NBA daily fantasy picks: March 3
There are four games on Thursday’s slate, but it really feels like there’s just one. The Thunder, coming off a terrible loss to the Clippers in which they let a 22-point lead slip away, have to immediately dust themselves off and try to rebound against the best team in the NBA. If this Thunder-Warriors game is anything like the one from last weekend, we’ll all be in for another treat on Thursday. You’re going to want to find multiple avenues of investment in that game, but it’s not the only one that’s intriguing from a DFS perspective.
PG: Russell Westbrook ($11,000) @ GS:You can’t have Westbrook and Stephen Curry, but you definitely want at least one of them. All things being equal, I actually prefer Curry, but his balky ankle makes it hard to recommend him so long before game time. If we get word that he is 100%, he’s easy to slide in given that he’s the same price as Westbrook. Short of that, lean on the triple double threat who is going to be even more motivated than usual, given what happened to his team last night, as well as what went down the last two times these teams met.
SG: Dwyane Wade ($7,500) vs. PHO:Attacking the awful Phoenix defense with capable backcourt scorers is a tried and true DFS strategy that we simply cannot lose sight of on Thursday. The Suns have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards, and typically have no answer for opposing wings. Wade, who has averaged 22.2 real points and 34.9 fantasy points over his last five games, should take advantage.
• OPEN FLOOR WITH LEE JENKINS: Jamal Crawford | Meyers Leonard
SF: Chandler Parsons ($6,700) vs. DAL:You could certainly go Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard here, especially with the hot streak the latter is riding, but I’m saving up for one more star at the power forward position. Parsons has been a reliable scoring option for the Mavericks of late, scoring at least 17 points in six of his last eight games. He has reached 39 fantasy points in four of those contests, as well, and matches up nicely with a Sacramento team that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards and could be without Rudy Gay (shoulder).
PF: Draymond Green ($8,600) vs. OKC:Here’s that aforementioned star who doubles as one of Thursday’s best plays. Green has been an absolute monster in his last two games, averaging just shy of 53 fantasy points with the benefit of just 17 real points in those two outings. In Golden State’s dramatic win over Oklahoma City last Saturday, he had 14 rebounds, 14 assists, six steals and four blocks. You have to invest in one of Curry, Green or Klay Thompson on Thursday, and with Westbrook and Wade available in the backcourt, I opt for the big man out of Michigan State.
C: Zaza Pachulia ($5,400) vs. SAC:Pachulia got back on track in his last game, scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in a win over the Magic on Tuesday. Despite a terrible February, he’s still enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, with averages of 9.8 points and 10.6 rebounds. The Kings struggle defensively against all five positions, ranking 20th against centers in terms of fantasy points allowed per game. Pachulia makes a great cash-game option on Thursday.
