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We have a small slate for a Wednesday, as there are only six games on the ledger. However, there are no shortage of big names in action and plenty of value opened up by injury, setting us up for what should be a fun night of lineup construction.
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 2/28/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EST 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 premium projections to see who we want to target for our top spend-ups tonight.
As just alluded to, we'll have plenty to choose from on the top shelf of DFS options tonight. While Nikola Jokic is one of the top projected plays on the slate based on a fantasy-point-per-dollar basis, I actually lean more toward slightly less pricier options that I believe have the potential to deliver a slightly better return on investment.
My three favorite are listed below, with Sabonis an intriguing pivot off Jokic for those that are willing to pay up at center. The double-double/triple-double machine is showing no signs of slowing down and has already posted a couple of 50+ fantasy-point tallies versus the Jokic and the Nuggets this season.
Barnes has sometimes featured as an Eastern Conference version of Sabonis, stuffing the stat sheet throughout most of the season and taking on an even bigger role since the trades of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. Barnes checks in off a 21-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist Sabonis-like triple-double he put together against the Pacers on Monday and should be an integral part of what projects as one of the highest-scoring games of the night against the Mavs.
Many often flock to Kawhi Leonard in the absence of Paul George (OUT-knee), but as indicated above, Harden actually projects for higher fantasy-point-per-dollar value. The matchup against the Lakers is a very favorable one positionally, and The Beard is averaging 45.9 DK/43.7 FD points per 36 minutes with PG 13 off the floor.
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- Domantas Sabonis, SAC at DEN - C/PF ($10,300 DK; $10,600 FD)
- Scottie Barnes, TOR vs. DAL – SF/PG ($9,200 DK; $9,500 FD)
- James Harden, LAC vs. LAL - PG/SG ($8,400 DK; $9,000 FD)
Domantas Sabonis recorded his 20th triple-double of the season tonight vs. LAC
He joins Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokic as the only players in NBA history with 20+ triple-doubles in a single season
All-time All-Star snub pic.twitter.com/XWJTfRi2Au
— Zak Hanshew (@ZaktheMonster) February 26, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
There's value stemming from both injury-created opportunity and expanded roles that lag behind salary in the trio listed below.
Olynyk could potentially draw a start against a Mavericks squad that's struggled against centers all season, as Jakob Poeltl is questionable due to an ankle injury. Even if Poeltl does play, he could certainly be limited to an extent, and Olynyk's floor-spacing prowess could make him an excellent value in a game with a massive projected total.
Jackson has had occasional bumps in the road, but he's been excellent overall off the bench for the injury-depleted Grizzlies. The floor-spacing big would have a tougher matchup down low if he were on Memphis' first unit, but he has a path of lesser resistance coming off the bench and is particularly sporting an appealing salary on DK.
Mann is another Clipper poised to benefit from the absence of George, and he checks in averaging 25.1 DK/24.5 FD points per 36 minutes without his teammate on the floor. Mann also comes in with a hot hand, having shot a blistering 62.5 percent over his last two games. Moreover, he's put up a 60.0 percent success rate from the field, including 57.1 percent from three-point range, in two games against the Lakers thus far.
Top Value Plays:
- Kelly Olynyk, TOR vs. DAL - C/PF ($4,900 DK; $5,500 FD)
- GG Jackson II, MEM at MIN - PF ($4,700 DK; $6,000 FD)
- Terance Mann, LAC vs. LAL – SG/PG ($4,400 DK; $5,000 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Doncic and Quickley weren't mentioned in the Core Plays section above, but both players are naturally excellent options as well in a matchup against one another.
Top PG Options:
- Luka Doncic, DAL at TOR – PG/SG ($12,000 DK; $12,400 FD)
- James Harden, LAC vs. LAL - PG/SG ($8,400 DK; $9,000 FD)
- Immanuel Quickley, TOR vs. DAL - PG/SG ($7,000 DK; $7,100 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Not to be forgotten in the Mavericks-Raptors hype is Irving, who's often overshadowed by his backcourt mate but who's put up some eye-popping totals in his own right recently. Meanwhile, Ingram is always a consideration at his current salaries and in a game that should bring a nice bump in pace for New Orleans. The fact CJ McCollum (ankle) could sit out again only makes Ingram more appealing.
Top SG Options:
- Kyrie Irving, DAL at TOR – SG/PG ($9,300 DK; $9,400 FD)
- Brandon Ingram, NOP at IND – SG/SF/PF ($8,200 DK; $8,000 FD)
- Terance Mann, LAC vs. LAL – SG/PG ($4,400 DK; $5,000 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
I'm not wowed by the overall pool at SF on Wednesday below Barnes, but Porter is certainly as rock solid a mid-salary play as there is, and even more so in what should be a very competitive game against the Kings. Powell is also a very intriguing value option without George and just scored 30.5 DK/28.4 FD points in his teammate's absence Sunday.
Top SF Options:
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- Scottie Barnes, TOR vs. DAL – SF/PG ($9,200 DK; $9,500 FD)
- Michael Porter Jr., DEN vs. SAC ($6,600 DK; $6,500 FD)
- Norman Powell, LAC vs. LAL ($4,800 DK; $4,800 FD)
How good of a passer is Scottie Barnes you ask? This good! #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/wBMb3KnqQS
— Doc Naismith ℠ (@DocNaismith) February 27, 2024
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
We have a couple of strong pay-up options in old rivals LeBron and Kawhi on Wednesday for yet another head-to-head matchup between the two future Hall of Famers. James' DK salary is especially eye-catching, and Leonard has ample ability to outpace his figures on both DK and FD, especially considering he's boasts a 28.4 percent usage rate and averages of 46.5 DK/48.2 FD points per 36 minutes without George in the lineup.
Top PF Options:
- LeBron James, LAL at LAC – PF/SF ($9,100 DK; $10,200 FD)
- Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs. LAL - PF/SF ($8,700 DK; $9,200 FD)
- GG Jackson II, MEM at MIN ($4,700 DK; $6,000 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
If pivoting from both Jokic and Sabonis, Mobley is a strong mid-salary consideration, while Olynyk's appeal as a value play was already discussed previously.
Top C Options:
- Domantas Sabonis, SAC at DEN - C/PF ($10,300 DK; $10,600 FD)
- Evan Mobley, CLE at CHI - C/PF ($7,200 DK; $7,800 FD)
- Kelly Olynyk, TOR vs. DAL - C/PF ($4,900 DK; $5,500 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Mavericks at Raptors (242.5 total)
- Pelicans at Pacers (241.5 total)
- Lakers at Clippers (236.5 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- I'm a bit concerned with investing in Donovan Mitchell tonight, considering there are several other appealing options if you're willing to invest heavily at point guard, as he'll be on his third game in four nights and just logged 38 minutes Tuesday.
- With the T-Wolves the largest favorites of the night at up to 12 points, paying up for the likes of Anthony Edwards or Karl-Anthony Towns, who's questionable after missing Tuesday's game for personal reasons, is likely not the most prudent use of salary, especially with the game also featuring the lowest projected total of the night.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite overall play on the slate: Domantas Sabonis
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Scottie Barnes
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: James Harden
- My favorite value play: Terance Mann
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