FanNation fantasy basketball picks for Friday, April 10
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.
Thursday’s overachievers
Guard: Stephen Curry, Warriors, +17.4
Curry broke his own single-season three-point record in Thursday’s 116–105 win over the Trail Blazers. He made eight three-pointers en route to 45 points, 10 assists and two rebounds. Curry has 276 made three-pointers this season and has shot 52% from beyond the arc since the All-Star break. The Warriors are 64–15 and have already sewn up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Forward: Taj Gibson, Bulls, +12.4
In Thursday’s win over the Heat, Gibson came off the bench to record a double-double. He made six of his 12 shots and finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block. Since returning from an ankle injury last month, Gibson has been slowly returning to form. In his last six games, he has averaged 11.3 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field.
Center: Andrew Bogut, Warriors, +2.4
With only two games, Bogut’s modest stat line was the best among all centers. He piled up 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists while making five of his six shots. Golden State’s guards receive all of the national attention, but Bogut’s interior defense will be indispensable for the Warriors in the postseason.
Today’s picks
Guard: Tyreke Evans, Pelicans vs. Suns, 8 p.m. ET
In his second season in New Orleans, Evans has emerged as a key complement to Anthony Davis. With Jrue Holiday once again plagued by leg injuries, Evans has taken on a larger playmaking role for the Pelicans, averaging a career-high 6.5 assists. On the season, Evans is averaging 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals. The Pelicans hold the tie-breaker over the Thunder for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference and control their fate with four games remaining.
Forward: Khris Middleton, Bucks at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Middleton has beaten his projection in four of his five games and should have another big game against the lowly Knicks on Friday. Since the beginning of March, he has averaged 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 43% from the field. The Bucks have lost two straight games and have a three-game playoff cushion with four games remaining.
Center: Brook Lopez, Nets vs. Wizards, 7:30 p.m. ET
Lopez’s standout play has carried the Nets into the playoffs. The Nets have won nine of their last 12 games, with Lopez averaging 26.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks on 59.6% shooting from the field. Brooklyn has a one-game lead over the Pacers and is tied with the Celtics for the No. 7 seed.
