Daily Fantasy Basketbal Plays for 3-20-14

Just because there are only four games tonight, doesn't mean daily fantasy basketball takes a break. Below are players I like based on value, production, and matchups. The cheap plays are players who should exceed their value while not costing a lot, the mid-tier group are players that should produce big numbers while not breaking the bank, and the expensive players are high priced players who are worth every penny.

Value Plays

*Fantasy Points (FP) and prices are based on DraftStreets scoring system.

So many great value plays it is hard to pick only 1 or 2.

Gorgui Dieng- Has performed admirably filling in for Nikola Pekovic by averaging 11 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1.5 steals in the past two games. Tonight, the T-Wolves battle the Wight Howard-less Rockets so the “Gorgui Apparatus” (Phish reference) will have another good matchup. Has to be in lineups as long as he is starting.

Omer Asik- Looks like Dwight Howard is going to miss another game and Asik will get the start in his place or at least get plenty of minutes. This is a player that averaged a double-double last year as a starter. He is another player that will greatly exceed value tonight.

Patrick Beverley- Is less than 10K on DS and is playing close to 35 minutes per game. Also, he is facing Ricky Rubio, who is a total slouch on defense.  Look for him to create steals and opportunities for his teammates that lead to a plethora of fantasy points.

Drew Gooden- Hello Boys, I’m BACK!! The crafty veteran is back from his season long slumber and is making fantasy noise. He is averaging 31.5 FP and 27 minutes in the past two games. His price has skyrocketed on DS to $9,480 so he is a risky play, but will produce another solid game as long as he gets the minutes.

Alonzo Gee- The Gee man played 36 minutes for the injury riddled Cavaliers. Luol Deng and C.J.Miles are out so that is why he is getting so many minutes. He reached 20 FP last game vs an inspired LBJ. Tonight, he faces Durant in what should be a high scoring game.

Mid-Tier Value Plays

Damian Lillard- Has put up 21 or more shots in four of the last five games and has yet to hit 10 shots in those games. Believe he goes off tonight and has huge game vs John Wall. He did have 25 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assist in the previous meeting vs the Wizards. Add in the fact he is less than 15K and all aboard the Lillard train tonight.

Trevor Ariza- Is surprisingly cheap on DS at only $11,989. He is a great play with that price tag considering he had 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assist last time he faced Portland.

Terrence Jones- So many things to like about him tonight: he is less than 13 thousand, is averaging 27 FP at home, and has produced 32 or more FP in the last four games he has played 30 plus minutes. The minutes will be there with Howard out so he will crush it and greatly exceed value.

Expensive Plays

Kevin Durant- Is easily the top play tonight, especially if Russell Westbrook is out. I am scared to use Kevin Love because he played in an overtime game last night. With Deng out, Durant will feast on the lackluster Cavalier defense.

John Wall- My favorite guard tonight as this is going to be fast pace game with little defense played. He had a great game last time he faced Portland and 20 plus points and 10 plus assist are almost a given for him.

Nicolas Batum- Is doing everything for the Blazers and it is paying off huge for fantasy owners. The high price tag doesn’t scare me because he has three straight games with 40 plus fantasy points (averaging just over 44 FP in that span). Also is averaging 44 minutes in those three games. Got to have him in your lineup tonight with all the other cheap options out there.

Good luck tonight!