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We have an exciting Sunday slate with ten teams on the main slate to wrap up the weekend. The Kings-Thunder matchup grades out the best as it features the highest implied total (by six points) and two squads that bleed fantasy points to opposing teams. The Wolves-Warriors and Clippers-Nuggets affairs are also highly intriguing, while we will have plenty of studs and value options to pick out in the Rockets-Blazers matchup. Let's get to it.
Here is my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 2/26/23. Keep an eye on RotoBaller’s NBA injury news and also our full NBA injury report today to stay up to date before lineups are locked.
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DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Damian Lillard, vs. HOU (FD: $10,500, DK: $11,400)
Damian Lillard against the Rockets? Can I sign up twice? Lillard needs 57 DK points to reach 5x value, and he has been at or over that number in his last four games with at least 33 real-life points in each contest. He's $900 cheaper on FanDuel, so he's an even better play over on the blue site. The Rockets allow the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing teams, the most fantasy points per game to opposing points guards, and the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA. Lillard was held to 51.25 DK points in his only meeting with this squad back in mid-December as he shot just 7-for-20 from the field - I don't see that happening again with how this team is currently constructed combined with his hotter-than-ever recent form. We'll want to hope the Rockets keep the game close enough for the star veteran to play his full complement of minutes.
Isaiah Joe, vs. SAC (FD: $5,300, DK: $3,900)
Joe will be one of the most popular plays on the slate, so if you're looking for a more contrarian "cheap guard" option here, look to TyTy Washington Jr., Jae'Sean Tate, Cam Reddish, Matisse Thybulle, or Daishen Nix. We're going to Joe here because he played 36 minutes and scored 39.75 DK points last game as a fill-in for the injured Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is out again, and Joe's salary is still in the basement over on DraftKings, so we have to take advantage of the opportunity for easy value. Playing in the top game environment on the slate certainly helps - as does playing the team featuring the sixth-worst defensive rating and the eighth-most fantasy points per game allowed to opposing point guards.
Also consider: Anthony Edwards, TyTy Washington Jr., Daishen Nix, Josh Giddey, Caris LeVert, Malik Monk, Mike Conley
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DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Lu Dort, vs. SAC (DK: $4,600) DraftKings Only
You can apply most of the reasoning for playing Joe in the blurb above to Dort's recommendation here. SGA will be out again, and for whatever reason, DraftKings didn't adjust Dort's salary (up $100) after he played 36 minutes and scored at least 35.75 DK points in two straight games. Dort sees significant jumps in his usage rate (20% -> 26%) and FPTS/min (0.86 -> 1.03) with both SGA and Pokusevski off the floor, and as stated above, his production could see an even bigger boost with how forgiving the Kings are on defense.
Donte DiVincenzo, vs. MIN (FD: $5,300, DK: $5,300) If starting
Can I recommend "none" as the answer? There isn't much to love here outside of Dort, as the value players we're considering are either dealing with inconsistent production or playing time. We're going with DiVincenzo, who has one of the most interesting nicknames in the league (in my opinion): "The Michael Jordan of Delaware." While he hasn't received the 30+ minutes per night we usually look for, he has typically played between 26 and 35 minutes recently with Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green out of the lineup. He averages precisely 1.00 FPTS/min with those three off the floor this season, and we have to like his chances at hitting value against a Wolves squad that is searching for answers on both sides of the ball. They're allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game over their last seven games, and they just permitted the Hornets to score 72 first-half points against them on Friday (en route to 121 total points). The Hornets currently rank second-to-last in offensive rating. Fire up "The Big Ragu" as a mid-range play with upside for more tonight.
Also consider: Kenrich Williams, Cam Reddish, Tari Eason, Matisse Thybulle, Jae'sean Tate, KJ Martin, Jabari Smith Jr., Kyle Anderson, Jalen Williams, Jerami Grant
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Nikola Jokic, vs. LAC (FD: $11,600, DK: $11,800)
Jokic was under 10% rostered last night in what appeared to be a relative "smash spot" against a Grizzlies team missing one of their premier interior defenders in Steven Adams. It turned out the field was right as he put up a lineup-killing 35.75 DK points in one of his worst games of the year. It makes all the sense in the world to go right back to the reigning back-to-back MVP with all of the Thunder and Rockets' value on the board, especially if he's going to be an unpopular play again tonight. The Clippers have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers this year. While both teams play slowly, it's looking like a game we want to target, as Vegas has it slated for a respectable 233-point implied total. Jokic has posted two subpar games against them already this year, but I'm banking on him wanting to get back on track here with a dominant performance against an overmatched frontcourt at home.
Also consider: Jaylin Williams, Jakob Poeltl, Evan Mobley, Drew Eubanks, Domantas Sabonis, Alperen Sengun
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