RADIO
We continue the end of the season grind with a decent NBA Sunday schedule. There are only four games on the main slate with two early games. The Mavericks travel to play the Thunder, while the Pelicans host the Lakers. Out of every game, the Pelicans/Lakers contest will have the most DFS-relevance. Unfortunately, unless you are playing in an "All-Day" slate, which DraftKings doesn't have today, you might be stuck simply watching New Orleans and Los Angeles. How uneventful, I know.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/31/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups too early. Be sure to check all the NBA starting lineups and player statuses and availability prior to opening tip.
Find me on Twitter @HalfCourtJester and let's talk basketball. It's almost NBA playoffs which means everyone on social media is changing their bios to include 'NBA Basketball Genius.' Stay strong out there and remember, listen to me and only me....or other Rotoballers. Whatever works.
DraftKings DFS Guards
Kemba Walker - PG at GSW ($8,900)
This could get ugly fast for Charlotte, but I like the idea of Kemba Walker carrying his team against ultra-good opponents. If the Hornets win, it's because Walker scored 40 or 50 and some other miracle happened as well. The Warriors could be shutting players down during these last weeks of the season so that means the bad teams have increased upside. At first I thought this pick would have more weight defending on if the Warriors sat anyone, but regardless Walker is due for a big game. This is where he feasts. Away games against good teams, when his team needs him the most. Even if he doesn't have a monstrous game he will have attempted to and that's what matters.
Klay Thompson - SG vs. CHA ($6,500)
If you aren't chasing value here by going with Tyler Dorsey then you might as well take one of the safest picks out there. Klay Thompson needs to be hitting shots for him to really exceed his value but against the Hornets it's almost a given. They lack the defense and even if they specifically matchup against Thompson...let's not even tempt that. Against the Warriors, noone is saying, "Hey, we really got lock down Klay." If he's on, you might as well stick the worst defender in front of him until he simmers down.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Jeff Green - SG/SF vs. DEN ($4,100)
This isn't the safest pick I'll admit, but recent performances don't tell the whole story when it comes to predicting how matchups will go. Denver, Jeff Green and DFS have NOT gone hand-in-hand..-in hand recently, but it doesn't mean Jeff Green is due for another flop tonight. Yes, it's possible, but let's not get into possibilities and stick with probabilities. Jeff Green will probably play versus the Nuggets. Positive. He probably won't have a big game since he hasn't yet. Negative. Green has also being seeing less minutes as of lately. Another negative.
This is my selling point though. Every game Jeff Green has scored over 20 points in, the Wizards have been playing a top team in the conference and those teams tend to run smaller lineups. The Nuggets don't necessarily run small, but they play that way. They play like everyone is a guard and that's where Jeff Green comes in. If they don't defend the paint well, Green will expose that. If they leave him open on the perimeter, he will eventually punish them for it. He's not the most dependable option out there, but big games from Jeff Green automatically qualify him for "sleeper pick of the night."
Marvin Williams - SF/PF at GSW ($4,300)
Not many players that will produce like Marvin Williams without breaking the bank. His floor is actually incredibly high for his price and it seems more factual every game that he won't hurt you. His ceiling may not be that high despite me trying to sell you on his floor, but tonight you need minimal risk and Williams is that type of player. The Hornets need his defense on the floor and his ability to space the floor gives him upside against a team like the Warriors.
He hasn't been hitting multiple three's consistently, but seeing how hit seven in one game earlier this month, this could be a perfect game to roster a defense-first forward who is capable of hitting multiple three's.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C at LAC ($7,900)
Someone has to score for the Grizzlies and only about two or three people have owned up to that recently. Other than Mike Conley, Jonas Valanciunas has been a beastly fantasy option for the Grizzlies. There might be some doubt to his availability seeing how he posted his best performance as a member of the Grizzlies last night and are playing again tonight. He's played in two back-to-back games already this month so it's doubtful he misses this game, but you never know with the Grizzlies not really fighting for wins anymore.
Regardless, for his price and seeing how he should have no problem facing the Clippers frontcourt, Valanciunas actually has a decent amount of upside despite the improbability of him repeating last night's 34-20 game.
