NBA DFS Picks & Playbook For Today: 2024 Playoffs, April 25th

Published: Apr 25, 2024
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing with another three-game NBA DFS main slate. The first game that tipoffs off at 7 PM ET is Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic who are desperate for a win being down 2-0.
We then have Game 3 between Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks taking on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers who are down 2-0 themselves. Then finally we have the LeBron James-led Lakers trying to get back in the series against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets who lead 2-0.
We have a great night of basketball ahead of us with this three-game NBA DFS main slate. Now, let's dive into the slate.
NBA DFS Tools To Dominate Tonight's NBA DFS Slate!
Make sure to check out today's NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections before finalizing your lineups today. We also have the NBA Consistency Report to help identify players that have exceeded value based on their current price tag this season and of course our NBA DFS Lineup Generator!
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NBA Injury Report Today, 4/25
QUESTIONABLE
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NBA Game Totals Today
- Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (+1) Game Total: 216.5
- New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers (-5) Game Total: 203
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic (-2) Game Total: 200
Pace Up Spots (Post All-Star Break)
Pace definition: Pace is the total number of possessions a team uses in a game.
*key* Green is elite pace of play, Blue is decent pace of play, & Red is slow pace of play.
Green = Fast Paced team
Blue = Neutral Paced team
Red = Slow Paced team
- Denver Nuggets 15th vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2nd
- New York Knicks 30th vs. Philadelphia 76ers 27th
- Cleveland Cavaliers 23rd vs.Orlando Magic 28th
Defensive Ratings (Post All-Star Break)
- Orlando Magic 1st
- Denver Nuggets 5th
- New York Knicks 10th
- Philadelphia 76ers 11th
- Los Angeles Lakers 23rd
- Cleveland Cavaliers 25th
Top-Tier NBA DFS Core Plays
Nikola Jokic, C Denver Nuggets
I am unsure what is left to say about Nikola Jokic. He is the highest-priced player by more than $1,000 on DraftKings But it might be worth it. Jokic has scored 63.5 and 75 DKP in the first two games of this series and it should continue tonight. The issue with playing Jokic is the lack of low-priced value on this slate and it could make it hard to build around him tonight.
Joel Embiid, C Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are desperate for a win in this one being down 2-0 in the series. They have looked outmatched thus far by the Knicks. The Knicks have done a great job making things difficult on Embiid who may not be 100%. He shot just 12-29 in the last game and 8-22 in Game 1. Embiid is going to need to be more efficient in this one if the 76ers want a chance in this one. I believe he will be with them at home in this one where he has been better all season.
LeBron James, SF/PF, Anthony Davis, C Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers' season is on the line tonight. They can not go down 3-0 to the defending champs, and both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are not going down without a fight. Both James and Davis are coming off big games, and everything points to them doing it again tonight. I love the thought of building lineups around both of these guys tonight.
Mid-Tier Core Plays
Jamal Murray, PG Denver Nuggets
I love having Jamal Murray on the other side of the game to continue stacking this Nuggets-Lakers game. He isn't coming off the best game scoring just 34 DKP, but he did hit the biggest shot of the night with the game-winner. He has shot just 37.5% from the floor throughout the series but has gotten up 24 attempts in each game while playing nearly 40 minutes. At just $8,100 play Jamal Murray once again tonight.
Tyrese Maxey, PG Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey has been playing like a madman throughout the first two games of this series. He is coming off a monster 63.25 DKP game at Madison Garden, which is a tough place to play. It has been a lot of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey two-man game with them each getting up close to 25 shots. With him playing almost all the minutes, it makes him a nice pivot if you can not afford Murray tonight with Maxey being a bit cheaper.
Jarrett Allen, C Cleveland Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen has shown a massive floor throughout the first two games of this series. He has been outstanding on the glass grabbing 18 and 20 rebounds in the first two matchups. Allen has also been great on the defensive end, grabbing two steals in each game and providing great rim protection while averaging 1.5 blocks per game. With how low this pace has been throughout this series it has not mattered for him with him playing 35+ minutes. As long as he stays out of foul trouble he will not bust tonight.
Josh Hart, SF/PF New York Knicks
Josh Hart is playing nearly every minute of the game, in fact, he did play all of the last game. Like Jarrett Allen Josh Hart has created a solid rebounding floor grabbing 15 and 13 in the first two games in the series. What you also love to see is him averaging 14 shot attempts per game. The thing that may not be sustainable is him knocking down four three-point shots like he has in back-to-back games. If they do, he is in line for another ceiling type of night from Hart.
Franz Wagner, SF Orlando Magic
The price for Franz Wagner went up slightly but with him still being priced under 7K I am still in. Wagner is coming off a six-turnover game and still finished with 31.75 DKP. With the series shifting to Orlando I do not see him turning the ball over six times in this one. With him playing 38 minutes in the first two games and taking 15 shots on a 25% usage, I am in on that.
Michael Porter, SF/PF Denver Nuggets
Michael Porter is still sitting with a nice price on DraftKings. The man is just an absolute bucket and has dominated the Lakers this season. In the five games against the Lakers this season he is averaging almost 42 DKP per game and a near double-double. He is also shooting just under 60% from the floor and just over 50% from three-point range.
