DraftKings Early NBA Picks March 12

Three of the six NBA games today start a little early. There is some overlap today, whereas there was not yesterday in the DraftKings tournaments. Two of these three games are also in the main tourney. There are no real superstars, so we should be able to roster whomever we want. Who do we want? Let’s crunch some numbers!

Point Guards

Best Bet:

Isaiah Thomas ($8,400): I really like Thomas at this price, and against the Bulls. Rajon Rondo doesn’t see enough minutes to really lock down opposing point guards anymore. Thomas has 132 DraftKings points in three games against the Bulls this year anyway. He could have a big day today if the score stays close.

Honorable Mention:

Derrick Rose ($6,300): The Pistons are tough on the perimeter, so it should come as no surprise that Rose struggled against them last night. He has not fared all that well against the Nets either, picking up just 23.25 DraftKings points in the first game. The silver lining is that Rose played just 22 minutes. The bad news is that this could be another blowout, and his minutes could suffer as a result.

Tyler Johnson ($5,300): His awful game against Charlotte on Wednesday kept his ownership down last night. Those of you who took the chance on him were finely rewarded thanks in part to a wayward elbow to Goran Dragic‘s eye. Dragic was unable to return to the game, and is generously listed as questionable for today. I will be surprised if Dragic plays, but even if he does, this is a great matchup for Johnson who routinely plays 30 minutes off the bench.

Dark Horse:

Chasson Randle ($3,000): It’s really no secret that the Knicks are going nowhere. Randle is one of the more explosive players they have, but he has yet to really crack the rotation. He did not see the floor against the Bucks on Wednesday after racking up 20.75 DraftKings points on the Magic on Monday. Randle picked up 22.25 DraftKings points yesterday in 19 minutes against Detroit. If this game today gets out of hand, and it should, Randle could be in line for more playing time. However, he is a huge risk.

My picks: Thomas(PG): Johnson(PG)

Shooting Guards

Best Bet:

Dion Waiters ($6,500): After a couple of awful games last weekend, Waiters seems to be back on track. He has three straight games of at least 5x value since then. He picked up 31.5 DraftKings points in the first game against Indiana. That would leave him a little under value, but I trust Waiters more than Dwyane Wade against the Celtics with Bradley back.

Honorable Mention:

Avery Bradley ($5,400): Bradley’s minutes are back up to around 30 a game, which makes him an automatic 5x value again. He picked up 57.75 DraftKings points in two games against the Bulls earlier this year. However, the Bulls have been blown out a lot over the last few weeks. If this turns into a blowout, Bradley will be one of the Celtics seeing extended rest.

Sean Kilpatrick ($5,300): The return of Jeremy Lin has actually helped Kilpatrick’s production. Randy Foye is still starting over him, but Kilpatrick has scored more than 20 points off the bench in three of the last four games. The only team to hold him under was a tough Dallas squad. He has struggled against the Nets this year, but both of those games were without Lin. I would take a flier on Kilpatrick over Lin because the Knicks are very good defending the point. That is another reason Kilpatrick could have a nice game.

Dark Horse:

Courtney Lee ($4,700): Lee has as least 28 DraftKings points in four of the last five games. He is an accomplished scorer, but his increased rebounding totals have had a lot to do with this surge. Lee has at least six rebounds in three of those games. He could have a field day against the Nets.

My pick: Bradley(SG), Waiters(SF); Waiters(SG), Bradley(G)

Small Forwards

Best Bets:

Jimmy Butler ($9,300): Butler has 127.5 DraftKings points in three games against Boston this year. However like most of his teammates, Butler has struggled since the break. His chances of hitting 5x value are practically zero, especially since this reeks of another blowout loss. That said, he will likely outscore everyone else at the position this afternoon. If you can afford him, use him.

