DraftKings NBA Picks March 23: Durant Does Dallas

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 07: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after Kyle Kuzma #0 scored against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on February 07, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks March 23: Durant Does Dallas

We have another seven game Saturday for our DraftKings NBA tournaments. The Charlotte-Boston game that tips an hour earlier than everyone else has been chopped off into a showdown slate. The remaining seven has some super stars with some super matchups. Who are the ones we should try to build around?

There were some massive scores last night thanks to Memphis value. In fact, my best lineup was comprised of the Memphis starting five, Harden, D’Angelo Russell, and DeRozan. That was the only one that broke the 317 cash line.

pmdank2 had the highest score of any winner this season with 417.5 DraftKings points. He built with Harden, Jonas, and Kawhi and got monster value out of JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Tyler Dorsey, Justin Holiday, and Gallinari.

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.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 03, 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 Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Damian Lillard ($10,100): Dame is finally over five figures and we can’t say it wasn’t earned. Lillard has back to back games over 60 DraftKings points. He hit that mark in just 30 minutes against Dallas! This is a similarly great matchup for Lillard. As long as this game stays close, Lillard is going to flirt with 60 at the very least.

Luka Doncic ($8,600): Curry is resting, so Doncic will have free reign to run all over the court. Luka has a healthy 39.5 DraftKings points per game average against the Warriors this year anyway. He should go above that average tonight. I would like to thank the Warriors for announcing this far enough in advance that we can effectively build our lineups.

Honorable Mention:

De’Aaron Fox ($7,800): We have finally found a matchup that I don’t want to use Trae Young in: against the Sixers. Especially when you have Fox sitting there cheaper with a great matchup against the Suns. The only issue here is that Fox’s price is up to the point where he needs a ceiling game for 6x value. However, he could get that against the Suns.

Mike Conley ($7,500): The only game in which Conley has been below 45 DraftKings points in the last six games was in a blowout loss to Atlanta. He has averaged 43.6 DraftKings points in three games against the Timberwolves anyway. Now Conley is playing at a high level, and the Timberwolves’ point guards are all banged up. This could be another huge night for Conley.

Dark Horses:

Ricky Rubio ($5,700): The limited minutes cap the upside, but you can’t argue with the production. Rubio has at least 30 DraftKings points in four straight games despite only playing between 20 and 27 minutes in each contest. The Jazz aren’t going to run him a lot against the Bulls either, but Rubio could put up some big numbers in the half the game that he does play.

Ish Smith ($4,300): You can keep rolling with Reggie Jackson if you want. I’ll take the sure thing with Ish Smith. Smith is averaging 25.5 DraftKings points over game over the last four games, which puts him at 6x value.

Jimmer Fredette ($3,300): Yes, it’s a grown man with the name “Jimmer.” Actually, Jimmer turned 30 this year. Has he really been out of the league that long? Yes. The Suns are so desperate they not only signed him for the rest of the year, but they gave him a multi year deal! The tanking isn’t over yet folks! The Suns are clearly desperate. Are you?

My pick: Lillard(PG), Fox(G), Smith(UTIL)

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 16: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting a three pointer in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

Bradley Beal ($9,300): Beal is worth a look as the one man gang for the Wizards, but Miami has actually held him in check this year. Beal is only averaging 35.9 DraftKings points per game in three meetings with Miami. Is he really worth the risk here?

Donovan Mitchell ($8,500): Mitchell racked up 55.5 DraftKings points in the first game against the Bulls. Mitchell is far from consistent, but the Bulls really have issues defensively. The Kings defend off the ball well, so I prefer Mitchell over Booker, though Booker is about the only weapon that Phoenix has. For that reason, Booker could still be in play.

Honorable Mention:

Klay Thompson ($7,400): Klay has only had one game below 5x value in the month of March. He is playing at a very high level anyway, and now Curry is resting. Durant will play a much larger role that normal, but at least some of that is going to trickle down to Klay as well. Hield is the definition of a GPP play, but I would argue that Thompson’s upside is probably just as high tonight with almost none of the risk.

Dwyane Wade ($5,300): Wade’s farewell tour has almost come to an end. He could put on a show in his last game in the nation’s capital. Wade has 57 DraftKings points in two games against Washington this year. With injuries and ineffectiveness piling up in this backcourt, we could see a vintage Wade performance here.

Delon Wright ($5,200): Wright’s price at this level limits the value potential, but even if Conley returns as expected, Avery Bradley and CJ Miles are still out. Wright should still get plenty of run, but I will switch to Tyler Dorsey if Dorsey draws the start.

Dark Horses:

Wayne Ellington ($4,300): Ellington has been huge over the last two games, putting up 66 DraftKings points in those games. This isn’t necessarily an easy matchup, but it’s a bonus that Ellington wont have to deal with McCollum. I doubt he hits 30 again, but 6x value is still very possible.

