April 30 Top Fantasy Basketball Options: Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, Paolo Banchero, Donovan Mitchell, Pascal Siakam and More
Discussing the top fantasy options for NBA playoff games on April 30.
The NBA postseason has three games scheduled for Tuesday, April 30. Let’s take a look at the best fantasy players in the contest for those of you playing in fantasy playoff leagues or doing DFS.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks are looking to stave off elimination, while the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are looking to advance. The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers will play game 5 of their series, with the winner going up 3-2 in the series.
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76ers at Knicks
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (migraine) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (illness) missed the team’s Tuesday shootaround. New York’s Jalen Brunson (knee) and Jericho Sims (shoulder) are probable, Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is questionable and Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) is out. I’d expect Embiid, Oubre and Brunson to play for sure.
Embiid is the top projected fantasy player in the three Tuesday playoff games. He’s averaging 35 points, 9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1 block per game this postseason. Embiid is shooting 44.9% from the field and 33.3% from deep while also dealing with his knee injury.
Tyrese Maxey is another good fantasy option, ranking third on the night. He’s averaging 29 points, 6.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds this series on 47.8% shooting (37.8% from 3-point land).
Tobias Harris has had a rough series, averaging 8.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He’s shooting just 39.5% overall and 25% from deep.
Oubre is at 12 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s shooting 48.6% overall and 46.2% from deep.
Kyle Lowry is surprisingly at 10.5 points, 4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He’s shooting 42.3% overall and 42.1% from 3-point land.
Nicolas Batum is the only other player who has played in all four games and is averaging double-digit minutes. He’s averaging 3.5 points, 5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Brunson is the fourth-best projected fantasy option for the night. He’s averaging 33 points, 9 assists and 5.3 rebounds. Brunson is at 40.5% overall and just 25.9% on his 3-pointers.
Josh Hart has been fantastic, averaging 16.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. He’s shooting 39.2% overall and 46.2% from deep.
Donte DiVincenzo is at 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game. OG Anunoby is averaging 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while Isaiah Hartenstein has 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.
Miles McBride is averaging 12.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Robinson is at 3.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across three games. If Robinson is out, expect a big rebounding game from Hart, with Hartenstein also likely seeing a bump in his averages.
Magic at Cavaliers
Orlando is healthy going into game 5, while Cleveland won’t have Craig Porter Jr. or Dean Wade.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero is the top projected fantasy player in the contest, sitting second overall. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1 steal per game. Banchero is shooting 45.5% overall and 31.8% from deep.
Franz Wagner has also been good in this series, averaging 21.5 points, 8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 blocks. He’s shooting 50.8% overall and 38.9% from deep.
Jalen Suggs is averaging 14.5 points, 4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Jonathan Isaac is at 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals, while Moritz Wagner has 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1 steal per contest.
Gary Harris is averaging 28 minutes per contest, but scoring just 4.8 points per game. Wendell Carter Jr. is at 5.5 points and 4.3 rebounds across 20.5 points, while Cole Anthony is at 4.3 points, 2 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 14.8 minutes.
Joe Ingles has also played in all four games, but isn’t doing much in his 10.8 minutes. Markelle Fultz is at 6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.
Donovan Mitchell powers Cleveland, averaging 21 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per playoff contest. He’s shooting 42.5% overall and just 25% from deep.
Jarrett Allen is averaging 17 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and steals and 1 block per game. Evan Mobley is at 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.8 assists, while Darius Garland has 12 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds per game.
Caris LeVert is scoring 8.3 points across 25 minutes, while Max Strus is at 6.3 points, 5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 30.8 minutes. Isaac Okoro, Georges Niang and Sam Merrill are all averaging 10 or more minutes per game but scoring less than four points per game.
Pacers and Bucks
Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with back spasms and is questionable for game 5 - he played through the spasms in game 4, so expect him out there as the team has a chance to finish off this series. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are both doubtful for game 5, while Khris Middleton and Patrick Beverley are both probable. I’d expect Middleton to play and maybe Beverley, but Lillard and Antetokounmpo to sit again.
Pascal Siakam is leading Indiana in this series, averaging 25.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1 steal and block. He’s shooting 55.7% overall and 26.7% from deep.
Haliburton is at 15.8 points, 10 assists, 6.3 rebounds and is shooting 43.6% overall and just 29.4% from deep. Myles Turner is averaging 24.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 blocks.
Andrew Nembhard is posting 14.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3 rebounds per game, while Aaron Nesmith is at 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 blocks. Obi Toppin is averaging 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds off the bench.
T.J. McConnell and Ben Sheppard are playing sizable roles off the bench and averaging 7.8 and 6.3 points, respectively.
Middleton is averaging 26.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5 assists per game this series. He’s shooting 50.6% overall and 30% from deep.
Brook Lopez is at 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. Bobby Portis is averaging 12.5 points and 10.8 rebounds and should be well rested after being ejected in the first quarter of game 4.
Beverley is averaging 7.5 points, 4 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1 steal in this series. Malik Beasley is at 8.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
Without Lillard and Antetokounmpo, expect rookie Andre Jackson Jr. to get a good amount of playing time again. Pat Connaughton, AJ Green, Danilo Gallinari and Jae Crowder are other options to get playing time in game 5, especially if Middleton or Beverley are out.
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