NBA Winners From Downtown: 3-8-16

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

- Washington-Portland has the highest total on the night (213.5), with a 5.5 point spread. This is a great game to target alongside, Magic-Lakers (212), and Nuggets-Knicks (205.5).

- Raptors are favored by 12.5 and Spurs are favored by 10.5, there is some blowout concern here, so limit yourself a bit. I wouldn't pair up multiple players from the same team in cash.

- Hawks-Jazz has a 192 total, but the Jazz big men are in play given Atlanta's struggle down low.

Top Picks

Salary: FD: $5,900 DK: $6,900

D'Angelo Russell is going to be a chalky play for tonight's slate, and it will be hard to fade him with how he is playing. He is averaging 18-3-4 over the last ten games, shooting 49% from three. Orlando has allowed the tenth most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season, and rank 25th in defensive efficiency. Russell is especially cruising over the last five, averaging 22-3-4. He has a 25.0% usage rate over the last ten games, and Byron Scott has somewhat come to his senses in allowing Russell to have a role on the court. His price on FanDuel is essentially in must play range, and he is still fairly cheap for his recent production on DraftKings.

Salary: FD: $6,900 DK: $7,200

The two ugliest positions on the slate tonight are shooting guard, and small forward. No surprise, but they are extra ugly tonight. C.J. McCollum is a guy I am going to force into my lineups to give me a floor at such a weak position. He is averaging 22-2-4 over the last ten games, shooting 47% from the field. Washington ranks 26th in defensive efficiency against opposing shooting guards, and have allowed the fifth highest FG%. Portland's back-court is one I want exposure to tonight, and McCollum is a good piece to get into your lineups. Go balanced, and give him a look.

Salary: FD: $8,600 DK: $8,200

Small forward is atrocious. Carmelo Anthony and Gordon Hayward are other options to take a look at in addition, and well that's about it. Spurs have a 109 team total tonight, and Kawhi Leonard is a good pick to get exposure to it. The blowout concern looms, but the small forward position makes me forget all about that. Leonard is averaging 25-8-3 over the last ten games, shooting 50% from the field. He has dominated on both sides of the ball this season, and should easily surpass value against the Timberwolves. They have allowed the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards, and rank 21st in defensive efficiency.

Salary: FD: $6,000 DK: $6,700

After a dud in Phoenix, Aaron Gordon bounced back last night with a 20-16 outing, playing 36 minutes. The $6K price tag makes him one of my favorite power forwards this evening, as he is averaging 13-9-2 over the last ten games, with 1.9 blocks + steals per game. The Lakers rank 27th in rebounding, and Gordon is a lock for another double-digit rebound night, with them allowing the most rebounds to opposing PF per game. L.A. has allowed the 9th most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards, and rank 17th in defensive efficiency. Gordon is one of the top plays of the night.

Salary: FD: $6,900 DK: $6,600

I was torn between Marcin Gortat and Rudy Gobert here, and they will both be in my lineups on DraftKings tonight. Both are in great spots, but I will talk about the lesser known Gobert. He is averaging 10-15-1 over the last five games, with 3.4 blocks + steals per game. He scored 33 fantasy points last game, while registering just five real points. Atlanta ranks 29th in rebounding, making Gobert a possible favorite to lead the slate in rebounding tonight. Atlanta ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency, and have allowed the third most fantasy points per game.

Elfrid Payton (PG - ORL) FD: $5,600 DK: $5,900

A point guard against the Lakers at this price is going to be a solid value play. If you are concerned about just 23 minutes last night, he scored 24 fantasy points in that span, as Brandon Jennings' attacking nature was used trying to catch the Warriors from behind. Payton is averaging 10-3-8 over the last six games, with 2.0 blocks + steals per game (31 fantasy points per game). I will be looking at Payton to upgrade at other positions if I need to, as he is as low as I will go for point guard tonight.

Arron Afflalo (SG - NYK) FD: $5,000 DK: $4,500

Arron Afflalo is averaging 16-6-2 over the last four games, while shooting 63% from the field. Denver ranks 28th in defensive efficiency against opposing shooting guards this season, and have allowed the ninth most fantasy points per game. This game features two of the value shooting guards to look at, with Gary Harris being the other. Both play a ton of minutes, but Afflalo is a little more involved in the offense.

Brandon Bass (PF - LAL) FD: $3,900 DK: $3,700

Over the last three games, Brandon Bass has played 25+ minutes per game, averaging 23 fantasy points per game. The Magic have allowed the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards, and rank 21st in defensive efficiency. Bass is a punt play if you truly need him. There is not a ton of value to feel great about at the forward positions, so Bass is looking like a legitimate option.