FanNation fantasy basketball picks for Tuesday, March 31
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.
Monday’s overachievers
Guard: Jordan Clarkson, Lakers, +27.7
Clarkson led the Lakers to an overtime victory over the 76ers on Monday. He made nine of his 15 shots and piled up 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals with just three turnovers. Since the All-Star break, the rookie has averaged 15.2 points, 4.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 46.8% from the field. It has been another disastrous year for the Lakers, but Clarkson has emerged as a nice piece moving forward.
Forward: Ryan Kelly, Lakers, +21.4
Kelly has battled injuries this season, but he teamed with Clarkson to help the Lakers win on Monday. He made three of his six three point attempts en route to 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the victory could hurt their chances at keeping their draft pick this season. If the Lakers' pick falls outside of the top five, the 76ers will get the pick.
Center: Jonas Valanciunas, Raptors, +13.3
While DeMar DeRozan’s 41-point game will get most of the headlines, Valanciunas also played a big role in Monday’s win over the Rockets. With Dwight Howard out of the lineup, Valanciunas controlled the paint and finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, one assist and one steal. The Raptors are the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and are one game behind the Bulls for the No. 3 spot.
Today’s picks
Guard: Chris Paul, Clippers vs. Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET
Paul has played like an MVP candidate since early February, averaging 21.4 points, 11.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals while shooting 50.7% from the field. A marquee matchup against Stephen Curry and the Warriors should bring out the best in him tonight. The matchup between the Clippers and Warriors is one of the best rivalries in the league and Tuesday should add another chapter.
Forward: David Lee, Warriors at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. ET
With Draymond Green sitting out because of a shin injury, Lee should see extended minutes in Tuesday’s game. Having started just two games this season, Lee is averaging 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, the lowest totals since his rookie season. He should be able to top his 20-point projection with ease.
Center: Brook Lopez, Nets vs. Pacers, 7:30 p.m. ET
Lopez has beaten his projection in five of his last six games, scoring at least 30 points four times. The Nets have won five of their last six games with Lopez averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while shooting 61.5% from the field. The Nets have pulled even with the Celtics for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and hold a half-game lead on the Pacers.
