Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings and DraftStreet 3/6/14

So, we're trying a little something new for our Thursday picks. Since there are so few games on Thursdays, and the options are so limited, it's rare that we'll do anything than go strictly by what the system suggest, in combination with punts. Full write-ups, therefore, feel a little bit forced. We'll give a line or two about guys where needed, but otherwise, just figure the system loves the guy.

 

Point Guards

Darren Collison - FanDuel $5,600 DraftKings $4,900 DraftStreet $10,631
If Crawford is out, Collison turns into a must-play. You're getting 40 minutes against the league's 2nd worst defense for bench-player prices. All over it.

Goran Dragic - FanDuel $8,500 DraftKings $7,700 DraftStreet $15,669
The Thunder have been a lot better against PGs with Westbrook out of the lineup. The good news for Dragic is that he's facing off against not only Westbrook, but hurt Westbrook. Could be a very big game for the Dragon this time around - I'm guessing at least 40 FPs.

Chris Paul - FanDuel $9,300 DraftKings $9,600
One of the most consistent plays in the game against one of the world's worst defenses? Sounds good to me. Some blow-out risk in play here, but CP3 will want to put on a show against the mutual home crowd.

Russell Westbrook - FanDuel $7,700
Westbrook is a $8,500 player at least, but FD hasn't caught up to him yet. And he hasn't even gotten back into his full starter slate of minutes! Always some risk with a guy who is playing 30 minutes or less, but the triple double he posted in 20 minutes (20 minutes!) of PT last time around gives me hope that there's safety AND upside for Russell at this price.

Patrick Mills - FanDuel $5,000 DraftKings $4,500 DraftStreet $10,728
Pop doesn't seem to trust Parker yet, and Mills is still under-priced. Don't love the matchup against the Heat, but he should still see 20-25 minutes. Not a double-up play, but the upside is right for a GPP.

 

Shooting Guards

Kent Bazemore - FanDuel $4,800 DraftKings $4,500 DraftStreet $11,296
Baze just killing it in starters minutes. Doesn't it feel good to pay less for Baze more? Terrible pun alert. Sorry.

Gerald Green - FanDuel $6,300 DraftKings $6,200 DraftStreet $11,649
Green is quietly super consistent recently, not dipping below 20 FPs, and having a few explosions.

Manu Ginobili - FanDuel $4,700 DraftKings $5,200 DraftStreet $10,407
Doing plenty at these prices, with some upside built in if he has one of his 28 minute games instead of a 22 minute game. Better on FD than DS.

Jodie Meeks - FanDuel $5,600 DraftKings $4,800 DraftStreet $10,325
A double-up play - little or no upside here. But given the slim night, you could lock in his 4-5x multiplier for safety and take some risks elsewhere.

Dwyane Wade - FanDuel $8,200 DraftKings $7,400 DraftStreet $15,468
Not my favorite play on the board, but fine for double-ups if he plays. Wouldn't touch him in a GPP.

 

Small Forwards

Matt Barnes - FanDuel $5,300 DraftKings $5,600 DraftStreet $11,999
Just killing since Crawford has been out, including a 28 point explosion his last go around. There is some rumor Crawford may play, though - so keep an eye out around game time. If Crawford does play, I like him as much as Barnes.

Kawhi Leonard - FanDuel $6,200 DraftKings $6,100 DraftStreet $14,068
Consistent Beast - play him everywhere.

Wesley Johnson - FanDuel $5,200 DraftKings $5,800 DraftStreet $11,045
Price still doesn't reflect his heavy starter minutes for some reason.

Kevin Durant - FanDuel $12,100 DraftKings $11,000 DraftStreet $23,890
Like him better than LeBron tonight - aside from Lebron's one explosion, he has been fairly normal recently. Like LeBron a lot better if D-wade plays.

 

Power Forwards

Pau Gasol
Pau is back to being the centerpiece of the Lakers lineup, and he'll want the ball against their cross-town rivals. I'm loving him for both safety and upside, and given the shallow PF position tonight, I'll probably roll with him everywhere.

Blake Griffin - FanDuel $9,700 DraftKings $9,300 DraftStreet $18,503
Blake looked like someone from the And-1 tour the last time I watched him against the Lakers, and that's good enough for me. I'm not sure who is supposed to cover him? This could be a true train-wreck, and I'll have the popcorn by my side and Blake on my squads.Boris Diaw
Diaw continues to perform on these sub $5k prices, regardless of his role on the team.

Markieff Morris - FanDuel $5,700 DraftKings $5,500 DraftStreet $11,256
Screw you, Markieff Morris. Every time I play you score 12 points, and whenever I don't play you you score 35 and are a 94% start. All numbers approximate. Still, though - I hate your guts, and must still recommend you tonight as likely the highest upside play on the board.

Marcus Morris - FanDuel $4,000 DraftKings $4,300 DraftStreet $7,630
Ah, here's a Morris I can get behind. A little risky for Double-ups, but it's a short night, and there's a lot of upside to dream on here.

 

Centers

DeAndre Jordan - FanDuel $8,300 DraftKings $7,500 DraftStreet $17,415
The other part of the And-1 tour, DeAndre can get higher in the air than any Lakers player by at least 6 inches. I fully expect him to get every rebound, and occasionally dunk some of these rebounds into the basketball hoop below him. Strongest center play by a mile on FD.

Chris Bosh - FanDuel $6,600 DraftKings $6,400 DraftStreet $12,164
Bosh is the premier DraftStreet play, where he is pretty underpriced, and a nice play on FD as well. Some weird disappearing acts are depressing his projection and price, but I am ready for a big bounce back tonight against a Spurs team that doesn't match up very well against his face-up game.

Chris Andersen - FanDuel $3,800 DraftKings $3,300 DraftStreet $7,286
I fell in love with Bird Man when he famously missed approximately a zillion dunks in the dunk contest - and am as pleased as punch that I can roll with him as a punt on a short slate of games.