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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

Tory Horton

Could Do Some Stuff "Toward the End of Spring"
Patrick Mahomes

Takes Part in First OTA Practice on Tuesday
Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James Jr. Becomes Highest-Paid Safety for the Second Time in his Career
Chris Brooks

Emerging as Top Handcuff to Stash?
MarShawn Lloyd

Sees Short-Term Value Soar
Jared McCain

Moves into Starting Five
Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year
Jalen Williams

is Ruled Out for Game 5 on Tuesday
Bucky Irving

is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Zion Williamson

to See More Versatile Role
Parker Washington

Jaguars Think Parker Washington Can Replicate Second-Half Production
Cleveland Cavaliers

Kenny Atkinson to Remain Cavaliers Head Coach Next Season
Josh Jacobs

Arrested on Five Charges, Booked Into Jail
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Josh Sweat

Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls on Josh Sweat
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Tetairoa McMillan

Working With the Training Staff on Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
Jerome Ford

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Drop Jerome Ford?
John Metchie III

Poised for Breakout Season with New Team in 2026?
Jalen Milroe

Is Jalen Milroe Still Worth Stashing in Dynasty Formats Entering 2026?
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Is Kyle Pitts Sr. a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Coming Off Breakout Season?
Nico Collins

Agrees to Contract Adjustment with Texans
Chris Brooks

Carries Buy-Low Dynasty Appeal into 2026
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
NFL

NFL Unlikely to Expand to 18 Regular-Season Games by 2027
Sahith Theegala

Searching For Swing at Charles Schwab Challenge
Lamar Jackson

in Attendance at OTAs This Week
Bucky Irving

Expected Back in the Summer or Fall
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
Jalen Tolbert

Does Jalen Tolbert Have Short-Term Dynasty Appeal?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Travis Etienne Jr.

Is Travis Etienne Jr. Still a Dynasty RB1 Following Change of Scenery?
Evan Mobley

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points
James Harden

Wants to Stay in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges

Cools Off in Game 4 Against Cavaliers
OG Anunoby

Active on Both Ends in Blowout Win
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads Knicks in Scoring During Series-Clincher
Jalen Brunson

Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Shayne Gostisbehere

Scores First Postseason Goal
Taylor Hall

Ends Four-Game Goal Drought
Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Game 3 Winner in Overtime
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder is Ruled Out for Game 4 on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Nets Could Trade Michael Porter Jr.
Ajay Mitchell

is Ruled Out for Game 5
Jalen Williams

is Tagged as Questionable for Game 5
Valeri Nichushkin

Nathan MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin Uncertain for Game 4
Oliver Kapanen

Sitting as Healthy Scratch Monday
Max Domi

Out Indefinitely Due to Offseason Surgery Complications
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
Devon Toews

Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat
Brett Howden

Nets 10th Postseason Goal
Mitchell Marner

Delivers Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Mark Stone

Returns With Multi-Point Effort
Valeri Nichushkin

Exits Early Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon

Hurt in Game 3 Loss
Isaiah Hartenstein

Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF