Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Lineup Strategy for Lakers vs. Warriors Showdown on March 15

Both teams enter this contest with 4-6 records over the past 10 games. The Lakers are sitting at third in the Western Conference with a 25-13 record while the Warriors are ninth with a 20-19 record. The Lakers play at the 18th-fastest pace, while the Warriors are second. In terms of defensive efficiency, Los Angeles is tops in the league still while Golden State is sixth. These teams faced off four games ago with the Lakers putting a 26-point beatdown on the Warriors in Los Angeles. The scenery changes to San Francisco for this contest and DraftKings Sportsbook has the Lakers still favored by 2.5 points with the total at 224.5.

Let’s break down everything to play a few Showdown lineups.

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] (LAL vs GSW)

SHOWDOWN STRATEGY

Captain’s Picks

Stephen Curry ($18,300 CP) — Curry averages 1.45 DKFP per minute and 34 minutes per game. He’s gone for over 50 DKFP in two of the past three games with the other due to a 26-point beatdown by the Clippers in which he only played 26 minutes. Now, he played this Lakers team four games ago and only played 26 minutes in that one because the Lakers destroyed the Warriors by ... 26. And both games were in Los Angeles. Things that make you go hmmm. This game is in San Francisco and the Warriors are only 2.5-point underdogs. As long as the game stays competitive, Curry should eat, especially since the Lakers boost the fantasy points per minute to point guards by 11.19% above league average.

LeBron James ($18,900 CP) — I was thinking of fading LeBron here, as he’s gone for 41 and 33.25 DKFP in the last two meetings versus the Warriors, but then my right hand slapped my left cheek and all was right in the world again. In the first meeting, LeBron shot poorly from the field and was just lethargic and off all game. It happens. Plus Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder had good games. There’s no Davis in this one and in the second game, the Lakers blew out the Warriors so he only played 24 minutes. The usage rate and all-around contributions are too much for me to ignore and with the spread at only 2.5 points, he should get a full allotment of minutes. LeBron has gone for at least 50 DKFP 20 times this season, with five of those over 60 and two over 70.

FLEX Plays

Jordan Poole ($4,400) — Over the past three games, Poole has gone for 24, 24.75 and 37.75 DKFP while playing 22, 20 and 26 minutes respectively. Curry was out for the 37.75 DKFP game but he was in for the other two. He’s attempted 10 and 11 shots in those two games and converted 50% of his attempts. He also dished out three and four assists. Now, he doesn’t contribute much in the defensive categories, so if his shot isn’t falling, then there are issues, but he’s cheap, getting minutes and is in a nice groove.

Montrezl Harrell ($8,000) — With the Lakers down Marc Gasol and Anthony Davis, Harrell has played 32 and 33 minutes over the past two games. Prior to that, he played 18 and 11 minutes and has often been capped in the mid-20s. Harrell averages 1.06 DKFP per minute, so the increased playing time has been a boon. He’s gone for 34 and 45 DKFP in the past two games. Meanwhile, the Warriors have been generous to opposing centers, boosting the fantasy points per minute by 10.1% above league average.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($3,600) — You can’t play all the expensive players so you’re going to need some cheapies. Caldwell-Pope is gross for DFS because he only averages 0.61 DKFP per minute, but he’s played 28, 29 and 31 minutes over the past three games. No player under $4,000 can match that. He’s gone for 16.25, 15.25 and 15.75 DKFP over that span. Hey, he’s consistent, but he can also pop off from time to time if he gets hot from the field. His highs on the season are 29.75 and 31.25 DKFP, so there’s a modicum of hope for ceiling.

Draymond Green ($8,400) — Green is the ultimate, “No risk it, no biscuit” player, especially since you often get left with crumbs. With that said, when you get the biscuits, they are large, crispy and slathered in gravy. Green averages 1 DKFP per minute but he can easily score 15 or 61 DKFP.

Fades

Kelly Oubre Jr. ($8,200) - Oubre is averaging 0.95 DKFP per minute but he thrives in uptempo game environments. In the past three games, he’s scored 21.25, 24.5 and 20.75 DKFP. The opponents in those games? The Jazz, the Clippers and the Lakers. They are 16th, 18th and 24th in pace while being third, 15th and first in defensive efficiency. Prior to that, he went for 41.5 DKFP against Charlotte, which is 12th in pace. Oubre is the fourth-highest priced player on the slate and there are better options sandwiched around him.

THE OUTCOME

I like the Warriors for the outright win in this one. The Lakers are banged up and haven’t been playing the best ball lately. The Warriors are 13-6 at home and should avenge their 26-point beatdown from the last game.

Final Score: Warriors 111, Lakers 108

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] (LAL vs GSW)

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