am high on the Clippers potentially entering the NBA Playoffs as a 7-seed, and there are multiple reasons why. Sporting a 6-1 record sine Paul George returned to the lineup, the Clippers not only have the league’s best offense in that span, but they also have a rested group of veterans that have proven to win in April. Adam will be breaking down the matchups in the Western Conference once the Play-In is finalized, but should Kawhi Leonard make his return, I’ll be taking the Clippers to upset the Grizzlies in the opening round, should they win tonight.
While the combination of Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, and Nic Batum is defensively saavy and can shoot the ‘3’, the Clippers bench is just as impressive, with the trio of Norman Powell, Terance Mann, and Luke Kennard providing quite the offensive punch. Not of this matters without Paul George, who sports a 32.4% usage rate in the five games he’s played since his return, posting a 22.6/5.6/6.8 scoring line on 42.5% shooting. There is not a single NBA lineup I’d recommend making without George, but if you are, be sure to get a combination of the players listed above.
The Pick: Not only do the Clippers cover the spread (+3), but they win outright (ML)
Atlanta Hawks (9) vs. Charlotte Hornets (10)
While the Hornets do boast a decent offense, star power reigns true in the NBA Playoffs. Trae Young will be without his main pick-and-roll man in John Collins (finger) tonight, but it won’t stop one of the best primary ball handlers from taking over this game. Charlotte finished the regular season ranking 5th in pace while also being 22nd in defensive rating, which is right up Young’s alley. The face of the Hawks franchise led the league in total points and assists this year, and he’s set to build on last year’s playoff run. Look for Clint Capela to dominate a Hornets interior that ranked 24th in scoring to opposing big men, while also being 26th in rebounding. Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter, Danilo Gallinari, and Bogdan Bogdanovic will all round out the bulk of the minutes for the Hawks’ rotation tonight, while Onyeka Okongwu will sub in for Capela.
The Hornets need a big man to get over the hump, but tonight, they’ll be relying on the trio of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, and Miles Bridges to get the job done. With little to no viable value plays in the NBA Playoffs, Ball takes a backseat to Young and Murray for me tonight, but I will get exposure to this offense in the form of Rozier and/or Bridges. This rotation is deep, not with talent, but with options. I recommend sticking to these three rather than taking a shot on the likes of PJ Washington, Montrezl Harrel, Cody Martin, or Kelly Oubre Jr.
New Orleans Pelicans (9) vs. San Antonio Spurs (10)
The Pelicans bleed fantasy points to opposing primary ball handlers, and Dejounte Murray is set to shine in this contest. Leading the NBA in steals with two per game, Murray also improved his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, averaging 21.1/8.3/9.2 on 46.2% shooting for the season. If the Spurs stand a chance tonight, it’s because Murray took this one over.
The Pelicans’ prized acquisition, CJ McCollum, will certainly be running the offense tonight, but the builds he gives us with one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray are simply not viable. Rather, I have interest in Jonas Valanciunas, who gets a friendly matchup versus a Spurs interior that ranks 29th in the NBA in both scoring in rebounding to opposing true big men. The trio of McCollum, Ingram, and Valanciunas will log the bulk of the minutes here, with Jaxson Hayes, Herbert Jones, Devonte’ Graham, Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado rounding out the rotation. Few value plays interest me here with such condensed usage in the top three options for the Pelicans; turn to Atlanta and Charlotte if you are taking shots in tournaments.
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