Seth Curry ($3,600): The Blazers finally started giving Curry run with C.J. out. McCollum will be back soon, but until then, Curry looks like a great play for the price. In a game like this where there is a chance of a blowout, Curry could wind up playing even more minutes. He is definitely worth a look tonight.

My pick: Ellington(SG)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 17: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles 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 Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Kevin Durant ($9,100): It doesn’t get much better than this for Durant. He IS the offense with Curry out. Though Klay Thompson is still going to play a big role, Durant is the motor and is capable of dropping 70 without Curry out there. KD has 150.25 DraftKings points against Dallas already this year. 50 seems to be his floor tonight.

Ben Simmons ($8,300): Simmons has 119 DraftKings points in only 70 minutes against the Hawks this season. Yeah, this game is likely going to get out of hand, but Simmons has proven that he can hit value anyway. Using any Sixers starter is going to be pretty risky tonight, but Simmons looks like he should be worth the risk.

Honorable Mention:

Jimmy Butler ($7,100): Butler torched Atlanta for 46.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting. We have actually seen Butler more comfortable with creating for himself within this offense now. It took him a while to get used to running with the Sixers, but it’s starting to come together now just in time for the playoffs. This is nothing more than a tune up for Philly, so don’t be surprised if some starters rest or head to the bench early.

Andrew Wiggins ($6,100): With the playoffs looking very unlikely, the Timberwolves have decided to sit Teague, Rose, and Robert Covington down for the rest of the season looking towards next year. It’s the right move. It also means that team is going to lean on Wiggins a lot more on the perimeter. The upside on Wiggins will be better than usual over the next couple of weeks.

Dark Horses:

Mikal Bridges ($5,000): Bridges is still playing a ton of minutes, and he put up a nice line against Detroit on Thursday. He will have a chance to do the same against the Kings, but Bridges has been far from consistent. His minutes are, but the production is all over the place. Are you comfortable with paying this much for him? Bridges hasn’t hit 6x value at this price since before the All Star break.

Chandler Parsons ($3,700): I’m not a big fan of the Grizzlies’ fluctuating value from night to night, but I will play Parsons from now until he retires if he’s priced like this. Parson has at least 28 DraftKIngs points in three straight games now. He’s the best value on the board tonight, and it’s not close. Parsons will be in all of my lineups.

My pick: Durant(SF), Parsons(F)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 19: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a basket against the Brooklyn Nets at Golden 1 Center on March 19, 2019 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 Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

Blake Griffin ($8,200): The price is still tempting on Blake here, but don’t do it. Not against Portland. Though PF is a black hole offensively for the Blazers, they still defend the position exceptionally well. Wait for another time to try and exploit the price. It should fall again after the Blazers shut him down.

Tobias Harris ($7,200): It’s hard to pay this price for Harris, especially since he’s not really a focal point in this offense. However, Altanta is really weak up front. If Harris is ever going to dominate in a game as a member of this team, it should happen here. Should.

Honorable Mention:

John Collins ($7,000): If you want to go after Philly, attack at PF. Harris isn’t a great defender either. If Collins gets run, he can put up some pretty big numbers. However, will Atlanta stay close? If Philly rests some players, it’s very possible.

Marvin Bagley ($6,300): There is no reason to take a chance on Collins with Bagley here. Bagley has at least 35 DraftKings points in each of the last three games despite only playing 78 minutes combined in the three games. Bagley is capable of putting up elite numbers in short bursts, so ride him while he’s hot.

Dark Horses:

Bobby Portis ($5,800): It seems as maybe the Wizards are tired of being the laughing stock of NBA frontcourts. They have made some adjustments, and one of those is running Portis out there for more minutes at a time. He’s responded well so far. The price makes is hard for Portis to really go way above value, but he’s a strong play at the price.

Richaun Holmes ($3,700): The Suns are still intrigued by Holmes, but they are still only letting him dominate in small minutes. Holmes has 76.75 DraftKings points in just 52 minutes over the last three games. He lacks significant upside, but are you really going to complain about 7x value?

My pick: Bagley(PF)

DraftKings NBA /

DraftKings NBA Centers:

Best Bets:

Joel Embiid ($10,700): Embiid has back to back games of more than 75 DraftKings points, so if he plays against Atlanta, he’s going to destroy them. However, this feels like a game where the Sixers will elect to rest Embiid. Embiid only played 28 minutes in the first game against Atlanta and came in significantly under value. Even if he plays, I think a fade is a right move. What are the chances this stays close?

Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,500): Towns’ average against Memphis this year is only 43.5 DraftKings points, but pre and post break KAT are very different this year. He hasn’t faced the Grizzlies since the break. Minnesota has Towns, Wiggins, and a bunch of bodies. No one else is really a threat on this team. Towns has significant upside no matter his history against Memphis.