NBA Pulse: Friday, March 20

The NBA Pulse is constructed to give daily fantasy enthusiasts insight to the most popular picks in a game slate, assessing their viability along the way. In other words, this column is designed to gauge the daily fantasy world's opinion as a whole. We will then take it a step further, telling you when to “join the herd" and when to pivot elsewhere.

Buzz is calculated on a 1-10 scale by considering numerous daily fantasy media outlets picks and general conversation on forums/twitter.

POINT GUARD

Clearly people aren't too bothered by Alexey Shved's ascending price point. He's averaging 36 fppg over the past six, and this is one of his better matchups (at Philly). He's a good play either way, but Shved gains even more traction if Tim Hardaway Jr is ruled out.

Of course Russell Westbrook is generating enough buzz, but the question isn't surrounding his viability, it's debating whether or not you can fit him in. If more value opens up, he becomes a better pick. However, as is, I don't think you have to force him into your lineup with other quality PG options.

Damian Lillard has a great matchup at Orlando, with an exceptional price point on DraftKings.

Goran Dragic profiles similarly to Alexey Shved in terms of projections, and he'll likely have a lower ownership % if the “buzz meter" is any indication.

Langston Galloway is a much cheaper option than his teammate, Shved, enjoying the same matchup. He's playing heavy minutes lately for the hobbled Knicks, and that will continue to be the case if Tim Hardaway Jr sits. He has reasonable profit potential in this spot.

UNDER THE RADAR: Once again, Elfrid Payton is a solid pick slipping through the cracks. He's playable in all formats. Jeff Teague isn't generating as much buzz as I thought. He's playing in the highest scoring game of the day, and OKC's backcourt defense has been flailing as of late.

SHOOTING GUARD

No surprise here, as the red-hot Dwyane Wade continues to top the list. He's declining minute totals (30-32) are somewhat concerning. However, a home matchup vs Denver (27^th vs SG's) is prime. Feel confident deploying Wade.

DeMar DeRozan is a good option that would turn into a great option if Kyle Lowry (questionable) was ruled out. He may have more profit potential than Wade for a slightly cheaper price point, especially considering he'll likely see more minutes.

Kent Bazemore is getting moderate buzz. I don't love it, but I don't hate it in this high scoring matchup. Definitely be price sensitive (way overpriced on FanDuel). I would rather go with Randy Foye, assuming he's in the starting lineup once again. Foye has posted back-to-back 35+ FP games, and Danilo Gallinari's absence should help solidify his shot attempts.

UNDER THE RADAR: Toronto combo guard Lou Williams would likely see more minutes and offensive looks if Kyle Lowry sat. Look to him as a high upside play if that holds true. Otherwise, Victor Oladipo will take on a Portland team that has been abysmal vs SG's since Wes Matthews' injury. He's a great tournament pivot off Wade/DeRozan.

SMALL FORWARD

Following back-to-back 35+ FP outings, the daily fantasy world has taken notice of DeMarre Carroll. His price point has not offset that recent production, making him a quality play once again on FanDuel and DraftKings.

Rudy Gay becomes a better pick if DeMarcus Cousins sits; however, I don't believe he has significant profit potential in this matchup. I'd rather lean on Kawhi Leonard for a similar price.

Nic Batum is a comfortable mid-range pick in a great matchup vs Orlando (dead last vs SF's). I'm especially targeting him on FanDuel, where you have to roster 2 SF's.

UNDER THE RADAR: Surprisingly, Andre Iguodala isn't generating much buzz. He's especially cheap on DraftKings, and he even sees garbage time in case this turns into a blowout.

POWER FORWARD

Paul Millsap is a solid cash game pick, but I'm not sure there's reasonable profit potential here. For upside, I'd rather turn to Kenneth Faried or maybe Nerlens Noel (only in tournaments due to lingering injuries).

LaMarcus Aldridge has been on fire, and the matchup profiles favorably against Orlando. He's easier to work into a lineup on DraftKings, but don't rule him out on FanDuel either.

Ersan Ilyasova is still too cheap given his current role, so feel free to deploy him – especially on FanDuel where you have to plug in 2 PF's.

UNDER THE RADAR: We already mentioned the risk/reward associated with Nerlens Noel. Another sleeper pick is Tim Duncan in a great matchup vs Boston. I would only deploy him in a tournament, as you never really know what his minutes will be like.

CENTER

Hassan Whiteside has a favorable matchup vs Denver, but I'm surprised he's generating this much buzz. He's a good play, but not a necessity for his price level. In fact, I would rather dip down to Marc Gasol (vs Dallas) for a slightly cheaper tag. It appears that Gasol will have a much lower ownership % as well.

Brook Lopez is a solid mid-range pick, but I would rather dip down to Steven Adams, who could realistically put forth the same FP output for a fraction of the cost. Enes Kanter and Serge Ibaka have been ruled out, so Adams will need to play a ton of minutes in this high scoring game.

Alexis Ajinca is preferred alongside Adams on sites where you can roster two Centers. Of course, that is assuming Omer Asik and Anthony Davis sit out.

UNDER THE RADAR: I said it earlier with Marc Gasol, who is playable in all formats tonight. Also, Al Horford has a generous price on DraftKings, worthy of a look in all formats over there.