NBA Winners from Downtown: 3-6-16

By: Spencer Limbach, Updated March 06, 2016

NBA Sports Betting Quick Links

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

- We are covering the games starting at 3:30ET and later. There are seven games within this slate.

- There is plenty of blowout concern today, particularly looking at Golden State-LA Lakers (GS by 16), Philadelphia-Miami (MIA by 14), and Phoenix-Memphis (MEM by 11).

- The highest scoring game of the day is Golden State-LA Lakers (221 over/under), but as mentioned, there is blowout concern. The next best game environment is Milwaukee-Oklahoma City (216 over/under), followed by Houston-Toronto (213 over/under).

Top Picks

Russell Westbrook (PG), Thunder

Salary: FD: $10,700 DK: $10,800

Westbrook is an elite play any time he takes the court, and tonight is no exception in a high-scoring battle with Milwaukee. While the Bucks appear decent on paper against the point guard position, let's remember that Westbrook is a completely different animal than most other floor generals, and he's the closest thing to "matchup-proof" in this league. Also, Michael Carter-Williams is out today, meaning Westbrook will enjoy a much friendlier individual matchup against the smaller likes of O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless. There is certainly enough value to squeeze him in today, and I highly recommend making that happen.

DeMar DeRozan (SG), Raptors

Salary: FD: $7,800 DK: $7,600

This is an excellent spot for DeRozan, as his price is slightly down, he has a very good matchup (Houston ranks 20th in defensive efficiency against shooting guards), playing up in pace at home. Everything lines up well for DeRozan to put up a solid fantasy performance, with upside for much more if the jumper is falling. Also, DeRozan does a lot of his damage from the free throw line, and Houston is one of the more foul-prone teams around the basket, so that metric also spins in his favor.

Alex Len (C), Suns

Salary: FD: $5,800 DK: $6,100

Alex Len is simply too cheap to fade. He has been amazing in his new, featured role, exemplified by a sweet 51 fantasy point performance on Friday. Granted, we can't come to expect that every time he takes the floor, but it's nice to know he has upside to go along with a 30 fantasy point floor. The matchup at Memphis looks tough, but it's much less intimidating when considering Marc Gasol and Brandan Wright will not be playing.

Jabari Parker (PF), Bucks

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

This isn't the greatest of matchups for Parker, speaking from a defensive efficiency standpoint. However, the high minute totals, general workload, and fast-paced nature of this game should keep Parker within a respectable fantasy range. I'm looking to him more on FanDuel, where the price is alluring, and you are required to roster two power forwards.

Value Plays

D'Angelo Russell (PG - LAL) FD: $5,700 DK: $6,500

Russell was very disappointing last game, scoring just 12 fantasy points after his remarkable streak of 35+ through the previous week. It's not time to abandon ship quite yet, as D'Angelo could see a monstrous workload against Golden State, brushing the blowout concerns aside. Lou Williams is out, plus Kobe Bryant and Jordan Clarkson are highly questionable. The point guard position is one of the few spots where you can attack Golden State, and Russell is the only hope for LAL to keep this one somewhat respectable. I like him more on FanDuel where the price is agreeable.

Jerami Grant (PF - PHI) FD: $5,000 DK: $5,100

Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor have been ruled out, meaning Grant will assuredly start and see 36-40 minutes. Even though the matchup against Miami isn't great, when we consider the cheap price with increase workload, it's difficult to ignore Grant in cash games and tournaments alike.

Robert Covington (SF - PHI) FD: $5,400 DK: $5,700

As I just mentioned, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel have been ruled out, and this means a huge boost in playing time and usage for Robert Covington. Last game, against this same Miami team, Covington poured in 40 fantasy points in 41 minutes, and his inflated usage rate could help him push to that mark once again.

Harrison Barnes (SF - GS) FD: $4,500 DK: $5,100

I'm looking at Barnes more on FanDuel than DraftKings, as you have to roster two small forwards over there. Andre Iguodala has been ruled out, and this matchup against the Lakers literally could not be better (LAL ranks dead last at defending small forwards). There is some blowout concern, but the ideal draw, absence of Iggy, and cheap price point more than make up for that negative.

Comments