FanDuel NBA DFS 3/24

These guys might not be the chalkiest options, but their upside rivals the core picks, and they could fly under the radar in GPPs.

Pascal Siakam - IND - PF ($8,100)

Siakam’s slipping under the radar a bit, and that’s exactly why I’m pumped to slot him in as a GPP pivot tonight. He’s been a rock for the Pacers, averaging 37.9 FanDuel points per game with 20.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on a steady 24% usage rate. He’s facing Minnesota, and while their defense is tough, there’s a window here for him to shine. The Timberwolves rank 10th in rebounding rate, so they’re strong on the boards, and they’re also 5th in 3-point attempts allowed, meaning they lock down the perimeter tight.

The Pacers’ 7th-ranked pace should keep this game moving (231 total), and with Minnesota playing slower (24th in pace), Siakam’s ability to score in the half-court and crash the glass could rack up points. Think 20-25 points, 8-10 rebounds, and a few assists.

At $8,100, he’s a steal compared to Tatum ($10,200) or Jokic ($12,700), and his ownership might stay low with flashier names drawing attention. For GPPs, his ceiling’s in the high 40s, maybe touching 50 if this turns into a tight, high-scoring battle. He’s my slick way to tap into this matchup without jumping on the Haliburton hype train.

Josh Giddey - CHI - PG/SG ($9,000)

If you’re hunting for a GPP differentiator, Giddey’s your guy, I’m calling it now, this could be a breakout night. His recent form is screaming upside: over the last three games, he’s averaging 37.7 FanDuel points, a whopping 22.6-point jump from his season average, fueled by a usage spike and extra minutes (up to 31.9 per game). He’s dishing out 6.9 assists, grabbing 7.7 rebounds, and chipping in 14.0 points, turning into a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court.

Denver’s the perfect dance partner here, they play at a brisk 6th-ranked pace and have a middling defense (21st in defensive rating) that’s been generous to guards who can facilitate and crash the boards. This game’s 237.5 total is the highest on the slate, and with Nikola Jokic (questionable, ankle) potentially at less than 100%, Giddey could exploit Denver’s backcourt in transition. The Nuggets rank 6th in pace allowed, so the tempo will be there, and Giddey’s 1.23 FD points per minute over his last three games show he’s capitalizing on every opportunity.

At $9,000, he’s criminally underpriced for this form, most will gravitate toward Jokic or Jamal Murray in this matchup, leaving Giddey as the low-owned gem. His ceiling is 50+, maybe even 60 if he hits a triple-double, and that’s the kind of output that wins GPPs. He’s my favorite tournament play tonight, hands down.

CJ McCollum - NOP - SG/PG ($7,000)

McCollum’s the definition of a high-risk, high-reward GPP dart, and I’m all in on the upside here. Zion Williamson’s questionable with a back issue, and if he sits, McCollum’s usage could climb from its current 27% into the low 30s, he’s averaged 35 FanDuel points per game this season, but that jumps to 40+ without Zion eating touches. Philly’s coming to town, and they’re a mess defensively right now, 27th in defensive rating, and with Kelly Oubre sidelined (knee), their backcourt is even thinner.

This game’s got a juicy 234 total, and the Pelicans are 6-point favorites, so the scoring should flow freely. McCollum’s been a bucket-getter at 21.1 points per game, and he’s tacking on 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds, giving him that multi-category appeal FanDuel loves. His minutes have hovered around 32.7 lately, but if Zion’s out, I’d bet on 35+, and that’s where the ceiling opens up, think 25-30 points, 5-6 assists, and a few boards for a shot at 45 FanDuel points.

At $7,000, he’s a steal compared to the $8,000+ mid-tier guards, and his ownership could stay low with so many injury-dependent plays in the mix. The risk is real, Zion playing caps his upside, but if the news breaks right, McCollum’s a GPP game-changer. Keep an eye on that injury report and be ready to pounce.

DeMar DeRozan - SAC - SF/PF ($7,600)

DeRozan’s my contrarian GPP swing and this could be a spot where he reminds everyone why he’s a mid-range assassin. Sacramento’s got injury question marks all over the place, Domantas Sabonis (questionable, ankle) and Malik Monk (questionable, illness) could miss, and if either sits, DeRozan’s usage is going to skyrocket from its already healthy 24%. He’s averaging 35.8 FanDuel points per game with 22.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, and he’s logged 35.9 minutes a night, so the opportunity is baked in.

Boston’s a brutal matchup on paper, 5th in defensive rating and stingy across the board, but DeRozan’s game isn’t matchup-dependent; he lives in the mid-range, where the Celtics can’t just scheme him out. If Sabonis and Monk are out, he could see 20+ shots against a Celtics squad that might be missing Jaylen Brown (doubtful, knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (questionable, illness), thinning their defensive depth.

