DraftKings NBA Picks March 20: Dame Dropping Dimes

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks March 20: Dame Dropping Dimes

We have another big nine game slate for our DraftKings NBA tournaments tonight. The NBA is starting to get very difficult because of resting players either for tanking purposes or for the playoffs. The rotations are starting to loosen up some. That makes is pretty difficult to pinpoint what will happen when we have the articles done 12 hours before the games start. However, I will do my best to try and keep up with developing trends. It’s really only worth playing NBA DFS right now if you have the time to keep up with who is and out right up to tipoff.

All three of my lineups broke 315 last night, but with the money line the second highest of the season at 322 DraftKings points, I didn’t make it very far inside the money line with the two lineups that did. Caruso was a dud and so was Kemba Walker, but the rest of the picks with a core of D-Russ worked out well.

giantsquid broke the mold with 412.25 DraftKings points tonight. He built with Russell, KAT, and Bucks and got huge value out of Wiggins and a 3.7% owned KCP.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 12: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic reacts after getting fouled in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($10,300): Russ was miserable against the Warriors, then suspended on Monday, so it hasn’t been a good week for him. Toronto isn’t a much better matchup. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll even use Russ is Lowry is healthy. However, if Lowry is out again, this goes from a poor matchup to a really good one. My general feeling is that Lowry sits, so Russ will likely be worth the money here.

Damian Lillard ($8,800): Lillard has torched Dallas for 152.75 DraftKings points in the three meetings so far. With CJ out on Monday, Lillard racked up 63.5 DraftKIngs points on one of the best teams in the league defending the point. Lillard may be my favorite play on the entire slate. His upside is massive with CJ out.

Honorable Mention:

Elfrid Payton ($8,000): It just seems wrong to keep calling him Elf. After all, Payton joined some elite company on Monday by recording his fifth consecutive triple double. The only other players to have a streak of five or more are Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and Michael Jordan. Now you can add Payton to that list and to your lineups tonight. This is a revenge game in Orlando. Don’t be shocked if Payton makes it six straight.

Mike Conley ($7,900): Conley’s season numbers against the Rockets are pedestrian, especially when you consider that Paul was out for two of those games. Conley’s production lately has been anything but. He has at least 46 DraftKings points in four of the last five games. The only game in which Conley missed that mark, he still racked up 37.5 DraftKings points in just 26 minutes against Atlanta. PG is loaded tonight, but Conley deserves consideration as well.

Eric Bledsoe ($6,500): Bledsoe has put up 77.75 DraftKIngs points in two games against the Cavs this year, and could do even more tonight. I tend to think the Bucks aren’t going to risk Giannis tweaking that ankle on the second night of a back to back against one of the worst teams in the league. Milwaukee likely holds Giannis out or at the very least limits him here. That makes Bledsoe more of a contributor than usual, and could push his total above 40 against a team like Cleveland that can’t defend the point anyway.

Dark Horses:

Collin Sexton ($5,800): In all honesty, I’m not that excited about this matchup for Sexton, but we simply can’t ignore the level he is playing at right now. Sexton has at least 32 DraftKings points in six straight games against some solid defenses in that span. He’s not going to go off for 50, but Sexton could land you in the mid 30’s again. I’ll take that for his price.

Kris Dunn ($5,400): I’m only interested in Dunn if LaVine is out. If LaVine plays, I’m not on either one of them. I would rather spend on Beal against them. This is a good matchup for the Bulls, but there are better ways to attack than with inconsistent guards. Unless LaVine is out, then Dunn will see a huge usage and shot boost.

Goran Dragic ($5,300): Dragic put up a 50 spot with Justise Winslow out on Monday night, so it looks as though the minutes restriction is off. Winslow is out again tonight, and Dragic has a superb matchup against the Spurs. I expect another heavy workload for Dragic here. Enough so that I’m willing to move off of a very tempting D.J. Augustin to chase this value instead.

Raul Neto ($3,100): Dante Exum is out again, and Neto is the only backup to Rubio, whose minutes the Jazz are trying to limit. That has resulted in 53 DraftKings points over the last three games for Neto, which is almost 6x value. Don’t expect miracles, but against the Knicks Neto could clear 20 minutes and 20 DraftKings points for almost the minimum price.

