DraftKings and FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (3/5/23): NBA DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on March 5th, 2023. Kyle Ringstad provides NBA DFS analysis and sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

Welcome to another Sunday, RotoBallers. We have a seven-game slate on tap tonight, and it should be a good one, highlighted by a Jazz-Thunder game that holds the highest implied total on the board. The Spurs-Rockets matchup is an appealing game that's a repeat from last night, but Keldon Johnson's return squashes any value we could've had on the San Antonio side. The Grizzlies are treating us to some can't-miss value that will be chalky, but it won't be hard to differentiate lineups with 14 teams in play tonight. Let's get to it.

Here is my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 3/5/23. 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.

DraftKings and FanDuel Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Tyus Jones, vs. LAC (FD: $6,000, DK: $3,100) DraftKings Preferred

We don't get "free squares" too often in NBA DFS, but we must take advantage when we get them. Tyus Jones will again enter the starting lineup for Ja Morant, as the latter has been suspended for at least two games. Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks will also miss this contest, leaving Jones with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson as the primary producers for the offense tonight. The veteran point guard holds a 21.7% usage rate and 1.04 FPTS/min rate with Morant, Clarke, and Brooks off the floor this season, and that's going to get the job done all day and twice on Sundays at his rock-bottom DraftKings salary. The Clippers aren't the most enticing team to face, but they're allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season.

Spencer Dinwiddie, vs. CHA (FD: $7,600, DK: $7,100) DraftKings Preferred

The Nets are in a great spot to put up fantasy points against the Hornets tonight. Charlotte is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game overall, and while they rank the worst against power forwards and centers, they're also vulnerable against guards. The Net-turned-Mavericks-turned-Net point guard is in great form, averaging just over 39 DK points per game and a 1.12 FPTS/min rate over his last four contests. He will continue to see a lot of run as the primary ball handler in the offense, and we have to love spots like this against a Hornets defense that bleeds fantasy points.

Also consider: Cole Anthony, Shaedon Sharpe, Talen Horton-Tucker, Desmond Bane, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Damian Lillard

Want more NBA DFS tools and content? Our NBA Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Slack Chatrooms where members can chat with our NBA analysts. Check out this big win from RotoBaller premium member Bsuperak on FanDuel using our Premium tools - join in on the winning!

DraftKings and FanDuel Forwards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Tari Eason, vs. SAS (FD: $6,200, DK: $4,400) DraftKings Preferred

DraftKings must have something against Eason. He's averaging 35.4 DK points per game over his last four games, and he just put up 38.25 DK points last night. Somehow, he was only given a $100 increase in salary? OK...we'll take that and run with it - thanks. Eason was written up here yesterday because of his recent upswing in minutes and production combined with the #1 matchup an NBA opponent can ask for. He gets the same matchup tonight against the Spurs, a team that allows the most fantasy points per game overall and specifically to power forwards. Take the value and differentiate elsewhere.

Jaren Jackson Jr., vs. LAC (FD: $8,000, DK: $7,700) 

As stated in the Jones blurb above, Memphis will be looking to fill the void caused by Morant, Clarke, and Brooks being out for tonight's contest. Jackson holds the team's highest usage rate (30.1%) with those three out, and his 1.37 FPTS/min rate should also pair nicely with his 30-ish minute projection. Jackson still has his bouts with foul trouble, but he's averaging a solid 34.9 DK points per game this season, and he's capable of putting up the occasional 50-burger from time to time (as he did on 2/15 with 56.75 DK points against Utah). The Clippers allow the fifth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards this season so another ceiling game could be on the horizon for Triple-J tonight.

Also consider: Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O'Neale, Ochai Agbaji, Cameron Johnson, Matisse Thybulle, Cam Reddish, Paolo Banchero

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks

Walker Kessler, vs. OKC (DK: $6,800) DraftKings Preferred

Kessler is still affordably priced, and his consistency has been impressive recently. He has put up at least 33.5 DK points in his last five games, spiking for 47 DK points on 2/23 against the squad he'll be facing tonight. He only mustered 32.75 DK points on Friday against them, though, as his minutes were cut short due to the game being a blowout. I don't see that being the case tonight, as the Thunder are three-point favorites over the Jazz in their home arena. The Thunder allow the seventh-most fantasy points per game to centers and permit the fifth-most blocks per game to the position. Kessler could be a contest winner tonight.

Also consider: Nic Claxton, Trendon Watford, Jaylin Williams, Kelly Olynyk, Xavier Tillman, Wendell Carter Jr.

Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis