DFS NBA Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings - Thursday 3/3

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Point Guard

Dejounte Murray FD - $9600 DK - $10600
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 51.22 DK - 53.99

Let's get things started with a player who checks every single box and it starts with the matchup. The Spurs are arguably in the best spot of the night in a game with a monster total(238) facing a Kings team ranking 29th in defense and 6th in pace while also playing on a back-to-back on the road. For Murray, there have been a few less than stellar performances in the short term but he has still maintained an average of 54.6 DK/51.2 FD points per game since the start of February. All things considered, Murray is one of my top plays on the slate, especially on FanDuel where he remains in the sub $10K range.

Ayo Dosunmu FD - $6300 DK - $5300
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 27.22 DK - 29.28

This Bulls/Hawks game is also very intriguing tonight in that it has the second-highest total(23.5) on the slate and is expected to stay relatively close with the Bulls opening as a six-point road favorite. My exposure to this game starts with Ayo who has seen his DK price drop to its lowest point since joining the starting lineup back in mid-January. Take out the dud vs. Memphis last Saturday and he is averaging 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 stocks per game going back to the start of Janaury. That is a nicely balanced attack and an average of 28.9 DK points per game which is more than acceptable at his current price. Lock and load on DraftKings.

Keep an eye on Malachi Flynn(TOR) who has been terrific filling in for the injured Fred VanVleet over the last two games

Shooting Guard

Tyler Herro FD - $6400 DK - $6300
Opponent - BKN
Proj Pts FD - 31.81 DK - 35.77

Joel mentioned it in yesterday's article and I am going to echo it again today. Tyler Herro is running away with the 6th man of the year award and what we love most about fantasy is that coming off the bench has helped keep his price in check all season. Going back to the start of February(7 games), he is averaging 29.7 minutes, just over 15 shots, and 34.7 DK/33.6 FD points per game. He and the Heat also get a plus matchup against a Nets team that has dropped 15 of their last 18 games while giving up an average of 117.4 points per game. I do like Herro a bit better in cash games but feel there is still upside at these prices should he get added minutes into the mid 30's.

Devin Vassell FD - $6300 DK - $5500
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 28.17 DK - 29.71
Lonnie Walker IV FD - $5800 DK - $4600
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 19.46 DK - 21.41

I am going right back to the Spurs here and will group these two together as both have provided excellent value in the short term. Let's start with Vassell who entered the starting lineup on a regular basis in early February and while the price is on the rise, he has provided some consistent value. He has averaged over 30 minutes and double-digit shots per game with a fantasy average of 29 fantasy points per game and that includes a complete dud vs. the Bulls. For Walker, he comes off the bench dominates the usage and has taken 14 or more shots in five straight while shooting over 50% and averaging 29 fantasy points per game. Vassell is the safer option if playing cash while Walker is likely much lower owned and a great GPP pivot. All in all, it is a great matchup that I want lots of exposure to.

Small Forward

Jayson Tatum FD - $9400 DK - $10000
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 47.68 DK - 51.67

Jaylen Brown sprained his ankle early last game vs the Hawks and it was Tatum who stepped up taking 25 shots, dropping 33 points, and putting up 50+ fantasy points on both sites. Brown has already been ruled out for tonight and with just a small salary bump, Tatum is on my radar despite facing a Top 10 defense in Memphis. With Brown off the floor, Tatum has easily seen the biggest boost with a 35% usage rate along with a 1.39 DK points per min rate. I will have exposure in all formats.

Kevin Huerter FD - $5300 DK - $4600
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 23.17 DK - 25.69

The upside is limited if Trae Young is back on the court tonight(currently Q tag) but Huerter has been consistent and is on my radar for cash games either way. He comes into tonight having tallied 25 or more DK points in six of his last eight games while averaging 30 min on the floor and double-digit shot attempts. Ultimately, it comes down to wanting plenty of exposure to this game with the 2nd highest total(234.5) and the matchup isn't terrible either as the Bulls rank 18th in defensive efficiency. It also helps that his teammate Hunter has been ice cold from the field.

Power Forward/Center

DeMar DeRozan FD - $10200 DK - $10300
Opponent - ATL
Proj Pts FD - 44.85 DK - 47.45

I have concentrated a lot fo this article to a few games tonight and this one is easily near the top of my list with the Bulls getting the edge with the Hawks ranking 27th in defense. This means DeRozan is near the top of my list as he has been a picture of consistency tallying 47 or more DK points in 18 of his last 19 games while averaging just over 51 in that time. Talk about a safe floor and I also think in this matchup he has 60+ fantasy point upside which puts him in play in all formats.

Jakob Poeltl FD - $8000 DK - $7500
Opponent - SAC
Proj Pts FD - 39.96 DK - 40.77

The price is definitely on the rise here but making it much easier to swallow is the elite matchup against the Kings(29th in def eff, 6th in pace) which has the highest total on the slate. Poeltl has also been very consistent averaging just over 40 DK points per game since the start of February and has also seen an uptick in usage(double-digit shot att last three) in the very short term. With the rising price, I am likely avoiding in GPP formats but love the floor he provides in cash games tonight.

Isaiah Stewart FD - $5400 DK - $4900
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 24.03 DK - 24.61

Stewart is likely to go under the radar tonight but is a value play I am looking at for cash games and it comes down to his consistent floor. Going back to the end of January(14 games), he has averaged just over 28 minutes and is averaging a double-double(10.1 pts, 10.5 reb) while tallying 21 or more DK points 14 times, 25 or more 10 times, and averaging 27 per game. The Raptors are only league-average when looking at both rebounding(15th) and defensive efficiency(16th) so I like Stewart as a top value center tonight.

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