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Welcome back, RotoBallers! Tonight we've got an eight-game slate headlined by a TNT doubleheader of Celtics at Cavaliers and Suns at Nuggets. These articles focus on the overall best plays, which are typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
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 3/5/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EST on FanDuel and DraftKings. As always, feel free to follow my X/Twitter (@Maxadelphia) to keep up to date with NBA news and for my nightly NBA bets if you're into that sort of thing. Let's go!
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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.
With tonight's slate, we're dealing with a lot of injured big names. Five of the seven most expensive players are already ruled out, like Donovan Mitchell and LaMelo Ball, while some are carrying questionable tags that a final status will warp the slate, like Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson. This slate is interesting because both stars and scrubs or more balanced lineups are very manageable. However, the more of the $8,000+ players are ruled out, the more likely people will want to play their cheap backups.
One game stands out in a major way from the rest; Pacers at Mavericks. The implied total of 246 is 17(!) points higher than the next closest game (Spurs at Rockers - 229), so all your algorithms and hand-builders alike will gravitate towards players in this game when making 2v2 or 3v3 decisions.
- Luka Doncic, DAL vs IND – PG ($12,200 DK; $12,700 FD)
- Victor Wembanyama, SAS @ HOU – PF/C ($10,700 DK; $12,000 FD)
- Darius Garland, CLE vs BOS – PG ($7,200 DK; $7,600 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
Starting with injuries we already know about; the Cavs' backcourt is dealing with not only Donovan Mitchell but also Max Strus and potentially Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro. The Cavs will be thin, exactly how thin is yet to be determined, but you'll probably be playing 1-2 Cavs minimum in cash. Two other teams that stand out from an injury lens are the Hornets and Raptors. Both teams are missing a few starters, and provide multiple options to consider under $5,000.
Once again, the Pistons game sees players on both sides looking affordable. In particular, the Heat's best players look to be a little underpriced in this spot. Someone like Jimmy Butler is too expensive to be a value play, but Nikola Jovic has started two games in a row and figures to start again tonight. For the Pistons, Evan Fournier has scored in double-digits five times in eight games since becoming a Piston.
Top Value Plays:
- Cleveland Cavaliers, CLE vs BOS – SG or SFs
- Evan Fournier, DET @ MIA – SG/SF ($3,600 DK; $4,500 FD)
- Davis Bertans, CHA vs ORL – PF ($4,000 DK; $3,900 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
PG has two of the best plays on the slate tonight; Luka and Darius Garland. Luka is coming in as the newly anointed Player of the Month in the Western Conference, having posted three straight 30+ point triple-doubles, and having scored 71+ fantasy points in five of his last six games. Combined with the best game environment, it's hard to poke holes in this spot. Garland on the other hand only becomes more appealing with each Cavalier ruled out.
The best of February Western Conference @Kia Player of the Month Luka Doncic! #KiaPOTM
33.4 PPG | 9.6 RPG | 10.3 APG | 1.8 SPG pic.twitter.com/0KPpyXKmC3
— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2024
Top PG Options:
- Luka Doncic, DAL vs IND – PG ($12,200 DK; $12,700 FD)
- Darius Garland, CLE vs BOS – PG ($7,200 DK; $7,600 FD)
- Vasilije Micic, CHA vs ORL – PG/SG ($5,000 DK; $4,800 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Due to the lack of options with a huge ceiling, it looks like looking for value is the best move at SG tonight.
Top SG Options:
- Sam Merrill (or another Cavalier), CLE vs BOS – SG ($4,100 DK; $4,800 FD)
- Evan Fournier, DET @ MIA – SG/SF ($3,600 DK; $4,500 FD)
- Tim Hardaway Jr, DAL vs IND – SG/SF ($4,600 DK; $5,000 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
SF has a plethora of mid-range options tonight. SF seems to be the most fairly-priced position on the slate, which makes it a very important decision. Jimmy Butler is turning it on at the right time of year, and he sticks out as the best choice if you're looking to spend up a little.
Jimmy Butler post All Star break
♦️ 24.PPG
♦️ 7.2 APG
♦️ 6.8 RPG
♦️ 2.4 SPG
♦️ 53.8 3P%It’s becoming that time for Jimmy 🔥🐐 pic.twitter.com/Rzs73RanSC
— Emo Jimmy (@WheelerJaylen) March 3, 2024
Top SF Options:
- Jimmy Butler, MIA vs DET – SG/SF ($8,100 DK; $8,900 FD)
- Ochai Agbaji, TOR vs NO ($4,800 DK; $4,100 FD)
- Trey Murphy, NO @ TOR ($5,600 DK; $6,300 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
PF has some of the best value plays on the slate tonight. I will be looking to spend down, but if you want to spend up here, Paolo Banchero is once again underpriced with a great matchup.
Top PF Options:
- Davis Bertans, CHA vs ORL – PF ($4,000 DK; $3,900 FD)
- Caleb Martin, MIA vs DET ($4,800 DK; $5,300 FD)
- Dorian Finney-Smith, BKN vs PHI ($4,500 DK; $4,700 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
While Center is usually a priority position, tonight feels more like a "play what fits" kind of night. There are viable options at all price tiers, so you can choose to start or end here without causing too much headache.
Top C Options:
- Victor Wembanyama, SAS @ MIN – PF/C ($9,900 DK; $10,700 FD)
- Grant Williams, CHA vs ORL ($5,400 DK; $5,700 FD)
- Dereck Lively, DAL vs IND ($4,700 DK; $5,600 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Pacers at Mavericks (246 total)
- Spurs at Rockets (228.5 total)
- Pistons at Heat (217 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- If all the Celtics play, I'll look to avoid them due to the potential risk of a blowout. If Brown or Porzingis miss the game I would consider their other starters.
- Hawks at Knicks have the second-lowest implied total of the slate (216).
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: Luka Doncic
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Darius Garland
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jimmy Butler
- My favorite value play: Whoever starts at SG and SF for the Cavaliers
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