RADIO
Kevin Luchansky highlights the top FanDuel NBA DFS lineup picks for 3/30/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Baseball season may have started, but we still have a few healthy basketball slates left to roll with in the regular season. Nine games are on the docket for Friday night - let's make it a good one!
As of this writing, there are two games with really high projections from Vegas - and I'll center my stacks and game stacks around these four teams. First, we have a matchup between the Cavs and Pelicans that will be fast-paced, high scoring and low on the defensive output. All three of those factors are great for daily fantasy, and the games 229.5 point projection is coupled with a very attractive four point spread. The other belle of the ball is a matchup between the Nuggets and Thunder, featuring another monster total (224) and amazingly low (see also: desirable) spread of just 3.5 points.
Below you will find our daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 3/30/18. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options, to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel.
FanDuel DFS Guards
Isaiah Taylor - PG, vs PHI ($4,800)
Back to back impressive performances with over 30 Fanduel points in each - that's what Mr. Taylor has been up to since taking over a much larger role in this Hawks offense. Those impressive performances (and beating value in 7 of his 10) has raised his price pretty considerably - but with a positive matchup today in a great game environment, he's still very in play. Looking at his numbers for the past week, we can see that his past performances would have eclipsed value and then some even at this new price point. On top of that, the Sixers have allowed more than two points over price implied value to opposing point guards this season and they'll be without paint protector Joel Embiid. Opening up the paint for Taylor to drive and kick should equate to success tonight. In addition to Taylor, I like his backup Tyler Dorsey as well. Both point guards should see 25+ minutes tonight at bargain prices.
Also Consider: Russell Westbrook - PG, vs DEN ($11,400); Tyler Ulis - PG, at HOU ($4,200)
Lou Williams - SG, at POR ($6,800)
Recent intermittent struggles or not, this is too low of a price for Sweet Lou not to bite on. I'd say the matchup is pretty neutral, but add in the attractively low price and his high ceiling thanks to a near-nightly 30% Usage rate, and you've got a very good looking option at shooting guard. For the season, Williams has averaged 1.06 FanDuel points per game. That's an impressive number and even during this up-and-down run he's been on, that point-per-minute figure is at 0.98. With a 35 minute projection tonight in a game with a pretty high total (218), I'm all in on Williams in tournaments Friday night. (Depending on your roster construction and the way start/sit news plays out tonight, I think he's a fine cash play too.)
Also Consider: Andrew Wiggins - SG, at DAL ($6,700); Marco Belinelli - SG, at ATL ($4,000)
FanDuel DFS Forwards
Paul George - SF, vs DEN ($7,700)
It's slim pickins' at the small forward position tonight. Yes, the Greek Freak is on the slate as well, but the high price, recent uninspiring play and playing in a somewhat meaningless game scare me off him. George, on the other hand, is coming off a monster game and still has a very affordable price. On top of that, this is a huge game for the Thunder and essentially a must-win game for he and his Oklahoma City teammates. From a matchup standpoint, it's mostly neutral, but a 35+ minute projection and a Usage rate at 25% or better is enough to convince me that having George in my lineup tonight is going to be beneficial.
Also Consider: David Nwaba - SF, at ORL ($4,200); Robert Covington - SF, at ATL ($6,000)
Dario Saric - PF, at ATL ($6,600)
When the Embiid is away, Dario will play...much better! This season, in the 11 games Embiid has been sidelines, Saric averaged 5+ more FanDuel points per night than he normally does. That's a fairly large boost right there. and one of the main reasons Dario is my top point-per-dollar play of the night. He is sure to be popular, but this is a situation where I believe his upside (in tournaments) outweighs the likely high ownership in percentage. In cash games it shouldn't even be questioned - just lock Dario in. Not only is he a value, but he faces a very porous and banged up Atlanta defense that really struggles to defend the four position.
Also Consider: Al Farouq-Aminu - PF, vs LAC ($6,100); Nikola Mirotic - PF, at CLE ($4,600)
FanDuel DFS Centers
Dewayne Dedmon - C, vs PHI ($5,400)
With all the injuries Atlanta has on its roster (fake and otherwise), Dedmon has been racking up serious minutes on the court. In his last six games, he failed to reach the 29 minute mark just once (26) and has beaten value in five of those six games. With Joel Embiid sidelined now for the Sixers, the middle opens up quite a bit. That'll allow Dedmon to be more involved offensively and an easier time grabbing boards - a category he's been a monster in lately.
Also Consider: Richaun Holmes - C, at ATL ($3,800)
