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Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 3/6 | Solving Thursday's Tricky Six-Game Slate!

Top NBA DFS Plays & Prop Picks 3/6 | Solving Thursday's Tricky Six-Game Slate!

Thursday, March 6th - DFS Plays & Pick 'Ems for Today's NBA Action!

Ryan Humphries
March 06, 2025

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter/X & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

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NBA DFS & Props Shows w/ Tyler & Shannon

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

We’ll have a solid little six-game Thursday slate in front of us. Unlike yesterday, the injury report is not utterly loaded top to bottom with questionable/out tags, but there will still be plenty of key news to keep an eye out for. Also, I’m not sure how far out the televised games are scheduled, but someone please tell the TV execs to stop scheduling this 76ers team that has imploded on itself! On the flip side, the nightcap TNT showdown between the Knicks and Lakers should be a fun one and there are a couple of other entertaining matchups on this slate as well. Let’s get into it! Best of luck!

Today’s Key Injuries

Bulls: J. Giddey - IN, N. Vucevic - OUT, L. Ball - OUT, K. Huerter - IN, P. Williams - Out
Magic: J. Suggs - OUT, C. Anthony - Questionable
Pacers: T. Haliburton - Questionable, B. Mathurin - Questionable
Hawks: T. Young - Probable, V. Krejci - OUT
76ers: T. Maxey - OUT, P. George - OUT, J. Edwards - Questionable, K. Lowry - OUT
Celtics: J. Tatum - Questionable, J. Brown - OUT, K. Porzingis - OUT, A. Horford - OUT, J. Holiday - OUT, S. Hauser - Questionable
Warriors: J. Kuminga - OUT, G. Payton II - Probable
Nets: N. Clowney - OUT
Rockets: F. VanVleet - OUT
Pelicans: B. Boston Jr. - OUT
Knicks: OG Anunoby - Questionable, P. Achiuwa - Questionable, M. Robinson - Questionable
Lakers: L. Doncic - Probable, L. James - Probable, A. Reaves - Probable, R. Hachimura - OUT, J. Goodwin - OUT

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG Luka Doncic, LAL | DK: $11.2k, FD: $11.4k | vs. NYK

The “Luka Magic” has been showing up recently as the superstar continues to gel with his new Lakers teammates. Over his previous six games, Luka is averaging 27.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 8.8 APG, and 1.68 FPPM while posting a 34.7% usage rate. The Knicks have not been as stout on defense lately, ranking 26th in DEFRTG L10Games, and they’ve allowed the 5th most FPPG to starting PGs L20Games. New York may also be without their highest-rated defensive player, OG Anunoby, who is questionable with a thumb injury tonight. There should be enough value on this slate to justify the Doncic spend-up and, if all goes well, we should see him flirt with 70 FP again tonight.

PG/SG Derrick White, BOS | DK: $7.1k, FD: $7k | vs. PHI

The Celtics were shorthanded on the first leg of their back-to-back in yesterday’s game, and as a result, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard (DK: $5.5k, FD: $5.7k) went on to nuke the slate -- both players scored 40+ points and combined to shoot a blistering 19-of-33 from three-point range! Boston will once again be without several key players -- Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday are all ruled out while Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser are officially “questionable”. Looking at the splits with Brown, Porzingis, Horford, and Holiday off the floor this season, we’ll find that Derrick White has taken on a team-leading +8.4% USG% increase while averaging +10.6 FP per 32 minutes. Predictably, those figures only increase with Tatum off the floor. Despite being so shorthanded tonight, the Celtics are major 13.5-point favorites over the depleted 76ers. So there are some blowout concerns, but White will have a featured role tonight and isn’t priced appropriately given all of these Boston injury absences. The 76ers have also ranked dead last in DEFRTG over the last 10 games, so there are no real matchup concerns.

