RADIO
If you feel like gambling tonight, I support the decision. Not only cause it gives me some extra traffic, but because every game has unreal upside. Some of the leagues slower teams are playing, but so are the teams most prolific and explosive offenses. With playoff implications still holding all the chips in regards to teams resting players, make sure you are picking games that have higher stakes. In the regular season, games matter, but only so much. Players are justified in resting if the team allows it, so monitor the games you want to stack. Right off the bat, the Pacers-Raptors will be a brawl between two of the East's best teams, not to mention hot-cold matchup between the Suns and Jazz, teams on polar opposites of the pace spectrum.
If Chris Paul does not end up playing, you need to consider playing James Harden. Harden might see less minutes because the Rockets are so cemented in playoff seeding, that they might try resting players before the postseason starts. This is TOTAL speculation, but it's also my best assumption of what the Rockets should do. Other than that, Kemba Walker, Dwight Howard, Lou Williams, and Blake Griffin should all exceed their projected.
Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 3/15/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. If you have any questions, find me in the Hoops Chat Room or on Twitter, @HalfCourtJester. Let's get rolling.
FanDuel DFS Guards
Darren Collison - PG, vs TOR ($4,600)
The Raptors are in the top 10 when it comes to guarding opposing point guards, but Darren Collison is talented and experienced enough to produce against even the toughest backcourts. Collison has seen a slight dip in usage over the past week, but it won't change his overall production. Collison getting the start is not guaranteed, but his production and minutes are. His last game was promising and it should carry into a game that the Pacers need to win. The Pacers are in third in the conference, first in their division. While winning this game isn't entirely essential to the playoff picture, games like these are perfect for players to get solid minutes under their belt against an experienced team. Collison may not need it, but he has the most upside when coming off the bench.
Ish Smith - PG, @ DEN ($5,500)
Ish Smith has had a rough run as of late, but three games ago he managed a 14 point, seven assist game. While it is far-between his other usefully productive nights, he still has that "exceed projected" bug somewhere in him. The Nuggets backcourt continues to give up fantasy points to opposing point guards and Smith thrives against vulnerable matchups. This is a risky play due to Smith's streakiness, but his upside against an easier matchup makes it hard to pass this up. Between Collison and Smith, Collison get's the obvious nod, but Smith is in for a productive night.
J.J. Redick - PG, @ NY ($4,900)
While the 76ers have cruised thus far into the playoff picture, the addition of J.J. Redick has done wonders for their spacing. That should be the case tonight and while I do not specifically like Redick's upside tonight due to a potential blowout, any other outcome and Redick is in for a big night. The Knicks give up a ton of open looks throughout the game and there are few people and teams looking to give one specific player those exact opportunities. The 76ers want to feed Redick as much as possible and that is a nightly narrative.
Other FanDuel DFS Guards to Consider: Marco Belinelli - SF, @ NY ($3,700)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
E'Twaun Moore - SF, @ SA ($4,000)
The Spurs are one of the top defenses in the league and they rank in the top five against opposing shooting guards. Luckily, what makes shooting guards, and E'Twaun Moore special is that most times, you just have to get them on the right night, regardless of matchup. The Spurs may not give up ton of open looks, but Moore will get his chances. His usage rate could be higher, but he has a high floor for his minimal price, so expect him to exceed his projected easily.
Bobby Portis - PF, @ MEM ($6,600)
There are few players with a projected score as high as Bobby Portis'. Portis has been thriving off the extra minutes and will continue to for the rest of the season. The Grizzlies are one of the slower teams, but they have been struggling across the board. The pace of this game is going to cause an overall decrease in the Bulls' production, but Portis plays from the inside-out and this matchup fits his style.
Other FanDuel DFS Forwards to Consider: Al-Farouq Aminu - PF, vs CLE ($4,300)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Alex Len - C, @ UTA ($3,900)
It's really hard to play Alex Len. The inconsistency is almost enough to justify a fade out of principle, but tonight has potential. The Jazz have been streaking and Rudy Gobert has been a big part of that. Luckily, his length only gives Gobert so so much upside when it comes to rebounds and points. While Gobert has the better matchup due to the Suns lack of a frontcourt, Len is more than capable of producing against Gobert. Gobert lacks the size to fight off players who live in the paint and capitalize off second chance points, although his shot blocking does cause a serious problem. Let me get this straight, Len is NOT the greatest play tonight, but for his price, it could be MUCH worse.
Other FanDuel DFS Centers to Consider: Pau Gasol - C, vs. NOP ($5,600)
