DraftKings NBA Picks March 4: Who's the King of L.A.?

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 23, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks March 4: Who’s the King of L.A.?

We have a seven game Monday for our DraftKings NBA tournaments tonight. Only three players top five figures and two more in the $9,000 range, so we are kind of light on stars. Which ones should we build around? Let’s take a look!

After a minimum cash yesterday afternoon, my night lineup fell a little short thanks to a miss on the Isaac pick. Jeff Teague was a bust too, so I finished a few points shy of the 285 required to cash.

734parsonsn took this one down with 367.25 DraftKings points. He built with Vucevic and Lowry and got great value out of Marc Gasol, Avery Bradley, Jabari Parker, Portis, Kevin Love, and Schroder.

I get asked a lot why I chose one player over another in a certain tier, so I am switching things up a little. Instead of just putting the plays I like from each price tier, I’m going to put in more of my thought process in here instead of just telling you what to do. If you don’t think my logic is sound, then you can make your own choice.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Trae Young should be good and rested after a bogus technical foul, his second, after making a long three got him tossed after just 18 minutes yesterday. I’m still not sure I’m in any hurry to use him against Miami. Young has averaged 41.8 DraftKings points in three games against the Heat this year though, and I certainly wouldn’t rule out another big game with the way he’s played over the last month.

When it comes down to it though, Luka Doncic has a better matchup with the Nets tonight, and he didn’t play yesterday. Doncic put up 41.75 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Brooklyn this year. These two may end up being a wash, but Doncic looks like the slightly better play.

Honorable Mention:

The Knicks have been decent against point guards this year, but decent may not get it done against De’Aaron Fox. Fox has at least 5x value in seven straight games. That’s a really solid floor for GPP’s, and a rock solid cash game play.

Eric Bledsoe returns to Phoenix tonight, so this is a strong revenge play. Bledsoe put up 29.25 DraftKings points in only 30 minutes in the first meeting. This game has massive blowout potential again. The consistency of Jamal Murray is better suited for cash games, while I would take a shot with Dennis Smith Jr. in GPP’s.

It is also worth noting that Ricky Rubio had arguably his best game of the season against New Orleans in the first meeting. Rubio racked up 57.5 DraftKings points in just 29 minutes! Elfrid Payton has five straight games in the 30’s for DraftKings points, but he was a bust in the first meeting with Utah.

Justise Winslow has averaged a solid 30.5 DraftKings points in the prior three games against Atlanta, and could be in line for another strong game, but I think I would rather take a crack at Rajon Rondo, who put up 44.25 DraftKings points in the first meeting with the Clippers. Rondo was hot before a bust against Phoenix on Friday, so this looks like a good place to jump back on for a really reasonable price.

Dark Horses:

I’m still out on Dinwiddie, and I want no part of Tyler Johnson against Milwaukee. Mudiay is the better dart throw, but I hate all of the Knicks for obvious reasons. What has gone mostly unnoticed lately is that Derrick White is back on track with 69.5 DraftKings points over the last two games. I really like him at this price against Denver.

Here we go. Being lured in by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again. He has three straight games of more than 20 DraftKings points, but I don’t care for him against Rondo defense. Still, he’s a solid risk for under $4,000. There isn’t much value to be had here unless you want to play Jalen Brunson roulette.

My pick: Rubio(PG), White(G); Rondo(PG)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 16: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots during the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

The upper tier of shooting guard is loaded with nice matchups. All have good matchups, but it was Devin Booker who did most of the damage in the first meeting against tonight’s opponents. He put up 49.5 DraftKings points on the Bucks the first time around. I can see a case for Russell, but I don’t trust him at all. Donovan Mitchell is a close second to Booker simply because the Pelicans can’t guard him.

DeMar DeRozan has 81 DraftKings points in two games against Denver this year, so he is a solid pick here. I’m just not sure he has a lot of upside. I wouldn’t play Jrue against Utah either due to the strength of their guard defense.

Honorable Mention:

Buddy Hield is very tempting against the Knicks. He has at least 30 DraftKings points in every game since the end of January, so the floor is strong, and we all know his upside is well over 50 .He is exactly the kind of play you want for GPP purposes.

I have my eye on this Clippers-Lakers game for a lot of reasons. Lou Williams has torched the Lakers for 93.5 DraftKings points in the first two games because they simply can’t guard him. The same thing is true for the hot Patrick Beverley, who has been a big part of the offense with Harris gone. On the other side, Brandon Ingram had modest numbers against the Clippers, but he has at least 5x value in six straight games and at least 28 DraftKings points in nine straight.

Josh Richardson has a nice 37.7 DraftKings point per game average against the Hawks in three games this year. His production hasn’t really slowed down with Wade finishing his career strong either. You can always go with Malcolm Brogdon, who is arguably the most consistent player in the league for DFS purposes.

