The 36-42 Chicago Bulls travel to Cleveland to take on the top team in the East with the 62-16 Cavaliers. This game is full of injuries to starters. Donovan Mitchell, Coby White, Tre Jones, Lonzo Ball, and Kevin Huerter are all out. Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic for the Bulls are both questionable, as they could rest for the following game. There are a few salary savers due to all the injuries, including Zach Collins for Chicago and both Ty Jerome/Max Strus from the Cleveland Cavs.
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers DFS Start ‘Ems
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Matas Buzelis, PF ($5.8K DraftKings)
Matas Buzelis has a good matchup, ranked 26th with the Cavs despite being a top team against the position. Someone will have to step up for the Bulls, as his minutes have been limited, but I could see him getting more involved in this game. It is a risky start due to his wide range of fantasy outcomes, but he has had solid games in the past. On March 29th against the Dallas Mavericks, Buzelis had his breakout game with 50 plus fantasy points for the first time this year.
Evan Mobley, PF/C ($8.9K DraftKings)
Evan Mobley has the position versatility and consistency to start for the Cavs, even at his high price tag. He also has a good matchup against the 24th ranked defense for Chicago against his position. He has only had under 30 fantasy points three times in the past month to two months.
Bulls vs. Cavaliers DFS Sit ‘Ems
On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Josh Giddey, PG ($9.9K DraftKings)
Even if Josh Giddey plays, he has a tough matchup against the 3rd ranked Cavs defense. He is questionable with a forearm injury and I wouldn’t think he would play that many minutes, as they are already in a play-in tournament regardless if they beat the top East team.
Nikola Vucevic, C ($8.2K DraftKings)
The veteran center is questionable due to rest and injury management circumstances. Collins could be a cheap replacement for Nikola Vucevic if he is a no-go tonight. There are not many options on the Bulls’ side, even with cheaper salaries, to start against a tough Cleveland team in their own court.
Total Apex Lock of the Game
Darius Garland, PG ($7.8K DraftKings)
Darius Garland has shined in Mitchell’s absence, as he has had only three games under 30 fantasy points the last month/ two months. The Cavs’ point guard should be a start in most lineups, even if he is coming off a low-scoring performance. He still has a high baseline with his recent involvement and is going against the 28th-ranked Bulls’ defense, so it is an advantageous matchup with a decent salary.
Total Apex Fade of the Game
Jarrett Allen, C ($6.7K DraftKings)
The other Cleveland center could be a start, but with Mobley, Jarrett Allen being cheaper is the only reason to prefer him. However, he is riskier from a scoring standpoint, as his range of fantasy outcomes is high. Allen could go off or give you a dud. He only played the first half due to rest purposes against the San Antonio Spurs. I am not sure he is needed for them to win this game.
