DraftKings NBA picks March 5: Return of the Steph

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 5: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play during Game Three of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 5, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers arrives prior to a game against the Brooklyn Nets before Round One Game Five of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA picks March 5: Return of the Steph

The Association gives us the usual small slate on Thursday for the DraftKings NBA tournaments. Tomorrow’s is big and so is Saturday. This is small, but not on talent. The Rockets, Clippers, Raptors, and Philly are all on the slate. On top of that, Curry will return. I’m not paying the premium for him, but he’s playing none the less. Let’s see who is not.

Out: Joel Embiid (shoulder), Ben Simmons (back), Marvin Bagley (foot), Richaun Holmes (shoulder), Malik Monk (drugs, man!), Josh Richardson (concussion), Ky Bowman (ankle), Bol Bol (foot), Klay Thompson (knee), Kevon Looney (hip), Dewan Hernandez (ankle).

Questionable: Fred VanVleet (shoulder), Draymond Green (knee), Serge Ibaka (knee), Devonte Graham (ankle), Marc Gasol (hamstring), DeMarre Carroll (illness), Noah Vonleh (ankle).

The Raptors really make it tough tonight with nothing clear on Ibaka, Gasol, or VanVleet. I don’t even have a general feeling on these guys, but they will drastically affect our builds.

A big game from Luka helped me survive the low-end value plays of Wanamaker and Denzel Valentine. I only got out of minimum cash once though. It was an overall solid night, but I thought it would be better since I had no exposure to Porter or Brogdon.

ragingphilip is 100k richer. He built around the right Cavs in Sexton and Nance, got big value out of Brandon Knight, Naz, and Duncan Robinson and anchored with Luka and Vucevic. Even he survived Denzel!

Just because you don’t see someone on here doesn’t mean they aren’t a good play. I only have so much room, and I’m not going anyone a favor if I recommend more than half of the players at a position. If you have a feeling about someone, by all means, follow that. I mostly follow numbers and trends.