Happy Tuesday, Rotoballers! The 2021-22 season is down to the final 10 games, and there is still so much to figure out. However, it's good news for DFS managers as lineups can remain consistent and predictable... for now. The wonkiness will be coming soon, so enjoy the calm before the tanking/playoff maneuvering storm.
A smaller Tuesday slate provides four games to build some DFS lineups. The Chicago-Milwaukee matchup is the tastiest among the four matchups, with the highest over/under (231 points). The Bucks are clicking on offense with a 118.5 offensive rating over their last 15 games, and Khris Middleton's absence will provide some enticing value in that game. In the other games, we will see Golden State visit Orlando, Atlanta, and Trae Young taking a trip to New York, and Los Angeles looking to avoid a season sweep to Denver in a potential play-in tournament preview.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/22/22. Remember to monitor the NBA injury report as the slate can completely change before lineups lock. Good luck, RotoBallers.
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Zach LaVine - SG, CHI at MIL ($7,500 DraftKings; $7,400 FanDuel)
Like his team, LaVine is on a bit of a rollercoaster at the moment and limping into the playoffs. He's trying to manage a knee injury, and it seems to be a night-to-night issue. Over his last four games, the two-time All-Star is averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers, and 1.5 stocks (steals+blocks) a game. LaVine's scoring outputs of 27, 33, and 26 points sandwich a 12-point stinker against the Jazz on Friday night. However, the 27-year old has a better matchup on the cards tonight against the Bucks. Over the last 15 games, Milwaukee is giving up the fourth most DK PPG (DraftKings Points Per Game) to shooting guards, and they are without Khris Middleton (wrist) to help on the perimeter. LaVine's totaled at least 40 DK points in five of his last seven contests (including two 50-pointers). I trust his role in this offense and favorable matchup against Milwaukee to enable another productive DFS evening.
Jordan Poole - PG, GSW at ORL ($7,400 DK; $7,400 FD)
With Stephen Curry (foot) on the sidelines, Jordan Poole finds himself as one of (if not the) primary options in the Golden State offense. It's not a bad spot for DFS purposes, and the third-year guard has shown us numerous times this season that he can handle the workload and pressure. Poole's started the previous four games, and, in that stretch, he's putting up 26.8 points, 3.8 boards, 3.5 dimes, 1.8 stocks, and four triples a night. The 22-year old has drained at least three three-pointers in eight of his last nine outings, averaging 4.3 makes and 52 percent shooting behind the arc. Tonight's game against Orlando will be a pace-up spot for the Warriors and one in which Poole can thrive. Particularly versus a Magic defense giving up 54.95 DK PGG to points guards in the last 15 games, the second-worst mark in the league.
Also consider: Jrue Holiday vs. CHI ($7,800 DK; $8,100 FD) Bones Hyland vs. LAC ($5,300 DK; $5,800 FD), Alex Caruso at MIL ($4,100 DK; $4,000 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Marcus Morris Sr. - SF/PF, LAC at DEN ($5,600 DK; $5,800 FD)
I'll forgive you if you don't know Marcus Morris is on a bit of a heater. The veteran forward is slugging his way through a season without Paul George or Kawhi Leonard. He is one of the biggest reasons the Clippers will sail towards a play-in tournament spot versus the Nuggets or Timberwolves. Before a five-point dud against the Jazz, the 32-year old wing averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 three-pointers, and 38.5 DK PGG over his last four outings. Now, he's got a Denver defense giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to small forwards and 11th-most to power forwards. At $5,600 on DraftKings, he has the potential to return eight times his salary and fits in perfectly to a cash lineup.
Danilo Gallinari - PF, ATL at NYK ($5,100 DK; $4,800 FD)
No John Collins means there is some extra playing time on the court in Atlanta. The two main DFS choices come down to Gallinari and De'Andre Hunter. There's only a $100 difference between them on DraftKings, and it depends on whether you want a floor option (Hunter) or a ceiling option (Gallo). The Italian's propensity for points and threes has me leaning his way, especially given his recent performance. On Sunday, he dropped 27 points on 11-for-21 shooting with five rebounds, three assists, and three triples for 39.25 DK points. For Gallinari, it was the first time since January 2020 he attempted at least 20 shots in a game. If he's getting that big of a green light in Atlanta right now, it's hard not to buy him at this $5,100 price tag.
Pat Connaughton - SF/PF, MIL vs. CHI ($3,700 DK; $4,500 FD)
Khris Middleton (wrist) will not suit up tonight, and it's going to leave some shots to go around in this Bucks offense. The return of Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis' current form removes Jordan Nwora from the board for me, so I'm rolling with Pat Connaughton as the discount option at forward this evening. The Bucks forward returned on Saturday night after missing over a month with a finger injury, and it was an impressive outing for the 29-year old. In 20 minutes, Connaughton produced 15 points on 11 attempts (all three-pointers), with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. At $3,700, the former Notre Dame standout doesn't need a massive night to return exceptional value, and he's well worth a flyer if you are in desperate need of salary relief in this four-game slate.
Also consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs CHI ($12,100 DK; $11,200 FD), De'Andre Hunter at NYK ($5,000 DK; $5,000 FD), Aaron Gordon vs. LAC ($5,000 DK; $4,500 FD)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic - C, DEN vs. LAC ($12,400 DK; $11,500 FD)
Haters will look at Jokic's Sunday box score and yell, 'He's slowing down! He can't keep it up!' However, I look at Sunday's box score and believe an immediate bounce back is in the cards. This is a man averaging 26/14/8 on the year and 29/13/8 in March. So a "measly" 23-point, eight-rebound, four-assist evening feels like the outlier compared to a sudden new norm. Even at $12,400 on DraftKings, I am not afraid to roster Jokic. He's played the Clippers three times this season, and averaged 32 points, 16.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists, two steals, a block, and 1.7 threes. Fade him at your own risk. The only reason he shouldn't be on your team tonight is if Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the Bucks lineup, and even then, it's a 50-50 call.
Also consider: Wendell Carter Jr. vs. GSW ($8,400 DK; $7,300 FD), Nikola Vucevic at MIL ($7,000 DK; $6,900 FD)