eric macpherson
·5 min read
Tuesday, March 1, keeps things rolling with a six-game slate beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Let’s look at the player pool and discuss the top NBA DFS picks for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo lineups. Do not forget to head over to the Awesemo NBA DFS & Fantasy Basketball home page for more great written daily fantasy basketball content.
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings, FanDuel & Yahoo Building Blocks Today | Tuesday, March 1
Yahoo Play of the Day — Kyle Kuzma: Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons
Awesemo’s Preliminary Point Projections: Yahoo and FanDuel: 40.83 | DraftKings: 43.07
Awesemo’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: Yahoo 32.6% | FanDuel 24.7% | DraftKings 17.2%
DFS Salary: Yahoo $35 | FanDuel $8,700 | DraftKings $9,200
Over the last seven games since Washington traded Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma has become the focal point of the offense. In these games he is averaging 37.7 minutes, 23 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 combined blocks and steals. Kuzma is averaging 1.09 fantasy points per minute in 501 minutes this season without Dinwiddie and Bradley Beal on the court. Since the trade, that rate has increased to 1.18, which means with 32 to 34 minutes of court time Kuzma should be in the mix for 40 or more fantasy points every game. The Yahoo salary algorithm is providing a 15-20% discount today, so do not miss the boat.
Stephen Curry: Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Awesemo’s Preliminary Point Projections: Yahoo and FanDuel: 47.52 | DraftKings: 50.99
Awesemo’s Preliminary Rostered Projections: Yahoo 37.4% | FanDuel 28.6% | DraftKings 16.4%
DFS Salary: Yahoo $41 | FanDuel $9,700 | DraftKings $10,800
Tonight the Warriors will once again be without Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and James Wiseman, with Nemanja Bjelica also questionable. This means that Stephen Curry will once again be carrying a heavy load in what should be a high-scoring game in Minnesota. Golden State has now lost three of its last four games and is now just one game ahead of Memphis in the Western Conference standings. Curry typically sees 36 to 38 minutes when games are close, which is the key for him unlocking his 50-fantasy-point upside.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Both Kevin Porter Jr. and Garrison Mathews are both questionable with ankle injuries. Porter has only played once in the last four games, and if he is out, Dennis Schroder will likely draw another start and be one of the better value options of the night. Mathews suffered an in-game ankle injury against the Clippers on Sunday, but he was able to return to the game. If everyone is healthy, then Christian Wood is the main target from the Rockets on the full slate. Jae’Sean Tate, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun all come into the mix for the short slates tonight.
Ivica Zubac has had double-doubles in three of his last four games, including a 50-fantasy-point performance in this matchup on Sunday. In his dud performance against the Lakers, sandwiched in between this game set, he was plagued by foul trouble that limited him to just 16 minutes. Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and Terance Mann are all worthy of tournament consideration on the main slate in this above-average matchup. Nicolas Batum and Isaiah Hartenstein are differentiation options on the sub slates
The Tuesday NBA player props market for Mann against Houston is one to consider, as Awesemo has him projected for just over 1.3 made 3-point shots. Currently his NBA player prop bet today for 3-pointers made is over/under 0.5, and that is a mark he should surpass nearly 70% of the time in this matchup. Though he does not have a lot of volume with 2.2 3-point attempts per outing over his last 10 games, he has made at least one in eight of those appearances.
Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors
This is a rematch of Monday’s matchup in Brooklyn where the Nets were dismantled 133-97 by the Raptors. Kyrie Irving remains unvaccinated, so he will not be allowed to play in Toronto tonight. Andre Drummond suffered a knee bruise last night and left the game after logging just 16 minutes. If Drummond is unable to go, LaMarcus Aldridge should be the beneficiary of extra minutes, along with James Johnson and Nicolas Claxton, who could draw a spot start. If Drummond starts, then he is the best option from the Nets. Seth Curry and Bruce Brown Jr. are neutral values who will likely be cast aside given that additional news will create better options leading up to lock.
If Fred VanVleet (knee) misses a second consecutive game, Malachi Flynn is one of the best value plays on the slate since he carries a near-minimum salary across the DFS sites. Last night he had the best game of his career, with 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals for 36 fantasy points. Something in the low- to mid-20s is a realistic expectation. Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. took a back seat last night to rookie Scottie Barnes and fellow youngster Precious Achiuwa, who were a combined 20-for-28 from the field, with 48 points, 24 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and a block. If VanVleet is out, this quartet can be targeted again, though Siakam and Trent would be the preferred plays.
Final Thoughts on NBA DFS picks for the Tuesday, March 1 Fantasy Basketball Slate
Tonight five of the six games tip off in the first hour, and then there is a two-hour respite until the West Coast nightcap between the Mavericks and Lakers gets underway at 10 p.m. ET. Keep in mind that salaries and scoring formats differ across the various fantasy sites, and a slam-dunk play on Yahoo may be a below-average NBA DFS pick on DraftKings or FanDuel.
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