SG/SF Caris LeVert, ATL | DK: $5.3k, FD: $5.9k | vs. IND

LeVert has been finding a nice groove lately, averaging 20.2 PPG and 1.29 FPPM over his last five games. And, while he does play off of the bench, LeVert has played solid minutes at 29.6 Min/gm in that stretch. From a DFS perspective, this game is arguably the most enticing atmosphere on the slate, boasting a slate-high 248.5 over/under and a narrow spread (ATL +3). It’s also a quality individual matchup for LeVert as the Pacers have ranked 22nd versus reserve SGs L5Games. Look for LeVert to continue providing a major spark off of the Hawks’ bench tonight.

Other Guards to Consider

PF Trae Young, ATL vs. IND

PG Tyrese Haliburton, IND at ATL (Currently questionable)

SG/SF Trey Murphy III, NOP vs. HOU

PG/SG Austin Reaves, LAL vs. NYK

SG Jalen Green, HOU at NOP

PG/SG Dyson Daniels, ATL vs. IND

PG/SG Quentin Grimes, PHI at BOS

PG/SG Payton Pritchard, BOS vs. PHI (Boost if Tatum is out)

PG/SG Andrew Nembhard, IND at ATL (Boost if Haliburton is out)

SG/SF Talen Horton-Tucker, CHI at ORL (Preferred if Giddey and/or Huerter are out)

PG/SG Miles McBride, NYK at LAL (Preferred if Anunoby is out)

PG TJ McConnell, IND at ATL (Preferred if Haliburton is out)

PG/SG Jared Butler, PHI at BOS

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF Paolo Banchero, ORL | DK: $8.9k, FD: $8.9k | vs. CHI

Banchero brings a nice mix of high-floor plus upside to DFS lineups tonight. He’s not cheap, at $8,900 on both sites, but he is poised for a big performance. Banchero erupted for 41 points and 73.5 DKFP/74.6 FDFP against the Raptors on Tuesday and is now averaging 30.0 PPG and 1.38 FPPM over his last five. The matchup with the Bulls is always a strong one as they check in at 3rd in pace and 26th in DEFRTG while ranking 21st versus starting PFs L10Games.

PF Dillon Brooks, HOU | DK: $4.7k, FD: $4.7k | at NOP

Both forward positions feel a bit thin on this slate, particularly once you get past the top handful of guys. I’m not someone who rolls out Dillon Brooks very often, but he’s going to make some sense at $4,700 on both sites today. He is a volatile DFS option but the Rockets draw a strong matchup with the Pelicans (29th in DEFRTG) and they are still without point guard Fred VanVleet -- Brooks averages +2.63 FP per 32 minutes with FVV off the floor, which isn’t a significant boost, but worth mentioning nonetheless. In the only other game that Brooks has played versus New Orleans this season, he dropped 42.25 DKFP/39.40 FDFP across 34 minutes, so, while his floor is sketchy, he has some upside at these current price points.

SF/SG Dalton Knecht, LAL | DK: $4.4k, FD: $4.4k | vs. NYK

It's a bit of a gamble here, but Knecht has played 25+ minutes in back-to-back games, which coincides with the absences of Rui Hachimura (out of L3Games) and Jordan Goodwin (out of L2Games). Both guys being out again tonight should open up some additional minutes for Knecht, who has posted 23.5 DKFP/22.3 FDFP and 30.5 DKFP/29.8 FDFP in those two previous games. And it’s worth noting that Knecht closed the final six minutes in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s game versus the Clippers, which was a close, competitive game that ended in a 108-102 Lakers victory. If he gets the hot hand shooting the ball while playing mid-20s minutes again, Knecht could be a low-owned value option that pays off tonight.

