What’s going on, everybody? Josh Engleman here, back again with the best DraftKings NBA DFS picks on Tuesday, March 18. We have a four-game slate on tap, which means every edge counts when building the optimal lineup. Now let’s dive into Stokastic’s NBA DFS Sims, NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections.
These picks are based on the latest data, but the NBA DFS landscape shifts quickly. Stay ahead of the curve by visiting our NBA DFS Starting Lineups Page for real-time updates on breaking news and lineup changes.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Picks Today, March 18
5 – Dyson Daniels
Position: PG/SG | Salary: $6,900
Projections: 15.9 Points, 6.4 Rebounds, 5.0 Assists, 3.7 Stocks
This Hawks-Hornets matchup is the premier game of the day, and Daniels stands out as a top value play. He’s projected to put up 38 fantasy points with a goal of 45, making him a near coin flip to land in the optimal lineup. The minutes are there, the matchup is fantastic (Charlotte is terrible defensively), and without Miles Bridges on the other side, Daniels should have a solid defensive role hounding LaMelo Ball. On a four-game slate, locking in a strong mid-range play like Daniels is crucial.
4 – Gary Payton II
Position: SG/SF | Salary: $3,900
Projections: 11.0 Points, 4.7 Rebounds, 2.2 Assists, 1.9 Stocks
This one could change throughout the day, depending on the injury report for the Warriors, but as of now, Payton is a prime value option. I have him projected for 25 minutes, but that could increase if Golden State is missing key players. We still don’t know about Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga, which could open even more minutes for Payton. He’s a fantastic salary-saving play, making it easier to afford a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
3 – LaMelo Ball
Position: PG | Salary: $9,500
Projections: 30.2 Points, 5.2 Rebounds, 7.2 Assists, 1.5 Stocks
Charlotte is running out of players who can actually handle the ball, making Ball a must-play today. With Bridges, Brandon Miller and Tre Mann all out, the offensive burden falls squarely on Ball’s shoulders. I have him projected for 51 fantasy points projection with a ceiling of 58.
Atlanta plays at one of the fastest paces in the league, making this an ideal DFS environment. If this game stays competitive, Ball could post monster usage numbers — 40% or more isn’t out of the question. Simply put, if the Hornets are scoring points, Ball is doing the heavy lifting. He’s a top-tier spend-up option today.
2 – Giannis Antetokounmpo
Position: PF/C | Salary: $11,500
Projections: 32.9 Points, 13.0 Rebounds, 6.6 Assists, 2.1 Stocks
Giannis is the clear-cut best pay-up option on the slate, and it’s not even close. He’s projected for 63 fantasy points, which is 12 more than any other player today. That gap in raw points is crucial on a four-game slate, making him a near lock for cash games and GPPs alike.
If Golden State is shorthanded, this could be even easier for him. Even in a blowout scenario, Giannis is just too good to ignore. If he’s 60% owned in contests, he doesn’t even need an outlier performance; he just has to hit his projection to be a must-have. Don’t overthink this one: Giannis is the top superstar play of the day.
1 – Moussa Diabate
Position: C | Salary: $3,200
Projections: 11.0 Points, 7.6 Rebounds, 1.7 Assists, 1.7 Stocks
Diabate is expected to start at power forward in place of Bridges. If that holds, he’s the best value on the slate, no questions asked. I have him projected for 25.5 minutes and 26 fantasy points with a 26-point target score, making him a near lock for optimal builds.
Diabate averages a fantasy point per minute, and at just $3,200, even a 20-minute workload makes him viable. If he gets 24-plus minutes, he could be in over half of the winning lineups tonight. We’ll need to confirm the Hornets’ starting lineup, but as of now, Diabate is the best value play of the slate.
