There is nothing quite like the month of March for basketball fans that get to enjoy the Madness along with a full slate of NBA action heading down the final stretch of the season. With some time off before the NCAA Tournament resumes with the Sweet 16 on Thursday, the focus will shift back to the NBA for a couple of days including a six-game slate on Tuesday night. For those that are eyeing DraftKings or FanDuel and are looking for the perfect lineup, we’ve got ours setup below. Here’s the players you should be eyeing.
Russell Westbrook – PG – OKC
Westbrook has been an absolute beast at times this season and we should see another dominant performance against the Los Angeles Lakers horrible defense on Tuesday. The Thunder guard has and continues to pick up the slack with both Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka out of the lineup. He’s been a great daily fantasy play – even though he costs a lot – because he fills up the stat sheet. He has 12 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds in his latest outing, becoming the first player since Jason Kidd to have at least 10 triple-doubles in a season.
Oklahoma City will have a tough time just making the playoffs the rest of the way but the one thing that can be counted on Tuesday night will be another monster game from Westbrook. He could be the one player you absolutely must have on your roster heading in to Tuesday’s action.
Rajon Rondo – PG – DAL
An injury to J.J. Barea forced Rondo to play nearly the entire game for the Mavericks against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday and we could see a similar situation on Tuesday against the Spurs. Barea has already been ruled out. Also, Devin Harris left the team’s game on Sunday too as he’s been hampered by an illness for a little while now. He’s questionable to play.
Heavy minutes means more opportunity for Rondo to contribute on Tuesday. He scored 12 points and picked up six assists with a steal in 35 minutes of playing time on Sunday but the potential is there for him to put up even better numbers versus San Antonio.
DeMar DeRozan – SG – TOR
The Raptors are looking to find their groove and a clash with Detroit could be exactly what they need to get going. They’ve won two of the first three meetings between the teams so far this season. DeRozan was the star the last time these teams met as he scored a team-high 25 points along with six rebounds and four assists. With Lowry questionable once again, DeRozan could have a bigger opportunity to shine.
Kawhi Leonard – SF – SA
March has been the best month of the season for Leonard as he’s finally broke through. On the year, he’s averaged a 15.9 points per game with 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists, but those numbers have improved this month. He’s at 19.8, 7.1, 2.6 while adding 3.0 steals per game, 1.0 blocks and 1.2 threes. That’s a stat-stuffing sheet. The Mavericks are not a strong defensive team, so look for Leonard to continue beasting it.
LaMarcus Aldridge – PF – POR
You’ll have to keep your eye on the waiver-wire for injury news here as Aldridge is doubtful to play on Tuesday. However, as we saw with Klay Thomspon on Monday, doubtful can turn to probable real quick.
This is just a series history type of a play as Aldridge was an absolute monster the first time these teams met this season. He had a team-high 26 points and 13 rebounds. Portland will need a similar effort from Aldridge in this one and he is poised for another big game in the spotlight contest for Tuesday night.
Greg Monroe – C – DET
Toronto has been victimized by star big men already this season and the last time these teams met, Monroe scored 21 points and added 16 rebounds and four assists in a losing cause. The Pistons will want to slow this game down and attack the Raptors interior defense in this one so that should mean another big performance by Monroe.
Again, keep an eye out for the injury news as Monroe miss the team’s last game. However, coach Stan Van Gundy did say he’s hopeful to get Monroe back on Tuesday.