Carmelo Anthony ($7,600): Carmelo Anthony’s production has declined with the emergence of Porzingis, Hernangomez, and Courtney Lee on the offensive end. Melo will likely be under 5x value again, but I can’t fault you for saving the money and playing him anyway. Butler has more of a chance of reaching value because the Bulls have little else on offense right now. Anthony has the better matchup, but has only played 30 minutes per game in two games against Brooklyn this year. Don’t be surprised if the Knicks rest him on the second night of a back to back anyway.

Honorable Mention:

Jae Crowder ($5,500): On paper, this looks like a solid matchup for Crowder. The games have told a different story so far. He has just 55.5 DraftKings points in three games against the Bulls. That said, if he logs time up front like he has recently, he could give the undersized Bulls some issues. He is a reasonably priced dart throw this afternoon.

Dark Horse:

C.J. Miles ($4,000): Miles is starting, and he is a very good shooter. That always makes him a threat to blow past 5x value. However, if you used him in Friday, you realized that all he is is a shooter. If his shot isn’t falling, your lineup is toast. He makes for an interesting option on a short slate.

My Pick: N/A; Butler(SF)

Power Forwards

Best Bets:

Kristaps Porzingis ($6,900): Porzingis has 82 DraftKings points in two games against the Nets this year. Are you worried about a blowout? Porzingis did that damage in just 56 minutes. After a slow February, Porzingis seems to be back on track for the most part. He isn’t quite the dominant force that he was before the injury, but he may look like it for one day.

Honorable Mention:

James Johnson ($5,800): Johnson still doesn’t start, but DFS players still don’t care. He routinely plays 30 minutes or more, and he is almost always above 5x value. He has reached that mark in four of the last five games. The only time his missed was when he played just 18 minutes in a blowout of the Cavs. Johnson should be a cash game staple tonight.

Trevor Booker ($5,000): Booker no longer starts, but he is settling in on the second unit. He still plays around 25 minutes a game, and has been between 23 and 30 DraftKings points in all but one of the last eight games. He has little upside, but if you want a guy with a solid floor, Booker is it.

Dark Horse:

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ($4,300): RHJ is a good option at power forward against teams that lack behemoths up front. Dallas and Atlanta pushed him around and got him into foul trouble. He has 51.25 DraftKings points in two games against the Knicks this year, so he could hit 6x value today.

My pick: Porzingis(PF), Hollis-Jefferson(F); Porzingis(PF), Johnson(F)

Center

Best Bets:

Hassan Whiteside ($7,800): Whiteside has dominated the Pacers inside in two games this year. He has 104.75 DraftKings points in those two games, averaging 24 points and nearly 20 rebounds. Whiteside has topped 40 DraftKings points in all but two games since the break. He should destroy that tonight.

Willy Hernangomez ($5,400): Although he has played just 39 minutes against the Knicks this year, he has 73 DraftKings points. His ownership rate will likely be above 70%, but I will find separation elsewhere. There is too much risk to not use him in the early slate!

Honorable Mention:

Brook Lopez ($6,500): Lopez wont have to deal with Joakim Noah, which gives him a boost in value right there. However, he is still questionable with a sore ankle, even though the team has hinted that he is closer to probable. He has 56.5 DraftKings points in 55 minutes against the Knicks this year, which leaves him a little under value. He could be a solid utility player, but there are better options at center.

Myles Turner ($5,300): There are a lot of good options at center in the early slate. It would be easy to overlook Turner and his 70 DraftKings points in two games against the Heat. He and Whiteside are going to have an entertaining, and lucrative for fantasy players, battle in the middle. There is no shame in playing both of them!

Dark Horse:

Robin Lopez ($4,300): Lopez has lost minutes here and there when the Bulls try to go small, but that likely wont happen today. Especially given the job Lopez has done defensively against Al Horford this year. He is the only accomplished scorer up front for the Bulls now, which has slightly increased his value. There is no huge upside here, but if you are looking for low ownership and sure value, Lopez can get you that.

My pick: Whiteside(C), Hernangomez(UTIL); Hernangomez(C), Turner(UTIL)

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!