These are the nights where it’s the most difficult to find DFS value picks.
Not only do we have a small two-game slate on Wednesday, but both of these contests are do-or-die, with the loser being eliminated from postseason contention. That generally means a more tight rotation for every team involved.
Who is a value bargain in these unique conditions? Let’s dive in and break it all down.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Play-In Special [$100K to 1st]
SG/SF Kevin Huerter, Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat, $4,600
If you’re having a feeling of deja vu, that’s because we saw this exact matchup exactly a week ago. The Heat visited the Bulls in Chicago on April 9, with homecourt advantage for the Play-In very much hanging in the balance. As such, Billy Donovan leaned heavily on his starters in the eventual 119-111 victory, with all five seeing at least 34 minutes of action. Conversely, no reserve logged more than 16 minutes. I have a feeling we could be in store for a similar script this evening. Huerter was incredible in the winning effort, finishing the game second on the team in points (22) and field goal attempts (16) in 36.9 minutes. Huerter also added seven assists and four rebounds, equating out to a massive 40.5 FPTS. The wing has now started the last 15 contests he’s been available for. With the season on the line, I doubt Donovan will turn away from Huerter now.
PG/SG Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks, $5,000
Ellis is far from the most consistent DFS asset in the world — the direct result of playing beside usage magnets like DeMar DeRozan ($10,500) and Zach LaVine ($8,700) — yet the guard has shown some ceiling in recent weeks. To wit, Ellis has exceeded 30 FPTS five times in his last 13 games, a span which includes a performance with 20 points and 39.0 FPTS on April 9. Why is that particular contest so important? Well, it was the first night that Malik Monk (calf) missed with his on-going ailment, opening up even more opportunity for Ellis in the Kings’ rotation. Ellis averaged 34.1 minutes in Sacramento’s final five games of the regular season. I wouldn’t expect anything different in Wednesday’s Play-In tilt.
