FREE 04/25 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a compact 3-game slate tonight, but there’s still plenty to break down for DFS. The highest total on the board is the Pacers at Bucks game (230.0), which should draw plenty of attention with its fast pace and offensive firepower. On the other end, the Lakers at Timberwolves matchup (207.5) projects as a slower, more defensive game, but it could still hold some value depending on how the field approaches it. With fewer games, every roster decision feels magnified, so nailing exposure to the right spots will be key.

With tip-off starting at 7:00 PM ET and late swap opportunities extending through the 9:30 PM ET game, there’s some flexibility to adjust based on early results. The smaller slate also means ownership will be concentrated in certain spots, so finding ways to differentiate while staying in good game environments will likely be the edge. Keep an eye on where the chalk is going and decide if you’re riding with it or pivoting to lower-owned plays in strong situations.

Game Environment Analysis

BOS @ ORL (O/U: 197.0, Spread: 3.5)

• Pace: BOS (30th) vs ORL (29th)
• Off Eff: BOS (2nd) vs ORL (27th)
• Def Eff: BOS (4th) vs ORL (2nd)

IND @ MIL (O/U: 230.0, Spread: -5.5)

• Pace: IND (7th) vs MIL (13th)
• Off Eff: IND (6th) vs MIL (11th)
• Def Eff: IND (13th) vs MIL (12th)

LAL @ MIN (O/U: 207.5, Spread: -3.5)

• Pace: LAL (22nd) vs MIN (24th)
• Off Eff: LAL (12th) vs MIN (10th)
• Def Eff: LAL (14th) vs MIN (6th)

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Tyrese Haliburton ($8,400)

Tyrese Haliburton ($8,400) looks like one of the most appealing options on tonight’s slate, and for good reason. He’s projected for 46.6 DK points while playing 36 minutes against Milwaukee, a pace-up matchup that should create plenty of opportunities for his playmaking and scoring. With a 1.3 FPPM rate and a strong value of 5.5x at this salary, Haliburton is showing up in nearly 30% of optimal lineups, which speaks to his consistency and upside in this spot. Milwaukee has been solid defensively overall but tends to give up production to opposing guards due to their fast pace and focus on protecting the paint—something Haliburton can exploit with his elite passing and ability to create shots from the perimeter.

At 33.2% ownership, he’ll be chalky but not overwhelmingly so, making him a reasonable play in both cash games and tournaments. His Boom% of 32.6% highlights how often he’s exceeding value in similar spots, which adds confidence that he’s worth eating some chalk here. The game environment also works in his favor—the Bucks are favored but shouldn’t run away with it, keeping Haliburton engaged for full minutes in what projects as a competitive matchup. While there are other high-usage guards on this slate, Haliburton’s combination of price, role, and ceiling makes him tough to overlook tonight.

More PG Plays:

• Anthony Edwards ($8,500)
• Austin Reaves ($6,500)

SG - Anthony Edwards ($8,500)

Anthony Edwards ($8,500) is in a strong spot tonight against the Lakers, and his numbers back up the hype. Projected for 47.1 DK points with a 5.55x value, he’s one of the best plays on the slate from both a floor and ceiling perspective. The Lakers’ perimeter defense hasn’t been airtight, allowing Edwards to average 23.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in two playoff games so far despite some inefficient shooting (40.9% FG). With Minnesota leaning heavily on him—he’s logged 40+ minutes in two of his last three games—his volume alone makes him an appealing option, especially given his ability to contribute across multiple categories.

The high ownership (36.8%) may scare some people off in tournaments, but it’s hard to argue against it when Edwards ranks second in optimal lineup percentage (28.4%) and boasts a solid 32.3% boom rate. His recent performances show a clear ceiling—68.5 DK points against Utah just a week ago—and at $8,500, he’s priced reasonably for someone capable of such upside in this game environment. If you’re playing chalk tonight, Edwards feels like justified chalk given his role and production potential against an opponent that hasn’t consistently slowed him down this series.

