RADIO
It's a glorious Sunday, and we have our typically small five-game slate on tap for tonight's main slate in the NBA. The Clippers-Blazers and Raptors-Bucks matchups hold the high implied totals, but we'll need to consider all ten teams as it's a small slate, and there isn't much in the way of obvious value plays.
It's a Sunday, so we must keep an extra close watch on the news as coaches often treat today as a "rest/recover" day. Four teams (shown below) are playing in the second half of a back-to-back set. The positive side is that we'll probably see a lot more value open up as players get ruled out, and that's sorely needed on a slate currently starved for value. Let's get to it.
Here is my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 3/19/23. Keep an eye on RotoBaller’s NBA injury news and also our full NBA injury report today to stay up to date before lineups are locked.
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NBA DFS Matchup Rankings
DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Damian Lillard, vs. LAC (FD: $10,600, DK: $10,500)
There's not enough value on the slate to feel comfortable paying all the way up for Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight. Anthony Davis and Lillard are the following highest-salaried players. While getting to AD against the Magic is intriguing, I'm gravitating to the higher upside Lillard brings. The veteran superstar needs 52 DK points to hit 5x value tonight, and while he missed that mark in two of his last four games, he has hit the mark in six of his previous eight games. He has recently produced a few monster outings, going for 93 and 74.75 DK points over a 10-game stretch.
The Clippers are solid defensively, ranking 13th in defensive efficiency for the year. However, they're allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game over their last 15 games and the most fantasy points to opposing point guards over their last seven and 15 games. This game has the highest implied total on the slate and rates out #1 in my K-Grade model - this is a smash spot for Dame to do his thing tonight.
Markelle Fultz, vs. LAL (FD: $7,600, DK: $6,700) DraftKings Preferred
Fultz has been balling lately. He put up a career-high 28 points yesterday against the Clippers, chipping in six boards, four assists, one block, and four steals en route to 51 DK points. He was equally impressive with 50.25 DK points in his previous game, on the road against the Suns. His salary hasn't moved much, and he needs just 33.5 DK points to reach 5x value on DraftKings tonight. The best part is that he'll be facing off against the Lakers, a much more favorable matchup than the Clippers and Suns. The Lakers allow the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season, and they rank third in pace, which means Fultz and the Magic should see some extra possessions against a vulnerable defense. Cole Anthony is cheaper, but Fultz has a higher ceiling, and that's what we're looking for in tournaments.
Also consider: Cole Anthony, CJ McCollum, Tyler Herro, Fred Van Vleet, Jalen Green
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Herbert Jones, vs. HOU (FD: $6,000, DK: $5,000) DraftKings Preferred
We need to have some interest in the Pelicans tonight, as they're facing Houston, who can't defend anybody. I'd love to get to McCollum and/or Ingram, but they're a tad too expensive considering their recent subpar form. Enter Herb Jones, who has to be in the running for "most boring name for a key rotational player in the NBA." I'll take boring all day and night if it can help me out in daily fantasy contests. Jones needs just 25 DK points for 5x value tonight, and while he has put up a few stinkers, he has hit that mark in five of his last seven games and will have a chance to bounce back against the Rockets after putting up just 19.75 DK points against them in his last game.
Jones butters his bread by scoring and racking up steals, two areas where the Rockets rank poorly at preventing. They allow the most steals (and blocks) per game to opposing teams, which pairs nicely with Jones' game. They also allow the second-most fantasy points per game overall, so there will be plenty of fantasy scoring on the New Orleans side tonight.
Jimmy Butler, vs. DET (FD: $9,700, $DK: $8,600) DraftKings Preferred
I don't love playing Butler, but he's cheap and has been rolling lately. He needs 43 DK points to reach 5x value tonight, and before last night, he had exceeded that mark in his previous eight games. The Pistons represent a perfect opportunity to get back on track as they allow the fourth-most fantasy points per game and rank 28th in defensive efficiency this season. They struggle with allowing points and rebounds, two areas that Butler will be happy to take advantage of tonight. He's in line for another 50-burger here, as long as we don't see funky lineup decisions that have become commonplace on Sundays as of late.
Also consider: Jabari Smith Jr., Brandon Ingram, KJ Martin, Paolo Banchero
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Ivica Zubac, vs. POR (DK: $5,300) DraftKings Only
Zubac is being slept on for this slate, and I can't wrap my head around why that's the case. His production has been inconsistent and erratic this season, but that's the beauty of playing daily fantasy sports - we don't need to care about any of that. We care about his projected production relative to his salary for this slate, and in that regard, he looks incredible. The former Laker has posted 45 and 40.5 DK points over his last two games, securing 16 rebounds in each contest. Now he gets the top matchup on the board for centers in Portland. The Blazers allow the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, rank 24th in rebounding percentage, and rank 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage. Zubac will eat tonight, and he's cheap and projected to be unpopular. Load up.
Also consider: Trendon Watford, Alperen Sengun, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Wendell Carter Jr.
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