NBA FanDuel Top 5 Plays For March 9th
By Bruce Lamb
![Nov 10, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) performs his pre-game chalk ritual before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports Nov 10, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) performs his pre-game chalk ritual before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cbe311ef4f75fd8386ba679117f396706caf49e4062df1260d6220c6cf145899.jpg)
NBA FanDuel Top 5 Plays For March 9th
Back in action tonight with a 5 games of NBA FanDuel action to choose from. This slate is loaded with some great high-priced options to choose from. This is not going to be an easy slate to navigate, despite the obvious plays that are available. On shorter slates cash games become a little tougher to win. Because of this I generally play more tournaments when there are fewer than 6 games on a slate. Tonight I will be playing 60% in cash games and 40% in tournaments.
All 5 games have totals above 200. The highest total has the Los Angeles Lakers vising the Phoenix Suns at 231. 10 points behind at 221 is the Philadelphia 76ers at the Portland Trailblazers. Detroit hosting Cleveland has a total of 216. San Antonio visiting Oklahoma City has a total of 212.5. The lowest total is the Los Angeles Clippers visiting the Memphis Grizzlies at 208. If these games live up to their totals, we could see a huge scoring night in DFS. Like always I will give you who I’m paying up for and who I’m fading in GPP’s. Who I consider a cash game lock, a GPP value play, and my top overall must play of the day. Let’s get to it!
NBA Fanduel Spend and Fade
Russell Westbrook – $13,300
Westbrook is on fire right now and no one in the NBA is going to stop him. Over his last 8 games he has score below 59 FDP’s just once. In those same 8 games he is averaging over 67 FDP’s. The Spurs are not the best match-up in the world, but when it comes to Westbrook the match-up doesn’t matter. As if that wasn’t enough, there has been talk recently about Kawhi Leonard deserving the MVP award over Westbrook.
I personally think Westbrook is hands down the MVP of the league. Not only is he averaging a triple double on the season, he has the Thunder on the verge of making the playoffs a year after losing Kevin Durant. If he doesn’t win the MVP, there is seriously something wrong with the NBA. I think we see Russell make value on this gigantic price tag against a great Spurs team.
Blake Griffin – $9,000
After getting off to a great start when returning from injury, Blake Griffin has gone cold. Over his last 5 games, he has not scored more than 40 FDP. In two of those he failed to reach 30, and last night he scored less than 20. I think in the long run he will be fine, but he price is just too much for his recent production. The Clippers are playing a slower paced Memphis Grizzlies team that will be active on the front court against Griffin and Jordan. I will not be fading this game completely, but Griffin will not be a part of any of my lineups. Now let’s look at my cash game lock and GPP value.
NBA FanDuel Cash Game Lock and GPP Value
Alan Williams – $5,900
I almost went with Jusuf Nurkic here as he is in a great spot against the 76ers, but I took the $600 savings and going with Williams. The Los Angeles Lakers give up the 2nd most points to opposing centers (76ers give up the most). He scored 27 FDP’s in his last game, but he limited himself by getting into foul trouble. I’m not worried about that tonight and I think we see a very solid game tonight out of Williams. As we mentioned earlier, this is also the game with the highest total. Williams should be a lock for 30 FDP tonight which is exactly what I want with the savings I get from him over Nurkic. Lock him in your cash games and move on!
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – $5,100
This normally do not have much success with KCP, but I’m taking a chance on him tonight. He is one of the toughest players to figure out. Over his last 7 games he has scored anywhere from 48.3…..to 5.2. It’s always risky when you take him, but in this match-up and his low score from last night make me want to give it a shot. The Pistons will be playing at a faster pace than normal against the Cavs, and the Cavs have given up the 2nd most FDP to opposing shooting guards on the season. I think we see could also see a lot of KCP defense on Kyrie Irving which could lead to some steal opportunities. He can blow that price out of the water, or drown under it tonight. I think we see a nice game here from KCP. Now let’s look at today’s PayMaker.
NBA FanDuel Top PayMaker
Mike Conley – $8,000
Conley is quietly becoming a very good play night in and night out. He has scored more than 40 FDP’s in 4 of his last 5 games. The lone game he didn’t make it to 40 he scored 39.4. He tends to have bigger games when playing against a good point guard. Chris Paul definitely makes that category so I think Conley brings his ‘A’ game tonight. I think he goes very low owned tonight and will be not only a great cash game play, but also a great tournament play. The Grizzlies are playing up in pace in this one, and although it’s the lowest total on the slate, you can’t ignore that it. If this one goes as planned, Conley could flirt with 50 FDP’s.
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The popular pairing will likely be Westbrook/Russell, so if you went Westbrook/Conley you will likely be in the minority. You can easily make both pairings work with no problems. I think Leonard will be a popular play tonight as well, and I would not be surprised if we see a lot of lineups with both Westbrook and Leonard.
On these short slates you have to find a way to be a little different, I think Conley fits what I’m looking for. As always keep up with news throughout as I’m sure we will have some tremendous value open up at some point. This week has been a perfect example of what I was talking about with NBA this time of year. You just never know what is going to happen. Guys will be late scratches, coaches may change-up rotations, teams are taking and playing their young guys….you get it right? Some nights are worse than others so it’s also a good thing to be a little stricter with your bankroll. Good Luck Tonight….Let’s Get It!
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