More SG Plays:

• Jaylen Brown ($8,100)
• Austin Reaves ($6,500)

SF - Jaylen Brown ($8,100)

Jaylen Brown ($8,100) is in a great spot tonight against Orlando, and his combination of floor time and recent production makes him one of the strongest plays on the slate. He’s projected for 40+ minutes, and his 1.04 FPPM paired with a 5.15x value projection underscores his ability to deliver at this price point. In Game 2 of this series, Brown erupted for 60.5 DK points on the back of efficient shooting (12-for-19 from the field) and strong peripherals (10 rebounds, five assists). While his Game 1 performance was more subdued, he still managed nearly 29 DK points in just 30 minutes, suggesting that extended court time tonight should only elevate his ceiling. Orlando has been competitive enough to keep games close, which bodes well for Brown maintaining heavy usage throughout.

The biggest question is whether you’re comfortable eating the chalk at 43.4% ownership—one of the highest on the slate. However, given his consistent role and production in this series (26 PPG and solid contributions across categories), it’s hard to argue against him being worth it in both cash games and tournaments. With a Boom% of 21.48% and appearing in over 28% of optimal lineups, Brown offers upside even at high ownership levels. If you’re looking for leverage elsewhere, fading Brown could be risky considering his current form and matchup context, but he’s clearly one of the safest building blocks tonight if you decide to go with the crowd.

More SF Plays:

• Franz Wagner ($8,000)
• Aaron Nesmith ($4,600)

PF - Bobby Portis ($5,100)

Bobby Portis is shaping up to be one of the best value plays on the slate at just $5,100. His 6.2x value projection and 41.5% optimal lineup rate are hard to ignore, especially in a favorable matchup against Indiana. The Pacers rank near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency and play at a fast pace, which should provide Portis with plenty of opportunities to rack up stats. He’s projected for 29 minutes tonight and has shown he can produce at an elite level with his 1.09 fantasy points per minute (FPPM). Coming off a monster Game 2 performance where he dropped 51 DK points in just 32 minutes, Portis is clearly capable of smashing this salary if given the run.

The biggest factor to consider here is his massive ownership at 52.1%. While chalky plays can sometimes be concerning in tournaments, this feels like justified chalk given his strong recent form and matchup context. If you’re building lineups for GPPs, it may make sense to differentiate elsewhere while locking in Portis’ high floor and ceiling combination. For cash games, he’s almost a must-play given his price and likelihood of hitting value. With Milwaukee needing consistent production from their bench, Portis stands out as one of the safest yet highest-upside options on tonight’s slate.

More PF Plays:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500)
• Paolo Banchero ($9,200)

C - Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500)

Giannis Antetokounmpo comes in as the highest-projected player on the slate, and for good reason. At $11,500, he offers a strong 5.64x value with a massive 64.87 DK-point projection and a slate-best 1.62 FPPM. Facing Indiana, a team that struggles defensively and plays at an above-average pace, this is an ideal matchup for Giannis to dominate across all categories. He’s played 38+ minutes in three of his last five games, averaging 66.9 DK points over that span, and his usage rate remains elite in these playoff matchups where Milwaukee leans heavily on him. With a Boom% of 41.37% and appearing in 37.66% of optimal lineups, Giannis is not only a safe cash play but also carries significant upside for tournaments.

The main concern here is ownership, as Giannis is projected to be rostered by 35.65% of the field—a hefty number on any slate. However, given his consistency (50+ DK points in nine straight games) and ceiling potential in this matchup, it’s chalk that feels justified in both cash games and GPPs. If you’re fading him in tournaments due to ownership concerns, you’ll need to find lower-owned pivots with similar ceilings—something very few players can offer on this slate. For most builds, though, locking in Giannis makes sense given his ability to anchor lineups with elite production in a favorable game environment against Indiana’s fast-paced but porous defense.

More C Plays:

• Julius Randle ($7,000)
• Kristaps Porzingis ($7,500)

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!