DraftKings NBA Picks March 18: Ride George with Westbrook out

SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 19: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after being fouled by the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 19, 2018 in Sacramento, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks March 18: Ride George with Westbrook out

Did you guys all survive being Irish for a day? Imagine being that all year! The NBA really doesn’t care if we have recovered or not. There are nine games for our DraftKings NBA tournaments today, making it one of the busier days left on the NBA schedule. It is also one of the weakest. Since Russell Westbrook is suspended for real this time – there was no rescinded technical from earlier in the season – there are no five figure players on this slate. That’s crazy considering we have 18 teams in action!

The day slate was very kind yesterday, with all three of my lineups placing. I played light last night with just two lineups, and the pivot to Tyus Jones didn’t work. My best lineup was at 263 with the money line at 273.75. All of the Magic were busts along with Eric Gordon, but I still put up a decent line despite that.

cawilson88 won it with a respectable 357.5 DraftKings points. He built with Young and Russell just like I did, but went CP3 over Trae Young and Vucevic over KAT. The outstanding value from DeMarre Carroll and Harry Giles didn’t hurt either. Playing both centers from the Nets-Clippers game was a good idea as well.

By popular demand, I am switching back to the old format. As always, if you have suggestions to improve the article (besides making better picks), let me know!

If you would like to try DraftKings for the first time, use this link for the referral bonus! It is good for $10 in free DraftKings entry tickets with your first deposit of $5 or more.

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on November 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Stephen Curry ($9,300): No Westbrook means Curry gets top billing. Against the Spurs, he may have anyway. Curry only had 41.75 DraftKings points on the Spurs the first time around because the Warriors only needed him for 28 minutes. Honestly, this game could wind up a blowout again. Curry is reasonably priced, and I can’t fault using him, but even on a slate like this, I think we can do better elsewhere.

Kyrie Irving ($9,100): Irving put up 53.75 DraftKings points against Denver the first time around. That’s a mark Irving has topped three times in the last four games. This is the time of year that teams, and its stars, start paying attention. Irving is driving the Celtics right now, and I would trust him over Curry in a game that should remain competitive.

Honorable Mention:

Elfrid Payton ($7,500): So…..four straight triple doubles only raises Payton’s price $1,700? Yeah, sign me up! Payton hit 51 in his first triple double of this streak and his output has increased every game. This is a very good matchup against Dallas, who has a questionable Luka Doncic. There is no reason to pass on Payton here, especially with the absence of the one must-have star. Payton is among my favorites at any price and any position tonight.

Collin Sexton ($5,700): The middle tier of point guards is a barren wasteland for the most part. Honestly, for this busy of a night, PG is kind of weak in the middle. I’m hoping people chase the names because Payton and Sexton could be the best plays at the position. Sexton has a very good matchup against Detroit, and he has five straight games of 32 or more DraftKings points. That would leave his floor at about 6x value. I’ll take that any day.

Reggie Jackson ($5,100): It’s worth targeting point guards against Cleveland. The only problem here is that Jackson is ceding minutes to Smith. However, Jackson still has put up 70.75 DraftKings points in just 53 minutes over the last two games. There is still plenty of value to be had here.

Dark Horses:

Emmanuel Mudiay ($4,900): There are caveats galore here. First off, Mudiay has the misfortune of playing for the Knicks, so he could see anywhere between 0-48 minutes. With Dennis Smith out though, Mudiay will at least start. Kyle Lowry is likely out on the other side of this as well, so Mudiay does have a lot of potential here. There is awful risk too though.

Goran Dragic ($4,600): Winslow is out for this one, and he missed last game as well. Dragic received extra run in that game and should in this one too. Dragic had 29 DraftKings points in 28 minutes yesterday. With his price still this low, I see no reason not to use this as a value play. There is a ton of value at the position tonight.

Fred VanVleet ($4,000): The Raptors played a cruel trick on us DFS players yesterday by starting Jeremy Lin. Lin played just 17 minutes. VanVleet played the other 31, and put up strong numbers in his first game in over a month. VanVleet is the one you want here if Lowry is out again. If Lowry plays, it’s an easy pivot to Ish Smith, who is a strong play in his own right but comes off the bench. Honestly, Smith outplays Jackson almost every game, and he’s much, much cheaper. Will we even need the value tonight?

