DraftKings Early NBA Picks for March 5

We have two matinee games for the early DraftKings tournament today. There are a few stars out there today, but should we use them? Are we better served using minor stars? Who will be the unsung heroes that put us in the money?

Point Guards

Best Bet:

Jeff Teague ($7,100): Teague picked up 43.5 DraftKings points in the first game against Atlanta this year. All year long, Teague has done very well when the matchup is right. The matchup is right today.

Honorable Mention:

Stephen Curry ($10,300): Why am I not high on Curry? Well, aside from arguably the coldest stretch of his career, he is playing a Knicks team that is third in the league in point guard defense. Curry had just 34 DraftKings points in 34 minutes in the first meeting. With Kevin Durant out, it should help those numbers some in the rematch, but probably not enough to hit 5x value. That said, Curry may be the only player in the afternoon slate that can hit 50 DraftKings points, so he is at least worth mentioning.

Derrick Rose ($6,300): Rose was out in the first game against the Warriors, and Curry still struggled! As long as you don’t expect the 2010 Derrick Rose to show up in your lineup, he usually wont disappoint you. Rose has at least 5x value in each of the last three games, but he rarely hits 6x value anymore.

Dark Horse:

Rodney Stuckey ($3,000): Stuckey has done a lot with a little coming off the bench with the exception of Wednesday against The Spurs. Up until then, he had averaged 32 DraftKings points per game since the All Star Break. He could be in line for a nice game off the bench against Atlanta as well.

My picks: Teague(PG)

Shooting Guards

Best Bet:

Klay Thompson ($7,300): Thompson racked up 40.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting against the Knicks. As usual with Thompson, his production is mostly reliant on him hitting outside shots. He has been dreadful from the floor over the last two games, going just 10-42 and 4-24 from downtown. We love the shot volume, but he will continue to disappoint if he can’t find his stroke.

Honorable Mention:

Courtney Lee ($4,900): Lee has been over 6x value in three of the last five games. The bad news is that in the other two games, he was under 4x. He picked up 20.5 DraftKings points against the Warriors in the first meeting. That total would disappoint, but Lee is also playing more minutes now that he was then. 5x value looks like a safe bet.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,800): Hardaway abused the Cavs from outside on Friday, racking up 43.5 DraftKings points. He is outplaying Thabo Sefalosha by a large margin right now. With the Hawks in playoff contention, a line like he put up on Friday should go a long way towards him getting more minutes. Friday was his first time over 5x value since Sefalosha returned, so there is significant risk involved since there is no guarantee that his minutes will increase.

Dark Horses:

Monta Ellis ($4,200): Ellis is still coming off the bench despite outplaying all of the other shooting guards. That leaves him with a low ceiling and a risky floor since he rarely hits 30 minutes. He picked up 28.75 DraftKings points against the Hawks in the first meeting this year, but he played 33 minutes. I doubt he plays that much today, so 5x value could be his ceiling.

Justin Holiday ($3,100): His production is far from consistent, but he has been over 20 DraftKings points twice and under 10 twice in the last four games. Roulette, anyone? If you win though, Holiday could be the separation you need.

My pick: Ellis(SG), Lee(G)

Small Forwards

Best Bets:

Paul George ($7,900): George has only been over 5x value once since Valentine’s Day. His struggles from the field are the main culprit. He has just 6-22 from the floor against the Hawks in the first meeting, but he still picked up 35.5 DraftKings points. George could outscore the rest of the small forwards today, but 5x value seems like a lot to ask.

Carmelo Anthony ($7,800): Melo wont have to tangle with Kevin Durant, which is a good thing. However, Iguodala is not chopped liver on defense. That said, Melo has been over 30 DraftKings points in every game since February 1st. He has a nice floor right now, and has the potential to hit well over 6x value.

