DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (3/1/21): NBA DFS Lineups

The NBA schedule has seven games on the main slate for Monday night. Only three have an implied point total of 230 or more. Here are three tips on how to attack the overall slate when assembling lineups.

First of all, it’s important to look at the pace and Vegas lines. Second, it’s also useful to understand the number of fantasy points a team gives up to a specific position. The final tip is to identify value plays that are critical on a slate of any size. You don’t have to necessarily go for the cheapest value, but you want to identify players who have a high floor and a high ceiling. 

This article will supply you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for the DraftKings on 3/1/21. You can also check out today’s FanDuel lineup picks. It’s also important to monitor injury news as a result of COVID-19 as the slate can completely change before line-up lock. Without further ado, let’s dive into the picks! 

DraftKings DFS Guards

Damian Lillard - PG, POR vs. CHA ($10,400)

Last Friday Lillard scored 35 points, accumulated seven assists, three rebounds, and one block against the Lakers.  He's averaged 55 DraftKings fantasy points per game over the last eight games. Lillard has the sixth-highest Usage Rate (33%) among all players this season. This metric is an estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor. Lillard faces a Charlotte defense that has allowed the 11th most DraftKings fantasy points to point guards this season.

Ben Simmons - PG/SF, PHI vs. IND ($8,800)

Simmons contributed 24 points, compiled eight assists, seven rebounds, and a steal in 41 minutes against the Cavaliers last Saturday. He scored 40 or more DraftKings fantasy points in three of his last five games. Simmons's fantasy trajectory is now trending in the right direction. He has a very high ceiling against the Pacers.

Collin Sexton - PG/SG, CLE vs. HOU ($7,500)

Sexton scored 28 points, amassed five rebounds, three assists, and three steals across 45 minutes in Saturday's game against the 76ers. His Usage Rate (28%) continues to be high this season, but Sexton hasn't been efficient. His Player Efficiency Rating is only 20 which ranks 27th among point guards. This metric sums up all a player's positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments and returns a per-minute rating of a player's performance. Sexton remains the Cavaliers go-to guy offensively which bodes well for his fantasy outlook against the Rockets.

Bonus Guards: Jamal Murray ($8,900), Dejounte Murray ($8,100), Eric Gordon ($6,300), Jordan Clarkson ($6,400)

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DraftKings DFS Forwards

Domantas Sabonis - PF/C, IND vs PHI ($10,100)

Sabonis only scored 15 points, racked up nine assists and seven rebounds last Saturday against the Knicks. It was a bit of a let down considering he averaged 23 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game during the month of February. Sabonis has the seventh-highest Usage Rate (25.4%) among centers.

Brandon Ingram - SF/PF, NO vs UTA ($8,400)

Ingram scored 29 points, accrued four rebounds and five assists across 36 minutes last Saturday against the Spurs. He has a 28% Usage Rate this season. Ingram also has the fifth-highest Player Efficiency Rating (24.3) among small forwards. He's in a great spot against the Jazz.

Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF, DEN vs CHI ($7,000)

Porter posted 20 points and 10 rebounds over 28 minutes against the Thunder last Saturday. He's had a double-double in three consecutive games. Porter has scored 30 or more DraftKings fantasy points in each of those games. His efficiency and statistical production should continue against the Bulls.

Bonus Forwards: LaMarcus Aldridge ($6,200), Joe Ingles ($5,700), Carmelo Anthony ($5,200)

DraftKings DFS Centers

Nikola Jokic - C, DEN vs CHI ($10,800)

Jokic scored 19 points, accumulated 13 assists, 11 rebounds, and two steals across 30 minutes last Saturday against the Thunder. He has the fourth-highest Usage Rate (29%) among centers this season. Jokic also has the second-highest Player Efficiency Rating. It is worth noting that his free throw (88%) and three-point percentages (42%) are both career highs. Jokic is always a great choice if you are open to absorbing his salary.

Jarrett Allen - C, CLE vs HOU ($8,500)

Allen recorded 14 points, stockpiled 10 rebounds, three assists, and a block in 37 minutes last Saturday against the 76ers. He has recorded a double-double in seven consecutive games. Allen has averaged 44 DraftKings fantasy points per game over that time frame. He is a reliable option if you are looking for a center that has a salary under $10,000.

Bonus Centers: Rudy Gobert ($7,400), Enes Kanter ($7,200), Myles Turner ($6,200)

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis