It’s Friday, March 21 and the National Basketball Association (NBA) has a total of 10 games on the schedule.
There is a nationally televised doubleheader on NBA TV, with the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat tangling at 8:00 p.m. ET, while the Memphis Grizzlies and LA Clippers tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET. We have four games tipping at 9:30 p.m. or later.
Here are our top NBA DFS lineup picks and advice for tonight’s slate.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC)
- DraftKings: $11,600
- FanDuel: $11,500
Gilgeous-Alexander will cost you a pretty penny, but he is worth the price. SGA has 53.9 Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) which is better than anyone available on the board. What makes him an investment for this game, more than others, is the fact he is facing the Charlotte Hornets.
For one, the Hornets played Thursday against the New York Knicks at home, and now they face a quick turnaround for a road trip to Oklahoma City. That’s a hard assignment. The Hornets weren’t expected to get into Will Rogers Int’l Airport on their Delta 757 charter flight until 1:54 a.m. CT. So, you have to figure the players won’t get to the team hotel until 3-4 a.m. CT, which means a rough sleep. Look for SGA to pick them apart, a team that allows 113.5 PPG to rank 15th in the NBA, and 46.6 percent from the field, checking in 12th.
- DraftKings: $9,900
- FanDuel: $9,200
Banchero is a player to build around for Friday night. The Magic hit the road to battle the Washington Wizards, a team that allows 120.7 PPG to rank 30th in the NBA, while teams hit 47.2% from the field (21st) and 36.6% from behind the 3-point line (24th).
Banchero dropped 31 points on Houston Wednesday, hitting 10-of-21 from the field, and 3-of-8 from behind the arc, while adding six rebounds and six assists. In nine games in March, Banchero is averaging 30.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 4.4 APG, while knocking down 2.6 3PT per game. Against the Wizards, look for Banchero to tear it up.
- DraftKings: $9,700
- FanDuel: $9,500
Edwards is another player with a strong matchup on Friday. He has ended up going for 45.8 FPPG, and he is facing a New Orleans Pelicans defense which has an OPRK of 26th. The Pelicans allow 119.0 PPG (26th), while teams are hitting 48.4% (29th) and 36.6% (26th) from behind the 3-point line.
The 23-year-old Edwards is on fire from a scoring perspective, going for 25 or more points in six consecutive outings, and 29 or more points in five in a row. In March, he is averaging 29.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 1.0 SPG with 3.7 3PT per game across 10 games in the month.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $8,600
- FanDuel: $8,200
Wagner is another Orlando player to target, as the Wizards are horrible defensively. He has been very consistent, going 8-of-19 from the field in two straight games, while going for 21.0 PPG in the span. He has eight rebounds apiece in each of the two starts, too.
The last time he faced Washington in Orlando on Feb. 23, he went for 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals while shooting 11-of-22 from the field in 31 minutes. Again, he is consistent, as he also had 23 points with seven assists and four boards on Nov. 10 in another home meeting with the Wizards.
- DraftKings: $8,800
- FanDuel: $8,000
Grimes continues to be a key part of the offense for Philly with Joel Embiid long gone, and Tyrese Maxey set to miss his 10th consecutive game due to a back injury. Grimes is showing no signs of slowing down, going for 28 or more points in each of the past five outings, and he has two or more 3-pointers in each of the past six outings. Dallas Mavericks fans are up in arms about the deal that sent Luka Doncic to the L.A. Lakers, but the deal that sent Grimes to Philadelphia might actually be worse.
- DraftKings: $7,600
- FanDuel: $7,100
Randle is averaging a healthy 35.8 FPPG, and he is facing a Pelicans defense with an OPRK of 23rd. We already covered how poor the Pellies are on defense, and it should continue against the T’Wolves.
Randle has 17 or more points in four of the past five games, and he has at least one 3-pointer in six straight outings. In March, Randle is good for 18.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 5.5 APG in 10 games in the month.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $5,700
- FanDuel: $6,100
Reid has managed single-digit point totals in four of the past five games, so be careful. However, he is still averaging 12.9 PPG with 6.9 RPG and 2.8 APG with 2.4 3PT per game in 10 starts in March. He is averaging 29.8 FPPG, and he faces a Pels’ D that has an OPRK of 29th. This is a great spot at a low price.
- DraftKings: $5,400
- FanDuel: $6,200
Gordon has been dealing with an ankle and calf issue, but he is expected to fight through it. He is listed as probable for Friday’s game, and he should see a giant role with Nikola Jokic (ankle) ruled out for a third straight game due to injury.
Gordon blew up for 26 points, 11 rebounds, and five 3-pointers in 30 minutes on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, and he is averaging 32.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 4.5 3PT per game in the past two starts, taking advantage of the absence of Jokic. At this price, he is a steal.
- DraftKings: $5,000
- FanDuel: $5,100
The 27-year-old Dowtin is another player who has seen a huge bump in playing time and responsibilities due to injuries to others. The former URI standout has scored double digits in seven consecutive games. He had 11 points with three 3-pointers in 16 minutes at Houston on Monday night.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $4,500
- FanDuel: $4,700
Kennard is expected to stick in the starting five with Ja Morant (hamstring) ruled out for a fourth consecutive game against the LA Clippers. Kennard is averaging 8.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.0 RPG, and 1.3 SPG in the past three games since last Saturday.
Kenrich Williams (PF, C – OKC)
- DraftKings: $3,800
- FanDuel: $4,100
Williams went for 13 points with five rebounds while knocking down three triples and adding an assist, a blocked shot, and a steal in Wednesday’s rout of the 76ers. With Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort sidelined, Williams and Isaiah Joe each will see added responsibilities.
- DraftKings: $4,000
- FanDuel: $4,500
With a bevy of injuries in the Mile High City, Watson is seeing a bump in minutes and production lately. At this low price, he should exceed expectations. He is averaging 12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.5 BPG in the past two outings, averaging 30.0 minutes per game. He has been consistent, going 5-of-8 from the floor, and 1-of-2 from behind the arc, in each of the past two outings.
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