Dark Horses:

Dion Waiters has good upside, but if I play any Heat guard besides Richardson it will be Wade. Wade has slowed down lately, but he’s still worth $5,000.

Damyean Dotson and Kent Bazemore are getting consistent minutes. So is Joe Harris, but I’m not sure any of them have the upside we want. Maybe Dotson, but you are inviting disaster into your lineup if you have a Knick in it.

The intriguing pick here is Mikal Bridges. Bridges has at least 20 DraftKings points in four straight, and almost hit 30 the last time out. Deandre Bembry is on a similar hot streak with at least 20 in five of six, including a 40 bomb in there.

My pick: Booker(SG), Wade(UTIL); Williams(SG), Bridges(G)

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers celebrates his three pointer during a 120-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on November 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

LeBron put up 57 DraftKings points in the first game against the Clippers, which would put him right at 5x value for this price. The King has been even better lately, putting up at least 56 DraftKings points in every game since February 10th. Expect another strong showing tonight. After all, LeBron is in self proclaimed “playoff mode.”

Honorable Mention:

Danilo Gallinari has only faced the Lakers once this year, but he brought his A game. Gallo put up 39.25 DraftKings points on the Lakers in that one.

There are a lot of decent mid range options here. Kelly Oubre continues to be a strong play as a member of the Suns. Bogdan Bogdanovic is nowhere near as consistent at Hield, but he also has 50 point upside. Will Barton has 109 DraftKings points over the last three games, so he finally seems to be back in the swing of things.

Joe Ingles was a bust in the first game with the Pelicans, but he has averaged 37 DraftKings points per game over the last five. Ingles is a strong play while he’s hot in a pace up game.

Dark Horses:

Tim Hardaway Jr. has averaged 28.7 DraftKings points in four games against the Nets already this year. That’s close enough to 6x value to use here, but I’m not sure how much upside THJ really has in Dallas.

Nikola Mirotic has been far from consistent with the Bucks, but with the potential for a blowout tonight, he could get added run. Hey, it’s no worse than taking a shot on Kevin Knox who may or may not get minutes as well.

Just like that, Landry Shamet is back on the radar. Shamet put up 60.75 DraftKings points in two games over the weekend, and definitely has the matchup against the Lakers to keep up that hot streak. Further down the line, Darius Miller is a great bargain at $3,300.

My pick: James(SF); James(SF)

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 6: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates in front of Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter of the Bucks 110-103 win at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Giannis against Phoenix looks like a great play. After all, he did put up 53.5 DraftKings points on the Suns in the first meeting. That was in 36 minutes, so I don’t see big upside here. When it comes down to it, LeBron looks like the better dollar for dollar play.

Honorable Mention:

The Hawks are hoping that John Collins will return for this game after missing the past two since Spellman is still out. This is a pretty good spot for Collins if he isn’t limited. The drop at power forward is pretty steep, and Collins looks pretty cheap for what he is capable of.

Paul Millsap continues to put up solid numbers when the matchup is right. This one against the Spurs isn’t a bad one, but the Spurs aren’t really a team I rush to attack either. Despite all of their issues, they are still a strong defensive team that wants to slow everything down.

I would move off of Kuzma here, especially with Derrick Favors dismantling all comers lately. Favors has 128 DraftKings points over the last three games alone. He could do some major damage against New Orleans, and is far too cheap at $5,800.

The same holds true for Kelly Olynyk. If Olynyk starts, he is way too cheap as well. The Heat don’t really have any reason to rush Whiteside back. Not with Olynyk and Bam playing so well together in the frontcourt.

Dark Horses:

The wheel has landed back on Noah Vonleh here. Vonleh has 71.5 DraftKings points over the last two games, and the Kings are weaker up front than the Clippers or Cleveland. This is a huge spot for Vonleh unless the Knicks decide not to play him, which is entirely possible.

That’s back to back double doubles for Cheick Diallo in just 43 total minutes of court time. If Anthony Davis is out again, Diallo is a strong value play here. If Davis plays, I’m all in on Harry Giles. Hell, I might be anyway. Giles has 56.5 DraftKings points over the last two games with Bagley out. However, Giles has only played a combined 34 minutes in those games. There’s risk with both him and Diallo.

JaMychal Green is a solid value play again, but like the other two in front of him, he still sees reserve minutes. Vince Carter is still a decent value if Collins remains out. However, he is always a risk.

My pick: Favors(PF), Vonleh(F); Vonleh(PF), Giles(F)

DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 26: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center on February 26, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers:

Best Bets:

This has all the appearances of a smash spot for Nikola Jokic, but he only has 69.25 DraftKings points in 67 minutes against the Spurs this year. A point per minute simply wont get it done with his price this high. Jokic is my least favorite of the five figure players. I think we can do better here. There’s a good chance I wont have any Nuggets tonight. Or Spurs for that matter.