Value Tier Core Plays
Max Strus, SG/SF Cleveland Cavaliers
I said above that this slate is lacking some value, but on DraftKings, Max Strus is in play at $5,400. He is coming off playing 33 and 37 minutes in the series where he grabbed nine rebounds in each game which we love. What we haven't loved is him shooting just 2-10 from downtown thus far. I do not expect that to continue and this could be the game Strus gets back on track.
Jonathan Isaac, PF/C Orlando Magic
With Isaac still sitting under 5K on DraftKings I will be playing him with him in the starting lineup. After smashing his value in Game 1 with 30 DKP Isaac struggled from the floor last game taking all of his shot attempts from three-point range and shooting just 1-7. With his defensive upside with block shots and steals, I am going back to the well once again tonight.
Kyle Lowry, PG/SG Philadelphia 76ers
Kyle Lowry has been very solid for the 76ers throughout the first two games of this series. He is clearly in the circle of trust with Nick Nurse with him playing 39 and 34 minutes. Lowry hasn't taken double-digit shot attempts in either game, but he has been efficient from the floor shooting 6-13 from downtown. With not a ton of value on the slate, Lowry has made his way into someone we can trust tonight.
Gary Harris is a dart throw on this slate tonight with him sitting at 4K on DraftKings. We saw him knock down four threes last game and go for 28 DKP. But unfortunately, we have also seen him go 0-6 from the field in Game 1 and score just eight DKP. If you play him tonight just know that it can crash and burn, or it could pay off like it did in game Game 2 with him playing 33+ minutes.
DFS NBA Lineup Lock Updates & Late-News Core Play Section
*Section for players we are considering “core plays” based on late-breaking news & research
Player Pool
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Player News
Cooper Flagg amassed 31 points (10-of-20 FGs, 8-of-13 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, one block and three three-pointers.
After struggling with his shot and failing to score in the second half of Thursday’s summer league debut, Flagg looked more like himself on Saturday. He spent less time on the ball as a playmaker against the Spurs, resulting in the rookie only recording one assist. However, Flagg got to his spots as a scorer, shooting 50 percent from the field and attempting 13 free throws. The question is whether Dallas has seen enough in Las Vegas from its top draft pick. Dallas faces Charlotte on Monday, with Flagg potentially having the opportunity to play against college teammate Kon Knueppel.
Dylan Harper finished Saturday’s win over the Mavericks with 16 points (5-of-12 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
Due to a groin injury, Harper did not play in San Antonio’s first four games of the summer. The second overall pick in last month’s draft was cleared to debut on Saturday, albeit under a restriction of 20 minutes. Harper logged 17 minutes against top overall pick Cooper Flagg and provided solid value across the board. The former Rutgers star missed all four of his three-point attempts, but that can be chalked up to rust rather than him being a suspect shooter. Harper will join a crowded perimeter rotation next season, which may limit his immediate fantasy prospects. However, the offensive versatility should make him a threat at multiple positions as he shakes off the rust.
Pete Nance tallied 12 points (5-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, three blocks and two three-pointers in Saturday’s loss to the Cavaliers.
Nance recorded a complete stat line for the Bucks for the second consecutive game. He’s on a two-way deal, so nothing is guaranteed for the former Northwestern forward regarding the 2025-26 season. With the Bucks waiving Chris Livingston (21/9/5/0/2 with two three-pointers) in early July and having a couple of open standard contract slots available, it’s fair to question what a good stint in Las Vegas can do for Nance.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin finished Saturday’s win over the Bucks with 22 points (9-of-12 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block and two three-pointers.
Due to their contract status, two-way contract recipients are very rarely, if at all, shut down during summer league play. However, the Cavaliers may have to consider something regarding Tomlin, who has been one of the early stars of the NBA 2K26 Summer League. After going off for 30 points on 75 percent shooting in Thursday’s loss to the Pacers, he shot a similar percentage and recorded a double-double with a complete stat line on Saturday. Tomlin is on a two-way deal, but the Cavaliers have a few standard contract slots available. If he can continue to show out in Las Vegas, it’s fair to question if the Cavaliers or another team will look to guarantee Tomlin a standard deal for the 2025-26 season.
Reed Sheppard had 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, three blocks and six three-pointers against the Clippers on Friday.
The third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sheppard may be overqualified for Summer League. The Rockets certainly sent Sheppard to Summer League to prepare for a bigger role in his second NBA season after averaging just 12.6 minutes per game last year. Sheppard took over Friday’s game in a variety of ways and appears ready for more minutes in the Rockets’ backcourt rotation this year.
Liam McNeeley had 22 points (7-of-16 FGs), 12 rebounds, six assists and three three-pointers against the Jazz on Friday.
McNeeley had 22 points on 16 shots in the win. More importantly, the 19-year-old displayed what it looks like when he has everything in his game working. McNeeley was able to play through contact and convert at the basket despite getting fouled. He also hit back-to-back threes. McNeeley could provide some much needed scoring to the Hornets this year.