NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/21/24)

We have a solid little six-game slate on both sites. Seems like neither site wanted to add the Hawks vs. Suns which is fine by me! We have three teams on back-to-backs, so keep an eye on that, especially some injury news! There is a decent amount of injury news so make sure to keep an eye on these players throughout the day; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lauri Markkanen, Deni Avdija, Coby White, Alex Caruso, Nicolas Claxton, Tyus Jones, Jordan Clarkson, Richaun Holmes.

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 3/21/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

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

I have never had luck when it comes to playing Luka Doncic. When I fade he goes crazy and when I play he is a dud. So take that as a sign if you are superstitious. Luka however has been a triple-double machine as of late but comes at a hefty price of 12.7k. He has an elite matchup against the Jazz who give up the third most FP to PGs in the league. Luka is always a solid bet and hopefully, this time around he won't let me down.

Domantas Sabonis has also been on his own tear recently going for 50+ FP in nine of his last ten games with three triple-doubles. My only worry when it comes to this game is the potential blowout but the matchup is too juicy against the Wizards who give up the fourth most FP to opposing PFs over the last fifteen games. If the Wizards can keep this somewhat close enough for him to play 30+ minutes then we should be good for another 50+ FP outing.

Damian Lillard is already projected for 47 FP in today's game against Brooklyn and that's with Giannis playing. Damian has been on fire in games where Giannis hasn't played. He averages 31.6 points, 8.8 assists, and nearly four rebounds a game this season when the Bucks are without Giannis. I believe he is a viable option regardless of Giannis playing but if we see he is out that just makes playing Damian Lillard that much better of a play.

1. Luka Doncic, DAL vs. UTA – PG ($12,700 DK; $12,800 FD)
2. Domantas Sabonis, SAC at WAS – PF/C ($11,000 DK; $11,000 FD)
3. Damian Lillard, MIL vs BKN – PG ($9,500 DK; $9,300 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Let's take a look at what the premium projections have for us value-wise!

Keon Ellis has carved himself out a sizeable role in Kevin Huerter's absence over the last five games getting close to 30 minutes a game. He isn't doing a whole in the scoring department but what is getting him his fantasy points is his ability to get blocks and steals. He is averaging 4.2 STOCKS a game in the five games he's been in a starting role. He is fairly cheap too still. As long Huerter continues to be out, Keon should continue to have a solid role in the starting five.

The Wizards have quite a few injuries in the frontcourt and it could get thinner if Deni Avdija is also out with his knee injury. Richaun Holmes should be considered if he comes back from his illness. However, the two other guys I'm interested in are Anthony Gill and Patrick Baldwin. Both are dirt cheap and have seen quite an increase in minutes with Deni and a couple of other guys out. Gill is a PPM guy and has shown when given the minutes he can produce.

Amen Thompson has had an interesting rookie season, his minutes have fluctuated quite a bit which is always a bit worrisome but I think with Alperen Sengun out they are trusting him a bit more with minutes. His last three games have been great going for 30+ in all three of them and it seems as long as he is seeing 25+ minutes he is cruising to a high-scoring night. He is a bit overpriced on FanDuel so I do recommend being a bit more cautious over there but I believe he is a great value play on DraftKings.

Top Value Plays:

1. Keon Ellis, SAC at WAS – SG ($4,100 DK; $4,600 FD)
2. Anthony Gill, WAS vs. SAC - PF ($4,000 DK; $4,300 FD)
3. Amen Thompson, HOU vs. CHI - PG/SG/SF ($6,300 DK; $7,900 FD)

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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

I have already mentioned the likes of Luka and Dame but I will mention a couple of guys who didn't quite make the list but I will have them in my player pool. Jalen Brunson, De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Ayo Dosunmu, and possibly some Jalen Suggs.

Damian Lillard is shooting 43.5% from behind the arc since February 25th on a whopping 9 attempts per game. pic.twitter.com/ZOsyypRRk7

— Bucks Film Room (@BucksFilmRoom) March 21, 2024

Miles McBride has found himself in a big role. With OG Anunoby out, this opens the door for McBride to have a big impact. Thibodeau loves playing his starters as many minutes as possible, and that was shown in the last game where McBride finished 46 minutes in the game. If he continues to see minutes like this, I love him as a decent value play on both sites.

