FREE 04/22 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a compact 3-game NBA slate tonight, but there’s still plenty to dig into for DFS. The two highest totals on the board are MEM at OKC (229.5) and MIL at IND (228.0), both featuring fast-paced teams and plenty of offensive potential. Those games should draw plenty of attention, so how you approach ownership in those spots could make or break your lineup. The MEM-OKC matchup, in particular, stands out with its slightly higher total and potential for a competitive back-and-forth.

With such a small slate, lineup construction will be critical, especially since the last game doesn’t tip off until 10:00 PM ET. Late swap opportunities could give you an edge if news breaks closer to lock or if you need to adjust based on early results. Be mindful of where the chalk is likely to land—concentrating too heavily on one or two games could leave you vulnerable if things don’t go as expected. It’s all about finding that balance between popular plays and under-the-radar options tonight.

Game Environment Analysis

MIL @ IND (O/U: 228.0, Spread: -4.0)

• Pace: MIL (13th) vs IND (7th)
• Off Eff: MIL (12th) vs IND (6th)
• Def Eff: MIL (12th) vs IND (13th)

MEM @ OKC (O/U: 229.5, Spread: -14.5)

• Pace: MEM (1st) vs OKC (5th)
• Off Eff: MEM (7th) vs OKC (4th)
• Def Eff: MEM (10th) vs OKC (1st)

MIN @ LAL (O/U: 209.5, Spread: -6.0)

• Pace: MIN (24th) vs LAL (21st)
• Off Eff: MIN (8th) vs LAL (11th)
• Def Eff: MIN (6th) vs LAL (14th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Tyrese Haliburton ($8,200)

Tyrese Haliburton is shaping up as one of the top plays on tonight’s slate, and for good reason. At $8,200, he offers a strong combination of ceiling and value with a 5.7x projection and a 46.7 DK point expectation. Facing the Bucks, who rank middle of the pack defensively against point guards, Haliburton should have plenty of opportunities to rack up assists while still contributing across multiple stat categories. His 1.3 FPPM production paired with an expected 36 minutes gives him a high floor, and his 35.92% Boom Rate highlights his upside in tournaments.

The biggest factor to consider here is his sky-high ownership at 58%. While that makes him risky if he underperforms, it’s hard to argue against the chalk given his consistency and involvement in Indiana’s offense—he’s posted double-digit assists in four of his last five games. With a 42.62% Optimal Lineup Rate, Haliburton is clearly popping as one of the most reliable options on this slate. If you’re playing cash games or looking for stability in GPPs, it’s tough to fade him even with the heavy ownership. However, if you’re building contrarian lineups for tournaments, pivoting off Haliburton could be viable depending on how much leverage you want to create elsewhere in your lineup.

More PG Plays:

• Luka Doncic ($10,800)
• Anthony Edwards ($8,700)

SG - Anthony Edwards ($8,700)

Anthony Edwards ($8,700) is in a prime spot tonight against the Lakers, and his balanced stat profile makes him an excellent tournament play. With a projection of 45.76 DK points and a strong 5.26x value rating, he’s priced appropriately for his ceiling but still offers upside in this matchup. Edwards is expected to log heavy minutes (39 projected) and has a solid Boom% of 25.3%, which is the highest among players in his price range. His ability to fill up the stat sheet across multiple categories, as evidenced by his near triple-double in Game 1, further bolsters his appeal against a Lakers defense that struggles to contain dynamic wing scorers.

At 15.5% ownership, Edwards comes in slightly above field average but far from chalk territory, making him an intriguing option for tournaments. He also appears in over 31% of optimal lineups, which speaks to how well he projects relative to other high-priced options on the slate. While there’s some volatility baked into his recent shooting performances (e.g., 8-for-22 last game), the potential for massive upside—like his 68.5 DK-point explosion just two games ago—makes him worth targeting in GPPs. The Lakers’ fast-paced style creates additional opportunities for Edwards to rack up points in transition and peripheral stats, so don’t hesitate to lock him into your lineups if you’re looking for a high-upside mid-tier anchor tonight.

More SG Plays:

• Austin Reaves ($6,800)
• Donte DiVincenzo ($4,200)

SF - John Konchar ($3,100)

At just $3,100, John Konchar offers solid value on tonight’s slate, especially if you’re looking for salary relief to fit in higher-priced studs. Projected for 23 minutes against Oklahoma City, Konchar’s 5.2x value rating stands out, and his recent performances suggest he can make the most of his limited opportunities. In his last four games with at least 20 minutes of playing time, he’s averaged 16.2 DK points, including a ceiling game of 26.8 DK points against Dallas where he racked up six steals. While his scoring upside is minimal, Konchar contributes across multiple categories—rebounds, assists, and defensive stats—which helps mitigate the risk at this price point.

The ownership projection of 34.4% is high for a player with such a low ceiling, but it’s not unwarranted given his strong optimal lineup percentage (24.5%). This makes him more of a cash-game play than a tournament differentiator unless you believe he can replicate one of his bigger games. The matchup against OKC is neutral overall but favorable in terms of pace, giving Konchar additional chances to pad peripheral stats. If you’re comfortable eating the chalk at this price range to unlock stars elsewhere in your lineup, Konchar is a viable option—but don’t expect him to single-handedly win you a GPP.

More SF Plays:

• LeBron James ($9,300)
• Jalen Williams ($8,100)

PF - Pascal Siakam ($6,900)

Pascal Siakam is shaping up as one of the best value plays on tonight’s slate at just $6,900. His 5.9x value projection, combined with a 44.96% optimal lineup rate, makes him difficult to ignore in any format. He’s projected for 40.49 DK points across 35 minutes, and his matchup against Milwaukee is far from intimidating given their pace and defensive vulnerabilities at the power forward position. Siakam has shown a solid ceiling recently, highlighted by a 50.8 DK point performance earlier this month, and his consistent floor keeps him viable even if he doesn’t hit that upper range.

The elephant in the room is his massive projected ownership. While the chalk might scare some off in tournaments, it’s hard to argue against it being justified here given his price and production potential. Siakam’s ability to fill the stat sheet—points, rebounds, defensive stats—makes him an ideal play in what should be a competitive game environment against Milwaukee. Whether you’re locking him in for cash games or deciding how much exposure to get in GPPs, Siakam’s combination of opportunity and efficiency makes him one of the safest options on the slate despite the heavy ownership tag.

More PF Plays:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300)
• LeBron James ($9,300)

C - Myles Turner ($6,100)

Myles Turner is shaping up to be one of the stronger plays on the slate at $6,100. His 1.07 FPPM and projected 32 minutes provide a solid floor, but it’s his defensive upside and three-point shooting that give him ceiling potential in this matchup against Milwaukee. The Bucks have been vulnerable to opposing centers, particularly stretch bigs who can pull Brook Lopez out of the paint. Turner’s ability to rack up blocks (averaging 3.6 per game in April) adds another layer of value, as those defensive stats can swing tournaments. With a projection of 34.2 DK points and a strong value rating of 5.6x, he’s hard to ignore in both cash games and GPPs.

The biggest concern here is Turner’s ownership, as he’s expected to be rostered by nearly 39% of the field. While that level of chalk might scare some away, it feels warranted given his price point and optimal lineup rate (34.8%). Milwaukee’s fast-paced style also boosts the overall game environment, increasing opportunities for rebounds and blocks. If you’re looking for leverage elsewhere, consider pairing Turner with a lower-owned contrarian piece from this game or differentiating your build in other spots. Ultimately, Turner offers too much upside at this salary to fade entirely in most formats.

More C Plays:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300)
• Chet Holmgren ($7,000)

Good luck tonight! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!