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Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Mike Barner's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on March 18, 2024.
There will be eight games played across the NBA on Monday. DraftKings will include all eight games in their main slate, while FanDuel will only include the first five games of the evening in their main slate.
The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan, and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/18/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Let's first take a look at our matchup ratings to see who we want to target for our top spend-ups tonight.
The Jazz are a fantasy-friendly opponent because they have played at the 10th-fastest pace and have the second-worst defensive rating in the league. When he faced them Saturday, Anthony Edwards dominated with 31 points, ten rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks over 35 minutes. His upside is just as high for their rematch.
Jalen Brunson is heating up as the Knicks make a push for the playoffs. He is coming off back-to-back games with at least 42 PTs, boosting his season average to 27.5 PTs per game. As the driving force behind the Knicks’ offense, Brunson makes for a great option in what should be a competitive game against the Warriors.
The Bulls are going to be extremely shorthanded on Monday, with Coby White (hip) listed as doubtful. Alex Caruso (toe) is also listed as questionable. DeMar DeRozan is going to get a ton of playing time, and all of the shot attempts that he can handle against a Trail Blazers team that has the ninth-worst defensive rating in the league. As far as safe options go, DeRozan is one of the safest for the entire slate.
Top Core Plays:
- Anthony Edwards, MIN at UTA – SG/SF ($10,000 DK; $10,300 FD)
- Jalen Brunson, NY at GS – PG ($9,000 DK; NA FD)
- DeMar DeRozan, CHI vs. POR – SF/PF ($8,300 DK; $8,500 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
With White sidelined Saturday against the Wizards, Ayo Dosunmu exploded for 34 PTs and nine ASTs across 40 minutes. He has averaged 38 minutes over the last 16 games, which propelled him to averages of 16.5 PTs, 3.8 REBs, 5.6 ASTs, and 1.0 STLs. He has the potential to provide significant value again, especially if Caruso is also out.
The Lakers have listed Anthony Davis (eye) as questionable for their matchup with the Hawks. Christian Wood (knee) has already been ruled out, so the Lakers could be really thin up front. Enter Rui Hachimura, who has already averaged 17.0 PTs and 1.9 three-pointers over his last 15 games.
The tanking Trail Blazers have turned to Dalano Banton to log extended playing time. While they continue to rack up losses, he has averaged 17.9 PTs, 5.1 REBs, and 3.5 ASTs over the last ten games. That makes it difficult to resist his cheap salary on both sites.
Top Value Plays:
- Ayo Dosunmu, CHI vs. POR – PG/SG ($6,500 DK; $6,100 FD)
- Rui Hachimura, LAL vs. ATL – SF/PF ($5,900 DK; NA FD)
- Dalano Banton, POR at CHI – PG/SG ($5,600 DK; $5,100 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
In addition to Brunson and Banton, Darius Garland stands out as one of the top point guards to pursue. He has a great matchup with the Pacers, who have played at the second-fastest pace in the league. He should also receive an expanded workload with Donovan Mitchell (nose) having been ruled out.
Darius Garland goes high off the glass for the and-1 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Qld8njkQI7
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 14, 2024
Top PG Options:
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- Jalen Brunson at GS, ($9,000 DK; NA FD)
- Darius Garland at IND, ($7,600 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Dalano Banton at CHI, ($5,600 DK; $5,100 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
For those playing on DraftKings, Austin Reaves could also benefit from Davis potentially being sidelined. Reaves has already stepped up his production down the stretch, putting up 17.2 PTs, 4.7 REBs, and 5.7 ASTs over his last 15 games. It will help his cause to play a Hawks team that has played at the fourth-fastest pace and has the third-worst defensive rating in the league.
Top SG Options:
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- Anthony Edwards at UTA, ($10,000 DK; $10,300 FD)
- Austin Reaves vs. ATL, ($7,300 DK; NA FD)
- Ayo Dosunmu vs. POR, ($6,500 DK; $6,100 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
For those looking for cheaper salaries than what DeRozan has, Josh Hart is another safe small forward. He has been logging heavy minutes since moving into the starting lineup, which has resulted in him averaging 12.9 PTs, 11.3 REBs, 5.5 ASTs, and 1.2 STLs over 21 games.
Working our way even further down the salary scale brings us to Simone Fontecchio. The trade to the Pistons has landed him in a significant role that has seen him average 30 minutes over 16 games. He hasn’t provided a ton in terms of ASTs and defensive stats, but he has averaged 15.4 PTs and 2.7 three-pointers with his new squad.
Top SF Options:
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- DeMar DeRozan vs. POR, ($8,300 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Josh Hart at GS, ($7,200 DK; NA FD)
- Simone Fontecchio at BOS, ($5,700 DK; $6,100 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
The Cavaliers’ frontcourt isn’t nearly as imposing with Evan Mobley (ankle) out. Outside of Jarrett Allen, they don’t have much size to try and slow down Pascal Siakam. Siakam has certainly been a handful for opposing frontcourts, putting up 20.4 PTs, 8.5 REBs, and 3.7 ASTs over his last ten games.
As if being without Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) wasn’t bad enough, Rudy Gobert (ribs) has missed two of the last three games for the Timberwolves. He is listed as questionable to face the Jazz on Monday. Even if he plays, the absence of Towns makes Naz Reid a great option against a bad defensive team.
Top PF Options:
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- Pascal Siakam vs. CLE, ($7,700 DK; $8,300 FD)
- Naz Reid at UTA, ($7,300 DK; $7,800 FD)
- Rui Hachimura vs. ATL, ($5,900 DK; NA FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
There are a lot of appealing centers for this slate. One that stands out is Bam Adebayo, who will be taking on a 76ers team that doesn’t have much size with Joel Embiid (knee) out. His absence has contributed to them allowing the 11th-most REBs per game in the league.
BAM ADEBAYO'S DEEP TRIPLE WINS THE GAME ‼️#TissotBuzzerBeater#YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/WLWxx73eM5
— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2024
Sporting slightly lower salaries than Adebayo is Deandre Ayton, who has finally started to crank up his production. His overall numbers for the season are a bit disappointing, but he has averaged 24.5 PTs and 14.3 REBs over his last eight games.
If the Lakers don’t have Davis at their disposal, slowing down Clint Capela could be a huge problem. Entering this matchup, Capela has already recorded five straight double-doubles. While the Hawks did just play Sunday, Capela logged a modest 26 minutes, so the quick turnaround isn’t a huge concern.
Top C Options:
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- Bam Adebayo at PHI, ($8,700 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Deandre Ayton at CHI, ($8,200 DK; $8,200 FD)
- Clint Capela at LAL, ($6,500 DK; NA FD)
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Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
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- Hawks at Lakers (226 total)
- Cavaliers at Pacers (224.5 total)
- Pistons at Celtics (224 total)
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Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
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- The Celtics have a good matchup against the Pistons, but they just played Sunday and rested a few key players against the Wizards. They could still have some great options for DFS, but watch their injury report to see who will actually take the floor.
- Stay away from Buddy Hield. He is starting to see his role decline with Tyrese Maxey healthy, and he has a terrible matchup against the Heat.
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My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
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- My favorite overall play on the slate: Anthony Edwards
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: DeMar DeRozan
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Deandre Ayton
- My favorite value play: Ayo Dosunmu
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