My pick: Payton(PG), Smith(G); Payton(PG), Sexton(G), Jackson(UTIL)

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:

Devin Booker ($8,500): It’s looking like a place to target Booker when Tyler Johnson is out. From most accounts, Johnson is on the doubtful side of questionable here. That means a lot more production coming from Booker. The Suns can throw whoever they want out there at the point, but they are better off when they let Booker run the point and play Oubre and Jackson on the court at the same time. It really doesn’t matter what the starting lineup says. Booker is going to run the point for at least 30 minutes, which gives him very nice upside.

Donovan Mitchell ($8,200): The Jazz want Rubio healthy for the playoffs, so they are letting Mitchell run the point for stretches of the game. He has put up solid numbers doing so, but Mitchell’s price is up to the point where he isn’t an autoplay. However, this is a great matchup against Washington. Mitchell has 6x value upside here.

Honorable Mention:

Zach LaVine ($7,900): I should swear off LaVine again, but in all honesty, his numbers have remained solid. The struggles of Kris Dunn have helped. LaVine is still streaky though. He did put up 40.75 DraftKings points in the first game with the Suns. This game should remain close, and if it’s high scoring, LaVine could hit 50.

Klay Thompson ($7,600): If Durant is back, I do like this less. Thompson has been the guy carrying the offense with KD sidelined. In four games without Durant, Thompson has 198 DraftKings points. Klay has 75.75 DraftKings points in the two games against the Spurs this year anyway. There is a solid floor with pretty good upside here.

Jalen Brunson ($6,100): Brunson continues to put up strong numbers starting as the two guard in Dallas. Honestly, he does better when Doncic is on the court most of the time. That’s the true mark of a special player. Dallas really has no reason to play Doncic, and he hasn’t been all that remarkable against the Pelicans anyway. Brunson has big upside here against the Pelicans regardless of the status of Doncic.

Dark Horses:

Damyean Dotson ($5,300): Dotson is on a tear lately, putting up more than 32 DraftKings points in four straight and five of the last six. Of course, playing Knicks makes me nervous. However, Toronto is a little thin at guard right now, so this matchup is better than usual. On a slate like this though, why take the risk? Low ownership is the thing that is enticing.

Dennis Schroder ($5,100): Westbrook is out, so there is massive upside here for Schroder. Honestly, there is probably more for George, but at this price, it would be foolish to discount Schroder. This is a tougher matchup against Miami, but you can’t go wrong for this price. Schroder was hitting 5x value off the bench.

Dwyane Wade ($4,400): Wade continues to put up numbers in the high 20s to mid 30s, and his price has barely risen at all. More minutes will open up for Wade again with Winslow out. Like with Schroder, it’s hard to go wrong at this price. There is no much value at guard tonight!

My pick: Schroder(SG), Wade(UTIL); Schroder(SG)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Team LeBron reacts in the second quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Paul George ($9,700): They could charge 12,000 for PG today and I could make a case to play him. He has been a beast with Westbrook off the court. Miami is a solid defensive team, especially at forward, but there is no way that I’m even considering fading George with Westbrook out. His usage is way too high to risk fading him.

Kevin Durant ($8,800): Steve Kerr has hinted strongly that KD will play tonight, but this is something we still have to keep an eye on. Durant has 108 DraftKings points in two games against the Spurs this year. If he is starting with no restrictions, I have no issues playing Durant here. He’s a solid play, but I wouldn’t fade George to do it.

Honorable Mention:

Kelly Oubre ($6,500): If the Suns are willing to keep starting Oubre, I’ll pay this price even against the Bulls. Oubre has 89.5 DraftKIngs points in the two games with Tyler Johnson out. If Johnson is out again, this is a strong mid range play. If Johnson is back, I don’t really trust this. Oubre is still a solid play, but he’s not going to score enough to value you up the leaderboard.

Bojan Bogdanovic ($5,900): Here’s another freebie from DraftKings. Bojan hasn’t been under 25 DraftKings points since Oladipo went down, and has only been under 30 a couple of times. Portland’s weakest defensive position by far is small forward. I expect a big game from Bojan here. I’ll be surprised if he comes in under 6x value.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($5,200): It was vintage THJ on Saturday with Doncic out as he went for 32 DraftKings points. DraftKings promptly jacked his price back up to the point where I think I would only use him if Doncic is sidelined again. I can spin this as a really good spot against the Pelicans because it is. However, I’m not sure it’s wise to play THJ after one solid but unspectacular game.

