Daily Fantasy Basketball Plays for 3-4-14

Only six games in the NBA tonight, but there are plenty of great value plays. Below are players I like tonight 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.

* Fantasy points are based on DraftKings scoring system.

Cheap plays

Manu Ginobili SG, SAS- Has been getting more playing time which has led to better production. He is averaging 25.3 minutes with 15.3 points, 7 assist, 1 block, 1.3 steals in the last three games. Cleveland is brutal on defense and have the fourth worst Deff( Defensive Efficiency) in the league. Manu doesn’t cost a lot and should get close 30 FP.  

Alexis Ajinca PF/C, NOP- This is more of a GPP play as Ajinca's production has been more up and down, over the past five games, then ladies shirts on Bourben Street this week as he has produced 30-plus FP in three of those games and less than 14 in the other two. New Orleans has a great matchup vs the Lakers tonight so you can bet your beads that Ajinca will give you a show this evening.

Matt Barnes SG/SF, LAC- Is finding his way in most of lineups tonight because he is playing major minutes for the Clippers, is cheap, and should provide solid production points, rebounds, and three pointers made because the Clippers need him to score as Jamal Crawford is still out.

My "Half Court Heave" is Eric Maynor as he has played 16 or more minutes in four straight games, has scored in double figures in two of those games, andand this is a revenge game for him as he is going against his former team in the Thunder.

Also, If Dwight Howard misses tonight’s game, then Omer Asik becomes a great cheap play.

Mid-Tier Plays

Tyreke Evans SG/SF, NOP- I tweeted about him last night as a must-start and he finished with a line of 27 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assist in 41 minutes of playing time. He has started and played 40 or more minutes in each of his last two games. I am expecting another monster game tonight vs the lackluster Lakers and he is cheap on most sites (only $5,400 on FanDuel). He is a must-start again tonight.

Wesley Johnson SF/PF, LAL- He is close to a must-start as well because he is cheap, will play plenty of minutes, has a great matchup, and will put up a lot of fantasy points.I have been using him the last few games and it has payed off as he is averaging 38 FP in the last three games. Also, he has played 36 or more minutes in those three games. 

Serge Ibaka PF/C, OKC- Using any of the big three for OKC is a risky option tonight because they are expensive and the Thunder are favored by 20 points over the 76ers. With that said, Ibaka had 51.3 FP last time he played them. If the price is right, then I have no problem using Ibaka.

Tony Parker PG, SAS- Love him tonight as his price is still low and produced 36 FP in his first game back from injury. As long as he plays 30 plus minutes, then he will greatly exceed value.

Russell Westbrook PG. OKC- I would only use him on FanDuel because he is overpriced on DraftKings and Draftstreet. While he has produced 38.5 FP or more in the last three games, he hasn’t played more 30 minutes since he returned from his injury and as I elluded to above this game could get out of hand fast resulting in less minutes. I wouldn’t pay top dollar for a player that will most likely play less than 30 minutes.

Spencer Hawes C, Cle- He is cheap on most sites and crushed the Spurs for 42.3 FP last time these two teams met. Start him with confidence tonight.

Also like Roy Hibbert as he is cheaper than Hawes on most sites and had 36.8 FP last time he faced Golden State. If you were looking to save a few bucks at the center position, then Hibbert is the guy to target.

Expensive Plays

Goran Dragic PG, PHX- It is amazing how his price hasn’t increased much because he has put up 41 FP or more in three of the last four games. Add in the fact he torched the Clippers for 48 FP the last time he faced them and he becomes a must-start tonight.

LeBron James SF/PF, Mia- In case you missed it, LBJ had a decent 80 FP last night vs the Bobcraps. Tonight, he gets another juicy matchup as the Heat face the Rockets. This is going to be a high scoring affair and I expect him to have another monstrous game tonight. Even though his price is high, he has to be in lineups tonight.

Kevin Durant SF/PF, OKC- Speaking of monster games, KD had 74 FP the last time he played the 76ers. However, I don’t see that happening tonight because Russell Westbrook is back and will take some shots away, this will be a blowout, and expecting a player to produce 70 FP is a pipe dream. While I do think he will have a great game (50 FP), I don’t think he reaches value and would rather spend a few bucks less on LBJ.

Tim Duncan PF/C- Already talked about the Cavs being a terrible defensive team, so believe Duncan will have a great game tonight. It is all about minutes for Duncan as he only played 16 minutes the last time he played Cleveland, but had 24 FP in that game. If he plays 30 minutes tonight( thats his average minutes per game), then he will get close to 40 FP.

Pau Gasol is another player to target tonight as he will get a double-double and reach 40 FP vs the center less Pelicans. Expect him to play more minutes than Duncan whil also being cheaper.

Good Luck tonight and follow me on Twitter @datrueguru for solid fantas advice.