FREE 04/24 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a compact 3-game slate tonight, kicking off at 7:00 PM ET with the Knicks visiting the Pistons in a game that has the second-highest total on the board at 213.5. While it’s not exactly a track meet, it’s worth noting that New York’s rotation tends to concentrate minutes, which could open up some solid DFS options. On the other hand, Detroit’s slower pace and spread-out production might make them tougher to trust unless value opens up closer to lock.

The slate really heats up with OKC at Memphis at 9:30 PM ET, featuring the highest total of the night at 226.5. Both teams play at a decent pace, and this matchup should provide plenty of fantasy-friendly opportunities on both sides of the ball. With only three games on tap, ownership will naturally condense, so finding ways to differentiate—whether through contrarian builds or late swap strategy—could be key to gaining an edge tonight.

Game Environment Analysis

NYK @ DET (O/U: 213.5, Spread: 1.0)

• Pace: NYK (26th) vs DET (8th) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: NYK (5th) vs DET (15th)
• Def Eff: NYK (15th) vs DET (9th)

OKC @ MEM (O/U: 226.5, Spread: 8.5)

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

DEN @ LAC (O/U: 213.5, Spread: -5.0)

• Pace: DEN (10th) vs LAC (22nd) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: DEN (3rd) vs LAC (13th)
• Def Eff: DEN (21st) vs LAC (5th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Ja Morant ($7,600)

At $7,600, Ja Morant is one of the most compelling plays on the slate, and his 61.3% projected ownership reflects that. Facing an OKC team that plays at a fast pace and ranks middle-of-the-pack defensively against point guards, Morant is set up for success in what should be a high-possession game. His 1.17 FPPM and projection of 44.6 DK points make him a strong value with nearly a 6x return on salary. Additionally, his 38.2% Boom rate and appearance in 38.6% of optimal lineups highlight his ceiling in this spot, especially with Memphis needing him to carry the load offensively as they attempt to claw back into this series.

The ownership is high, but it feels justified given the context. Morant is locked into massive minutes (38+ projected), and his usage remains elite despite some inefficient shooting performances in recent games. While there’s always risk with chalk in tournaments, fading him here could be dangerous given his Hero GPP rank of #1 and the likelihood he delivers near or above value in this matchup. If you’re going overweight on Ja, consider pairing him with lower-owned plays from other games to differentiate your lineup while still capitalizing on his upside tonight.

More PG Plays:

• James Harden ($9,000)
• Cade Cunningham ($9,400)

SG - Desmond Bane ($6,900)

Desmond Bane is shaping up as one of the stronger plays on tonight’s slate at $6,900. Projected for 39.1 DraftKings points and offering a solid 5.7x value, he’s in a great spot against an OKC team that struggles to defend versatile wings like him. Bane has been logging heavy minutes, with 38 projected tonight, and his 30.5% Boom Rate underscores his ceiling potential in tournaments. He also comes into this game with momentum after posting a strong double-double in Game 2, showing his ability to contribute across multiple categories. With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson drawing defensive attention, Bane should have plenty of opportunities to produce.

The main concern here is ownership—Bane is expected to be rostered in over 38% of lineups, which makes him one of the chalkiest plays on the slate. However, this feels like justified chalk given his price point and role in Memphis’ offense. His consistent minutes and well-rounded stat lines make him a safe option for cash games while still carrying tournament-winning upside due to his Boom Rate and optimal lineup percentage (27.2%). If you’re playing GPPs, you’ll need to differentiate elsewhere if you roll with Bane, but he’s tough to fade given the value he offers in such a favorable matchup.

More SG Plays:

• Mikal Bridges ($5,400)
• Scotty Pippen Jr. ($5,000)

SF - Mikal Bridges ($5,400)

Mikal Bridges ($5,400) stands out as a strong value play tonight against the Pistons. Projected for 38 minutes and 29 DraftKings points, he offers a solid 5.37x value with a 20.2% Boom rate, making him a viable mid-range option in both cash games and tournaments. Detroit’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league, and their struggles on the perimeter should allow Bridges to capitalize on his volume shooting and defensive contributions. While his per-minute production (0.76 FPPM) isn’t elite, the sheer volume of minutes he’s projected to play keeps him firmly in play. With a recent 32.3 DK-point outing in Game 2, it’s clear that Bridges can deliver when given opportunities.

The ownership projection (28.4%) is higher than ideal but justified given his combination of price, role, and matchup. He also appears in over 32% of optimal lineups, which indicates that fading him could be risky in tournaments without strong pivots in this range. If you’re looking for stability at SG/SF with upside for more if his shot falls or he racks up defensive stats, Bridges is a smart choice to plug into your lineups tonight.

More SF Plays:

• OG Anunoby ($6,600)
• Jalen Williams ($7,800)

PF - Tobias Harris ($6,100)

Tobias Harris ($6,100) stands out as one of the best value plays on the slate, projected for 33.4 DK points with a strong 5.47x value and appearing in 29.5% of optimal lineups. The matchup against the Knicks isn’t ideal—New York plays at a slower pace and ranks as a top-10 defense—but Harris’s projected 39.5 minutes make him difficult to ignore at this price point. He’s coming off back-to-back games of 36+ DK points in this series, showing his ability to contribute across multiple categories while maintaining efficient shooting. With his combination of minutes, usage, and production, he’s well-positioned to pay off his salary even in a lower-scoring environment.

The main concern here is ownership—Harris is expected to be highly chalky at 54.2%, which could limit his upside in tournaments if he doesn’t hit his ceiling. However, given his consistent role and recent form, the chalk seems warranted for cash games or single-entry contests where you want reliability over risk. If you’re looking for leverage in GPPs, consider pivoting to a similarly priced forward with lower ownership, but fading Harris entirely could be risky given how often he appears in optimal builds tonight.

More PF Plays:

• OG Anunoby ($6,600)
• Kawhi Leonard ($8,500)

C - Jalen Duren ($6,300)

Jalen Duren is in a prime spot tonight at $6,300, facing the Knicks in what should be a competitive matchup. With a solid 1.17 FPPM and projected for 34.4 DK points, he offers strong value at 5.46x his salary. Over his last few games, Duren has shown consistency on the glass and defensive upside, logging double-doubles and multiple blocks against tough competition. The Knicks are a decent defensive team, but their interior presence isn’t impenetrable—Mitchell Robinson’s minutes can fluctuate, and Julius Randle isn’t known for rim protection. Duren’s recent performances suggest he can thrive in this environment, especially with Detroit leaning on him for big minutes (29+ projected). He also leads all centers on this slate in tournament rank (1st), making him an appealing option for both cash games and GPPs.

Ownership is worth considering here—Duren is expected to be 31.2% rostered, which is well above the field average of 13.8%. While that level of chalk might scare some off in tournaments, his optimal lineup rate of 25.84% suggests the ownership is justified given his upside and price point. If you’re playing large-field GPPs and looking to differentiate elsewhere, it’s fine to eat the chalk here given his high boom percentage (23.95%) and consistent production in similar spots recently. All things considered, Duren projects as one of the best mid-range center options on the slate tonight.

More C Plays:

• Ivica Zubac ($7,900)
• Nikola Jokic ($11,600)

Good luck today! 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!