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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

Calvin Ridley

Not Taking Part in OTAs as Value Continues to Plummet
Carnell Tate

Receiving Early Buzz at OTAs
Ashton Jeanty

Bigger Role Could be Coming for Ashton Jeanty in Year 2
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Malik Nabers

' Goal is to be Ready for Start of the Season
De'Von Achane

Dealing With Injury at OTAs?
Dalton Kincaid

Says he Feels "Really Good"
Keenan Allen

Door isn't Closed for Keenan Allen in Los Angeles
Ty Simpson

Does Ty Simpson Have First-Round Appeal in Rookie Drafts?
Fernando Mendoza

Working Behind Other QBs
Cam Ward

is "Perfectly Healthy"
James Cook III

Absent From OTA Practices This Week
Darnell Washington

Is it Time to Drop Darnell Washington in Dynasty Leagues?
Fernando Mendoza

a Top Dynasty Target Even if He Doesn't Start Week 1?
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty Outlook Dependent on Landing Spot
Mack Hollins

Should Managers Trade for Mack Hollins Amid Roster Questions?
Michael Wilson

a Prime Dynasty Sell Candidate
Jake Ferguson

Insurance Upside Makes Him a Borderline TE1 in Dynasty
Brock Bowers

One of the Most Valuable Assets in Dynasty
Devin Vassell

Contributes 22 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mike Gesicki

Still Provides Some Dynasty Insurance as His Standalone Value Fades
Stephon Castle

Tallies Team-High 25 Points in Game 2 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Records Eighth Postseason Double-Double
Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith Arrested for Speeding and Reckless Driving
Isaiah Hartenstein

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Dylan Harper

Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
Jalen Williams

Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Valeri Nichushkin

Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Nathan MacKinnon

Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Brett Howden

Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Tomas Hertl

Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Carter Hart

Records Third Consecutive Win
Timothy Liljegren

Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
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
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
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
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
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"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
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
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
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
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
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
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF