Daily Fantasy NBA Basketball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings and Draftster 3/16/15

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Point Guards

Russell Westbrook - FD 13000 DK 12600 DFSTR 9100
There isn't anything new to say about the guy. He's in play every single night simply because he does everything you could want and more on the court. His price is such that hitting value in cash games isn't necessarily a lock, but you are still getting money in at a solid expectation even considering the elevated tag. Which is pretty crazy. On a big night with a a lot of bad defenses I think you can swing him.

Stephen Curry - FD 10200 DK 9600 DFSTR 9000
If you think there is any way the Lakers can hang at all with the Warriors (which there really isn't, but humor me) then Curry makes for a top money play. Projecting his minutes downward because of the impending blowout takes some off his expectation. But if he gets up into the mid 30's then it could be showtime. (That's like a Laker reference. Get it?)

George Hill - FD 6600 DK 6800 DFSTR 5600
If his minutes can just get steady in the lower 30's then I'd take Hill against almost anyone at these prices. Toronto has allowed 4% more scoring than league average to opposing point guards this season and Hill can get his shot in this offense. I'm only worried about getting buzzed off by minutes here.

Jeff Teague - FD 6800 DK 6700 DFSTR 6800
Sent me into a tilted tailspin when the Hawks announced super late that he'd be sitting. But alas, we move on with our DFS lives. He will be back in action tonight with Horford and Korver out of the action. The system likes him even without a possible usage bump with two other scorers out of the mix.

Consider Deron Williams if you think he's going to play significant minutes. If Zach Lavine pulls another start for Rubio then he makes a solid punt. As does Beno Udrih if Conley sits again.

 

Shooting Guards

Dwyane Wade - FD 8000 DK 7500 DFSTR 6500
Have to imagine that he'll be up for this game, though our projection system doesn't really factor in anything like that. What is does know is that Wade's run has increased a bit lately. While Cleveland's defense against the two does improve with Shumpert on the floor, they still have J.R. Smith out there for long stretches. Wade is coming at a steeper price, but I'm fine with spending on him here.

Klay Thompson - FD 7200 DK 7300 DFSTR 7200
Basically falls into the same category as Steph. They both can actually hit value in limited run mostly because the Lakers are so bad and G-Dubs can pour it on in bunches. But I'd be worried about Klay sitting the fourth because the Warriors are up by a gazillion (rough estimate).

Kevin Martin - FD 6000 DK 5700 DFSTR
If the Wolves' backcourt remains in minor shambles then I think you can expect a decent amount of run for Martin. Minny is also light on scoring which is why you saw him jack up a ton of shots last night. I love the volume at these prices and if Neal sits again it's even better.

Tony Allen - FD 4600 DK 4200 DFSTR 4200
Not a bad cheap cash game play. Allen gets just enough to do in the offense to go along with some peripheral stats that he is able to hit value most nights at this price. Shooting a little hot lately so temper your excitement with his game logs, but Denver is a brutal defense.

Keep an eye on Kent Bazemore if he's starting for Korver tonight

 

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Small Forwards

C.J. Miles - FD 4400 DK 4300 DFSTR 4200
There's a lot to hate about this position tonight. I'm not entirely sure I'll pay up for Lebron and the middle tiers are a bit iffy. Miles, when healthy can score quickly. Of course, he needs to score as that's really the only way he pays. But he's coming very cheap and starting for the Pacers. There's definitely a solid ceiling for him if he catches fire and the basement isn't terrible because of the price.

Danilo Gallinari - FD 5900 DK 6000 DFSTR 3900
Not the best matchup in the world, but we are scrapping for value at the small forward today. He's a mainstay in the starting lineup now and has been productive. Was overshadowed by the heat check that is Will Barton, but I'm still rolling with Danilo. Memphis is a tough defense for sure and this pick is more about the scarcity at the position than anything else.

Harrison Barnes - FD 3900 DK 4100 DFSTR 4400
Coming super cheap against the worst defense in the league. I don't love him, but his price won't kill you.

LeBron James - FD 10900 DK 10900 DFSTR 8700
I'm putting him here for a couple of reasons. One: Others will see what you see in that small forward is so, so bad tonight that paying up for James will look awfully enticing. It isn't the worst idea in the world considering the small forward state of affairs. But I'm putting him a bit lower on the list because our projection system doesn't love his expectation tonight compared to his price. That being said, I can see doing it because the other options are that bad.

 

Power Forwards

Thaddeus Young - FD 6000 DK 5900 DFSTR 6100
He's getting more consistent playing time with the starting unit now and it's beginning to pay off. The other night against a weaker Philly team he was really able to put up some numbers. Minnesota is actually worse when it comes to keeping opposing power forwards from scoring. Thad is more of a scorer than a traditional power forward and doesn't put up great rebounding numbers. But I really like this matchup.

Brandon Bass - FD 5700 DK 5300 DFSTR 4500
Could be in line for a monster line tonight against the Sixers. Now Philly can be feisty, but we saw what Thad Young could do against their interior defense the other night. Bass is locked into his minutes right now and with the pace of this game he should be able to pay considering his price has stalled a bit.

Derrick Favors - FD 8000 DK 8300 DFSTR 7200
The Hornets are playing without Cody Zeller and possibly without Al Jefferson. That's a lot of size and skill missing from their front court. Marvin Williams and Bismack Biyombo don't exactly make up the difference. Favors is one of the better bigger money options on the night and only falls this low because there is a lot of value at power forward today. Favors has been playing at a high level since Kanter left town and that should continue.

Marvin Williams - FD 4300 DK 4600 DFSTR 3500
Speaking of Marvin and Charlotte. He will draw another start tonight in place of Zeller and the Hornets have been willing to play him big minutes. He needs every one of them. Williams doesn't do a whole hell of a lot considering how long he's on the court, but it's enough and he can stretch a defense some.

Strongly consider Nerlens Noel

 

Center

Marc Gasol - FD 7600 DK 7300 DFSTR 7700
Denver gets picked apart by opposing big men, especially centers. Gasol can fly under the radar on big slates like this one, but I really like his chances at turning in a solid performance. Denver's allowing 13% more scoring than league average to opposing centers and Gasol can put it in the basket. He doesn't have tremendous upside, but I like him for cash game purposes.

Brook Lopez - FD 6900 DK 6900 DFSTR 6600
He didn't have the game I expected against Philly the other night even after starting strong. Looking for a bounce back in this one against the weak interior defense of the Timberwolves. Minny may be without Pekovic again tonight and while Dieng is a nice player, he doesn't have the same defensive presence. Let others be swayed by Lopez's last game, I think he's right back on it tonight.

Gorgui Dieng - FD 6200 DK 5700 DFSTR 5400
If Pekovic sits again tonight then I think Dieng is in a solid spot again. Even with extended minutes against the Spurs, Gorgui was disappointing. That's fine by me going into this slate. He can put up numbers against the Nets and Lopez, who is an offense-first center.

 

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