Nic Claxton Underdog NBA Picks Today, 3/1: Basketball Projections + More
On Saturday, March 1st, we have a massive opportunity to secure a nice winning day with our Underdog Fantasy NBA Picks and NBA DFS projections as the NBA season marches onward in full force. We have six games across the association so let’s dive in.
Looking for an edge today, we look at the NBA DFS projections for Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets and Jabari Smith. of the Houston Rockets.
Best Underdog Fantasy NBA Picks, Saturday, 3/1: NBA DFS Projections
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Nic Claxton NBA Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 7.5 Rebounds
Brooklyn as a team keeps games close because they’re scrappy. It’s the second leg of a back-to-back, but it’s a good spot for Nic Claxton. Over the last five games, Claxton’s averaging 16 potential rebounds per game and it’s at 15.9 in the month of February. Nic Claxton should dominate on the glass as he’s arguably in the best stretch of his year. Nic Claxton’s rebounds are one of my favorite Underdog NBA Picks of the day.
- Pick: Higher Than 7.5 Rebounds
Jabari Smith. NBA Underdog Fantasy Pick: Lower Than 10.5 Points
It’s been a mixed bag of results for Jabari Smith. this year in general, but nothing changed since he returned from injury. To pile onto that, Smith Jr. will be in a bench role per head coach Ime Udoka moving forward. What will that do to Smith’s minutes moving forward? Fred VanVleet is back and the Rockets play their starters big minutes. With Smith’s role in flux and the minutes likely to be cut in half, Smith’s going to have a tough time clearing this number.
- Pick: Lower Than 10.5 Points
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Wendell Carter Jr. recorded 12 points (5-of-10 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist and two steals in 34 minutes in a Game 5 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday.
Carter reached double digits in rebounds in four of the five games, recording two double-doubles. While he certainly wasn’t elite, the Magic center had a decent finish to his fourth full season with the franchise. Appearing in 68 regular-season games, Carter’s scoring output decreased, but he was more productive in rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots. Unfortunately, the starting role has not made WCJ a significant fantasy asset, as he finished the season ranked outside the top-175 in category leagues and outside the top-150 in points leagues. With three guaranteed seasons remaining on his contract, Carter will likely go into training camp locked into the starting center role.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tallied eight points (3-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two three-pointers in 30 minutes in a Game 5 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday.
Caldwell-Pope had a brutal series, scoring no more than eight points in any of the five games. The veteran wing shot 6-of-23 from beyond the arc, which isn’t good enough for a team that lacked consistent scorers beyond Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Signed last summer with the hope that he could be a veteran voice who could also provide 3-and-D value, Caldwell-Pope underwhelmed in his first season with the Magic. He finished the regular season ranked outside the top-150 in eight- and nine-cat formats in category leagues, but KCP was close to a top-100 option in points leagues. At best, he’ll be worthy of late-round consideration in 12-team leagues next fall.
Franz Wagner shot 10-of-22 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line in a Game 5 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday, amassing 25 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal in 40 minutes.
Wagner finished his fourth NBA season with a solid performance in Orlando’s season finale. He scored at least 23 points and made at least 10 field goals in all five games. While teammate Paolo Banchero’s value in points leagues took a significant hit since he only appeared in 46 games, Wagner retained some of his value by appearing in 60. Regarding category leagues, Franz was a top-40 player in eight- and nine-cat formats. He exceeded his Yahoo! ADP (46), and stands to be a safe third- or fourth-round pick next fall. Wagner’s new contract kicks in next season, and he’ll earn nearly $38.7 million in 2025-26.
Paolo Banchero played 30 minutes in a Game 5 loss to the Celtics on Tuesday, tallying 19 points (6-of-15 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, six assists and two three-pointers.
Having scored at least 29 points in each of the first four games of this series, Banchero appeared to be a safe bet to have another good night with Orlando’s season on the line. Unfortunately, that is not how things played out. With 9:46 remaining in the third quarter and the game tied at 53, Banchero was called for his fifth foul. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley removed his star forward from the game, and Boston took over with a 35-9 run. To say this was a disappointing end to a highly productive season for Banchero would be an understatement. He did not reach his Yahoo! ADP (35) in category or points leagues, but the Magic forward’s issues in fantasy basketball had more to do with him only playing 46 games than any statistical deficiencies. Banchero will be worth grabbing within the first 50 picks in drafts next fall, especially in points leagues.
Kristaps Porzingis logged 21 minutes in Tuesday’s Game 5 win over the Magic, scoring nine points (3-of-8 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs) with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot.
Porzingis got into foul trouble in Game 5, picking up three fouls during the first half. And for the second straight game, he was brought off the bench to begin the third quarter. Payton Pritchard (10/3/1 with two three-pointers in 25 minutes) started the third as the Celtics went small. Porzingis played 22 and 21 minutes in the final two games of this series, so the time off before the start of the second round may be beneficial to the Celtics center. Next up for Boston is either New York or Detroit.
Jaylen Brown (knee) tallied 23 points (9-of-18 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, three assists and two three-pointers in 32 minutes in a Game 5 win over the Magic on Tuesday.
Brown’s right knee continues to be an issue, but he logged 32 minutes in Game 5 and was efficient offensively. Boston taking care of its business in five games will get the banged-up champions valuable rest before the second round begins. And this group made some franchise history, winning their fifth consecutive playoff series. That’s the sixth time the Celtics have accomplished that feat. However, the Brown/Tatum-led Celtics are the first to win all five series in five games or fewer. Next up for the reigning champs will be either New York or Detroit in the second round.