Honorable Mention:

Andre Iguodala ($5,000): Iggy’s playing time hasn’t increased much with Durant out. Actually, his production hasn’t either. Iguodala still is a sure 4-5x value, but he rarely goes over that. He is the safer cash game punt play at forward, but if you are trying to take down a GPP, Iggy wont help you there.

Kent Bazemore ($4,500): Bazemore’s playing time seems safe. It is Sefalosha who is being cannibalized by Hardaway. Bazemore has 27 DraftKings points per game over the last three games, which makes him a solid value play right now.

Dark Horse:

Patrick McCaw ($3,700): McCaw started in place of Durant against the Bulls, and picked up 25.5 DraftKings points for a team that was ice cold elsewhere. McCaw was a solid producer, and should earn himself at least one more start against the Knicks today. If he does, he is a must play. Get your separation elsewhere.

My Pick: Anthony(SF), McCaw(UTIL)

Power Forwards

Best Bet:

Draymond Green ($8,200): In three games without Durant, Draymond has averaged 45.8 DraftKings points per game. Green will likely be the highest scorer at any position on the afternoon. He will also be highly owned, but again, if you want to cash, find your separation somewhere else. You really can’t afford to fade unless you are blindly hoping for a blowout.

Paul Millsap ($7,200): Millsap abused the Pacers in the first meeting, racking up 53.25 DraftKings points. He is back on track after a few rough games on either side of the break. Millsap hasn’t had a truly outstanding game in a while, but we know he is capable of them. This matchup is conducive to it happening.

Honorable Mention:

Thaddeus Young ($4,300): Young has been absolutely awful of late, but he did have 36.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Atlanta. He has only averaged 15.8 DraftKings points per game since the All Star Break. Young is a huge risk. Huge. But he did do well against Atlanta once. What does that mean to you?

Ersan Ilyasova ($4,100): The move to Atlanta really hurt his value, but at least his price is down to the point where he has a shot at giving you good value. He has 51.75 DraftKings points in two March games, and is adjusting to his new role nicely. He lacks upside, but he could be a solid cash game anchor.

Dark Horse:

Lance Thomas ($4,000): Injuries up front have opened up a plethora of playing time for Thomas, and he has responded in a big way. Thomas has at least 5x value in every game since the break. If Willy Hernangomez is out again, Thomas is a great value play and a great way to save money.

David West ($3,000): There is no upside left in David West, but he is a sure 5x value, which is hard to come by at this price. For those of you that need the salary relief, West will give you between 15 and 18 DraftKings points, no questions asked.

My pick: Green(PF), Millsap(F)

Center

Best Bet:

Dwight Howard ($6,700): Howard racked up 49.5 DraftKings points on the Pacers in the first meeting. He has done well when the matchup is right this year. Kristaps Porzingis was dominated by the Warriors in the first meeting, so Howard is easily the best option at the position today. Howard has been humming along lately, averaging 38.8 DraftKings pionts per game since the break. Don’t expect him to bring that average down today.

Myles Turner ($5,900): Turner held his own against Howard in the first meeting, putting up 29.25 DraftKings points. If you are afraid of Howard’s high ownership, Turner is a solid pivot. He has put up over 5x value against the tough fronts of Memphis and San Antonio since the All Star break. He should give you value here as well.

Honorable Mention:

Kyle O’Quinn ($4,700): O’Quinn hasn’t received as much of a boost as we had hoped with Hernanagomez out, but since Joakim Noah remains out, KOQ will still get plenty of run up front. He will have some issues with the Warriors’ front, but 5x value is approachable.

Dark Horse:

Zaza Pachulia ($4,100): Pachulia provides little upside since he rarely plays more than 20 minutes per game, but his efficiency when he is in there makes him a sure bet. If you need a sure 20-25 DraftKings points and need to save money, there are few better options that Pachulia.

My pick: Howard(C)

Stay tuned for our FanDuel picks, and our picks for NHL and the PGA tour! We even have some EPL picks coming your way! Once again, make sure to follow our Twitter feed leading up to tipoff!