Happy Friday RotoBallers! As usual, we have a jam-packed Friday night slate, filled with some juicy matchups. These articles focus on the overall best plays, which are typically more suited for cash games. However, with larger slates like this one, you don't have to worry about ownership getting steamed up too hard usually, so consider these suggestions GPP viable as well (some exceptions may apply).
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/4/22. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome new NBA injuries report tool as the slate can completely change before lineups lock.
As always, feel free to follow my Twitter (@Maxadelphia), to keep up to date with NBA news and for my nightly NBA bets if you're into that sort of thing. Let's go!
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Luka Doncic - PG, DAL @ HOU ($12,000 DK, $10,700 FD)
Luka is the most expensive player on the slate, and for good reason. He's posted 70+ fantasy points in 2 of his last 3, and tonight he finds himself in a dream matchup against the Rockets and their 29th ranked defense against PGs. The Mavs were embarrassed by the Knicks last time out, so I expect Luka to come out swinging to make sure they don't drop two bad games in a row.
Devin Booker - PG/SG, PHX vs TOR ($8,900 DK, $10,300 FD)
After missing about 10 days due to health protocols, Booker came back and didn't miss a beat against one of the best defenses in the NBA. Booker had been consistently hovering in the 45-50 fantasy point range without Chris Paul, so at his current pricing, he checks the box as a seemingly safe and solid play this evening.
Devonte' Graham - PG, NO vs CHA ($4,300 DK & FD)
It's not often a team is down their top two primary offensive playmakers, but that's the situation the Pelicans find themselves in tonight. All signs point to Graham taking over main ball-handling duties, so put a napkin on your lap and eat this chalk with no worries.
Others to consider: Trae Young ($10,100 DK, $9,700 FD), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,800 DK, $5,800 FD)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jayson Tatum - SF/PF, BOS vs DET ($10,500 DK, $10,400 FD)
There aren't a ton of options at the top of Forwards tonight, but Tatum really stands out. Tatum has posted back-to-back 60+ point fantasy performances, and 50+ in 5 of 6, including 56 points in the Celtics' last game vs the Pistons on 2/26. There is some risk of blowout potential here (the Celtics are currently double-digit favorites at the time of writing), but Tatum's usage always warrants consideration.
Jae Crowder - SF/PF, PHX vs TOR ($5,400 DK, $5,800 FD)
Running it back with Crowder again this week for the third week in a row (how is this even possible??????). I may have lost the Crowder - Cameron Johnson coinflip last week in Johnson's career game vs the Knicks, but luckily for me, Johnson is unavailable this game. Crowder is much more efficient when playing at home compared to on the road, and Toronto is surprisingly 6th worst in the NBA in opposing 3-point% on the road.
Others to consider: Kyle Kuzma ($8,800 DK, $9,100 FD), Timberwolves (dependent on injuries)
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jonas Valanciunas - C, NO vs CHA ($7,800 DK, $7,500 FD)
I mentioned earlier that the Pelicans are without their top two offensive threats, and naturally, we would assume that whoever the #3 option is, will step up. Valanciunas has proven throughout his career that he is a very effective scorer, and in my opinion, he is the most likely candidate on the Pelicans to score 30+ real points.
Nicolas Batum - PF/C, LAC @ ATL ($4,400 DK, $4,100 FD)
Batum offers exposure to pretty much every single fantasy-relevant stat. With Robert Covington slated to miss tonight's game due to personal reasons again, Batum should keep his current workload which has led to 27, and 33 minutes in the Clippers' last two games.
Others to consider: Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,700 DK, $9,300 FD)