We have a solid eight game slate to kick off the week. Some great value plays out their due to some injuries around the league. If you go with a few of the value plays, you will be able to fit in two or three of the top studs to boost your lineup. So sit back read up, and let's win some contests.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/13/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @DFS_Tom.
DraftKings DFS Guards
D'Angelo Russell - PG, @ DEN ($7,700)
I don't often recommend rostering Lakers players, since their rotation isn't the most consistent. But tonight is different since they are facing off against the Denver Nuggets, who are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. The Nuggets give up 49 points per game to point guards, which is third worst in the league. Russell is priced up a bit for the game tonight, but I still think he can hit value for you. Based on the 5x value hunting, he would need to scored 38.5 DraftKings points in order to hit value, and I think he can smash that. Over his last five games, he has scored 35 points or more in four of those games. So his production is right where it needs to be and he is up against a weak opponent.
Evan Fournier - SG, @ SAC ($5,600)
Fournier hasn't been anything close to consistent for the year, but lately he is turning things around and putting up some good results. He has scored 23 DraftKings points or more in eight of his last ten games. For a player at his salary, those are some decent numbers. If you can get that production, along with a bit of salary savings, he is worth the look. The reason he is in play tonight is because of his match up vs the Kings tonight. The Kings are giving up 43 points per game to shooting guards. The recent consistency and the favorable match up tonight, make Fournier viable in cash games.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Jonathon Simmons - SF, vs ATL ($4,100)
Simmons is a great GPP option for tonight if Kawhi Leonard is out for a second straight game. Since he is not a regular starter, his production really isn't something to look at. But when he did start last Wednesday, he put up 26.5 DraftKings points in 25 minutes. That is over one point per minute production. Now ideally for a starter, you want to see him over 30 minutes. But if you can get one fantasy point per minute production from a player that is under $5k, I say he is a solid option. As I said, he is a GPP option since his salary savings will allow you to get bigger name stars in your lineup.
Paul Millsap - PF, @ SA ($6,900)
Millsap often goes over looked as one of the top big men in the league, but he is putting up the numbers to back it up. His usage rate is sitting at 25% which is good for second highest on the Hawks. He has scored 37 DraftKings points or more in eight straight games, and is seemingly getting it done regardless of match up. For that reason, I think it fine to start him against the Spurs, who are the third best team in the league vs power forwards. Normally, I don't suggest players who are up against the best defensive teams, but with these recent games by Millsap, I think he is in play. He can be used in either cash or GPP rosters.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Nikola Jokic - C, vs LAL ($10,400)
If you are building a roster for a GPP tonight, lock Jokic in. He has been one of the best players in the entire league over the second half of the season and playing one of the worst defensive teams in the Lakers. The Lakers are giving up 54 points per game to centers, which is second worst in the league. Jokic has scored 52 DraftKings points or more in four of his last fives games. Those are some unbelievable numbers and exactly the kind of production you are looking for when you roster a star player for your GPP lineups. Lock him in and rest easy.
Robin Lopez - C, @ CHA ($4,300)
Lopez is by no means an offensive power house, but he does play a good amount of minutes and offers some salary savings. He has put up 21 DraftKings points or more in three of his last four games. I wouldn't call this a punt play, since Lopez can score in double digits, and has an outside chance of getting a double double. But don't expect much from him, and you're really doing this so you can fit other bigger stars into your lineup.
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