We have officially made it through the slog that is the end of the NBA regular season. The play-in tournament gets underway on Tuesday, and there is a two-game slate on DraftKings starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Let’s break down some of the top studs and values at each position to help you build your DraftKings lineups.
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Live app. You also can follow DK Live on Twitter @dklive.
Point Guard
Stud
Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards ($7,300) – Ah competitive basketball, how I’ve missed you so. We should get some good games on Tuesday, and the Celtics stand out as one of the top teams to target. They own the top implied team total on the slate vs. the Wizards, and they will still be playing without Jaylen Brown.
Walker has been one of the biggest beneficiaries with Brown off the court this season. He’s increased his usage rate by a team-high 4.5 percentage points, resulting in an average of 1.17 DKFP per minute. He’s been even better when he’s been on the court recently, averaging 1.27 DKFP per minute over the past month. Overall, he’s one of the best values of the day at just $7,300.
Other Options – Russell Westbrook ($12,400)
Value
Aaron Holiday, Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets ($3,600) – The one downside of playoff basketball is that value is very tough to come by. That said, there is a scenario where Holiday would become viable on this slate. The Pacers have listed a bunch of players as questionable vs. Hornets, including starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon. Holiday is also questionable, but he would make some sense if he’s in and Brogdon is ultimately ruled out.
Other Options – Devonte’ Graham ($6,100), Ish Smith ($3,900)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Play-In Special [$150K to 1st]
Shooting Guard
Stud
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets @ Indiana Pacers ($7,700) – Rozier has carried a monster workload for the Hornets recently. He’s averaged more than 40 minutes over his past six games, and he’s averaged 1.06 DKFP per minute this season. The Hornets remain without Gordon Hayward and Cody Martin, which means Rozier should be looking at another huge workload on Tuesday. The Pacers’ defense also struggled mightily over the second half of the season, allowing an average of 114.9 points per 100 possessions.
Other Options – Bradley Beal ($9,000)
Value
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards ($5,800) – Smart has struggled to end the season, failing to return value in each of his past four games. That said, it’s hard to ignore him at just $5,800. He should play around 34 minutes in an excellent matchup – the Wizards have played at the fastest pace this season – and Smart has averaged 0.90 DKFP per minute for the season.
Other Options – Raul Neto ($4,600)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22521052/SB_NBA_Playoffs_Organic_Social_Assets_1080x1080_Hammer_The_Over.png)
HAMMER THE OVER
Head on over to DraftKings Sportsbook to place a bet on Saturday’s Mavericks-Clippers promo. For every 1,500 bets the total drops by a point, so tell all your friends!
Small Forward
Stud
Evan Fournier, Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards ($6,000) – Fournier is one of the easiest plays of the day. He’s been asked to pick up the slack with Brown out of the lineup recently, and he’s thrived in that role. He’s exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his past seven contests, including in his last game despite playing just 24.4 minutes. He’s simply too cheap at the moment.
Other Options – Miles Bridges ($7,000)
Value
Justin Holiday, Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets ($4,500) – The Pacers were just dealt a huge blow heading into the playoffs. Caris LeVert has been ruled out for health and safety protocols, and he’s expected to miss multiple games if the Pacers can advance past the Hornets. That makes their injury report even more important to monitor than usual. Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, Aaron Holiday, and Edmond Sumner are all listed as questionable, so the Pacers have the potential to be extremely thin.
Justin Holiday is someone who should see a solid handful of minutes, and he’s increased his production to 0.76 DKFP per minute over the past month. If any of the questionable players are ruled out, he would become an even stronger value.
Other Options – Edmond Sumner ($3,400; questionable)
Refer a friend and get $20 DK Dollars! Head to the DraftKings Playbook Promo page for more details!
Power Forward
Stud
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards ($9,800) – With Brown out, Tatum is going to be asked to serve as the Celtics’ primary scoring threat in the playoffs. He’s increased his production to 1.35 DKFP per minute with Brown off the court this season, and he has the potential to exceed that number vs. the Wizards.
Other Options – Rui Hachimura ($5,000)
Value
Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets @ Indiana Pacers ($4,900) – McDaniels has emerged as an important role player for the Hornets to end the season. His playing time has fluctuated a bit, but he’s averaged 30.0 minutes over his past eight games. He’s also been productive when on the court, averaging 0.82 DKFP per minute.
Other Options – Oshae Brissett ($5,400), Davis Bertans ($4,200)
Center
Stud
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Hornets ($10,000) – I’m fully expecting Sabonis to be in the lineup despite being listed as questionable. He was also questionable for their last game, and he ended up playing 39.3 minutes. As long as he’s in the lineup, he should be able to deliver excellent fantasy value vs. the Hornets. He has served as the Pacers’ offensive focal point recently, increasing his fantasy production to 1.65 DKFP per minute over the past month, and he should benefit from the absence of LeVert.
Other Options – None
Value
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Hornets @ Indiana Pacers ($4,700) – Zeller is in contention with Walker in terms of best pure value on the slate. He’s been excellent recently, which is not surprising since he’s played at least 29.4 minutes in three of his past four games. Zeller has averaged 1.06 DKFP per minute this season, so he can do some damage with that much playing time.
Other Options – Robert Williams ($5,200), Daniel Gafford ($3,700)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Play-In Special [$150K to 1st]
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
For sports betting, head over to DraftKings Sportsbook or download the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is mlamarca) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.