NBA Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 3/31/15

As for today's lineups -- those can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the night completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until tip-off, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.

Let's get to it.

Note: Players mentioned here may not be part of some of our daily lineups because of particular sites' cost analysis. Always look at our optimized lineups to see what our algorithms say.

The Best of the Best

Chris Paul - CP3 has been on an absolute tear since the All-Star break. Paul is averaging 21.9 points, 11.3 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game since the break and has posted at least 20 points and 10 assists in four of his last six games. Tonight, the Clippers' star point guard gets to face off with a Warriors squad who he has averaged 17 points, 9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 3 steals per game against this season in what is expected to be by far the highest scoring game on the slate with a 214 over/under. CP3 is our highest overall projected player on the board tonight.

Andre Drummond - With Greg Monroe expected to miss his eighth straight game tonight, the Pistons will once again look to Drummond to control the paint and dominate the glass. The young Pistons' center has been outstanding in the seven games Monroe has been sidelined. Over that span, Drummond has averaged 18 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 34 minutes per game and is coming off of a career-high 32 points with 14 boards against Miami on Sunday. Although a matchup with the Hawks is not ideal on paper, Al Horford and Paul Millsap are both listed as doubtful to play tonight as Atlanta is likely to rest most if not all of their starters. Drummond should be able to take full advantage of the Hawks' short-handed front court en route to another massive outing against Atlanta.

Top Mid-Range Values

Klay Thompson - As I already mentioned, tonight's game between the Warriors and Clippers is expected to be by far the highest scoring game on the slate. On most nights that would mean a significant boost in Stephen Curry's value, but given the fact that Paul is an elite on-ball defender and that Doc Rivers has committed to frequently double-teaming the Warriors' point guard Thompson is the preferred play from Golden State's backcourt tonight. Thompson is finally off of his minutes restriction following his ankle injury but his price is still at a very reasonable $7,000 on FanDuel and $7,100 on DraftKings. His matchup with J.J. Redick and his abysmal 111 defensive rating is much more favorable than Curry's matchup with CP3 and with Draymond Green out tonight, Klay could even see a boost in usage rate. Do not hesitate to plug Thompson into your lineups in all formats tonight.

Kawhi Leonard - Leonard has been playing the best basketball of his career as of late. The reigning NBA Finals MVP is averaging 19.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game in the month of March and is coming off of a huge 25-point, 10-rebound performance against a stingy Grizzlies defense. Given his ability to fill up the stat sheet, Leonard is about as matchup proof as anyone on the board tonight and should see a heavy workload with the Spurs looking to improve their playoff standing. The Spurs' swingman makes an excellent play in all formats tonight.

Basement Ballers

David Lee - As I mentioned earlier, Green will not suit up for the Warriors tonight. That means Lee will slide into the starting lineup in what is expected to be by far the highest scoring game on the slate. Lee has been very productive when on the floor this season, averaging 15.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists on a per-36 minute basis and should push for 30-plus minutes against the Clippers tonight. At just $4,300 on FanDuel and $3,800 on DraftKings, Lee should provide spectacular salary cap relief for anyone looking to save at power forward. The Warriors' big man is dollar for dollar one of my favorite players on the board tonight.

Shelvin Mack - With Dennis Schroder out with a toe injury and the Hawks very likely to rest their starters, Mack should see a massive increase in workload tonight against Detroit. Mack has impressed when given the opportunity, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per-36 minutes and will get a plus-matchup against a Pistons squad who has been significantly worse against the point guard since acquiring Reggie Jackson. Considering his price tag is at or near minimum value across the industry, Mack should make a sneaky good value play on a night with only four games to choose from.