NBA PrizePicks for March 12

As we are thrust into the whirlwind that is the second half of an NBA season, I think there will be even more advantageous opportunities on PrizePicks. The normal increase in late scratches and shenanigans surrounding teams tanking will be complemented by players missing due to health protocols. When news hits, keep in mind that you can find some great value on the board if you move quickly. Let’s open up our PrizePicks app and see what’s on the menu for Friday.

If you aren’t familiar, I bet you’re wondering just what the heck is PrizePicks? There’s no shortage of outlets to look for different kinds of fantasy action as we roll along through this NBA season, and after being introduced to PrizePicks a few months ago, it has quickly become a part of my DFS routine. This season, I will be stopping by twice a week to discuss what’s on the board on the app that is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots to get some hoops action.

PrizePicks is a creative new way to parlay picks based on expected fantasy point production. The format is simple. PrizePicks will set fantasy point lines for select players and then you choose between two and five players to go over or under their given projection. Naturally, the more players you put into your parlay, the larger the payout! You can enter a “Power Play,” where you must get every pick in your parlay correct to get paid out. Another option is a “Flex Play,” where your payout changes depending on the number of picks you got correct.

• Two-player “Power Play” entry pays 3x and “Flex Play” pays 2x for both correct and 0.5x for one correct
• Three-player “Power Play” entry pays 5x and “Flex Play” pays 2.25x for three correct and 1.25x for two correct
• Four-player “Power Play” entry pays 10x and “Flex Pay” pays 5x for four correct and 1.5x for three correct
• Five-player entries are only eligible for “Flex Plays” and pay out 10x for five correct, 2x for four correct and 0.4x for three correct

Friday’s first NBA action locks at 8 p.m. ET on PrizePicks. Note that these lines can shift throughout the day leading up to lock just like a spread or money line on a game. They will also occasionally add players as the day goes on if injury news changes the outlook for a team. Tag me in the PrizePicks Discord channel up until lock if you want a second pair of eyes on a parlay you’re considering or for help on lines that may have changed since this writing!

Scoring breakdown for PrizePicks contests can be found here.

My 2020-21 PrizePicks record

• Picks overall: 141-98
• Favorite combos: 33-45
• Longshot 5-way parlays:
  • 10x: 2
  • 2x: 10
  • 0.4x: 6
  • No cash: 6

PrizePicks NBA picks today

• Joel Embiid (59.0 points) – OVER
• Russell Westbrook (52.0 points) – UNDER
• Rui Hachimura (24.0 points) – UNDER
• Brandon Ingram (40.0 points) – UNDER
• Darius Garland (29.0 points) – OVER
• Nikola Jokic (56.0 points) – UNDER
• Nikola Vucevic (50.0 points) – OVER
• Michael Carter-Williams (28.0 points) – OVER
• Zach LaVine (41.0 points) – UNDER
• Kelly Olynyk (27.0 points) – OVER
• Kevin Porter (29.5 points) – OVER
• LeBron James (50.0 points) – OVER

Favorite combinations

• Brandon Ingram (u40.0), Nikola Jokic (u56.0)
• LeBron James (o50.0), Kelly Olynyk (o27.0)
• Kevin Porter (o29.5), Nikola Vucevic (o50.0)
• Darius Garland (o29.0), Russell Westbrook (u52.0)
• Joel Embiid (o59.0), Michael Carter-Williams (o28.0)

Power play payout: 3x 
Flex play payout: 2x for two correct, 0.5x for one correct

Favorite longshot five-way flex play of the day

I’m not a huge fan of doing the largest offering of a five-way parlay on a daily basis, but if I was to run one out there Friday on PrizePicks, here’s what I would throw in.

• LeBron James (o50.0), Kevin Porter (o29.5), Nikola Vucevic (o50.0), Kelly Olynyk (o27.0), Nikola Jokic (u56.0)
  • Flex play payout: 10x for five correct, 2x for four correct, 0.4x for three correct