The Kings are 3.5-point underdogs in a 224.5-total game, but DeRozan thrives in these gritty, half-court battles. At $7,600, he’s a steal for a guy who could hit 50 FanDuel points if Sacramento leans on him as the primary scorer. Ownership will likely gravitate toward Tatum or the chalkier Kings like Zach LaVine, making DeRozan a perfect pivot for GPPs. He’s got that veteran savvy to take over, and I’m betting on it tonight.

Now we’re getting into the nitty-gritty, those under-$6,000 gems who can stretch your salary cap and let you jam in the heavy hitters like Jokic or Tatum.

Jose Alvarado - NOP - PG ($5,000)

Alvarado’s the kind of scrappy value play that makes you feel smart when it hits, and tonight could be his moment. He’s averaging 23 FanDuel points per game this season, and that’s with just 23.9 minutes a night, pretty efficient for a $5,000 price tag. The big kicker here is Zion Williamson’s status, he’s questionable with a back issue, and if he sits, Alvarado’s minutes could climb into the high 20s, maybe even low 30s.

When Zion’s been off the floor this year, Alvarado’s usage ticks up to around 19%, and he’s been a pest on both ends, averaging 9.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. Philly’s the opponent, and they’re ripe for the picking, Kelly Oubre’s out with a knee injury, leaving their backcourt shorthanded, and their 27th-ranked defensive rating means they’re leaking points everywhere. Alvarado’s tenacious defense is tailor-made for FanDuel scoring, he’s averaging over a steal per game, and against a Sixers squad that ranks 19th in points allowed, he could snag 2-3 steals to juice his line.

This game’s 234 total hints at plenty of possessions, and with New Orleans favored by 6, they might lean on their guards to keep the tempo up. At $5,000, he’s a cash game lifesaver, his floor is a safe 20-25 points with his hustle stats, but if Zion’s out and the Pelicans go small, he’s got 30+ upside in GPPs. He’s the perfect plug-and-play to unlock those big spends up top.

Aaron Nesmith - IND - SF/PF ($5,300)

Nesmith is the poster child for a minutes-driven value play, and he’s been cashing in lately in a way that makes him a cash game sweetheart. Over his last three games, he’s averaging 30.4 minutes, up from his season baseline of 25.1, and he’s turning that extra run into 20.8 FanDuel points per game with 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. He’s not a usage monster at 16%, but he doesn’t have to be; he’s a hustle player who thrives on effort, grabbing boards, and picking his spots to score, including the occasional 3.

Minnesota’s defense is no joke, 6th in defensive rating, so it’s not an easy matchup. They play at a slower clip, ranking 24th in pace, which keeps the game’s tempo in check, but that actually fits Nesmith’s style; he’s steady in a half-court grind, not reliant on a track meet to produce. The Wolves are also 5th in 3-point attempts allowed, meaning they clamp down on outside shots, so Nesmith’s 3-point pop might be limited, but his value isn’t tied to that anyway. His rebounding, hustle, and spot-up scoring give him a reliable floor regardless.

Indy’s favored by 2 in a 231-total game, and Nesmith’s role as the glue guy alongside Haliburton and Siakam is rock-solid, he’s not losing minutes to anyone. At $5,300, he’s a cash game lock for me; you’re banking 20-22 points, which is a steal at this price. For GPPs, he’s not the flashiest, his ceiling probably caps at 30, but if you’re crafting a boom-or-bust lineup and need a safe piece to balance it, Nesmith’s your guy. He’s quietly dependable and won’t sink your ship.

Jaxson Hayes - LAL - C ($4,900)

Hayes is the budget center I’m targeting to round out this value tier, and he’s got some sneaky appeal tonight. He’s averaging 17.6 FanDuel points in just 19.8 minutes per game this season, posting a tidy 0.94 FD points per minute with 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a dash of assists (1.2). Earlier this year, when Anthony Davis was sidelined, Hayes flashed potential with a few 20+ point outings, and since Davis has been traded to the Mavericks, Hayes has been seeing a bigger role for the Lakers.

Tonight, he faces Orlando, and their interior defense is legit, 2nd in defensive rating and a brick wall for bigs, but they’re middling at 17th in rebounding rate, which could leave some scraps for Hayes to gobble up with his athleticism, especially on putbacks or lobs from LeBron and Reaves. The Lakers are 4-point favorites in a game with a low 215.5 total, and Orlando’s sluggish pace (29th) might cap possessions, but Hayes doesn’t need a ton of run to hit value, 23-25 minutes could push him to 20-25 FanDuel points if he grabs boards or swats a shot (those blocks are FanDuel gold).

At $4,900, he’s a dirt-cheap center with a decent floor, think 15-18 points as a baseline, which is clutch in cash games to make your high-end plays work. For GPPs, his ceiling could climb to 25-30 if things break his way. Of course, there’s risk if Orlando’s defense stifles him but that's the risk we take in GPPs. He feels like a nice punt play to free up salary without tanking your lineup’s safety all things considered.