NBA DFS Picks & Projections: Joel Embiid Can Cook Charlotte (March 17)

Once again, tonight’s slate is packed with injury question marks, so it is important to stay on top of the news. Be sure to check out the Stokastic Deeper Dive and Live Before Lock shows to gain insight into how breaking news can impact the slate. Additionally, Stokastic’s NBA DFS projections and Boom/Bust Tool are valuable tools that can aid you in making NBA DFS picks and building strong lineups that have the potential to outperform your competition.

NBA DFS Projections & Optimizer Picks Today

High-End Tier

Joel Embiid ($11,400) has the highest projection on the slate in a great matchup with the fast-paced Charlotte Hornets. Embiid is projected for 20% ownership with a 41% chance of booming and a 16% chance of optimality, per the Stokastic Boom/Bust Tool.

James Harden ($9,600) has a nice value score. He is projected for 17% ownership with a 35% chance of booming and a 20% chance of being optimal, which makes him one of the best plays on the slate.

Trae Young ($9,500) has a great matchup with a Warriors team that plays at the fastest pace in the league. Young is projected for 14% ownership with a 26% chance of booming and an 11% chance of optimality.

Jayson Tatum ($10,800) makes a nice leverage play on the high end against a Blazers team ranked 27th in defensive rating. Tatum is currently projected for just 2% ownership with an 18% chance of booming and a 6% chance of optimality.

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Mid-Tier

Desmond Bane ($7,400) and Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,300) have seen their prices drop significantly. That trend is just in time for a matchup with a San Antonio Spurs team that ranks fifth in pace and worst in defensive rating. Bane is projected for 44% ownership with a 37% chance of booming and a 27% chance of optimality. Jackson is projected for 29% ownership with a 33% chance of booming and a 26% chance of optimality.

Jusuf Nurkic ($5,800) played 28 minutes in Portland’s last game and would be a great point-per-dollar play if he gets up there again, even against the Celtics. Nurkic is projected for 8% ownership with a 22% chance of booming and a 13% chance of optimality.

Value Tier

Cleveland’s Ricky Rubio ($3,100) currently has the best value score on the entire slate after playing at least 20 minutes in each of his past four games. Rubio is projected for 25% ownership with an 18% chance of booming and a 22% chance of optimality.

Memphis’s Santi Aldama ($3,900) also has a great value score in this matchup with the Spurs. Aldama is projected for 19% ownership with a 14% chance of booming and an 18% chance of optimality.

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Author

Neil Orfield

Neil Orfield has been playing DFS regularly since 2013, but his success really started taking off in 2019 when he had a six figure payday with a hand built NFL lineup. The next day, he signed up for a Stokastic+ subscription with FantasyCruncher. Since then he has won an NFL milly and added six figure wins in XFL, MLB, and NBA. He has recently excelled at NFL Showdown, with many five- and six-figure wins since 2021.