Other Forwards to Consider

SF/PF LeBron James, LAL vs. NYK

SF/PF Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. PHI (Currently questionable)

SF/PF Zion Williamson, NOP vs. HOU

PF Pascal Siakam, IND at ATL

SF/PF OG Anunoby, NYK at LAL (Currently questionable)

PF Tari Eason, HOU at NOP

PF/C Guerschon Yabusele, PHI at BOS

SF/SG Aaron Nesmith, IND at ATL (Boost if Haliburton and/or Mathurin are out)

SF/PF Zaccharie Risacher, ATL vs. IND

PF Jarred Vanderbilt, LAL vs. NYK

SF/PF Georges Niang, ATL vs. IND

SF/PF Sam Hauser, BOS vs. PHI (Currently questionable)

PF Gui Santos, GSW at BKN

Centers to Consider 🏀

Quick Note: I had something come up that will cause me to cut this newsletter a little short, so no center spotlights today!

Centers to Consider

C Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK at LAL

C Alperen Sengun, HOU at NOP

C Onyeka Okongwu, ATL vs. IND

C Myles Turner, IND at ATL

C Draymond Green, GSW at BKN

C Wendell Carter Jr., ORL vs. CHI

C Andre Drummond, PHI at BOS

C Luke Kornet, BOS vs. PHI

C Jalen Smith, CHI at ORL

PrizePicks NBA Power Play of the Day ⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's NBA action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these bets so I don't just lightly throw these out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

No picks from me today but, as usual, Tyler and Shannon have some great recommendations in the props video posted at the top of this newsletter!

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Speaking of props, put the Props AI tool to use by signing up for PrizePicks (Promo code: LINESTAR) or Underdog (Promo code: LINESTAR). You'll receive a 100% match on first deposits up to $100 PLUS a free month subscription to LineStar Premium. Many people may not realize that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em, and it’s incredibly easy.

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

🫡 Check out our revamped BetFully Cashback App (iOS only sorry) and get up to $200 cashback for trying new Sportsbook, DFS, horse-racing apps and playing games! ✔️✔️✔️

NBA DFS & Props Shows w/ Tyler & Shannon

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

It’s another busy day in the NBA. Eleven games reside on the Wednesday schedule -- DraftKings will exclude the two late games (PHX/OKC and ORL/SAC) from their main slate while FanDuel will feature the full menu. Trades continue to go down with the biggest move today involving the Bucks and Wizards trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma. The injury report is also a complete fiasco so keep those eyes and ears peeled for all the news that drops throughout the afternoon and evening! Let’s jump into the chaos! Best of luck!

NBA Trade Tracker

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/transactions/trade/

Today’s Key Injuries

Spurs: C. Paul - Questionable, C. Bassey - OUT
Hawks: C. Capela - OUT, B. Bogdanovic - OUT
Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, D. Lillard - Probable, B. Portis - Probable, K. Middleton - OUT (traded), AJ Johnson - OUT (traded)
Hornets: L. Ball - OUT, J. Okogie - OUT, V. Micic - Questionable, T. Mann - OUT, C. Martin - OUT
Cavs: D. Mitchell - Questionable, D. Wade - OUT, I. Okoro - OUT
Pistons: None
Wizards: K. Kuzma - OUT (traded), A. Sarr - OUT, P. Baldwin Jr. - OUT (traded)
Nets: C. Thomas - OUT, N. Clowney - OUT, D. Sharpe - Questionable, T. Watford - OUT
Grizzlies: D. Bane - OUT, B. Clarke - Questionable, M. Smart - Questionable, J. Konchar - Questionable, V. Williams Jr. - Questionable
Raptors: RJ Barrett - OUT, J. Poeltl - OUT, I. Quickley - OUT, C. Boucher - Questionable
Heat: J. Butler - OUT, D. Robinson - Probable, H. Highsmith - Probable
76ers: J. Embiid - OUT, P. George - Doubtful, A. Drummond - Doubtful, Q. Grimes - Questionable (trade pending), E. Gordon - Questionable, K. Lowry - Questionable
Bulls: L. Ball - OUT, T. Jones - OUT, Z. Collins - OUT, T. Horton-Tucker - OUT, K. Huerter - OUT, D. Terry - Questionable
Timberwolves: J. Randle - OUT, D. DiVincenzo - OUT
Warriors: A. Wiggins - Probable, J. Kuminga - OUT, D. Green - Probable, M. Moody - OUT
Jazz: L. Markkanen - Questionable, C. Sexton - OUT, C. Williams - OUT
Pelicans: B. Ingram - OUT, J. Alvarado - Questionable, D. Theis - OUT (traded)
Nuggets: R. Westbrook - OUT, A. Gordon - Questionable, P. Watson - OUT