Top PG Options:

1. Luka Doncic, DAL vs. UTA – PG ($12,700 DK; $12,800 FD)
2. Damian Lillard, MIL vs BKN– PG ($9,500 DK; $9,300 FD)
3. Miles McBride, NYK at DEN– PG ($4,700 DK; $5,200 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

There is a decent chance we see Jordan Clarkson out for his fifth straight game leading to more minutes for Collin Sexton, Keyonte George, and Kris Dunn. Sexton has been by far the most consistent of the bunch and is seeing 30+ minutes a night. Keyonte has been on a bit of a slide recently so be a bit cautious in rostering him.

Career-high 23 points for Amen Thompson with 3:50 still remaining in the 3rd quarter pic.twitter.com/BTCk9OTyAT

— RotoBaller NBA (@RotoBallerNBA) March 20, 2024

Top SG Options:

1. Collin Sexton, UTA at DAL – PG/SG ($7,400 DK; $7,500 FD)
2. Amen Thompson, HOU vs. CHI - PG/SG/SF ($6,300 DK; $7,900 FD)
3. Keon Ellis, SAC at WAS – SG ($4,100 DK; $4,600 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

The frontcourt for the Wizards is decimated with injuries and with Holmes and Deni both questionable it could lead to even more minutes and usage for Kuzma. They are going to be low on guys and regardless if this game blows out Kuzma might have to play. When seeing 30+ minutes though Kuzma has been a scoring machine and hasn't finished with below 30 fantasy points since the ninth of February.

Josh Hart is a trooper man. He didn't sit for a single minute in their win over the Warriors on Monday. They are now back after three days of rest and that should mean Josh Hart is good for another 40-minute night. Josh has also had three triple-doubles in the last 10 games and if the minutes are there we could see another one.

ALL HART 🚨@joshhart recorded his 5th triple-double of the season pic.twitter.com/cIigDNy7RB

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 19, 2024

Michael Porter Jr. is in a good position for a high-scoring night. The Knick's biggest weakness has been the SF position where they give up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing SFs. If MPJ is getting the three to fall then this could be one of his better games on the season.

Top SF Options:

1. Kyle Kuzma, WAS vs. SAC – ($8,100 DK; $8,600 FD)
2. Josh Hart, NYK at DEN – SF/PF ($7,300 DK; $7,700 FD)
3. Michael Porter Jr., DEN vs. NYK - SF/PF ($6,500 DK; $6,900 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

Zion Williamson has been a menace on the court recently and it is looking like the former first-overall pick is finally getting healthy and can stay out on the court more. He has averaged 34 minutes a game over the last six games and in that time averaged 50 FPPG! His price is getting up there and he has a tough matchup but the way he has been playing I don't think anyone is going to stop him.

Bobby Portis becomes an essential play at PF if Giannis is out. He has finished with 43 and 54 in the last two games without him and we are still getting him at a fair price of 7k on FD and 6.7k on DK. If Giannis does play I would avoid him, however, so keep an eye on injury news.

Top PF Options:

1. Zion Williamson, NOP at ORL – ($8,600 DK; $9,100 FD)
2. Bobby Portis, MIL vs. BKN – ($6,700 DK; $7,000 FD)
3. Anthony Gill, WAS vs. SAC - PF ($4,000 DK; $4,300 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

Daniel Gafford has a fantastic matchup against Utah who is giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing centers over the last 15 games and we are still getting him at a decent price. The only downside of Gafford is his questionable minutes. He has been hovering around 25ish minutes but even in that time he can push 30+ FP.

Nikola Vucevic has been one of those centers this year I feel like I have overlooked this season and I'm not sure why. He has only scored below 30 FP once in his last 14 games! The matchup against Houston is favorable with Sengun gone for the season. He is also a way to get different where a lot of people will be going Jokic, Sabonis, or Gafford. So in GPPs, Vucevic is a solid Center to grab if you are looking to save about 3k in salary.

Top C Options:

1. Domantas Sabonis, SAC at WAS – PF/C ($11,000 DK; $11,000 FD)
2. Daniel Gafford, DAL vs. UTA - C ($5,700 DK; $6,900 FD)
3. Nikola Vucevic, CHI at HOU - C ($8,500 DK; $8,200 FD)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

1. Kings at Wizards  (237.5 total)
2. Jazz at Mavericks (238.5 total)
3. Nets at Bucks (222.5 total)

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

1. I just don't want to grab much from the Magic vs. Pelicans games. The total is the lowest on the slate and nobody moves from the game besides Zion. I will have some very low ownership in this game.

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

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

• My favorite overall play on the slate: Domantas Sabonis
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Luka Doncic
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Nikola Vucevic
• My favorite value play: Miles McBride

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis