NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/15/24)

There are six games scheduled to be played across the NBA on Friday. DraftKings will include all six of them in their main slate, while FanDuel will only include the first five games of the evening. Let’s just focus on the five games that will be a part of both slates.

The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan, and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/15/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Let's first take a look at our matchup ratings to see who we want to target for our top spend-ups tonight.

Nikola Jokic had an uncharacteristically muted stat line against the Heat on Wednesday. He logged 38 minutes, but posted just 12 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. Expect him to bounce back in a big way against the Spurs, who have played at the third-fastest pace in the league. When they last met, he recorded 39 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.

With the Hornets dealing with so many injuries, Miles Bridges has been playing a ton and getting all of the shot attempts that he can handle. That has resulted in him averaging 21.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals over the last 15 games. He should be a difficult matchup for the Suns, who might have tired legs playing the second game of a back-to-back set.

Another member of the Nuggets who is a top target for this slate is Jamal Murray. The Spurs have been terrible against point guards, allowing the most points per game to the position. He did not play when the Nuggets faced the Spurs earlier this season, but his replacement Reggie Jackson scored 20 points in that game.

1. Nikola Jokic, DEN at SA – C ($11,800 DK; $12,000 FD)
2. Miles Bridges, CHA vs. PHO – SF/PF ($8,800 DK; $8,800 FD)
3. Jamal Murray, DEN at SA – PG ($8,100 DK; $8,600 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Since the Hornets are missing so many players, the few healthy ones that they have left present value opportunities. Two of the top value targets for this slate should be Vasilije Micic and Grant Williams. Micic has averaged 15.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.2 steals since moving into the starting lineup. Williams has averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists since being acquired from the Mavericks.

The Raptors will take on the Magic with Scottie Barnes (hand), Jakob Poeltl (finger), and RJ Barrett (personal) all out. That should result in plenty of minutes for Bruce Brown Jr., who has started both the last two games. He posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists against the Nuggets on Monday, then followed that up with 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block versus the Pistons on Wednesday.

Top Value Plays:

1. Vasilije Micic, CHA vs. PHO – PG ($6,000 DK; $6,000 FD)
2. Bruce Brown Jr., TOR vs. ORL – PG/SF ($5,900 DK; $5,900 FD)
3. Grant Williams, CHA vs. PHO – PF ($5,300 DK; $5,600 FD)

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Will Priester! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Will's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code BARNER at checkout to save 10%

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

We’ve already touched on what makes Murray and Micic two of the top point guards to consider for this slate. Another option to have on your radar is Immanuel Quickley, especially in tournament play. He might not be included in a lot of lineups since he is facing a Magic team that has the fourth-best defensive rating in the league. However, with the Raptors being shorthanded, Quickley has averaged 22.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last 10 games.

Immanuel Quickley is fired up in Portland after the triple 🎯

Raptors-Trail Blazers | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/xNN1tGZ1py pic.twitter.com/lBRxb2Lj45

— NBA (@NBA) March 10, 2024

Top PG Options:

1. 1. Jamal Murray at SA, ($8,100 DK; $8,600 FD)
   2. Immanuel Quickley vs. ORL, ($8,600 DK; $8,500 FD)
   3. Vasilije Micic vs. PHO, ($6,000 DK; $6,000 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

It’s going to be important to monitor for injury updates for the Suns, who just played the Celtics on Friday. They also play again Sunday, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them rest a veteran or two against the lowly Hornets. If he plays, Devin Booker is one of the top guards for the slate. Grayson Allen isn’t likely to be a rest candidate, and he could even receive a boost in production if the Suns do rest one of their starters.

Tyler Herro (foot) still doesn’t have a timetable for a return, leaving Duncan Robinson in an expanded role for the Heat. Since Herro went down, Robinson has averaged 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers over nine games. With his shooting prowess, he could exploit a Pistons team that has the third-worst defensive rating in the league.

Top SG Options:

1. 1. 1. Devin Booker at CHA, ($9,000 DK; $9,300 FD)
      2. Grayson Allen at CHA, ($6,100 DK; $5,900 FD)
      3. Duncan Robinson at DET, ($5,100 DK; $5,200 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

There is some blowout concern when the Heat take on the Pistons. However, Jimmy Butler still has enough upside to make him worth the risk in tournament play. When he faced the Pistons 10 days ago, he dominated with 26 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.

Top SF Options:

1. 1. 1. Miles Bridges vs. PHO, ($8,800 DK; $8,800 FD)
      2. Jimmy Butler at DET, ($8,400 DK; $8,700 FD)
      3. Bruce Brown Jr. vs. ORL, ($5,900 DK; $5,900 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

The Clippers don’t have much size up front. They will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set, so they could rest Kawhi Leonard, who has recently battled a back injury. If he sits, they could really be in a tough spot against Zion Williamson, who has averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks across his last 11 games.

Zion Williamson ACCELERATES to the rim for the and-1 🔥

pic.twitter.com/4CH4Wd6qOI

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 14, 2024

Paolo Banchero stands out as a forward to consider. He has a great matchup against the Raptors, who have the seventh-worst defensive rating in the league. He is also locked in right now, providing 24.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over his last seven games.

Top PF Options:

1. 1. 1. Zion Williamson vs. LAC, ($8,300 DK; $8,900 FD)
      2. Paolo Banchero at TOR, ($8,900 DK; $8,400 FD)
      3. Grant Williams vs. PHO, ($5,300 DK; $5,600 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

For those who don’t want to pay up for Jokic and his expensive salary, Kelly Olynyk is someone to strongly consider. Even though the Magic aren’t an ideal matchup, Olynyk has become a starter and is playing a lot of minutes for the Raptors. That has resulted in him averaging 16.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks over the last five games.

Since the Raptors have so little size up front, Wendell Carter Jr. is a viable tournament option. Despite his numbers not jumping off the page, he has increased his production down the stretch by averaging 12.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over his last 12 games.

Top C Options:

1. 1. 1. Nikola Jokic at SA, ($11,800 DK; $12,000 FD)
      2. Kelly Olynyk vs. ORL, ($7,000 DK; $7,400 FD)
      3. Wendell Carter Jr. at TOR, ($5,500 DK; $6,000 FD)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

1. 1. 1. Nuggets at Spurs (221.5 total)
      2. Suns at Hornets (216.5 total)
      3. Magic at Raptors (215.5 total)

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

1. 1. 1. Outside of Victor Wembanyama, it’s difficult to have faith in any of the members of the Spurs in their tough matchup with the Nuggets.
      2. Jalen Duren absolutely dominated the Raptors on Wednesday, but he’s a much riskier option Friday against the Heat and Bam Adebayo.

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

1. 1. • My favorite overall play on the slate: Jamal Murray
      • My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
      • My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jimmy Butler
      • My favorite value play: Vasilije Micic

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis