NBA DFS Preview – First Look (4/3)

Every morning on FTNDaily, we will have a comprehensive First Look article for that day’s NBA DFS slate. This will be your go-to destination for NBA game environments, fantasy-relevant situations to monitor, a quick look at the top-priced players across the industry and some stats to get you started with the slate.

Looking for an edge in your NBA DFS contests? Our NBA package includes a state-of-the-art LineupEDGE Optimizer, advanced DvP and On/Off tools, player projection models and more to consistently vault you to the top of the NBA leaderboards in your DFS contests.

Sunday presents us with an eight-game main slate after a slew of matinee games.

Consensus Vegas odds are derived from FTNBets Vegas Odds Board.

NBA Vegas Data for April 3 | NBA DFS First Look

Philadelphia 76ers @ Cleveland Cavaliers

PHI -4.5, total: 224.5
Pace: PHI (27th), CLE (25th)

Situations to monitor:

• Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade remain out for the Cavs, while Rajon Rondo is questionable and Evan Mobley is not expected to return on Sunday.

New York Knicks @ Orlando Magic

NYK -4.5, total: 215.0
Pace: NYK (29th), ORL (10th)

Situations to monitor:

• Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, Cam Reddish and Nerlens Noel remain out for the Knicks.
• Wendell Carter and Jalen Suggs remain out for the Magic, while Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony are listed as questionable.

Miami Heat @ Toronto Raptors

TOR -3.5, total: 212.5
Pace: MIA (28th), TOR (26th)

Situations to monitor:

• Malachi Flynn is listed as questionable for the Raptors.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Houston Rockets

MIN -14, total: 243.5
Pace: MIN (1st), HOU (2nd)

Situations to monitor:

• Eric Gordon, Christian Wood and Dennis Schroder remain out for the Rockets.
• Jaden McDaniels remains out for the Timberwolves, while Malik Beasley is listed as questionable.

Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder

PHO -14.5, total: 223.0
Pace: PHO (9th), OKC (11th)

Situations to monitor:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Tre Mann, Darius Bazley, Kenrich Williams, Ty Jerome, Derrick Favors and Mike Muscala are all out for the Thunder. Aleksej Pokusevski is listed as questionable.
• Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder and Devin Booker are out for the Suns.

Portland Trail Blazers @ San Antonio Spurs

SAS -14.5, total: 230.5
Pace: POR (13th), SAS (3rd)

Situations to monitor:

• Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Hart, Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little, Eric Bledsoe and Justise Winslow remain out for the Blazers. Trendon Watford is listed as questionable.
• Dejounte Murray and Josh Primo are listed as questionable for the Spurs.

Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings

GSW -5.5, total: 222.0
Pace: GSW (14th), SAC (8th)

Situations to monitor:

• Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Terence Davis and Richaun Holmes all remain out for the Kings.
• Stephen Curry and James Wiseman remain out for the Warriors.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers

LAC -2, total: 223.5
Pace: NOP (21st), LAC (18th)

Situations to monitor:

• Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell remain out for the Clippers.
• Zion Williamson remains out for the Pelicans.

Matchup to Target | NBA DFS First Look

Below are two matchups that I intend to target as core plays on Sunday.

Jordan Poole vs. Sacramento Kings

Poole has been a regular in my “matchups to target” section, but he continues to display astronomical rate increases in the absence of Stephen Curry, healthy point totals and now, a price that has gone down nearly $1,000. His usage rate without Curry this season has now climbed north of 30% (30.22%), averaging 21.92 points and 16.77 shot attempts per game. In a fast-paced game against the Kings’ defense, Poole is a core play in every format for me on Sunday.

Cameron Johnson vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite looking rusty in his return from a lengthy absence, Cam Johnson steps into a fantastic spot on Sunday against the Thunder. With Devin Booker and Jae Crowder out, Johnson should slide into the starting lineup and operate as the secondary scoring option next to Chris Paul. With Booker, Crowder and Deandre Ayton off the floor this season, Johnson has averaged 35.34 DraftKings points per 36 minutes, giving him a massive ceiling in a healthy matchup, assuming he sees a bump in minutes.

NBA Value Plays | NBA DFS First Look

For the top value plays on the slate, check out the Cheat Sheets for our analysts’ exposures and the NBA Optimizer for the best point-per-dollar plays.

Quick Look at Tonight’s NBA Slate | NBA DFS First Look

The top-priced players on the NBA DFS slate are listed below for DraftKings and FanDuel.

Top DraftKings NBA DFS Plays | NBA DFS First Look

1. Joel Embiid ($11,800)
2. Dejounte Murray ($11,200)
3. James Harden ($10,400)
4. Paul George ($9,900)
5. Darius Garland ($9,700)

Top FanDuel NBA DFS Plays | NBA DFS First Look

1. Joel Embiid ($11,200)
2. Dejounte Murray ($10,300)
3. Paul George ($9,900)
4. James Harden ($9,800)
5. Pascal Siakam ($9,000)