NBA Expert Picks Preview: Thursday, April 2nd
Glean insight from the best minds in the industry as they list picks they’ll actually be targeting in their tournament games, along with detailed analysis and reasoning.
Author Disclaimer: Please remember, these picks are not necessarily safe for your 50/50-H2H games. They are intended to separate yourself from the herd in an attempt to be contrarian and different. The most logical outcomes don’t always play out on a given NBA slate, so we are looking for the guys that may surprise, that few will roster.
Thursday, April 2
Point Guard
Goran Dragic, $6,700 – Dragic has been awful recently, so hopefully that will keep some of the crowd off of him. However, he is still playing big minutes with at least 35 minutes in four of his last five games, and has averaged 37 MPG in his last two games. Miami is really beat up right now, so he should continue to play huge minutes. He’s too good of a player to keep producing that little with those type of minutes and the “defense” of Kyrie Irving just might be the thing to break him out of his slump. The Cavs are dead last in DVP against PGs over the last three weeks, and Dragic dropped 20 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals (42.75 DK points) on the Cavs just two weeks ago.
Stephen Curry, $9,300 – I don’t love the spot that Curry is in, as the Suns have fallen out of playoff contention and have not been playing inspired ball. With this game in Golden State, this could easily get out of hand, which is evidenced by the Vegas spread. The Warriors have locked up playoff seeding and won’t overextend Steph if they don’t have too. That being said, DK is practically daring you to take him at this price, and I’ll probably do just that in some GPP lineups. If the Suns can keep it close, the matchup is definitely there as Phoenix is 18th in DVP against PGs. He also has lit the Suns up this year as he is averaging 54 DK points against them, and that average has come in 35 MPG, which leads back to the concern of playing time.
Also Consider – Kyrie Irving (great GPP option if Love sits), Rajon Rondo, Pablo Prigioni (top guard punt)
UPDATE – Kyrie is sick and is a GTD.
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade, $7,300 – The Cavs are 21st in DVP and 18th over the last three weeks against SGs, and Wade has taken over a huge offensive role recently. Wade has taken full advantage of Cleveland’s weak SG defense as he is averaging 31.5 PPG, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals in two meetings with the Cavs (48 DK PPG).
UPDATE – Dwyane Wade is sick and missed morning shoot around so be sure to check his status.
Monta Ellis, $6,500 – It looks like a 3 SG or 3 PF day on DK, and that is the way I would construct my lineups in terms of utilizing the “U”. At 6.5k, Monta makes a great mid-range target in the top game to target of the night. He looked healthy in his return to action last night with 46 DK points. He draws another favorable matchup against the uptempo Rockets and James Harden. The Rockets are 20th in DVP against SGs and Monta is averaging 33 DK PPG against the Rockets this year.
James Harden, $11,300 – LeBron and Curry are both in games with potential blowouts and haven’t shown the upside of Harden. The Rockets are still battling for playoff position and are leaning on Harden, and the Mavs have really struggled against SGs recently as they are 28th over the last three weeks. He threw up 76 DK points last night, and also had 61 a few games ago. Out of the big three names, he is in the best position to have that tournament changing 70 DK point night, and is the top overall option if you are spending.
Small Forward
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