RADIO
Hump day has come around and there are plenty of players here who have caught the injury bug. Jayson Tatum (illness), Andre Drummond (calf), Tristan Thompson (knee), Mitchell Robinson (hamstring), Victor Oladipo (knee), Zach LaVine (quad), Seth Curry (back), J.J. Redick (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (knee) are either already ruled out or considered questionable to play. We do have some good news as Damian Lillard (groin) and Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) are expected to make their returns to the court on Wednesday. Check back closer to game-time for official confirmation.
As I write this, the Vegas odds have only been released for three games, so we will look at what we already know. Looking at the slate, one game stands out for me in particular: Washington at Portland. The Trail Blazers are the 27th-ranked defense, but the 10th-ranked offense in the league. The Wizards are the 29th-ranked defense, but the 11th-ranked offense in the league. They are both in the top-15 in pace as well. This game has all the offensive firepower to crack a combined 250 point total on Wednesday, especially with Lillard possibly making a return.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/4/20. 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
Marcus Smart - PG/SG, BOS v. CLE ($7,000)
The Celtics are banged up and on the second night of a back-t0-back. Jayson Tatum (illness) missed Tuesday and his status is in question. Gordon Hayward (knee) left Tuesday early with a knee injury and seems unlikely to play Wednesday. Kemba Walker (knee) just came back from a five-game absence and will likely be limited again Wednesday or ruled out entirely in order to rest due to the nature of back-to-backs. Smart came up big on Tuesday with 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, four three-pointers, two steals and two blocks in 34 minutes. The Cavaliers give up the second-most field goals made and total fantasy points to opposing point guards. They also allow the best field goal percentage and most assists and blocks to opposing point guards. Everything is pointing in the right direction for Smart.
Coby White - PG/SG, CHI @ MIN ($6,200)
What a crazy stretch for White. After back-to-back 33-point performances, he answered with 22 and 19 points, respectively. Also, news broke Zach LaVine (quad) will be re-evaluated in a week which opens up even more run on offense for White. Chicago travels to Minnesota who is in the second leg of a back-to-back after allowing 134 points to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Minnesota have lost eight of their past nine games and are the worst defense in the league over this stretch. White has a good chance to keep up this hot streak.
Brandon Knight - PG/SG, DET v. OKC ($4,700)
Derrick Rose (ankle) has been ruled out and will be re-evaluated in the next two weeks. Luke Kennard (knee) is still another week away from returning. Bruce Brown (knee) is doubtful and unlikely to play on Wednesday. Who do the Pistons turn to? Brandon Knight. Over his past four games, Knight has averaged 16.0 points on 46.5 percent shooting, 4.3 threes on 45.9 percent from beyond the arc, 5.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds in just 23.9 minutes per game. Unfortunately, Knight did tweak his quad in Sunday's contest and listed as questionable. It did not seem as serious as it looked, but if Knight is unable to go, Derrick Walton Jr. ($3,300) would be the next man up and become an interesting punt play.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Tim Hardaway Jr. - SG/SF, DAL v. NO ($6,500)
Hardaway was masterful in the month of February and has continued to ball in the early days of March. Hardaway averaged 19.6 points on 46.7 percent shooting, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 three-pointers and 3.1 assists in 32.8 minutes per game in February. With 19 and 26 points in his first two games in March, respectively, he looks poised to continue this hot streak on Wednesday. The Pelicans are coming off a loss on Tuesday after giving up 139 points to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pelicans have struggled on the defensive end lately, giving up the fourt-most points in the league over their past seven games. With top defender Jrue Holiday stuck to Luka Doncic, Hardaway should have plenty of looks on offense.
Davis Bertans - PF, WAS @ POR ($5,600)
Bertans finally returned to form on Sunday, dropping eight three-pointers en route to 29 points, just three shy of his career-high. The Wizards travel to Portland on Wednesday, which should be a high-scoring contest as mentioned earlier. Bertans actually plays better on zero days rest with splits of 16.7 points on 47.1 shooting from the field, 3.3 three-pointers on 42.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31.1 minutes. Portland is ranked dead-last in defense against power forwards this season, giving up the second-most points and field goals made and most rebounds.
James Johnson- PF/C, MIN v. CHI ($4,700)
Does this name sound familiar? Johnson was featured for Tuesday's slate and delivered with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in just 21 minutes. The Timberwolves play again on Wednesday and, somehow, DraftKings actually lowered Johnson's price tag. The T-Wolves are home against the Chicago Bulls who are one of the weakest teams against big men this season. They have given up the third-most fantasy points to power forwards and second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. Minnesota has used Johnson both at power forward and a small-ball five, so he matches up perfectly against Chicago. The Bulls are also expecting Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) to return after a lengthy absence. Players returning after a long injury are more likely to play passive and hesitant to avoid re-injuring themselves and this could work to Johnson's advantage.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C, MEM @ BKN ($7,800)
Wednesday's slate has very slim pickings at the center position. Even Valanciunas saw his price tag skyrocket for this matchup, however it was for good measure. Valanciunas has fourt straight double-doubles and has grabbed double-digit rebounds in nine of his past ten games. Since his teammates Brandon Clarke (quad) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) went down, Valanciunas has averaged 16.5 points on 57.8 percent shooting, 17.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.5 threes in 27.7 minutes. Valanciunas's value is directly tied to rebounding and scoring on an efficient clip. This should come in handy against the Nets who give up the sixth-most points, fourth-most rebounds and third-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.
