Top NBA DFS Picks for Thursday, 3/2/23
It’s insane how many bad beats can be littered across one daily fantasy basketball slate. I personally bet on Brandon Ingram to hit two threes against Portland, and he only converted one while scoring 40 points.
How does one score 40 points as a perimeter player by only making one three-pointer?
Baffling, to be sure. No matter, it’s onward and upward come Thursday, as we’re back to the drawing board for a tiny four-game slate. Yesterday’s NBA DFS picks were a mixed bag, as Dennis Schroder was a big hit, but Anthony Davis didn’t even play.
I’m back at it again with my top NBA DFS plays for Thursday, 3/2/23.
Luka Doncic, PG, Dallas Mavericks ($11.9k)
It’s always possible Doncic busts, but I’ve learned my lesson; on tiny slates, go get those raw points. It’s true that Kyrie Irving has played a hand in curbing Luka’s upside, but nobody touches his ceiling on this slate.
You will want to monitor the 76ers, of course. James Harden could end up being the top play in the event Joel Embiid misses a second straight game.
Here’s how things shook out last night with him off the floor.
Embiid could play, though, and I might gravitate toward cheaper Philly options, regardless. And hey, even if Embiid is out and Harden profiles as the top spend, that would then in theory lower Doncic’s ownership.
No matter how you look at it, I love Doncic tonight. He has the best raw projection of the slate, he has the best ceiling, and there’s a chance people overlook him.
T.J. McConnell, PG, Indiana Pacers ($3.6k)
There is merit in mapping out NBA DFS lineups early in the day; you can spot value and start shaping your roster with it. The downside? It may be useless by the time lineup lock rolls around.
That is the risk by choosing McConnell to grace my daily fantasy basketball picks for Thursday, but it’s also possible Tyrese Haliburton doesn’t play.
If true, McConnell would be a smash play. When Hali is off the floor, he’s quite productive.
- 38.89 fantasy points per 36 minutes
- 9.97 assists per 36 minutes
- 1.08 fantasy points per minute
I’d have some interest in just about any Pacers player, of course, but the ultra cheap McConnell would be the first guy I look to.
Not convinced? Over the last five games without Haliburton, McConnell has averaged a stellar 14.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five rebounds per contest.
You’ll want to make sure Hali is actually out, but McConnell is shaping up as a potential NBA DFS core play for Thursday.
Charles Bassey, C, San Antonio Spurs ($3.8k)
Things can change in a hurry, but as things stand, this is not a slate loaded with elite value. I think we can turn to Bassey, who has seen 15+ minutes in each of his last three games.
Zach Collins is also a good play, but he is often in foul trouble and will be tasked with defending Myles Turner.
I think there’s a good chance he has a tough time and Bassey is forced into playing more minutes than usual.
He certainly saves some salary at Draft Kings, while he’s produced in limited minutes (26+ fantasy points in three of last four games). He’s a risky play, but on this slate we have to take a gamble or two we maybe don’t feel comfortable with.
Other NBA DFS Picks to Consider for Thursday
- Tyrese Maxey, G, Philadelphia 76ers ($4.9k)
- Pascal Siakam, F/C, Toronto Raptors ($9k)
Maxey is an auto play for me if Embiid is out again tonight. Considering the lack of value on this slate, I might just use him, no matter what.
I also like Siakam as one of the top spend up options outside of Luka. He has absolutely wrecked Washington (28.8 points per game) over his last five meetings with them.
Beyond these NBA DFS picks, we do need to wait to see what changes. I am sure a big name or two will sit out, and I am assuming Hali and/or Embiid are the main ones to monitor.
Hopefully this helps you build your lineups early in the day. Good luck!
Writer at Daily Fantasy Fade
DFS Keanu has been covering fantasy sports, DFS, and props for the better part of a decade, all while fighting The Matrix and a litany of assassins.
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