FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-March 14
High Salary PG
Stephen Curry-Golden State Warriors (10,500): Curry had 46.6 fantasy points on Saturday against Phoenix and has at least 44 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He has only reached 50+ fantasy points once in his last six games since returning from an ankle injury, but he continues to put together big scoring almost every night. The reason his fantasy points are down a bit is a drop in his rebounds and other non-scoring stats, but I think he’ll be set to turn in a big game in what should be a high-scoring late game at home against New Orleans. Curry will almost surely get you more than 40 fantasy points, but he may not quite deliver full value if you sink over 10K into having him as your PG. ∗∗
Damian Lillard-Portland Trail Blazers (9,200): Lillard had a double-double on Saturday and only played 30 minutes for the second straight game since the Blazers blew out the Magic after getting blown out by the Warriors the night before. Lillard’s numbers from those two games weren’t great which is why his price has dropped a big making him a very nice play tonight as he faces Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. OKC has given up the third-most fantasy points in the NBA to opposing PG this season and Lillard has averaged 25.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assets, and 1.5 steals against them in their two meetings. Lillard still carries the weight of the Portland attack, and I think he’ll have a huge game in his duel with Westbrook in OKC tonight.∗∗∗∗
Jrue Holiday-New Orleans Pelicans (8,000): Holiday came off the bench on Saturday against the Bucks and played just 29 minutes producing a very disappointing 14.6 fantasy points. He west off the night before but the 41 minutes took its toll on the Pelicans second-best scoring option. holiday had run off three straight games with over 45 fantasy points before Saturday’s downer, and I think he’ll bounce back tonight agains the Warriors with a big game. Hopefully we find out he’s starting and not on a minutes restriction before 7:00, but he’s a good pickup for tonight as he and Anthony Davis try to knock off the Warriors in Oakland. If starting-∗∗∗∗ Not starting-∗∗
Kyrie Irving-Cleveland Cavaliers (7,400): Not surprisingly, Irving cooled off a little yesterday against Chris Paul after tearing through the Grizzlies, Lakers and Kings in his three games last week. Irving had over 37 fantasy points in each of those three contests before posting just 26.9 fantasy points yesterday. Tonight, in Utah, he’ll be matched up with Shelvin Mack and the Jazz who have been a strong defensive team for most of the season. Irving is still a solid play from this price-point since he has so much potential, but remember that most of his big games have come against weaker defensive options. ∗∗∗
Reggie Jackson-Detroit Pistons (7,000): Jackson and the Pistons are fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they face the Wizards tonight who have been playing some pretty sorry defense lately. Jackson will look to be on the attack tonight after putting up back-to-back double-doubles with at least 20 points in his last two games. Jackson has a least 35 fantasy points in three of his last four, and I like his matchup better than Kyrie’s tonight. Jakcons doe have the tendency to vanish at times, but I think he’s in for a good game tonight. ∗∗∗∗
Goran Dragic-Miami Heat (6,900): Dragic had a well-balanced line against the tough defense of Kyle Lowry and the Raptors finishing with 13 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds for a solid 31.9 fantasy points. He has at least 31 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and has been a much bigger part of the Heat offense since Chris Bosh has been sidelined. Dragic is in a good matchup against Denver tonight who have allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing PG on the season although they’ve been doing a little better lately. Dragic and the Heat will be happy to be home after their three-game road trip, so look for a big game from Dragic tonight. ∗∗∗
Ricky Rubio-Minnesota Timberwolves (6,600): Rubio and the Timberwolves travel to the desert to face the Suns tonight in a very favorable matchup. Only the Lakers have given up more fantasy points to opposing PG than the Suns, and Rubio comes in with some nice momentum. He had 46.6 fantasy points against the Thunder on Friday in his last game pouring in 13 points to go with 12 assists, eight rebounds, and three steals. He has three double-doubles in his last four games with at least 33 fantasy points in each of those three contests. With his form and matchup, there’s a lot to like about having Rubio in your lineup tonight even though he isn’t a score-first PG like many of the other names on this list. ∗∗∗∗
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