Here we are. The last week of the NBA regular season. I think I speak for everyone when I say: It’s about freakin’ time. Not only am I excited to get to watch meaningful playoff basketball, but goodness am I tired of ingesting the “injury” reports for tanking teams. It’s a lot.
That said, those “injuries” open up a ton of value on every slate. Well, almost every slate. Things won’t be as simple with tonight’s microscopic two-game schedule, so let’s dive in and break it all down.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
PF/C Trey Lyles, Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons, $3,600
Tonight, the Kings continue their fight for home court advantage against the Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament. However, they’ll likely have to do so without Keegan Murray ($6,100; back), who was unable to suit up in Sunday’s victory over the Cavaliers. If Murray is indeed ruled out once again, that would open the door for Lyles to make another start. The veteran forward’s 8.5% usage rate versus Cleveland leaves a lot to be desired, yet Lyles still managed seven points, eight rebounds, two steals and 23.0 FPTS in the 120-113 win. I’m burying the lede, though. Sacramento essentially ran a shortened playoff rotation last night, meaning Lyles joined DeMar DeRozan ($8,300) and Zach LaVine ($7,800) as Kings that logged over 40 minutes. That type of role with a price tag below $4,000 is a tantalizing combination.
SG/SF Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $4,600
It is truly anyone’s guess who ends up available for the Heat this evening. Miami is currently the 10-seed in the Eastern Conference, but the team does have the opportunity to elevate itself in the Play-In over the final week of the regular season — so it’s not like the Heat have nothing on the line. Yet, their injury report is a total mystery. Bam Adebayo ($9,200; back), Tyler Herro ($9,000; thigh), Andrew Wiggins ($6,900; hamstring) and Alec Burks ($4,200; back) are all listed as questionable. Needless to say, how those four statuses swing will really impact this small slate. If a majority end up sitting, it will open a ton of potential value in a fantastic matchup, as Philadelphia sports a ghastly 123.2 defensive rating across its last 15 contests. Larsson is one of the key names to keep an eye on. The rookie has started each of Miami’s past five games, even logging 39.1 minutes in Saturday’s OT loss to Milwaukee. That five-start run also includes a 40.0 FPTS performance against this same 76ers team back on March 29.