My pick: Lillard(PG), Dragic(G), Neto(UTIL); Lillard(PG)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Team LeBron warms up before 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

James Harden ($11,300): It’s going to be tempting to play Harden after what he did to the Hawks last night. The fact that Harden averages an impressive 76.4 DraftKings points per game against Memphis this year just ups the temptation even more. I’m not sure it’s worth it. The Rockets are going to rest him if this game gets out of hand. On top of that, Harden’s game against Memphis with CP3 in there wasn’t anywhere near that lofty average. I faded him last night and it hurt. I’m fading the Beard against in the second night of a back to back because it feels like the right play.

Bradley Beal ($9,400): Beal has racked up 101.75 DraftKings points in two games against Chicago this year. Beal may get even more of a boost if he has Arcidiacono trying to guard him as opposed to Zach LaVine. There is huge upside here anyway with Beal. I can see Beal getting close to Harden’s output at a fraction of the price. Save some money for one of the great point guards and pair them with Beal instead of Harden.

Honorable Mention:

DeMar DeRozan ($7,700): DeRozan racked up 54 DraftKings points in the first game against Miami this season. They didn’t have anyone that can guard him then and they don’t now either, especially with Winslow out. DeRozan is a driving force behind the Spurs’ winning streak, so expect another strong game from him here.

Khris Middleton ($6,700): Forget what the matchups say. When Giannis is out, Middleton is a must play. He dropped over 50 last night with Giannis out, and likely will against Cleveland as well if the Cavs continue their strong play and keep it close. I’m not really interested if the Bucks decide to play Giannis, but I don’t know why they would.

Jalen Brunson ($6,000): Brunson has finally found his role in the offense. The Mavs envision him alongside Luka and PorzinGOD for many years down the road. It’s looking like a very viable option right now. Brunson has at least 26 DraftKings points in seven straight games since Dallas put him in the starting five on a permanent basis. With McCollum out on the other side, Brunson has very good upside here.

Dark Horses:

Dwyane Wade ($4,800): I don’t really care about the matchup right now for Wade either. He only has about ten games left in his regular season career, so he’s going to bring it every time out on the court. Especially invading opposing arenas that are honoring him. Wade has huge upside for this price, but his floor can still be pretty nasty if he has an off night.

Delon Wright ($4,800): Wright was a disappointment on Saturday, but if Avery Bradley ends up out tonight, Wright will get too much usage to be a disappointment for this price. The Grizzlies really have no reason to run an injured Bradley out there, so I’m leaning towards Wright as a value play. Of course, this could backfire with Conley having another huge game and leaving Wright struggling for 5x value. At least he will have more minutes to try and hit value.

My pick: Beal(SG), Middleton(F); Middleton(SG), Wade(G)

OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after making a three-point shot over Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Paul George ($9,800): This isn’t a great matchup for George, and honestly, if Lowry is held out again, there’s really no sense in trying to go with George. Drop down somewhere else and play Russ. I could see a Thunder stack here, but other than that, there’s not a really good reason to play PG. if Lowry is in though, I could argue that George is the Thunder star I want if choosing to build with one.

Luka Doncic ($8,900): Doncic has healthy 45.1 DraftKings points per game average against the Blazers on the season through three games .That puts him exactly at 5x value. However, as we have seen many times during his rookie season, Doncic can go off at any time. This is the place for him to do it. Portland is weakest defensively at Luka’s two strongest positions.

Honorable Mention:

Jimmy Butler ($7,300): I want to trust Butler here. I really do. Butler has three straight games of more than 40 DraftKings points after hitting that mark just once in the prior eight games. If he is really getting more accustomed to his role in Philly, look out. However, Embiid was out for two of those three games. Butler put up 76.5 DraftKings points in the first two games with Boston, so there is reason to think he can flirt with 40 again.

Jabari Parker ($6,000): Unfortunately, Otto Porter is out for this one, but I want all the Jabari revenge here. The Bulls never played him or cared to know what they had, and Parker gave it back to them in spades right after the trade. He’s going to do it again, especially without Porter in the lineup for Chicago. This is a huge spot for Parker, and the price is definitely right.

Cedi Osman ($5,700): Osman put up 38 DraftKings points against a Detroit team on Monday that had allowed (and still has) the least fantasy points to small forwards this year. No matter what the matchup says, it looks like we need to be using Osman now. He has at least 35 DraftKings points in four of the last five games.

