FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy basketball lineup-March 18
High Salary PG
Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City Thunder (10,600): Westbrook and the Thunder play in Philadelphia, so there’s definitely the possibility of a blowout, but I think Westbrook will put up good numbers even if he does play fewer minutes than his average. He only needed 28 minutes on Monday to post 59 fantasy points on 17 points, 16 assists, and ten rebounds. He followed that up with 41.5 fantasy points in 26 minutes in Boston on Wednesday, so he should be well-rested and ready to take on a Sixers team that just gave up a triple-double to John Wall last night. Westbrook is the super-elite option I like the most in a matchup he should dominate form the start tonight in Philadelphia. ∗∗∗
Damian Lillard-Portland Trail Blazers (8,900): The Pelicans have given up more fantasy points to opposing PG than any other team in the NBA over their last five games, so Lillard should be set up for success in the Bit Easy tonight. He’s a little high-risk despite the good matchup, though, since his recent form has been sketchy, and he has failed to reach 40 fantasy points in each of his last four games. I like him tonight, but I think he’s far from a guaranteed 45 fantasy points which is what he would need to return full value at his salary. ∗∗
Isaiah Thomas-Boston Celtics (7,900): IT4 is going to have to carry the Celtics offense with Jae Crowder sidelined and he showed he can rise to the challenge on Tuesday in Inday with 43.2 fantasy points on 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block. He had a down games on Wednesday since the game turned into a rout, and he only played 29 minutes, but I think he’s in a good spot to bounce back tonight as he takes on Kyle Lowry and the Raptors. ∗∗∗
Ricky Rubio-Minnesota Timberwolves (7,000): Rubio has three straight double-doubles coming into tonight’s shootout with the Rockets. He has at least 35 fantasy points in each of those three games and has 33+ fantasy points in six of his last eight. Rubio is a creator and passer who hardly ever scored 20 points, but his non-scoring numbers have been so good lately that he deserves a look at 7K tonight. ∗∗∗∗
D’Angelo Russell-Los Angeles Lakers (6,900): Russell gets a great matchup against the Suns tonight in LA as he tries to rediscover the groove he found when he got into the starting lineup a few weeks ago. He has struggled in his last two games and played limited minutes as a result, but he did run off five games with over 35 fantasy points in his previous six before the two down games to start this week. The Suns are so bad at defending opposing PG, though, that at least one of the Lakers backcourt options is going to go off, and I think Russell has the best chance especially since he’s still the starter. ∗∗∗
Reggie Jackson-Detroit Pistons (6,600): Jackson will be a great play if he’s able to play his usual minutes tonight against the Kings. He’s listed as a gametime decision because he was suffering from shortness of breath on Wednesday and is considered questionable tonight. If he is active, there’s a chance he’s limited making him a boom-or-bust play tonight despite the great matchup. ∗∗
Ishmael Smith-Philadelphia 76ers (6,500): Smith had 37.9 fantasy points last night against the Wizards on 20 points, seven assists, and three steals. He has at least 28 fantasy points in three of his last four games and in eight of his last ten. On the season, the Thunder have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing PG, and Smith had 18 points and six assists against them when he faced them back in November during his New Orleans tenure. Look for Ish to put together another big game tonight as he tries to help the Sixers keep up in a high-scoring game. ∗∗∗∗∗
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