Late Game Injury Report (FanDuel Main Slate Only)

Suns: K. Durant - OUT
Thunder: C. Holmgren - OUT, C. Wallace - OUT
Magic: J. Suggs - Doubtful
Kings: None

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG/SG Jamal Murray, DEN | DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.3k | vs. NOP

The Nuggets lead the slate with a lofty 124.8 implied team total so the Denver studs will make plenty of sense today. Jamal Murray has been playing very well of late, averaging 1.21 FPPM L5Games and scoring at least 42.0 DKFP/44.0 FDFP in four of those last five games. He has secured 40+ FP in all three previous meetings with the Pelicans this season and, given their 29th-ranked DEFRTG and 29th-ranked DvP versus starting PGs L20Games, Murray’s expectations should be high once again this evening.

PG/SG Isaiah Collier, UTA | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.2k | vs. GSW

Perhaps not the most exciting DFS play, but Isaiah Collier has provided some quality value in recent weeks, routinely returning 6x value at these low-$5k price points. Collier’s minutes and role should be more secure with Collin Sexton (ankle/out) expected to be sidelined for at least a week -- with Sexton only playing three minutes in Monday’s game, Collier went on to supply a point/assist double-double in 32 minutes versus the Pacers. Collier has also shot it significantly better at home this season with a 48.5% FG% versus a 32.6% FG% on the road. This may not be the best match-up but Collier did post a quality 12/6/9 stat line and 31.0 DKFP/28.7 FDFP against the Warriors just last Tuesday, and that was with Sexton active and putting up 30 points of his own.

SG Gradey Dick, TOR | DK: $4.2k, FD: $4.6k | vs. MEM

The Raptors will be shorthanded today with RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, and Immanuel Quickley ruled out. Gradey Dick has seen a notable +4.5% USG% boost with those three players off the court this season along with a +5.8 FP per 32 minutes increase. Both teams in this game rank top 10 in pace, with Memphis ranking 1st in the NBA, so there will be plenty of possessions to go around. If the Raptors (+10.5) hope to pull off the upset, Gradey Dick will likely need to be heavily involved in the scoring.

Other Guards to Consider

PG Cade Cunningham, DET vs. CLE

PG Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs. MIA

PG/SG Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. CHI

SG/SF Trey Murphy III, NOP at DEN

PG Darius Garland, CLE at DET (Boost if D. Mitchell is out)

PG/SG Dyson Daniels, ATL vs. SAS

PG Josh Giddey, CHI at MIN

PG Jordan Poole, WAS at BKN

PG Keyonte George, UTA vs. GSW

SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly, WAS at BKN

SG/SF Christian Braun, DEN vs. NOP

PG/SG Keon Johnson, BKN vs. WAS

PG Ty Jerome, CLE at DET (Preferred if D. Mitchell is out)

PG Jamal Shead, TOR vs. MEM

FanDuel Main Slate Only

SG/SF Devin Booker, PHX at OKC

PG/SG Malik Monk, SAC vs. ORL

PG/SG Cole Anthony, ORL at SAC

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.7k | at TOR

Over the last two games, JJJ has led the Grizzlies in scoring, with 31 and 37 points, as well as usage rate, with 31.8% USG% and 43.8% USG%. One of those games was without Ja Morant, but the other was without Desmond Bane, who will be out once again tonight. For a big man, Jackson is not a very prolific rebounder, but he can rack up multiple blocks and steals on any given night and he’ll draw a strong individual match-up. The Raptors have ranked 27th versus starting PFs L20Games and when these teams met in late December, Jackson dropped 50.25 DKFP/49.2 FDFP. I believe we can get a similar result out of him this evening.

