RADIO
Big names loom larger than usual during a seven-game slate Monday. James Harden’s last trip to Madison Square Garden resulted in a 61-point barrage that will live in the building’s infamy. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has recently found himself in a spat of words with Harden, is on the second leg of a back-to-back, having casually peeled off a 40/20 showing Sunday.
In other words, stars are again the name of the game. But how to fill in the spots around them is why you’re here, so let’s take a deeper dive into the numbers and see if we can unearth some underpriced gems.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/2/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Elfrid Payton - PG, NY v. HOU ($6,700)
Sometimes, you have to shoot your shot. Or in the case of Payton, not necessarily actually shoot, but set-up a shooter so that he can shoot. Dating back to Jan. 20, Payton has been an elite source of assists, averaging 9.6 dimes over 14 games. Combined with the fact that Dennis Smith Jr. (concussion) has been ruled out and that the Rockets boast one of the league’s poorest defenses against opposing guards, Payton has, at minimum, a possible double-double written all over his stat sheet.
Dillon Brooks - SG, MEM @ ATL ($5,300)
There have been countless price tags this season that haven’t made a whole lot of sense. But Brooks’ slot on Monday’s slate is so staggeringly underpriced that it’s hard to conceive how owners could build a lineup and not choose to have Brooks as a part of the mix. After a bizarre two-week malaise in which Brooks’ offensive talents seemed to have been zapped in Monstar-like fashion, he has returned over the past three games with a vengeance, combining for 78 points, taking at least 22 shots in each outing. Factor in that the Hawks’ woeful defense (which yields the second-highest points per game average at 119.1 on a nightly basis) and Brooks is sitting in pole position for a shot at the highest ownership of the slate.
Gary Trent Jr. - SG/SF, POR @ ORL ($4,300)
If you’re looking for consistent multi-category contributions, Trent is not your guy. But for those owners who are eyeing a high-upside GPP play, Trent fits that slot perfectly at his price tag, having retained a considerable role in the Portland offense with Damian Lillard (groin) out of the mix. Trent has recorded double-digit shot attempts in four of his last five games, and while he has been largely absent from dishing out assists across his sizable workload, if his shot is falling from long range, he is more than capable of recouping value on that alone.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
T.J. Warren - SF/PF, IND @ SA ($6,000)
While many owners have pressed pause on Warren with Victor Oladipo firmly entrenched back in Indiana’s starting five, it’s been the team’s leading scorer that has reaped many of the offensive benefits of Jeremy Lamb’s (knee) absence. Warren tied his season high last time out with six assists, which may be difficult to replicate, but he has gone for an average of 22.2 points over his last six games, all while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. With other Pacers presenting near boom or bust scenarios (Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner), Warren showcases a stable floor on a nightly basis, making him an appealing cash play option.
Trey Lyles - PF/C, SA v. IND ($4,800)
Lyles is far from what most owners would refer to as a “safe bet” heading into Monday’s matchup with a stout Pacers defense. Even with that in mind, the absence of Jakob Poeltl (knee) and the likely departure of LaMarcus Aldridge (doubtful, shoulder) paves the way for Lyles to again see a significant workload at the center slot. He played 40 minutes versus the Magic on Saturday, one of the league’s slowest-paced units, and managed to collect 20 points and nine rebounds. His price tag has elevated off the basement level, but the Spurs’ lack of frontcourt depth should ultimately pave the way for him to see a sizable chunk of rebounding and scoring opportunities inside the arc.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C, MEM @ ATL ($6,800)
Valanciunas has cleaned up the glass over the past two games unlike any prior stretch in his career. Never has the Lithuanian accrued back-to-back 20-rebound outings as a professional, and factoring in that Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) will once again be absent against a lax Hawks defense, there is almost no price tag that should dissuade owners from rostering Valanciunas. His ceiling rides entirely upon his offensive contributions, as he has nabbed double-digit rebound totals in 10 of his last 11 outings. With Atlanta yielding a league-worst 55.2 DK points per game to opposing centers, Valanciunas figures to be a staple of cash lineups with considerable interest also coming his way in the GPP market.
P.J. Tucker - C, HOU @ NY ($3,900)
The great Tucker fantasy evolution that many predicted in the wake of Houston’s small ball era has not yet materialized. While that has likely been a disappointment for season-long owners, those in the DFS market may have a small window of an edge where Tucker’s price tag has dropped into a range that merits consideration. He remains a considerable three-point threat, having knocked down a trio of triples in each of his last two outings. He has just two double-digit rebound contests to his credit in the last month, but the Knicks’ insistence on playing through the post could deliver him a few additional looks on the glass. Considering his minutes share (34.6 on a nightly basis), there aren’t many options at his price tag that boast a better ceiling for those in the market for high-risk, high-reward plays.
