FanNation fantasy basketball picks for Tuesday, April 7
Ready to show your friends you know more about the NBA than they do? FanNation’s Basketball Throwdown fantasy basketball game is your best option. You pick a guard, forward and center who you think will exceed their fantasy projections. The scoring system takes into account points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals and turnovers. The team that out-performs its projections by the largest amount wins, so picking a lineup of Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Joakim Noah is no sure-fire path to victory. You can also bet anywhere from $1 to $500 on each night's matchup or play for free.
I'll give you my picks each day and a recap of yesterday's top performers so you can get bragging rights over your friends.
Sign up for tonight's Basketball Throwdown here.
Sunday’s overachievers
Guard: Shane Larkin, Knicks, +25.7
Larkin flirted with a triple-double while leading the Knicks to a win over the 76ers on Sunday. He made four of his eight shots and finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Since moving into the starting lineup in late March, Larkin has averaged 8.4 points, 5.6 assists and 4.3 assists.
Forward: Mike Dunleavy, Bulls, +19.0
Dunleavy had a good shooting day in Sunday’s loss to the Cavaliers, making eight of his 12 shots. He piled up 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, but the Bulls couldn’t overcome Lebron James’ triple-double. During his last nine games, Dunleavy has averaged 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on 42.1% shooting from beyond the arc.
Center: Andrea Bargnani, Knicks, +22.6
Bargnani teamed with Larkin to carry the Knicks past the 76ers. The big man had 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks on eight-for-15 shooting. After battling injuries during his first season and a half with the Knicks, Bargnani has returned to form recently. He has averaged 16.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in his last 18 games and has made a good case for a new contract this offseason.
Today’s picks
Guard: Danny Green, Spurs at Thunder, 8 p.m. ET
Green and the Spurs have the opportunity to play spoiler on Tuesday. With the Thunder clinging to a half-game lead over the Pelicans for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, the Spurs could help push the Thunder out of the playoffs. Green has beaten his projection in two straight games, averaging 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks while making 14 of his 19 three-point attempts.
Forward: Chase Budinger, Timberwolves at Kings, 10 p.m. ET
Budinger has beaten his projection in seven straight games and should continue his hot play against the Kings on Tuesday. He has scored in double-figures in 12 straight games, averaging 15.2 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the field and 39.2% on three-pointers. The Timberwolves are finally getting the player they wanted when they signed him to a three-year, $15 million contract before last season.
Center: DeAndre Jordan, Clippers vs. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET
Jordan has played some of the best basketball of his career during the last two months, averaging 13.7 points, 17.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his last 26 games. The Lakers have no answer for Jordan on the interior, so he should be able to dominate on Tuesday. The Clippers are trying to hold off the Spurs for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference to avoid a first-round matchup against the Grizzlies.