SF/PF Michael Porter Jr., DEN | DK: $6.4k, FD: $6.6k | vs. NOP

MPJ has mostly been a solid floor play throughout this season but he erupted for 36 points and 52.75 DKFP/49.4 FDFP against this same Pelicans team on Monday. I believe the Peyton Watson (knee/out) injury is a bit underrated in regards to Porter’s role. Watson has been a key piece off of the Nuggets’ bench this season and, with Watson sidelined the last two games, Porter has played 40+ minutes in each contest. We can’t expect a repeat performance from Monday but I’d say 40+ FP is well within Porter’s wheelhouse tonight.

PF Matas Buzelis, CHI | DK: $4k, FD: $4.2k | at MIN

The Bulls took Buzelis with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Zach LaVine shipped off to the Kings and none of the recently acquired players (Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones) ready to make their Chicago debut, Buzelis will have a chance to continue playing in an expanded role. He logged a season-high 31 minutes off of the bench in last night’s game versus the Heat and went on to score 24 points and 32.0 DKFP/31.4 FDFP. Buzelis has averaged a respectable 0.92 FPPM L5Games and, should he flirt with 30 minutes again tonight, he’ll be a great bet to return some nice value.

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHA

SF/PG Scottie Barnes, TOR vs. MEM

PF/C Evan Mobley, CLE at DET (Boost if D. Mitchell is out)

PF/C John Collins, UTA vs. GSW

PF/C Naz Reid, MIN vs. CHI

PF/C Guerschon Yabusele, PHI vs. MIA

SF/PF Zaccharie Risacher, ATL vs. SAS

SF/PF Justin Edwards, PHI vs. MIA

SF/SG Corey Kispert, WAS at BKN

SF/PF Gregory Jackson, MEM at TOR

SF/PF Justin Champagnie WAS at BKN (Preferred if starting)

SF/SG Ja’Kobe Walter, TOR vs. MEM (Preferred if starting)

FanDuel Main Slate Only

PF/SF Paolo Banchero, ORL at SAC

SF/SG Grayson Allen, PHX at OKC

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Rudy Gobert, MIN | DK: $6.8k, FD: $6.9k | vs. CHI

Gobert continues to play some of his best basketball of the season following a 19/13/3 (plus two blocks and a steal) stat line against the Kings on Monday. He has now scored at least 37.0 DKFP/36.5 FDFP in five of his last six games, including three games of at least 47.25 DKFP/48.1 FDFP in that span. Gobert has averaged +4.6 FP per 32 minutes with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo (both out) off the floor this season and, as always, the Bulls represent an elite match-up for opposing centers, ranking 29th against the position this season. Gobert’s DFS salaries are on the up and up but there’s still some real upside at his sub-$7k price points.

C Kelly Olynyk, TOR | DK: $3.3k, FD: $4k | vs. MEM

There is some pretty clear value here with Kelly Olynyk expected to start in place of the injured Jakob Poeltl. In his only other start this season, which also came against the Grizzlies in late December, Olynyk averaged 1.20 FPPM and scored 27.75 DKFP/25.50 FDFP. Olynyk only played 23 minutes in that game but I believe he could get closer to 26-28 minutes as the starter tonight. Either way, he won’t have to do much to pay off these bottom-of-the-barrel salaries tonight.

Other Centers to Consider

C Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. NOP

C Victor Wembanyama, SAS at ATL

C Mark Williams, CHA vs. MIL

C Jalen Duren, DET vs. CLE

C Kel’el Ware, MIA at PHI

C Zach Edey, MEM at TOR

C Kevon Looney, GSW at UTA

C Quinten Post, GSW at UTA

FanDuel Main Slate Only

C/PF Domantas Sabonis, SAC vs. ORL

C Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC vs. PHX

PrizePicks NBA Power Play of the Day ⚡

No picks from me today but, as always, Tyler & Shannon have some great recommendations in the props video posted at the top of this newsletter!

🔥 Props AI 🔥

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!