New York Knicks-Oklahoma City Thunder Preview: Dealing with Russell Westbrook
Nov 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The daily slate of games for NBA DFS for March 9, 2017, calls for Russell Westbrook and the stars and scrubs strategy.

There is a five-game NBA slate on this Thursday that should have all NBA DFS players foaming at the mouth. There are superstars playing and there aren’t too many games where we can be overwhelmed.

The one issue with smaller slates is the lack a lot of depth so we need to be meticulous on how we spend our money. Personally, I like to go for more of a stars and scrubs lineup. This strategy will make sure you have a good starting point and if you pick your lower priced players correctly, you will win some money.Good luck tonight!

Point Guard:

Damian Lillard vs Philadelphia 76ers

Since the all-star break he has been on fire and he’s doing everything that he can to get the Trail Blazers into the playoffs. Without Embiid on the floor, the sixers are terrible on defense. At the guard position, the sixers have nobody that can guard Lillard. Dame can be a good pivot off of Westbrook tonight.

Eric Bledsoe vs Los Angeles Lakers

This will be the highest scoring game of the night and Bledsoe will dominate the Lakers backcourt. This fast-paced game is the perfect game style for Bledsoe and every guard in the game. Stacking this Lakers and Suns game will be a good way to get cheap players in a fast-paced game.

Russell Westbrook vs San Antonio Spurs

If you decide to go with a stars and scrubs lineup (you should), then you need to start with Westbrook. The Spurs are a good defensive team but nobody on earth can stop Westbrook. He has the highest usage rate of any player in the NBA and even with the high price tag, he is worth the play. We might get him at a low ownership which is a bonus on this slate.

Shooting Guard:

CJ McCollum vs Philadelphia 76ers

McCollum is the poster boy for one trick ponies in the NBA. All he does is score, but tonight he gets Gerald Henderson or Nik Stauskas guarding him and they both are below average defenders. This game he has a shot to get 30 points and hopefully he can fall into some rebounds and steals which will help his stats.

Devin Booker vs Los Angeles Lakers

Booker is a one trick pony also but on a small slate, you will have to roster at least one of them. If Booker’s shot is falling, he has a chance to drop 40 points on the Lakers. Rostering Booker may make you want to slam your head into a wall some nights but on those nights where you do not hurt yourself, he can win you a tournament.

Small Forward:

LeBron James vs Detroit Pistons

Over King James’s last 5 games he has been a monster, he is averaging 27 points, nine assist and 13 rebounds a game. He is the best player in the world (and ever) for a reason. He is carrying the team and will give you production in every category. Play LeBron tonight.

TJ Warren vs Los Angeles Lakers

Warren will come close to a double-double tonight. He has been receiving 30 minutes a night and now will get the Lakers. Warren is at a good price point in a fast-paced game. He is a good player to fit in with the other superstars.

Brandon Ingram vs Phoenix Suns– Ingram is getting 36 minutes a night over the last two weeks and he is still cheap on DK. He hasn’t been doing much with his minutes recently (11 points, four rebounds and two assists) but in a high scoring game and a low price point, he will be hard to fade tonight.

Power Forward:

Julius Randle vs Phoenix Suns

Randle’s only problem this season has been not getting enough minutes. He is the best player on the Lakers and Luke Walton is finally realizing this. Over the last week, he has averaged 10 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while getting 32 minutes. The suns will be starting Marquese Chriss at power forward who is a very bad defender.

Blake Griffin vs Memphis Grizzles

Blake will be a low owned superstar tonight and with his recent play, that won’t happen many more times this season. Blake is matchup proof and others will avoid him because of the matchup. If you start Blake, make sure you pair him up with Chris Paul.

Jon Leuer vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Leuer is averaging 30 minutes a night over last two weeks and he is always under-owned. He won’t give you elite numbers across the board but he will give you enough value to roster him. He is one of the cheap players who is guaranteed 30 minutes a night. Hope for a breakout night with a cheap price tag.

Center:

Enes Kanter or Steven Adams vs San Antonio Spurs

If you play Kanter or Adams, make sure you pair them up with Westbrook. Kanter is the Thunders second best scorer on the team and all the defensive focus will be Westbrook. He has the chance to have a big night and others will avoid him because of the Spurs. Few centers have the upside of Kanter and Adams is consistent, both are worth the risk.

Jusuf Nurkic vs Philadelphia 76ers

If you have read this far, you know the 76ers are bad on defense. During the last week, he has averaged 17 points 8 rebounds and 5 assist. This is the center that the Trail Blazers were hoping for and Nurkic hasn’t disappointed. Again, if you start Nurkic pair him up with Dame Lillard.

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