Fantasy Basketball Picks: Top DraftKings NBA DFS Lineup Strategy for Hornets vs. Trail Blazers Showdown on March 1

The Hornets played Sunday night and squeaked out a 127-126 victory vs. the Kings. On the season, they have played seven back-to-backs and have won four of the second legs. In the last two back-to-backs, Charlotte was able to win both games. Does that mean the Hornets will win tonight? Of course not, but at least it shows they don’t completely wilt after playing the night before. The Trail Blazers have lost four in a row and last played on Friday. They should be well-rested and motivated for this one. DK Sportsbook has the Trail Blazers favored by 7.5 points, with the game having an O/U of 230.5.

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

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] (CHA vs POR)

SHOWDOWN STRATEGY

Captain’s Picks

Damian Lillard ($17,100 CP) — Since CJ McCollum went down, Lillard has seen a five percent increase in usage rate to just under 37%. Three times it’s been above 42%. He is the Alpha and Omega of this Trail Blazers team and should be primed, rested and ready to thwart the four-game losing streak from advancing any further. On the season, Lillard is averaging 1.39 DKFP per minute.

PJ Washington ($10,800 CP) — Washington is coming off a 66.25-DKFP performance last night. Should we expect another upper-range outcome? Probably not. They are upper-range outcomes for a reason, but Washington has been thriving as the small-ball center for the Hornets. Cody Zeller has missed a few games and is doubtful for tonight’s contest, as well — so more small-ball minutes could be in play. Portland boosts the fantasy points per minute of centers by 10.41% above league average, third-most generous in the league. Prior to last night, Washington put up 43 DKFP vs. the Warriors. Expecting a DKFP output somewhere in the high 30s to low 40s seems viable. If ownership is high, then pivot.

FLEX Plays

Cody Martin ($3,200) — Since returning to action, Martin has played 25 and 27 minutes, contributing 18.25 and 17.75 DKFP, respectively. On the season, he’s averaging 0.76 DKFP per minute, but minutes are minutes. Keep an eye on the statuses of Gordon Hayward and Zeller, though. We don’t know what role Martin will fill when everyone is healthy.

Carmelo Anthony ($5,800) — In the last two games, Anthony has played 20 and 32 minutes, good for 17 and 34 DKFP, respectively. Since the most recent game was 20 minutes, the ownership could be lower, which would be nice because the Hornets are the third-most generous to power forwards, boosting the fantasy points per minute by 15.25% above league average. Anthony has gone over 30 DKFP six times with two of those 40-burgers. There’s access to ceiling — we just don’t know how many minutes he will play. But, the risk-reward seems favorable.

Malik Monk ($6,200) — For the first three seasons of Monk’s career, he shot 36%, 38%, and 43%. So far this season, he’s converting 46% of his attempts and has been over 50% in the last four games. He’s received more playing time (26 mpg) due to the Devonte’ Graham injury and has capitalized. The usage rate has been over 30%, and he’s gone for 32.35, 33.25, and 40.5 DKFP in the last three games. Graham is out once again, and Hayward is doubtful, so Monk should again see minutes in the mid-20s.

Fades

Robert Covington ($6,600) - I feel like I’m cheating for writing Covington as a fade. He’s been bad this season, averaging 0.74 DKFP per minute. In the last two games, he’s produced 17.5 and 11.75 DKFP. On the season, he’s gone for fewer than 20 DKFP 10 times. Yuck. He’s shooting 35% from the field on the season. Over the last three games, he’s converted 17% of his attempts. The usage rate is a paltry 11.8% and he hoists 7.1 shots per game. Can he access ceiling games? Sure. He has a high of 40.25 DKFP and has gone for over 30 DKFP multiple times. The stars have to align for everything to work out, though.

THE OUTCOME

Defense will likely be optional in this one, with both teams going up and down the court at will. I’m not too concerned about the Hornets having dead legs from last night, but the three-day rest should benefit the Trail Blazers. In addition, they should be highly motivated to stop the losing streak at four games.

Final Score: Trail Blazers 118, Hornets 113

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st] (CHA vs POR)

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