The NBA regular season has come and gone with the NBA Play-In Tournament starting last night. We had the Los Angeles Lakers claim the 7th seed by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans, even with Zion Williamson having a big game. Then to finish out the night we had the Sacramento Kings take down the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors, setting a Pelicans-Kings matchup for the 8th seed.

 

 

 

Tonight, we have two games in the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament. In the night's first game, we have Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat taking on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers to claim the 7th seed. Then the last game of the night is a matchup between the Atlanta Hawks taking on DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls with the winner of that game keeping their season alive.

If last night's games are any indication, we are all in for a wild night in the NBA. Now, let's dive into the two-game slate and NBA DFS picks for Wednesday, 4/17.

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Heat vs. 76ers DFS

Total: 208

Spread: 76ers -5.5

NBA Injury Report, 4/17

Miami Heat Injuries

Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

Heat NBA DFS Breakdown

  • Pace (since All-Star break): 29th (95.65)
  • Defensive Rating (since All-Star break): 2nd

The Miami Heat find themselves in the Play-In Tournament for the second season in a row. Let's not forget that the Heat needed to beat the Bulls in the 8-seed game to make the NBA playoffs en route to making the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jimmy Butler is the highest-priced player for the Heat tonight sitting at $8,700 on DraftKings. He has failed to reach 5x that value in his last three regular season games, failing to score over 30 DKP. However, you have to believe that playoff Jimmy will be engaged in this one. In the playoffs last season Jimmy Butler averaged 48.5 DKP which is 2.45 FP/Min.

The Heat are without Terry Rozier tonight, so Jimmy Butler should be looking to get buckets tonight. But that also means there will be some minutes freed up in the backcourt tonight. I would expect Tyler Herro to play 35+ minutes tonight, and I would expect the Heat to start Caleb Martin once again making them both intriguing plays at their price tonight.

Someone I do not love tonight is Bam Adebayo. In his last five games against Joel Embiid, Adebayo has averaged just 13 PPG and nine rebounds. He also shot under 41% from the floor in three of those games. 

Mind you, Bam averaged 19 PPG and 10 rebounds this season. I think it is safe to say there are better options than Adebayo tonight even though he has a solid safe floor because of his rebounding. I do, however, like Kevin Love as a punt play tonight. They may want to lean on the Veteran over the likes of Nikola Jovic and in the last two games he played at least 18 minutes, he has scored at least 30 DKP.

 

 

 

76ers NBA DFS Breakdown

  • Pace (since All-Star break): 27th (95.68)
  • Defensive Rating (since All-Star break): 11th

This matchup between the Heat and the 76ers could not set up any better for Joel Embiid with how slow the pace of this game will be. These two teams squared off earlier this month and in 33 minutes Embiid scored 29 points for 43.5 DKP. He didn't score enough DKP because he didn't rebound well as he grabbed just four rebounds. 

Embiid has just a total of 10 rebounds in the last two games against the Heat, which is something to note, but I am not too worried about it. Joel Embiid is the highest-priced player on the slate, but I feel you have to get to him because he is the only player who can break the slate with 70-80 DKP tonight.

As for other options on the 76ers, we have Tyrese Maxey, who went absolute bananas against the Heat in their last matchup. Maxey played 41 minutes scored 37 points dished out 11 assists and grabbed nine rebounds for 72 DKP. I will not talk you out of stacking Embiid and Maxey tonight, even in a tough defensive matchup against the Heat.

Outside of playing those two guys, I do not love anyone else on the 76ers outside of Nicolas Batum. Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre are solid at their price, but it will be hard to fit Maxey/Embiid/Harris, or Oubre all in your lineup. Nic Batum has a chance to play 30+ minutes tonight and if he knocks down his open looks tonight, he can return value at $4,300.

 

 

 

Hawks vs. Bulls DFS

Total: 222.5

Spread: Bulls (-3)

NBA Injury Report, 4/17

Atlanta Hawks Injuries

Chicago Bulls Injuries

Hawks NBA DFS Breakdown

  • Pace (since All-Star break): 14th (97.63)
  • Defensive Rating (since All-Star break): 21st

The Hawks head into this game missing a few key contributors to the team. Jalenn Johnson, who has been great for a lot of the season, is out for tonight and some time moving forward. They are also missing Saddiq Bey and Onyeka Okongwu who have been shut down for the season. 

On the plus side, however, Trae Young is back in action after a long time off and was able to play the last three games. In those three games back, he averaged just 34 DKP which just won't cut it being priced at $9,200. I think he is a bit too expensive on this slate tonight, especially in a matchup against the Bulls whom he has struggled against as of late. 

In Youngs' last five games against the Bulls, He has shot under 38% from the floor in four of those five games and has at least five turnovers in four of those games as well. Much of that has to do with Ayo Dosunmu, who is questionable to play tonight, but he has disrupted Young in the past. If Ayo is out, I like Young a bit more, but do not love his price. I would much rather just play Dejounte Murray who is $400 cheaper and has a higher upside.

As for secondary plays on the Hawks tonight, I do not mind playing Capela at $6,800 on DraftKings. Nikola Vucevic is one of the worst defensive centers in the NBA. Capela should be able to get out in transition and take advantage of the slow-footed Vuc by catching lobs from Trae Young. 

De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic are also in play tonight, but I do not love the plays. Both of their games are a bit dependent on if they will knock down shots tonight as they do not give much else on the stat sheep.

 

 

 

Bulls NBA DFS Breakdown

  • Pace (since All-Star break): 19th (97.04)
  • Defensive Rating (since All-Star break): 27th

One thing we know about the Bulls is DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic are all going to play almost every minute tonight. All three of them are in play against the Hawks tonight who are not a good defensive team.

Nikola Vucevic has such a solid floor because of his rebounding and DeMar DeRozan has the volume of shot attempts. DeRozan has played 40+ minutes in four of his last five games and gotten up at least 22 shot attempts in four of those games. DeRozan is right behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as my favorite plays tonight. Coby White is more of a risky play with him struggling down the stretch of the regular season.

An under-the-radar play tonight is Javonte Green, who has quickly become a very important piece to this Chicago Bulls rotation. If Ayo Dosunmu can not suit up, Green could be in line to play 30+ minutes. If Ayo were to play, I like Green a bit less, but I would still expect him to play 16-22 minutes and he produce in those minutes.

Dalen Terry is also an intriguing punt play if Ayo is out. However, if he doesn't have it early the young man will probably have a short leash with Billy Donovan. But when he gets an extended run, we have seen him produce a bit like he has in his last three games.