From the time the NBA’s action tonight tips off to the time it ends, six or so hours will have passed. With the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks both playing games on the West Coast, tonight’s eight-game slate is split into a six-game main DFS contest and a two-game night special. Both games should be fairly competitive; the Celtics are just 3.5-point favorites and the Suns have a three-point edge.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (Night)
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
Guard
Stud
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks, $9,100: Booker has somewhat let his teammate Kevin Durant ($9,000) carry the offensive load in recent weeks, having scored fewer than 20 points in two of his last four games, including a 17-point, 10-assist (36.0-FPT) performance in the surprise win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. But in games that Durant’s the star to take a backseat, he’s more than capable of putting up good performances, such as his 41-point (57.5-FPT) outburst on March 19 vs. the Bulls. Milwaukee has given up the 11th-most points to opposing shooting guards this season, even though it’s had the league’s second-best defensive rating since the All-Star break.
Value
Baylor Scheierman, Boston Celtics at Sacramento Kings, $3,300 – This one is heavily contingent on the health of Jaylen Brown ($8,400), who’s missed each of Boston’s last three games with a right knee injury and is set to be re-evaluated before the game to determine whether he’ll be able to play. Scheierman’s playing time might also see a bump if Jrue Holiday ($5,800), who has been in and out of the Celtics’ lineup all season and missed yesterday’s game with a right shoulder impingement, can’t play. Scheierman recorded six points, five rebounds, and three assists (19.25 FPTS) in 26 minutes last night without either Holiday or Brown, as well as 20 points (32.25 FPTS) last Tuesday with both Brown and Jayson Tatum ($11,000) sidelined. If Brown and Holiday both play, Scheierman won’t get enough minutes to be fantasy-viable.
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns, $12,000 – Antetokounmpo is the most expensive player on tonight’s slate by $1,000, but he’s worth every bit of his salary, especially with co-star Damian Lillard ($8,500) set to miss his third straight game with right calf soreness. Antetokounmpo was brilliant on Saturday in Lillard’s absence against Sacramento, scoring 32 points and adding 17 rebounds (62.25 FPTS), the latter of which tied his third-highest output of the season. This season, Phoenix has been woeful against opposing power forwards, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points, and it’s had the league’s seventh-worst defensive rating since the All-Star break.
Value
Trey Lyles, Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics, $3,900 – Like the Scheierman play, Lyles only represents strong value depending on injury news; namely, whether Domantas Sabonis ($9,200) is fit enough to return. Sabonis has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle, but it’s possible that he could return for tonight’s game, given that he was a full participant in yesterday’s practice, and he is officially listed as questionable. With Sabonis back in the rotation, Lyles wouldn’t get enough playing time to make a huge impact, but if Sabonis doesn’t play, he’d be Jonas Valančiūnas ($7,700)‘ backup in the middle. He’s posted some big performances in that role, including a 22-point (37.5-FPT) outing on Thursday.
Center
Stud
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics at Sacramento Kings, $8,200 – Porzingis is officially listed as questionable for tonight’s contest with an illness that held him out of last night’s game against Portland, just three games after he returned from an eight-game absence due to the ailment. I’m going to assume that he was held out of the Trail Blazers game as a precaution and that he’ll be good to go tonight. He’s been in his best form of the season since his return, averaging 25.3 points (45.3 FPTS) per game over his past three games, and he should be impactful again tonight, especially if Brown remains out. The Kings have been about league-average against opposing centers, even if they control the glass well between Sabonis and Valančiūnas.
Value
Nick Richards, Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks, $4,000 – Richards missed Friday’s game against the Cavaliers with a right calf issue, but the weekend has clearly benefited his recovery, and he’s listed as probable for tonight’s game. The former Charlotte Hornets man made a big impact on the Suns when he first joined the team in mid-January, and he’s been the first option in a mediocre Phoenix center corps that also features Mason Plumlee ($3,800) and Oso Ighodaro ($4,000). The Jamaican has scored double-digits points in each of his last seven games, including one double-double, and his upside should be high against Brook Lopez ($5,500), the worst rebounder among the NBA’s starting centers.
