RADIO
With just four games on the main slate, expect most lineups today to consist of the same players. I'l help add in some diversity but just know that there will be four or five players you will need to own tonight in order to cash out, so that's what I'll be doing with my five picks.
Outisde of the five guys I mentioned, you also have to consider, Buddy Hield, Zach LaVine, Evan Fournier, D'Angelo Russell, Keita Bates-Diop(!), JaMychal Green, Jarrett Allen and Montrezl Harrell. I know that's way too many names, but all deserve consideration because of how they have been playing and who they are facing today. You'll notice I have an exclamation next to Bates-Diop because yes, he is actually worth a roster spot. Even though the Timberwolves might get trounced by the Rockets, Bates-Diop is in a position that no matter what happens, he is going to get minutes and produce. His usage continues to rise and as long as he plays well, which he has been, he will be firmly in the Minnesota rotation.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/17/19. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. As always, don't set your lineups too early. Be sure to check all the NBA starting lineups and player statuses and availability prior to opening tip. Find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter if you have any questions.
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!
DraftKings DFS Guards
Chris Paul - PG, vs. MIN ($6,700)
As of right now Chris Paul is still listed as probable, but as long as he plays he will be exceeding his projected. The Timberwolves don't have much chance in this game if the Rockets are even playing half-decent, so look for Paul to have no problem getting to his spots, and even though Minnesota is JUST in the bottom half when it comes to guarding opposing point guards, all stats are thrown out the window when trying to put a superstar in that type of "box."
It does not matter who is lined up across from Paul because already they are at a disadvantage. It looked like he lost a step, but then he started focusing on craftiness and speed bursts, rather than just going 100% all the time. He knows he can't carry the ofensive burden every night, but tonight he should benefit from his team having upside and he should have a fairly generic yet productive night. I'd say his floor his around 25 FPTS, but he should cruise past 30 before the 4th quarter even starts.
Kris Dunn - SG/SF @ SAC ($5,400)
Kris Dunn has been unfortunately underwhelming this year, but recently his usage has finally taken the spike most Dunn-supporters were looking for. His past two games have had a usage well above his league average and that has been trending up for some time. He's not still in the returning stage from his injury earlier this year, but it did seem like he needed plenty of court time to get back to form. I won't redeem his as fully back after just two games, but Dunn has seemed to take the next step in his career by thriving on both ends of the floor.
Where his offense has lacked he has made up for with productive defense. For the first time in around two weeks, Dunn didn't record a steal, meaning that against the Kings he is due for another two-three steal game. The Kings are the better team, but their youth makes me think they are susceptible to mistakes, exactly where the Bulls can capitalize. This is a game you should stack because of the value here, but there is also a competitive aspect that makes me want to roster both Buddy Hield and Zach LaVine because they will both go off tonight.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Danilo Gallinari - SF/PF vs. BKN ($6,800)
His consistency has bumped him into the upper-echelon of DFS players recently and tonight nothing changed against Brooklyn. I had to base my picks off of conference parity, but the Clippers are a legitimately good team with talents leaking out of every position. The Nets aren't bad, but they do rely on fewer players when it comes to needing production. Defensively, Brooklyn is equipped with the right tools to defend against the Clippers, but they just don't have enough on both ends to keep up.
This game should be close and if the Nets are shooting well, anything is possible. That being said, Danilo Gallinari has the matchup he wants and his momentum has been building for close to a month. This is lined up to be a massive game from Gallinari as long as the Nets can keep it somewhat close.
Lauri Markkanen - PF/C @ SAC ($7,300)
Unlike Gallinari, Lauri Markkanen has been trending down over the past month. His statlines have become more basic and his usage has gone from closer to 30% over the past two months, to sticking around 20-25% over the past two weeks. This is not a good trend but it doesn't mean he won't burst past his projected against the Kings. His price is asking for a bigger game, and since he has failed to score over 20 in his previous seven games, I like his upside tonight as a bounce-back game.
The last time these two teams played, the Kings blew Chicago out of the water and it wasn't close. Markkanen played well, but wasn't able to get too much going because of the score. I don't expect the Bulls to win tonight, but I expect a closer game and solid outings from both Markkanen and LaVine specifically.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Nikola Vucevic - C vs. ATL ($9,200)
Are you kidding me? First off, playing ANY All-Star versus the Hawks is a good idea. They lack the defense to compete with most teams, but tonight it's going to be evident through Nikola Vucevic. I am getting somewhat annoyed thinking about how to convince someone to make this play because I shouldn't need to. Secondly, Vucevic usage has bumped up to RIGHT below 30%, so not only does Vucevic have upside in terms of who is playing, but he also has upside because his team has been doing what they can to help get him going early and often.
