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It’s not often that the NBA schedule throws a curveball, but DFS owners can safely confirm Monday’s three-game slate as a breaking pitch with some considerable heft.
Slates as brief as these are traditionally dominated by the tried and true, who see the similarities in lineups as to their advantage. But no matter the experience level, we’ll be taking a look at who should find their way into your lineup, even as you combat the fact that many of your fellow owners are inevitably going to be rolling out something that looks vastly similar.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/9/20. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. Remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before lineup lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Kyle Lowry - PG, TOR @ UTA ($8,400)
No Fred Vanvleet? Buy all the stock in Lowry available. While Norman Powell has also shone in VanVleet’s absence (and is a solid option in his own right), Lowry has seen his offensive output skyrocket. As Lowry went for 30 points Sunday, he fired up 10 triples, marking the fourth time in his last five games that he has attempted double-digit looks from deep. Where his elite DFS value comes into play is his assist ability, having compiled at least eight dimes in nine of his last 12 contests. The Jazz have presented themselves as defensive stalwarts, but the lack of depth on this slate neutralizes certain factors, paving the way for Lowry to continue seeing a role even more considerable than usual.
Devonte' Graham - PG, CHA @ ATL ($6,400)
Graham didn’t have a stellar start to the second half with six combined points in his first two appearances. But since then, he has averaged 20.6 points over his last five outings. Factoring in the Hawks’ defensive woes and the fact that they enjoy pushing the pace, Graham can only benefit from being forced to play at a faster tempo. He took 17 shots in the first meeting between the two teams earlier this year, while adding eight assists and six rebounds, averages that would put him in line to exceed value if his shot finds the bottom of the net.
Eric Bledsoe - PG, MIL @ DEN ($5,700)
Since returning from the All-Star break, Bledsoe’s offensive output had been waning; that is, until Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) stepped out of the lineup. Averaging just 12.9 points over his first nine second-half contests, Bledsoe dropped 28 points Sunday and is likely to retain much of the same offensive role heading into Monday. His price tag was unable to adjust to Sunday’s stat line, so while he presents considerable risk (three single-digit scoring outings in his last six games), his ceiling has reached a new height without Antetokounmpo available.
DraftKings DFS Forwards
Khris Middleton - SF, MIL @ DEN ($7,600)
On the heels of a 39-point showing Sunday against the Suns, Middleton is likely to be one of the hottest commodities on the slate with Antetokounmpo (knee) already ruled out. Even with the league’s reigning MVP on the floor, Middleton has presented one of the most consistently safe floors across the association this season. The Bucks will likely funnel their offense through him once again, and with such a slim margin for error in both cash and GPP plays due to the three-game structure, failure to roster Middleton is a chance too risky to take.
Will Barton - SG/SF, DEN v. MIL ($6,000)
Not having exposure on the Nuggets when facing an Antetokounmpo-less Bucks squad feels like a proposition too risky to embrace. With that said, Barton has the highest ceiling of any player on the roster, due to his multi-category contributions. The fact that he drilled six threes en route to 24 points the last time that the two squads locked up doesn’t hurt his case, but his 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals average bodes well for his chances of at least hitting 5x value, if not exceeding, should the Bucks' defense be similarly paltry to its Sunday effort in which it yielded 140 points.
Pat Connaughton - SG/SF, MIL @ DEN ($3,100)
With such a short slate, a punt play is a nearly inevitable element of filling out any lineup. Of all the options at the bottom price tag, Connaughton plays the largest role on a nightly basis, even with a limited minutes allotment. Over his last five outings, he has compiled an average of 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds, and the absence of Antetokounmpo (knee) can only be beneficial for his role.
DraftKings DFS Centers
PJ Washington - PF/C, CHA @ ATL ($5,600)
Washington may not fit the mold of a true center, but for arguments sake, he is available at the center slot and has played stretches at the position as of late. Fortunately for him, he now faces the league’s worst defense (55.2 DK points per game) at defending opposing centers in Atlanta. Washington has been particularly hot from long range, having knocked down at least three triples in each of his last three games, compiling 61 points in that span. The Hawks remain a proponent of both playing an increased pace and not locking down much on defense, which presents an opening for Washington as a mid-priced contrarian play to some of the higher-priced centers on the slate.
