NBA Play-In Preview and Best Fantasy Basketball Options: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan and More

Discussing the NBA Play-In Tournament and the best fantasy options in those games.

The NBA postseason is about to begin! Well, sort of.

Before the 16-team playoff bracket gets underway, eight teams (four from each conference) will take part in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Two teams will emerge from each conference and be part of the 16-team playoffs.

Let’s break down the Play-In Tournament in a little more detail, and then identify some of the top fantasy basketball players from each team.

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More Play-In Information 

The Play-In Tournament will help determine the final two teams in the playoff field in each conference. The No. 1-6 teams are already locked in, while the final four play-in teams fight for the final two spots.

In the Western Conference, No. 7 New Orleans will host the No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30 p.m. ET on April 16. The winner gets the No. 7 seed and a best-of-seven series against No. 2 seed Denver.

Later that night, at approximately 10 p.m. ET, No. 9 Sacramento and No. 10 Golden State will play an elimination game. The winning team will hit the road to take on the loser of the New Orleans/Los Angeles matchup on April 19 at a to be determined time, and the winner will get the No. 8 seed and a series against No. 1 seed Oklahoma City. The loser on April 19 gets eliminated.

In the Eastern Conference, No. 7 Philadelphia will host No. 8 Miami at 7 p.m. ET on April 17, with the winner getting the No. 7 seed and a best-of-seven series against No. 2 seed New York. 

Also on April 17, No. 9 Chicago will host No. 10 Atlanta at 9:30 p.m. ET. The losing team from this matchup is eliminated, while the winner will fight for the No. 8 seed against the loser of the Miami/Philadelphia game. The final East play-in game will be April 19 at a to be determined time, and the winner will advance to play No. 1 seed Boston in the first round of the playoffs.

New Orleans, Los Angeles Matchup Preview

The Pelicans and Lakers squared off four times this season, with Los Angeles winning three of the four. The teams split the pair of games in New Orleans, with the Lakers winning on the last day of the regular season.

Zion Williamson has led the Pelicans in scoring against the Lakers this season, averaging 20.3 points per game. He also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

CJ McCollum averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5 rebounds. Ingram just returned from a long absence, so keep that in mind if you plan to utilize Ingram in a playoff league or DFS.

Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III were also in double figures against LA, averaging 13.5 points and 10 points, respectively. Jones also chipped in 4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals, while Murphy was at 2.3 rebounds and 1 assist.

Other players who should log heavy minutes include Jonas Valanciunas, Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and Jose Alvarado. 

Los Angeles’ LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves have all played well against the Pelicans this season.

James averaged 28.3 points, 11.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals, while Davis was at 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2 blocks and 1.3 steals. 

Russell averaged 21 points, 3.3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal across three games. Reaves averaged 21 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds.

Rui Hachimura turned in averages of 12 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2 assists. Taurean Prince averaged 10.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal. Spencer Dinwiddie had seven points and one rebound, assist, block and steal in his lone game with LA against New Orleans.

Sacramento, Golden State Matchup Preview

The Kings and Warriors split four games this season, each going 1-1 at home/on the road. The final two matchups went to Sacramento by a single point - three of the four games were decided by a point.

Kings’ De'Aaron Fox torched the Warriors across three games this season, averaging 32.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals. 

Harrison Barnes averaged 18.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals, while Domantas Sabonis averaged 17.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1 assist.

Keegan Murray is the only other healthy King that scored in double figures against Golden State. He averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and steals and 1 block.

With Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk out with injuries, Trey Lyles, Keon Ellis and Davion Mitchell are likely to play decent roles off the bench, making them potential fantasy options.

It should be no surprise that Stephen Curry led Golden State against Sacramento this season. He averaged 31 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Andrew Wiggins was at 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while Klay Thompson averaged 17 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 blocks. Jonathan Kuminga tallied 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1 assist per game.

Dario Saric averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while Draymond Green had 8.7 points, 7.7 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.7 steals and blocks across three contests. Moses Moody chipped in 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1 assist and steal per game.

Rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis and Chris Paul, Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II could also factor into things.

Philadelphia, Miami Matchup Preview

The 76ers and Heat split their four-game series this season, going 1-1 at home/on the road. Philly won the final two games, but by a combined 11 points - each game was separated by less than eight points.

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will lead Philly. Embiid tallied 29 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal and block in his lone game against Miami this season, Maxey averaged 27.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists across four games.

Tobias Harris posted 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists and one steal in his lone game against Miami. Kelly Oubre Jr. averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1 steals across four games.

Nicolas Batum, Kyle Lowry, Buddy Hield, Paul Reed and Cameron Payne should also get a good amount of minutes and be fantasy options. 

Jimmy Butler will lead the Heat. He posted 20 points, five assists and four rebounds in his lone game against Philly this season. Tyler Herro played two games, averaging 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 assists. Bam Adebayo averaged 20.8 points, 13 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1 block.

Terry Rozier, who hopes to play against Philly, averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal across two games. Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. averaged 14.5 points, 8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals. 

Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, Caleb Martin, Kevin Love and Duncan Robinson are also options to play decent roles, which complicates who might actually be able to make a difference. Keep an eye on the team’s injury report/availability chart as the game approaches.

Chicago, Atlanta Matchup Preview

Chicago won two of the team’s three matchups this season, although Atlanta won the last matchup. The teams split the two matchups in Chicago.

Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan averaged 28.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1 steal against Atlanta this season. 

Ayo Dosunmu averaged 21 points, 4 rebounds and assists and 1.7 assists, while Coby White had 20.3 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. 

Andre Drummond posted 14.7 points, 18 rebounds and 1 steal per game, while Nikola Vucevic was at 14.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1 steal across two games.

Alex Caruso averaged 9.5 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.

Dalen Terry, Torrey Craig and Javonte Green could also factor into things after serving decent roles of late for Chicago.

Bogdan Bogdanovic led Atlanta against Chicago with 23.3 points per game over the three contests. He also averaged 3.7 assists and 3 rebounds. Trae Young averaged 20 points, 13.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds.

Dejounte Murray averaged 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and assists and 1.3 steals. De'Andre Hunter averaged 15.5 points, 6 boards, 2 assists and 1 block, while Clint Capela was at 14 points, 8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1 assist.

Bruno Fernando, Garrison Mathews and Kobe Bufkin and Vit Krejci have played roles for Atlanta of late.

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