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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (3/5/18): NBA DFS Lineups

With a seven game slate it's not hard to flex with some of your picks. Compared to days with smaller slates, you have many more options to free up space with hopes to roster tonight's big hitters like, Damian Lillard, LeBron James, and Andre Drummond. If you are looking to stack games, check the Pistons-Cavaliers, and Lakers-Trail Blazers. Both teams are high-scoring and sacrifice defense for offense, do don't hesitate to put a few teammates together.

Normally, the Suns-Heat game would be an ideal trap game, simply due to the inconsistencies between each team, but the Suns are on the second night of a back-to-back and the Heat are in too valuable of a spot to drop a game to a sub-.500 team at home. Josh Richardson continues to fill the stat sheet nightly and will be a good pick, but I am banking on Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Johnson getting the most value for their price.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/5/18. Find me in the Hoops Chat Room or on Twitter, @HalfCourtJester

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DraftKings DFS Guards

Elfrid Payton - PG, at MIA ($7,200)

Elfrid Payton was ejected last game for a reason that made little sense to me, but he will be returning the starting lineup hopefully with a little more energy in his game. Not that yesterday's 29-minute-triple-double wasn't impressive, but it was just that, 29 minutes. The rest of the Suns had to assume a bigger workload after the Payton ejection, especially being a close game late in the contest. The Heat are a significantly better defense, but it won't change Payton from dissecting them like he used to do on the Magic. Payton is a bigger guard, giving him upside in most matchups, especially ones where he will be forced to have a higher usage rate.

Rodney McGruder - SG/SF, at PHO ($3,000)

You should have seen this coming. Young team on the second night of a back-to-back is exactly the type of team you want to target. While I would suggest Tyler Johnson, his injury makes him an unsure pick, and that means there is no reason to bank on him playing. With this pick you will have to make sure Johnson and Wayne Ellington are not playing, giving McGruder the ultimate upside. After playing around 23 minutes last game, it's easy to assume he receive a similar workload against the Suns, just with a better looking statline. For his price, it's hard to pass on him and he should rebound on his 1-for-4-from-three outing in what will be just his ninth game this season.

 

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Jae Crowder- SF/PF, vs. ORL ($4,600)

Jae Crowder is slowly regaining last season's form and while his price is moderate, you need to capitalize. Crowder's game is fairly consistent when it comes to everything BUT shooting. When he isn't hitting his shots, theres a good chance he won't have much fantasy relevance. Luckily, with his lower price and hot streak, he needs to minimally produce. In his last 10 games, his lowest score has been around 15 FPTS and his increased role with the Jazz has made him look like he 2016-2017 Jae Crowder. Yes, the fantasy impact is still minimal on a general scale, but being on the Jazz has clearly revamped his DFS relevance.

Blake Griffin - PF/C, at CLE ($7,900)

Blake Griffin continues to do what he's always done and tonight his price is extremely favorable. The Cavaliers defense will struggle to limit Griffin, and it's going to be a production-duel between the two top superstars in tonight's contest. Until the Cavaliers defense starts to turn things around, which they probably won't, confidently stack teams against them. Tonight is going to be an offensive barrage and both James and Griffin will be leading the charges for their respective teams. Griffin's floor remains fairly high and his upside Monday night puts this pick over the top.

 

DraftKings DFS Centers

Rudy Gobert - C, vs. ORL ($8,300)

Hassan Whiteside seems like the safest pick, being the lowest priced with the highest upside, but if you aren't feeling Whiteside, Rudy Gobert is your next best pick. If you are looking to spend up for a center, which you should, you have three options. While my opinion has Whiteside as the frontrunner, Drummond will be on 20-20 watch, while Gobert faces arguably his best matchup. The Magic rank in the bottom ten when facing opposing centers and that trend will ring true here on out. The Magic have been struggling recently and the Jazz can't afford to lose many more games this season. Look for the Jazz to put this game away early and that means letting the big man feast.

 

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts





REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Michael Wilson

Cardinals Interested in Inking Michael Wilson to a Long-Term Extension
Kyle Williams

Bulks Up, Ready to Make Year 2 Leap
Deshaun Watson

the First QB Up During OTA Drills on Wednesday
Quinshon Judkins

Taking Part in 11-on-11 Drills
Xavier Legette

Fighting for His Future in Carolina?
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Not Expected to Trade Brian Thomas Jr.
Rashod Bateman

Future in Baltimore is Bleak
Mark Andrews

Poised to Bounce Back in 2026?
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Is Tyrone Tracy Jr. a Sneaky Dynasty Buy?
Chimere Dike

Dynasty Managers Compelled to Hold Chimere Dike?
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Jameson Williams

a High-Ceiling Buy for Risk-Tolerant Dynasty Managers
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Chase Brown

a Short-term Dynasty Buy Whose Value Could Extend Beyond 2026
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
J.K. Dobbins

Becoming an Underpriced Starting Running Back
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Rome Odunze

Has Ambiguity Among Bears WRs Created Buying Opportunity for Rome Odunze?
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Marvin Mims Jr.

Dynasty Value Hurt by Lack of a Defined Role
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Offense to Borrow From Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay in 2026?
Taysom Hill

Saints Haven't Offered a Contract to Taysom Hill
Kayshon Boutte

Working Out Away From the Team
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Return to OTAs Soon
Dalton Kincaid

Taking Part in OTAs This Week
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" for Offseason Workouts
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
Alex Caruso

Erupts for 31 Points in Game 1 Loss to Spurs
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
Jalen Williams

Productive in Comeback Game
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Records First Double-Double of Postseason
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Stephon Castle

Opens Conference Finals With Double-Double
Dylan Harper

Makes Outstanding Two-Way Impact in Game 1 Win
Victor Wembanyama

Dominates Game 1 Against Thunder
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Larry Nance Jr.

is Questionable for Game 1 on Tuesday
OG Anunoby

is Probable for Tuesday's Game 1
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Tage Thompson

Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Nick Suzuki

Seeks More Road Success Monday
Lane Hutson

Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Filip Gustavsson

Needs Offseason Surgery
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Quinn Hughes

Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Jonas Brodin

Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Sam Malinski

Practices Fully Sunday
Josh Manson

Rejoins Practice
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF