First off, a quick introduction. If you don't know what FanDuel is, well, you're missing out. FanDuel is a site that offers daily fantasy sports games. Participants get a chance every day to select new players, fill out a lineup and, most importantly, win some cash. If you choose poorly Monday, you can come back Tuesday and try again. Easy as that. Click here to enter a free league for news users today.
This space is going to be used to give you the five best plays for the games on Friday, March 4. Also, for a limited time SB Nation will be competing against other sites in the FanDuel Partners Basketball Championship. You can play along and follow the contest as well.
So, with that, let's get started.
1. LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,800)
James' off-court actions and Twitter messages have attracted lots of attention and criticism of late, which is usually when he plays his best. He's also coming off two days of rest, which means on Friday the Washington Wizards are going to be seeing a well-rested and angry James. LeBron is averaging 29 points, 11.5 rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal in the two games he's played against Washington this season. He should have no problem matching those numbers Friday in front of a national audience on ESPN.
2. Zach LaVine, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves ($5,300)
LaVine is finally getting the burn many have been clamoring for Minnesota head coach Sam Mitchell to give him; he's played 32 minutes or more in six of last seven games and is averaging an impressive 16.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists over that span. On Friday he faces a Milwaukee Bucks team surrendering 40.3 FanDuel points to opposing shooting guards over their last five games, via RotoWire. That he's going for such a low price makes him a must-play.
3. Hassan Whiteside, C, Miami Heat ($8,600)
The Heat have been bringing Whiteside off the bench but that hasn't hampered the big man's production. He's averaging 17 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks over his last 10 games and on Friday gets to take on the Philadelphia 76ers, a team allowing opposing centers to score a league-high 51.2 FanDuel points per game. The Heat did play on Thursday, but Whiteside only saw the court for 23 minutes. He should be well-rested for Friday.
4. Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics ($7,800)
Thomas and the Celtics play the New York Knicks on Friday, a team Thomas has absolutely torched this year. He's averaging 25 points, 7.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in three games against them. The Knicks are surrendering 45.5 FanDuel points to opposing point guards over their last 10 games. Thomas is coming off a 30-point effort on Wednesday. No reason to believe he can't reach that amount again.
5. Amar'e Stoudemire, PF, Miami Heat ($3,800)
The Heat have turned to Stoudemire with Chris Bosh out, and the veteran big man is repaying them with some solid production. He's recorded more than 20 FanDuel points in each of his last three games and should have no problem matching those numbers Friday against Philadelphia. He won't win you the night, but his low price will allow you to splurge on other players.