Dark Horses:

Rodney Hood ($4,000): Hood didn’t really see an uptick in minutes with McCollum out, but he did enjoy a little bit of a bump in production. Of course, Lillard went nuts so there wasn’t a lot of trickle down. However, with Hood’s price in this range, he doesn’t need a ton of trickle down either. Hood is becoming a strong 5x value for Portland down the stretch.

Danuel House ($3,900): Eric Gordon will be out for rest tonight, so House will not only start, but should receive well over 30 minutes of court time. House has at least 23 DraftKings points in each of the last four games. He’s too cheap here. Don’t worry about the metrics. House is still going to hit 5x value with ease and should approach 6x at least.

Pat Connaughton ($3,600): Connaughton has done a nice job filling in with Brogdon out. With Giannis also out last night, Connaughton enjoyed a little more production. They could both be on the shelf against tonight, but even if Giannis plays, there is enough upside to chase the value of Connaughton.

My pick: Parker(SF); Parker(SF), Connaughton(F)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 02: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans pushes D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets while attempting to pass the ball during the first quarter of the game at Barclays Center on January 02, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Kawhi Leonard ($8,400): Kawhi has been stepping up big lately with Lowry out, and I would expect him to do the same if Lowry isn’t able to return. Leonard has 143.25 DraftKings points over his last three games. You can say that there isn’t a ton of upside here, and I generally agree, but Kawhi’s price is low enough now that 50 DraftKIngs points is still 6x value. You don’t get that from a lot of players in this range with regularity.

Julius Randle ($8,300): I will admit that the metrics make me nervous, but Randle has a whopping 171.75 DraftKings points in just the last three games. Orlando is going go provide some resistance, but not enough to stop Randle right now. He has been a force lately. His price still looks too low for what he has been doing.

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Gordon ($7,200): Gordon put up 35 DraftKings points in the first game against a full strength Pelicans squad at the time. This has been the largest consistent stretch in Gordon’s career so far. He has at least 30 DraftKings points in 11 straight games now. There is solid upside as well, but the thing that keeps making Gordon tempting is that his floor is finally consistently solid.

Lauri Markkanen ($7,100): Markkanen has been a dud lately and part of that has to do with a couple of lopsided losses. Still, if Markkanen is going to get back on track at any point this season, it’s going to happen here against this Washington front. Markkanen was solid against Phoenix, who has actually done well defending the four. This looks like a spot for Markkanen to put up some good numbers.

Pascal Siakam ($6,800): The numbers say to play Siakam because the Thunder are weakest against power forwards. The only issue is the crowded Toronto front and Ibaka revenge night. Siakam is capable of big games, but he hasn’t truly dominated a game since Toronto picked up Gasol. His upside is capped right now, so the days of 7x value are over. Even 6x has been a chore for Siakam lately.

Dark Horses:

Nikola Mirotic ($4,900): Mirotic is way too cheap if Giannis is out again (which he should be). If Giannis plays, it may be worth running Mirotic anyway. The Cavs likely wont keep the game very close, which would mean Mirotic would play most if not all of the fourth quarter. That’s plenty of time for him to hit value at this price.

Jerami Grant ($4,800): Grant broke the slate on Monday, putting up a whopping 29 DraftKings points for over 10x value! That’s not going to happen against Toronto in large part because Russ is back, but Toronto is not all that strong defensively up front. I could still see Grant flirting with 6x value.

Derrick Jones ($3,400): The Heat are starting Jones, but that doesn’t mean much on a loaded Miami roster. Jones only played 17 minutes on Monday despite the start, but he has seen upwards of 30 minutes a couple of times over the last two weeks. Jones is risky with little upside, but if you need extreme value, there are worse places to look.

My pick: Osman(PF), Mirotic(C); Mirotic(PF)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 17: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers:

Best Bets:

Joel Embiid ($10,000): Horford and company have held their own against Embiid this year, but the Process has still averaged 51.8 in three games against Boston this year. I don’t really see a scenario in which Embiid doesn’t hit 5x value. That’s exactly what you want in a five figure price tag. Only Denver has held Embiid under 50 DraftKings points in the last six weeks.

Nikola Vucevic ($9,500): Vucevic torched the Pelicans for 56.75 DraftKings points in just 27 minutes in the first meeting. Davis was a non factor in that game and will be again. That’s going to leave Vucevic plenty of room to dominate this game on the inside. I wont say that Vucevic is safer than Embiid since Embiid is the definition of upside, but Vuce can definitely rival his output tonight.