RADIO
Only five games tonight so let's get right into it. It's not a good night for fantasy basketball. I'll make that clear right off the bat. PLenty of funky mathups and teams that tend to focus more on hustle stats and defense more than anything. The Timberwolves-Celtics game is lined up to be close, but without Jimmy Butler, the Timberwolves have yet to beat an above .500 team. Granted, it's only been four games, but wins over the Bulls and Kings are outweighed by losses to the Trail Blazers and Jazz. The Timberwolves have become a strong spot for playing the superstars and starters, but coach Tom Thibadeau struggles with rotations and only the starters have guaranteed production. That being said, more from this game later.
Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Kemba Walker round out my list of must-plays, with Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry and Ben Simmons all having increased upside tonight. Both the Heat and 76ers are fighting for seeding, so expect that game to be a generally low-scoring game that is going to depend on the streakiness of the shooters. If players like Robert Covington and Josh Richardson are hitting their shots, this game will be higher scoring games, even though the 76ers just slide into the top ten teams when it comes to point per game. It will be a close game that comes down to the wire.
Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 3/8/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too.
FanDuel DFS Guards
T.J. McConnell - at MIA, PG ($3,800)
T.J. McConnell has been contributing all season, just not with the consistency that most DFS players have hoped. In spot starts he's been fantastic, but as a reserve his statlines have been modest. His price tonight is what makes this pick worthwhile and even the matchup isn't enough to scare me away. The way the 76ers play, McConnell takes on the reserves and benefits from being a secondary playmaking piece. Because he doesn't carry the ball up every time, it changes the way teams have to approach the defense, many times putting the worst defender on McConnell. This should be the case tonight and McConnell will be taking more shots.
Dwyane Wade - vs. PHI, SG ($5,100)
A look, another player from the same game...I know this entire guard section isn't fun, but these are the best matchups for their price. Both teams backcourts let up shots, even though they both defend the perimeter well, but the experience and composure of Dwyane Wade combined with the athleticism of the Heat make this an ideal concoction for production. Wade will produce, but if the rest of the Heat are playing well, Wade sees a personal boost. He plays off his team well, makes the smart plays and hustles on defense. If Wade can get some rhythm going, especially against a 76ers team that ranks 22nd against opposing shooting guards, he will exceed projected.
Also Consider: J.J. Redick - at MIA, SG ($4,800)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Rudy Gay - at GSW, SF ($4,300)
Although he is coming off of an injury and the skepticism is real, Rudy Gay is in too valuable of a spot to pass up. This is going to take away from Kyle Anderson's production, but knowing what Gay is capable of, you can pass up that type of upside. The Warriors defense is one of the best in the league, but Gay's length and shooting make him just about un-gaurdable. There are few players on the Spurs roster with comparable abilities and track record, so Gay will always have upside whenever he plays. The team knows that he is a scorer and they want to get him the ball. His price and low and there's also a good chance most player pass on him.
Taj Gibson - vs. BOS, PF ($5,600)
The Celtics defense has been very solid this season, but Taj Gibson can get rebounds and produce against anyone. Gibson is like a more athletic Enes Kanter. He will get rebounds and second chance points against every matchup, and tough matchups tend to result in increased production. The Celtics defense contests shots well and there will be an excess of rebounds for Gibson to capitalize on. While Towns, Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford will do most of the shooting, Gibson will continue to see a higher usage to fill the void left by Butler.
Also Consider: Joe Harris - at CHA, SF ($3,800)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Cody Zeller - vs. BKN, C ($3,600)
As one of the more underrated centers in the league, Cody Zeller needs minutes to produce. The once starter was not turning heads in the box score, but his consistency earns him minutes every game. He has limited range but plays to that strengths well and manages to maximize his production every time he steps onto the court. While he doesn't generally play selfishly, he does rebound that way. When two teams are playing that struggle to score efficiently, you have to look at the player that will be working to create second chance points and clean up misses.
