It’s an exciting time of year with the Final Four this weekend, MLB just about to start and the Masters just around the corner. All of these events do take away from the NBA as the regular season winds down, so this will likely be my last NBA article (unless I feel an urge to get in some hoops) as I will be transitioning to write some MLB DFS articles starting next week with the Home Run prediction series that I did last season. So let’s give the NBA a proper send off by providing some recommendations that hopefully help someone take home a big tournament.
As usual, I will be picking “One Stud” who is priced over $9,000 on FanDuel as my stud to pay up for on the night. Then for each position, I will give a “Top Play” who comes in at $9,000 or less and finally a “Value Pick” that is $6,000 or less. Hit me up on Twitter @Rotopilot if you have any feedback.
As always be sure to watch for late-breaking news before finalizing your lineup. So, with that here are my FanDuel player recommendations for the Friday slate…
NBA DFS FanDuel lineup advice for March 31, 2017
One Stud
DeMarcus Cousins (NO) $9,600
Who better to be the one stud of the night than Boogie Cousins playing in his first game against his old team the Kings. If only the game was in Sac-town then we might really have something. Cousins returned to the court after a two-game absence to put up 58.2 FanDuel points in a “tough” matchup against the Mavericks. Tonight he gets a much easier matchup and comes in as my top projected player on the slate. Boogie doesn’t seem like the type that would hold a grudge or be out for revenge, does he?
Point Guards
Top Play: Kemba Walker (CHA) $7,600
Walker’s production took a hit in his last game with only 25.8 FanDuel points against the Raptors but prior to that he had four straight games with at least 35 FanDuel points including a 50 FD point night against the Suns. Tonight Walker get another up-tempo game against a bad defense when he takes on the Nuggets who have allowed increased production in points (+14.3%) and assists (+4.9%) to opposing PG. He could go for another 50-burger.
Value Pick: TJ McConnell (PHI) $5,600
McConnell is getting all of the minutes at PG with Sergio Rodriguez out topping 35 in each of his last two games while scoring 27.6 and 30.4 FanDuel points respectively. He gets a good matchup against the Cavaliers tonight who may choose to rest some of their starters in the second game of a back-to-back. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have allowed increased production in points, assists and steals to opposing PG making McConnell a good bet for another game around 30 FanDuel points to pay off his cheap salary.
Other Options: Russell Westbrook (OKC) $13,300 / Stephen Curry (GS) $10,200 / Isaiah Thomas (BOS) $8,500
Shooting Guards
Top Pick: DeMar DeRozan (TOR) $9,200
If you have read my column this year you know that I frequently break my rules of selecting players under $9000 except for the “One Stud”. Well, today I will break that rule at the SG position where there are not many mid-range options and pay up for DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan continues to carry the offense for the Raptors with Kyle Lowry still out including scoring 36+ points in three of his last five games. He only has a so-so matchup against the Pacers but with both teams fighting for playoff positioning and DeRozan clear of any back-to-backs, look for him to assert himself in big minutes on Friday.
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Value Pick: Nicolas Batum (CHA) $6,300
It’s easy to break rules after you have already done it once, so I’m going with another rule breaker in Batum priced just over my $6000 threshold for my value pick at SG. Much like Walker, Batum has a plus matchup and game environment playing at home against the Nuggets. Batum averages about 2.5 more FanDuel points per game at home this season and should see increased production in points, rebounds, assists and steals against the Nuggets’ defense.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $10,100 / Avery Bradley (BOS) $6,200 / Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (PHI) $3,900
Small Forwards
Top Pick: Paul George (IND) $8,900
George is one of those plays where you sometimes have to go against the numbers due to the situation and your gut. George has a tough matchup against the Raptors who have allowed decreased production to opposing SF in every category this season, however, George appears to be on a mission to carry the Pacers into the playoffs. He has topped 40 FanDuel points in four of his last six games including scoring over 48 FanDuel points three times during that stretch. Every game is a must-win game for the Pacers and George will continue to carry the team on his back.
Value Pick: Trevor Ariza (HOU) $5,600
Ariza’s minutes and fantasy production has been on the rise since Ryan Anderson went down with an injury. Over the last three games, Ariza is averaging 38.3 minutes and 38.8 FanDuel points per game. His salary is still just $5,600 and he has a solid matchup with the Warriors on Friday who have allowed increased production in rebounds (+2.5%), assists (+6.5%) and steals (+23.2%) to opposing SF. His value would go up even higher if the Rockets decide to rest James Harden and his sore wrist.
Other Options: Kawhi Leonard (SA) $6,600 / Gordon Hayward (UTH) $7,700 / Terrance Ross (ORL) $4,400
Power Forwards
Top Pick: Kristaps Porzingis (NY) $7,200
This spot was a toss-up between Porzingis and LaMarcus Aldridge. Both have the same salary and both have a touch matchup against the Heat and Thunder respectively. I’ll give the slight edge to Porzingis who has more upside, especially if Derrick Rose misses another game. Porzingis has topped 35 FanDuel points in five of his last six games, including 35.6 FD points against the Heat on Wednesday.
Value Pick: Richaun Holmes (PHI) $5,800
Holmes continues to play around 30 minutes a night with all of the injuries to the Sixers frontcourt. His production can be a little hit-or-miss as they don’t run many plays for him but with Robert Covington also out now, Holmes put up 39.1 FanDuel points against the Hawks in his last game. He has a neutral matchup against the Cavaliers but the salary, minutes and upside make him a solid option.
Other Options: Anthony Davis (NO) $11,200 / LaMarcus Aldridge (SA) $7,200 / Aaron Gordon (ORL) $5,200
Centers
Top Pick: Rudy Gobert (UTH) $9,000
Gobert has been a beast recently topping 50 FanDuel points in four of his last seven games. His price has been on the rise taking away some of his “value” but with a solid matchup against the Wizards who allow increased production in points and blocks, he remains a solid bet for at least 40 FanDuel points. I prefer Cousins for just $600 more but Gobert could be a good lower owned pivot.
Value Pick: Clint Capela (HOU) $5,600
Capela continues to be a solid low priced option at center scoring at least 22 FanDuel points in 13 of his last 14 games. He doesn’t have big upside but if you want to lock down 25-30 FanDuel points from your center to pay up elsewhere, Capela is a solid option. Tristan Thompson could also be a solid pivot if the Cavs decide to rest the Big 3.
Other Options: Nikola Vucevic (ORL) $8,100 / Al Horford (BOS) $7,100 / Tristan Thompson (CLE) $4,900
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