Sunday brings the second wave of the first round games, tipping off at 1:00 p.m. ET on FanDuel and DraftKings. Let’s get into the top NBA DFS picks and building blocks: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green should be raring to go, with teammate Brandin Podziemski being one of the better value plays. Memphis has two of the best fantasy point-per-dollar options across the various DFS sites in rookie Zach Edey and combo guard Scotty Pippen Jr.
These picks are based on the latest available data. For real-time lineup updates, check out our NBA DFS Starting Lineups Page!
NBA DFS Picks Today – Building Blocks: Sunday, April 20
NBA DFS Picks Today: Building Blocks
Stephen Curry: Warriors at Rockets
NBA DFS Projections
DraftKings: 42.68 | FanDuel: 41.02
NBA DFS Ownership Projections
DraftKings: 11.0% | FanDuel: 9.0%
DFS Salary
DraftKings: $9,000 | FanDuel: $9,300
Although the Houston Rockets are at home and posted the second-best record in the Western Conference, they are only favored by a bucket, and it is the Golden State Warriors who are actually favored to advance in this series.
These teams met five times in the regular season, and the Dubs held serve with a 3-2 record. Of course, since the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, the teams split the two games with the NBA nomad wearing gold and blue, including April 6, when Stephon Curry was held to only 1 of 10 from the field, with his lone make a 37-footer just before the end of the first half. That matchup ended as a 106-96 victory for the visiting Rockets, which should put a little pep in their step for tonight.
The other interesting thing about this matchup is that it the only game sans a double-digit point spread. That portends for a closer game, which could consolidate minutes to the key players even more.
Houston has no shortage of players they can have harassing Curry, from an overly active Fred VanVleet to strong on-ball defenders like Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson. Of course, Curry is savvy as a passer, and coach Steve Kerr will have plenty of variations for his offensive sets prepared.
Brandin Podziemski should benefit from the extra attention on Curry, plus at $5,000 on DraftKings and $6,000 on FanDuel, he provides salary relief while also offering attainable mid-30s-fantasy point upside. Butler will also be a constant presence driving into the paint and looking to get to the charity stripe, making kickouts to Podziemski another potential path for the young guard to contribute to the offense.
Moses Moody and Gary Payton II are also in the mix as discount dandies, though they defer quite a bit to others in the offense. Still, minutes are minutes, and that is the key to playoff DFS.
Finally, we have Draymond Green, who should be motivated and engaged, two key elements for him producing fantasy goodness. He is projecting to be one of the five most popular players on DraftKings ($5,800, 42.6%) and in the top 10 on FanDuel ($6,500, 35.1%).
Alperen Sengun averaged around 40 fantasy points a game in the five matchups against the Warriors, and he is a near mortal lock for a double-double, giving him an excellent floor. He will be on less than one-in-five tournament lineups, which is the perfect spot for the savvy gamer to make a stand against the field.
Jalen Green will be the engine on offense, with Thompson chipping in all over the court. They are projected to be the most popular Rockets, though they also have positive leverage in the Stokastic Boom/Bust Tool. On the two-game late slate or in the single-game contests, do not forget about Steven Adams, who could easily provide something approaching 20 fantasy points in a dozen minutes if things break his way.
VanVleet has not been elite this season by any stretch of the imagination; however, he has crucial playoff experience from his time in Toronto. The ball will be in his hands on most offensive possessions, though he has been content to just facilitate for the younger scorers. This and his long-range woes have his salary at an appealing level. The floor is almost nonexistent, but if his shot is falling from behind the arc, he could easily lead his DFS supporters to the land of plenty.
Stokastic’s NBA DFS Single Lineup Simulator is a groundbreaking tool that revolutionizes lineup building by providing data-driven simulations, making it a must-have for serious players. Check out how the Simulator evaluates this single lineup for this sample slate:
NBA DFS Picks Today: Building Blocks
Zach Edey: Grizzlies at Thunder
NBA DFS Projections
DraftKings: 31.56 | FanDuel: 32.04
NBA DFS Ownership Projections
DraftKings: 40.2% | FanDuel: 30.5%
DFS Salary
DraftKings: $6,000 | FanDuel: $6,400
The coaching change has been good for Zach Edey, with the rookie getting more pick-and-roll work alongside Ja Morant while also being a force on the glass. Across the last six regular season games, he averaged 30.5 minutes and a whopping 15.7 rebounds. Considering the size of the Oklahoma City frontcourt, Edey should be able to stay on the court, which is key for his DFS success.
Scotty Pippen Jr. looks like a terrific fantasy point-per-dollar play, and that has him as the most popular option on FanDuel ($5,300, 66.4%) and in the top 3 on DraftKings ($4,900, 38.6%). Expectations are that he will remain in the starting lineup, and while this is a tough matchup and his job will be to feed Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, he could easily provide a positive return for a nominal investment.
That terrific trio has appropriate salaries across the main DFS sites, and since they will be garnering the attention of the defense, their median fantasy prospects are relatively sedate. It will be interesting to see how interim coach Tuomas Iisalo counters the smothering defense of the Thunder.
Alex Caruso is a discount dandy on DraftKings ($3,800, 21.7%) while also being in the value conversation on FanDuel ($4,900, 18.8%). Surprisingly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has positive leverage in tournaments. The surprising part is that gamers do not seem willing to pony up for the presumptive NBA MVP on DraftKings ($10,900, 16.3%) or FanDuel ($11,200, 19.8%). That could change as we get closer to tipoff, though with this being the first game on the docket, he may continue to be overlooked.
Jalen Williams stands out on FanDuel, projecting to be on nearly one-third of all lineups. The rest of the Thunder are mostly mired at single-digit popularity levels, aside from Luguentz Dort, who is around 15% on both sites.
Today’s Top Sports Betting Picks
If you’re serious about winning in NBA DFS, you know the edge comes from having the right tools. The same principle applies to sports betting — and that’s where Portfolio EV steps in.
Take Alex Caruso over 2.5 assists today for example. It’s a +EV bet, meaning it has positive expected value when compared to the best odds available across the market. But the real strength of Portfolio EV isn’t about finding just one good bet — it’s about consistently finding dozens. With the Mass Entry tool, you can scale up, place a high volume of +EV bets, and let the math do the heavy lifting.
Just like you wouldn’t count on one DFS lineup to ship a GPP, you don’t count on one bet to carry your night.
Portfolio EV is built for long-term profitability. It helps you spot market inefficiencies, compare lines across books and generate a steady stream of +EV bets. It doesn’t chase heaters, but rather trusts the numbers, follows a process and builds sustainable profit over time.
Caruso was coddled this season to keep him healthy for the playoffs. Oklahoma City is looking for a deep run to make good on the odds of making the NBA Finals. The stalwart defender should see a solid 24 to 26 minutes per game, which is well above his 19.3 during the regular season. He averaged 2.5 assists in his 54 appearances, and the extra time on the court should help the 30-year-old push over that mark this afternoon.
Final Thoughts on NBA DFS Picks & Building Blocks Today
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