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Below are some DraftKings DFS lineup picks for today’s NBA action, March 23rd, 2015. These players represent potential fantasy basketball sleepers based on their matchups, and can be strong DFS lineup plays based on their DraftKings prices and dollar values.
Keep in mind, DFS fantasy basketball is a fast-paced environment that includes last minute changes, so be sure to check NBA injury reports and your DFS lineups prior to tip-off.
Editors Note: For live banter about NBA DFS lineups and strategies, be sure to check out RotoBaller’s famous fantasy basketball chat room at the bottom of this article.
Worth the DraftKings Investment
Kemba Walker (CHA, G) - $6,900
Tonight might have been the hardest night to pick a stud guard of the entire season. Generally Stephen Curry and John Wall are great plays, however they face each other in what should be a good defensive game. The next group, including Alexey Shved, Isaiah Thomas, Ricky Rubio, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler, is injured. That leaves Walker at the top of the heap tonight. Since coming back from his own injury, Walker has taken his time to get up to speed, but looked good last night with over 30 minutes and a stat line that included a stellar 6 steals. Because he has not been back long his price is still a bit deflated in what is a great match-up against Aaron Brooks and the Bulls. With the Hornets fighting for a playoff spot expect Kemba to again get big minutes tonight despite being on a back-to-back.
Derrick Favors (UTA, F) - $7,500
With a mess at the guard spot and Gordon Hayward highly questionable for tonight, Favors makes for the top overall play on the board tonight. The Utah Jazz big man has been a bit up and down recently with two games under 25 fantasy points in his last four. However, the other two outings saw him score over 32 fantasy points. Favors is generally an extremely consistent option, as he contributes 1.69 blocks and 0.83 steals per game, supplementing his 16.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per night. Tonight he faces off against a Minnesota Timberwolves front court that is in shambles with injuries to Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic and Justin Hamilton. It would not surprise me to see Favors post a 20 point, 10 rebound and 5 block game tonight.
Brook Lopez (BKN, C) - $7,600
You could certainly make a case for Rudy Gobert as the top center play tonight, however we will go with Lopez against an equally poor interior defense in the Boston Celtics. Lopez has been over 30 fantasy points in three straight outings and blew up for 65.6 fantasy points in an overtime game against Milwaukee on Friday. The biggest fantasy concern owners always have with Lopez is his playing time which has been over 30 minutes in each of his last three contests. On the season he is averaging about one fantasy point-per minute producer. Assuming he is locked into a starting gig and 30 minutes, he should hit at least 4x value with upside for much more.
DraftKings Sleepers & Value Picks
Lance Thomas (NY, F) - $3,500
First and foremost, I will say that tonight looks like a night to roll out an extremely balanced lineup, as no one over $7,600 stands out. However, if you want to roster a James Harden or Steph Curry, Thomas could be a nice way to do that. After Alexey Shved exited last game with an injury, the New York Knicks turned to Thomas for production. He came through with 24 points, 2 rebounds and a steal. With New York seemingly having no interest in winning games, it would not be all that surprising to see Thomas get 30+ minutes again. That's all you can ask for from a player at minimum salary.
Rodney Hood (UTA, F) - $4,600
Assuming Gordon Hayward misses this game with his shoulder injury, Rodney Hood becomes an absolute must-play in cash games. The rookie wing has played over 20 minutes in every game in the month of March and has double figures in scoring in five of his last seven games. He does not contribute a ton outside of scoring, but that should not be an issue tonight against a Minnesota team that has only been playing eight players and is on the game two of a back-to-back. A 23-point fantasy game would get him to 5x value, and without Hayward that seems more like Hood’s floor tonight. Fade him at your own risk.
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