NBA DFS Picks for April 22 2021

We have a tough slate to talk about tonight. Only six games for the slate and for the first time in a while we do not have too a lot of injuries to talk about. As a result, we have a lot less value to play around with then we have been used to. Another factor we are dealing with today is some lingering questionable tags. As always, we will talk about some of our favorite priorities on the slate if certain guys are out. The team we will be talking about the most as of now is the Boston Celtics, as they do have multiple relevant injuries for tonight. We will talk about a few teams that look good here and some guys that are too cheap tonight. We will be playing a balanced roster for this one, as we do not have a ton of value on the very top or bottom of the slate. 

Here’s a balanced lineup For DFS Basketball 4/22/21 (using DraftKings Values)

Cole Anthony has been putting out some fantastic production lately and we know the Magic will still have some injuries tonight. A few Magic guys are questionable, and Anthony will look even better if they are all out. However, he will be the starting point guard like usual and should continue to get some nice run regardless. Anthony has scored over 35 FPTS in each of his last three contests and is still only $6,400 for tonight’s game. The Magic are matched up with New Orleans tonight, which we are not worried about. The Magic are really lacking high usage guys right now, and we expect them to continue giving Anthony the keys to the offense.

We mentioned that the Boston Celtics were our favorite target as of now for tonight’s slate. The Celtics have a terrible matchup with Phoenix, but Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams remain sidelined for this one. There is going to be a lot of usage to go around and only a few high usage Celtics available. We know Marcus Smart has never met a shot he didn’t like, and we often see him take some massive usage when he gets the chance. Unlike some other Celtics, we are getting Smart at a very fair price of $6,600. Smart went for 40 FPTS last game and is averaging 35.6 FPTS over the past ten days. Smart has been showing a lot of upside lately, and that is exactly what we need on a tough slate like this.

This is not a slate that has a ton of strong budget plays, which could certainly change if more news breaks as the night progresses. However, one guy we are looking at as of now is Cameron Johnson. Johnson is only $3,500 tonight, which helps a lot on a slate like this. Beyond that Johnson can easily give us a solid game at this price and saw a massive opportunity last time out. When we wrote this Jae Crowder was questionable, but it is now confirmed he is out. Usually, we have something bigger to play off, but this should open a solid number of forward minutes for the Suns. We expect for Johnson to be in for around 30 minutes like he played last time, and he is way too cheap if that is the case. Johnson is the only play that looks good under $4,000 as of now, which makes him a particularly important play if that does not change.

Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris were both out yesterday and are questionable for tonight. Simmons and Harris are both very impactful players, so we have a few priorities if both are out again tonight. Joel Embiid Crushed with the two other stars out last game, and we are happy getting to him here again tonight if Simmons and Harris remain sidelined. Embiid put up over 68 FPTS last game, and he has scored over 60 FPTS in three of his last four games. Embiid has been one of the most dominant players in the league this year, as he was MVP frontrunner before missing time to injury. The Bucks are a solid matchup for Embiid, and we must expect another crush performance if the other studs are out. However, if everyone is healthy, we may look elsewhere on the second night of a back-to-back.

PJ Washington – PF ($5,900 DK) The Hornets have been gutted for a while and a few of the Charlotte guys have been priced up radically. However, we are still getting Washington at a great price tonight, and he has been excellent with all the guys out. Washington has scored over 30 FPTS in four out of the past five contests, showing 45 FPT upside in that time. Washington has shot the ball 17 and 18 times in the past two games respectively, which is a much bigger role then he would see with everyone healthy. Washington has some wild upside with everyone out, and he has a big enough role that we are not worried about getting decent value.

DeAndre Ayton – C ($6,500 DK) There is no denying that Ayton has a somewhat low floor that deserves mentioning. However, Ayton has just as much upside in the other direction. Ayton is too cheap tonight, and his price is more reminiscent of that poor performance. Ayton has given us over 40 FPTS in three of his past five games, which is phenomenal value at this price point. The Suns are playing the Celtics tonight, who are missing there go to center and will be running some undesirable big men. It would not be surprising to see Ayton completely feast on this frontcourt; we could be looking at one of Ayton’s 40 plus FPT nights. Ayton is a high priority for tournaments, as we are looking for high upside more than consistency.

Coby White – G ($5,500 DK) Zach Lavine has been out for a few games now which has led to a nice resurgence for White’s DFS production. In the four-game span since Lavine went down, White has scored 45.25, 25.75, 38.25 and 30 FPTS. As you can see, White is too cheap for this role at his current price, as none of his upside is baked into the price. Furthermore, White has hit the 30-minute mark in every game since Lavine has been out and we do not expect that to change. The Bulls have a nice matchup with Charlotte tonight, and White looks like a strong play across the board.

Danny Green – F ($5,100 DK) If Simmons and Harris are both in for Philadelphia tonight then Green is not an interesting play at this price. However, Green has been incredible lately and we have seen him take a big role when a lot of the guys are out. Green has scored over 30 FPTS in each of his last three outings, and we saw him take a ton of usage with Harris and Simmons out last game. Green shot the ball 14 times last game to go for 33 FPTS. If he is looking at a similar opportunity tonight, we are happy going right back to Green here against Milwaukee.

Here’s a balanced lineup For DFS Basketball 4/22/21 (using FanDuel Values)

Jalen Brunson – SG (5,200 FD) Brunson was the last guy in for us and is not someone we would feel bad about not playing tonight. However, we are getting Brunson at a nice price here for how good he has been lately. Brunson has scored over 30 FPTS in three of his past four matches, which is great for this price. Brunson has some solid upside and is a priority if Dallas rules any of their starters out.

Jayson Tatum – PF (9,500 FD) Tatum is a lot cheaper on FanDuel then DraftKings tonight, and he has some of the best upside on the whole slate. Tatum has been great in situations without Brown and might even get a go at center tonight. Tatum will have to do a lot for Boston to win this game. This is a terrible pace matchup, but that does not dilute the opportunity that Tatum has with the extra usage.

We could still get a lot of news tonight, which would really change this slate from a value perspective. Keep an eye on the news as we approach lock if you are playing this one.

Go win your lineup and tell us how you did. Twitter (@FantasyDFSX) is a good place for that.