Dark Horses:

Jaylen Brown ($4,800): Brown is riding a hot streak right now, scoring more than 20 actual points in three straight games. The Celtics as a whole are rounding into playoff form. That includes Brown, who is a very capable scorer. He is going well above value lately, and is worth a look so long as his price is in this range.

Mikal Bridges ($4,000): You have to wonder if Tyler Johnson will even get his job back with the way the Suns have played without him. Bridges is seeing a lot of minutes. The production isn’t all that high with Oubre and Booker on the floor with him, but Bridges is going to hit value at this price if he keeps playing 35 or more minutes per game.

Dorian Finney-Smith ($3,900): If Doncic is back, Dallas will likely split minutes between THJ and DFS until one gets hot. That has been how they have approached this the whole time. It’s not conducive to fantasy value for either one of them. However, with DFS, you are risking significantly less capital and he only needs around 24 DraftKings points for 6x value.

My pick: George(SF), Durant(PF), Bridges(F); George(SF), DFS(F)

PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 14: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 14, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Kawhi Leonard ($8,400): I’m on the fence about Leonard here. If Lowry is out, he obviously gets a boost. However, he has been a non factor against the Knicks both times this year in large part because the Knicks are weak everywhere. Kawhi wont have to carry this team here, so even though the play looks strong, we can probably do better.

LaMarcus Aldridge ($8,100): Aldridge only played in one of the two games against the Warriors earlier this year, but he was a huge factor in that game. LMA racked up 55.5 DraftKings points in that one. Of course, things have changed in the Oakland area with Boogie around. I would say the Warriors have a much better chance of holding their own against Aldridge today. I wouldn’t go out of my way to cram LMA in my lineup, but if he fits, you could do worse.

Julius Randle ($8,000): Honestly, if you play multiple lineups and don’t use Randle in at least one of them, you are doing it wrong. Randle hasn’t been under 35 DtraftKings points since March 1st against the Suns when he was only needed for 28 minutes. Randle is the dominant factor for the Pelicans right now and is a dangerous fade.

Honorable Mention:

Blake Griffin ($7,200): Well, we find Griffin here again because the price is just so low. There’s no injury here, he has just been lousy. Blake finally showed some signs of life yesterday, putting up 39 DraftKings points against the Raptors yesterday. That finally put him above 5x value again. The thing that sticks out to me is that Griffin took more than 20 shots for the first time since March 3rd, also against Toronto. This is a team that is tough on centers, but not so much against power forwards. Blake is too cheap to ignore here.

Pascal Siakam ($6,800): This is a big spot for Siakam again, but he really hasn’t done much against the Knicks this year. He hasn’t needed to. The blowout risk is high enough for me to pass on Siakam, but the price sure makes this tempting.

Paul Millsap ($6,600): Power forward is still the sore spot for Boston. Millsap didn’t do much against Boston the first time around, but he is riding a hot streak right now. Millsap has 126 DraftKings points over the last three games. If you don’t feel like Blake is safe yet, Millsap is a very suitable pivot, but he doesn’t have quite the upside.

Dark Horses:

Derrick Favors ($5,800): After inexplicably coming up short against the Thunder last weekend, Favors blew up the NBA last week. In those three games, Favors racked up 116 DraftKings points. That’s a huge return for this price. Washington’s front isn’t scaring anyone. Favors is one of the best mid level plays around tonight.

Maxi Kleber ($4,800): It took Kleber some time to work his way back into a big role for Dallas, but he’s finally there again. Kleber has at least 30 DraftKings points in three of the last four games. Randle is an offensive freak, but his defense isn’t well defined yet. There’s good value with Kleber here.

My pick: N/A; Griffin(PF)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 16: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers:

Best Bets:

Andre Drummond ($8,600): Drummond has averaged a healthy 47 DraftKings points per game in three games against the Cavs this year. Tristan Thompson is still out, so I can see attacking this Cavs front. Cleveland has managed to stick around lately, so I really don’t see the blowout potential as that high in this one. Don’t sleep on Drummond here.

Rudy Gobert ($8,300): This Wizards front has been one of the weakest in the league since Dwight Howard went down. The good news is that the guards and forwards are good enough to keep the Wizards in most games. They should keep it close here as well, which give Gobert the chance to put up some big numbers here.