NBA Winners From Downtown: 3-18-16

Winners from Downtown is bringing the top daily picks for your cash games, alongside some value plays, and Vegas notes. Be sure to check out our minutes tool, and Colossus lineup optimizer.

Projections show DraftKings prices and fantasy points.

Vegas Notes

- Thunder are the biggest favorites tonight at -16, which is a pretty safe bet for a blowout. Both Durant and Westbrook are better suited for GPP's if you think Philly can keep it close.

- Warriors-Mavs and Rockets-Timberwolves have totals sitting over 220. Pistons-Kings, 76ers-Thunder, Pelicans-Blazers, and Suns-Lakers sit over 215. This is the area you want to target in cash games.

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $6,500 DK: $7,000

Brandon Knight is brushing off some cobwebs coming back from injury, but has played heavier minutes in the competitive games. Nothing better than a matchup against the Lakers to get back on track. The Lakers rank 28th in defensive efficiency against opposing point guards, and have allowed the second most fantasy points per game Knight has torched the Lakers this season, as many have. Obviously the matchup is a plus, but his price is really what makes him a top option for me tonight.

Salary: FD: $5,800 DK: $6,000

For those not paying up for James Harden, Zach LaVine is easily one of my favorite shooting guards on tonight's slate. He is averaging 19-3-2 over the last ten games, shooting 51% from the field. He gets a solid matchup with Houston, who have allowed the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards this season, and rank 19th in defensive efficiency. LaVine is logging 38 minutes per game in the last ten, and is a solid bet to go off tonight.

Salary: FD: $9,800 DK: $9,300

I am not thrilled with the top options at small forward, given the Thunder are in a likely blowout scenario, so chalk up Kevin Durant if you are banking on that game staying close. Unfortunately this game could go the same way, but I will take the discount. Orlando ranks 15th in defensive efficiency against opposing small forwards. James is coming off of a games rest, and is averaging 25-8-6 over the last ten games. This is pretty cheap for LBJ, and there is plenty of value to surround him with tonight to make it work. 45 fantasy points is a solid floor, which I can't say the same for any other small forward outside of Durant.

Salary: FD: $6,000 DK: $6,300

Tobias Harris has been cruising in Detroit, averaging 16-6-2 over the last ten games, and gets a phenomenal matchup against Sacramento tonight. Sacramento ranks 28th in defensive efficiency against opposing power forwards, and have allowed the third most fantasy points per game. Harris is way too cheap to pass on tonight, and is a lock for my cash game lineups. Even at his price in the matchup the upside is there, which is something Harris can lack from time-to-time. I will look for him to dominate this game as every other power forward against the Kings have done this season.

Salary: FD: $8,300 DK: $8,000

If you are looking to save a few thousand, yet still get a top tier power forward, look Draymond Green's way. He is averaging 11-10-8 over the ten games, with his usual defensive presence of 3.9 blocks + steals per game. Dallas ranks 19th in defensive efficiency against opposing power forwards, and rank in the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed per game.

Usually I put a center spot here, but I am not really paying up there tonight. Top options square off against each other, posing some risk for foul trouble, and just not earning up to their salary. I will be paying down to Bismack Biyomo, and also Mason Plumlee.

Value Plays

Tim Frazier (PG - NO) FD: $3,500 DK: $3,400

Tim Frazier is expected to start at shooting guard tonight against the Trail Blazers, and coming off of a 14-9-3 with no turnovers, he produced better than the other guards. Portland has allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards this season, and rank 24th in defensive efficiency. This is a high total game to target, and Frazier comes in with excellent value.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG - DET) FD: $5,300 DK: $5,600

Over the last ten games Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is averaging 15-3-2, with his usual 37 minutes per game. Over the last five he is averaging 20-3-2, so his scoring is on the rise again, much like before he went down with an injury. He gets a fantastic matchup against Sacramento tonight, who have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards, and rank 29th in defensive efficiency.

Bismack Biyombo (C - TOR) FD: $4,200 DK: $4,600

If Jonas Valanciunas is out again tonight, Bismack Biyombo would draw the start. We saw him lock down a 50 burger last night in a tougher matchup, and now will take on a Boston front court that struggles against opposing centers. They rank 20th in rebounding, and have allowed the eighth most fantasy points per game. He is not a big scorer, but rebounds and blocks he has covered.