NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Thursday, April 20

NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Thursday, April 20

This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.

Editor's note: This article was written prior to the news of Kawhi Leonard's absence

Slate Overview

PHI at BKN: 76ers lead the series 2-0, after taking care of business at home. 

SAC at GSW: Kings are up 2-0, after two impressive home wins. 

PHX at LAC: Series is tied at 1-1, after the Suns bounced back at home in Game 2. 

For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.

Injuries to Monitor  

For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report       

PHI - Jalen McDaniels (illness): Questionable

GSW - Gary Payton (illness), Jordan Poole (ankle), Andrew Wiggins (shoulder): Questionable / Draymond Green (suspension), Andre Iguodala (wrist): OUT

PHX - Cameron Payne (back): Questionable 

LAC - Paul George (knee): OUT, Kawhi Leonard (knee) OUT

Elite Players

Guards

Stephen Curry, Warriors ($9,700) vs. Kings 

Curry is averaging 29.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists across the first two games of the series, going over 40 DK points in each. He must bring another massive effort to help motivate his side in the absence of Draymond Green (suspension), as they return home trailing the series 0-2. 

Mikal Bridges, Nets ($7,600) vs. 76ers

Despite trailing the series 0-2, Bridges has delivered two high-level performances, averaging 25.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He should continue to shine against the Sixers, who are giving up 13.0 threes per game in the series. He also will likely have an extra spark on home court, in what is essentially a must-win game. 

Forwards/Centers

Kawhi Leonard, Clippers ($9,500) vs. Suns 

Leonard topped 55 DK points in Games 1 and 2, and is averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals in the series. He has an excellent chance to keep it rolling at home in Game 3, after he shot 54.5 percent from the field and totaled just five fouls over the first two games. He also must continue to lead the way for his squad in the absence of Paul George (knee). 

Kevin Durant, Suns ($9,600) at Clippers 

Durant has scored 52 points across Games 1 and 2, notching a high of 63.3 DK points in Game 1. He faces a new challenge in his first road outing with the Suns in the playoffs but is likely to stay on track, after posting an average of 29.1 points per game on 56.0 percent shooting, including 40 percent from long range this season. 

Domantas Sabonis, Kings ($9,000) at Warriors 

Sabonis averaged 18.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals across Games 1 and 2. He faces a more favorable matchup on Game 3, as the Warriors are without their elite frontcourt defender, Draymond Green (suspension). The Warriors have also given up 14.5 offensive rebounds per game in the series, and the Kings' big man should continue to thrive on the glass. 

Expected Chalk 

Joel Embiid, 76ers ($10,700) at Nets 

Embiid managed to overpower the defensive barrage thrown at him through the first two games of the series, averaging  23.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing. He is likely to keep up the dominant play and continue to benefit from his size advantage in the frontcourt, while the Nets are giving up the fifth-most offensive rebounds in the postseason so far. 

Value Picks

Mason Plumlee, Clippers ($3,700) vs. Suns 

Plumlee was quiet in Game 2, but he amassed 23.8 DK points with seven points, 11 rebounds and two assists in Game 1. He will continue to see significant action off the bench and should flourish on the glass, as the Suns are giving up an average of 13.5 offensive rebounds in the playoffs. 

Torrey Craig, Suns ($4,700) at Clippers 

Craig is looking at his third consecutive start after he topped 30 DK points in the last two games. He has a strong chance to keep the momentum going, as the Suns gave up the league's seventh-most points per game to power forwards during the regular season. 

Royce O'Neale, Nets ($4,500) vs. 76ers 

O'Neale totaled 23 DK points in the previous game and is averaging 5.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals over the last two. He should continue to find room to make an impact against the 76ers, who gave up the league's sixth-highest field-goal percentage to opposing bench players this season. 

Eric Gordon, Clippers ($4,600) vs. Suns 

Gordon is averaging 15.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists through Games 1 and 2. He will remain a go-to option on the offensive end in the absence of Paul George (knee), and he has a great chance to pad his stats at the foul line, as the Suns are giving up an average of 30.0 free throws per game in the postseason. 

Terance Mann, Clippers ($4,000) vs. Suns

Mann has provided a steady supporting effort, with 10 points in both Games 1 and 2, including a high of 18.0 DK points. He should continue to find room to make an impact offensively, as the Suns gave up the league's sixth-most points per game to point guards in the regular season. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dan Bruno plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: duelingdan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Bruno
Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
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