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DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 3/23
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Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander FD - $10600 DK - $9600
Opponent - LAC
Proj Pts FD - 50.92 DK - 52.18
We get a small four-game slate on Thursday and surprisingly there are no players over $10K on DraftKings which does lead to a more balanced lineup build. I am still scratching my head as to why SGA remains in the $9K range as he has been fantastic since the break and while dealing injuries, as well. Over his last eight games, he is averaging 35 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for over 51 fantasy points a game. It's a tougher matchup on paper as the Clippers are 12th in defensive efficiency but they are missing Paul George and the current total(233) is the highest on the slate so I am not worried at all. I will have exposure to SGA in all formats.
Jalen Brunson FD - $9000 DK - $7800
Opponent - ORL
Proj Pts FD - 38.43 DK - 41.33
Speaking of coming in at a discount, at least on DraftKings, Jalen Brunson continues to run a sub $8K price tag for the third straight game. It's definitely not due to efficiency as he is shooting 56% from the field on 34 shots over the last two games while playing 37 minutes in both. In the past, we might have called him a highly volatile, shooting-dependant guard but he has seen his assist rate(6.2 per game) sky-rocket in 2023 aiding his "safety" and floor and with his current price on DraftKings, is in play in all formats.
Cole Anthony FD - $6200 DK - $5600
Opponent - NY
Proj Pts FD - 27.65 DK - 30.09
While it has been Gary Harris and Markelle Fultz in the starting lineup over the last three games since Jalen Suggs went down with a concussion, it has been Cole Anthony providing the biggest value from a fantasy perspective. Nothing has really changed in terms of minutes but he has seen an uptick in usage taking 14 or more shots in those three games while tallying 33 fantasy points in each. Even with Suggs in the lineup, his form trending as he had provided 27 or more fantasy points in the three games prior. On this smaller slate where value is hard to come by, I will have a ton of exposure to Anthony in all formats.
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard FD - $10000 DK - $9900
Opponent - OKC
Proj Pts FD - 50.6 DK - 52.92
Paul Geroge is going to be out for at least 2-3 weeks with a sprained knee and that means Kawhi is going to see a fantasy boost as the main contributor on both ends of the floor. At these prices, which are going to rise, it opens up some upside to go along with the very consistent returns he has provided. Since the break, he is averaging 29.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks+steals for over 47 fantasy points a game. While the Thunder are a Top 10 defence, this game has the highest total(233) on the slate and with his opportunity, Kawhi is a core play for me in all formats.
Power Forward/Center
Jarrett Allen FD - $7700 DK - $6300
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 34.63 DK - 36.21
Evan Mobley FD - $8300 DK - $7300
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 34.41 DK - 36.26
This game definitely doesn't stand out as the only one with a total under 220 but I am very interested in the Cavs' bigs who are in a great spot against the Nets. While the Nets are 14th in overall defensive efficiency, they have struggled rebounding(29th) which plays right into Allen and Mobley's hands(literally). The struggles have mostly come against centers and that is where we will start with Jarrett Allen who has averaged a double-double on 12 points and 10 rebounds since the break and has returned an average of 31.3 DK points which is impressive considering a giant dud right in the middle against the Celtics. For Mobley, he is more expensive but has been more consistent, as well, averaging 18.2 points and 8.6 rebounds for just under 38 fantasy points a game. The good news with Mobley is that the price on DraftKings continues to trend down opening up a buy-low spot tonight.
Nick Richards FD - $5700 DK - $5000
Opponent - NO
Proj Pts FD - 31.11 DK - 32.13
It has been an up-and-down ride if you have blindly played Richards since Mark Williams went down. After posting 32+ fantasy points in three straight games, he put up a pair of duds against Cleveland and Philly last week but the good news is that he renounced in a huge way dropping a season-high 17 rebounds and 42 fantasy points against the Pacers on Monday. The matchup is not nearly as good tonight but the price is still in check giving him a very nice pTS/$ floor on this small slate.
