FanNation fantasy basketball picks for Friday, March 27
Ready to show your friends you know more about the NBA than they do? FanNation’s Basketball Throwdown fantasy basketball game is your best option. You pick a guard, forward and center who you think will exceed their fantasy projections. The scoring system takes into account points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals and turnovers. The team that out-performs its projections by the largest amount wins, so picking a lineup of Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Joakim Noah is no sure-fire path to victory. You can also bet anywhere from $1 to $500 on each night's matchup or play for free.
I'll give you my picks each day and a recap of yesterday's top performers so you can get bragging rights over your friends.
Sign up for tonight's Basketball Throwdown here.
Wednesday’s overachievers
Guard: George Hill, Pacers, +20.9
Hill scored the game-winning layup on Wednesday to lead the Pacers past the Wizards. He made 12 of his 24 shots en route to 29 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, one steal and one block. The Pacers have lost seven of their last eight games, but Hill has been a standout, averaging 22.3 points, 5.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 56.1% from the field. Their recent slide has dropped them to the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference and they will need more strong play from Hill to make the postseason.
Forward: Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves, +21.2
Wiggins had a big night against the Lakers, but it wasn’t enough as the Timberwolves lost, 101-99. He finished with 27 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks while making eight of his 16 shots. Wiggins is the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award and is averaging 16.0 points per game this season.
Center: Brook Lopez, Nets, +20.0
Lopez dominated the Hornets on Wednesday to carry the Nets to a road victory. He scored 34 points on 16-of-26 shooting and added 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Lopez has returned to his All-Star form over his last four games, averaging 30.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks while shooting a blistering 65.8% from the field. The Nets have pulled within a half-game of the playoffs thanks to Lopez’s strong play.
Today’s picks
Guard: Tony Parker, Spurs vs. Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. ET
Parker has been hampered by a hamstring injury for much of the season, but he has played well during San Antonio’s 11-3 run during the last month. He has averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds on 54.1% shooting. Despite his strong play, his projection is just 24 points. The Spurs have climbed to the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and are just 1.5 games behind the Clippers for the No. 5 seed.
Forward: Draymond Green, Warriors at Grizzlies, 8 p.m. ET
Green is coming off a 14-point, 11-rebound, eight-assist, three-block game against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. He is averaging a season best 14.1 points this month to go along with 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks. Green is a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year award and he should play well in a marquee matchup against the Grizzlies on Friday.
Center: Tyler Zeller, Celtics at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Zeller has been a pleasant surprise for the Celtics during his first season in Boston. He has played well in his last seven games, averaging 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 64.7%. The Celtics are clinging to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and need a win over the Knicks to hold off the Pacers, Nets and Hornets.
