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Daily Fantasy Basketball: Building blocks, sleepers for March 18

Isaiah Thomas has attempted at least 15 shots in 14 straight games entering Friday's tilt with the Raptors. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

As part of ESPN Fantasy's efforts to provide daily fantasy gamers intel on whom to target in DFS, our fantasy basketball experts are here to show you which players they are building their teams around and which sleepers they are taking fliers on. Today's panel features picks from Joe Kaiser, Tom Carpenter, Jim McCormick and Cynthia Frelund.


Building Blocks

Joe Kaiser -- Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

Golden State lost when they last played in Dallas back in late December, but that game came without Curry. Tonight, the Warriors and Curry are out to prove the Mavs are no match for them when Golden State is at full strength. Dallas is struggling, having lost six of the past 10 games, but they're only 9-point underdogs in this one, so there's a good chance Curry will be on the court in the fourth quarter.

Tom Carpenter -- Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder

This is pretty simple: The most athletic guard in the league is facing a Philadelphia 76ers team that has no one on their roster capable of even slowing him down. The only concern is that the Thunder might mop up the Sixers and rest Westbrook in the fourth quarter. If that happens, though, odds are Westy will already have a healthy triple-double.

Jim McCormick -- Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics

Doing his best Damian Lillard impersonation, Thomas has lofted at least 15 shots in 14 straight games and is rightfully 12th in usage rate in the NBA on the season. The Raptors present a difficult DvP scenario, but I'm also guessing we could see Kyle Lowry resting or given limited minutes as the team openly seeks to get him a reprieve on a back-to-back. No matter Lowry's status, this high-usage dynamo is reasonably priced, especially on DraftKings, and is projected to top 35 fantasy points on both scoring formats.

Cynthia Frelund -- Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Sacramento Kings

Cauley-Stein is under $4,000 on both sites. Right now, I have Ben McLemore already ruled out, while Rajon Rondo and Omri Casspi are both questionable. The Pistons defense is not the reason to pick him, as they rate average or better against each position and are top 10 overall. However, watch the final roster as he could be in a good spot to outperform his price. For reference, his averages over the past 10 games: 17.8 mins, 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds.


Sleepers

Joe Kaiser -- Tim Frazier, PG, New Orleans Pelicans

Frazier scored a career-high 14 points and added 9 assists and 3 rebounds in 26 minutes in his first game as a Pelican. He is listed as a starter by the Pelicans for tonight's game against his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, and is priced near the minimum on DraftKings and at the minimum on FanDuel.

Tom Carpenter -- Enes Kanter, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

Kanter has an affordable contract and a terrific matchup tonight against the 76ers, who have allowed the most DK points and second-most FD points to centers over the past three weeks. They also rank 30th in rebounding rate and defensive efficiency over that stretch. If the Thunder take care of business early (16-point spread), Kanter may see some extra action tonight too.

Jim McCormick -- Enes Kanter, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

Projection models adore Kanter's sweet setup in Philly tonight and it's difficult to disagree -- the Sixers are 30th in rebounding percentage and Kanter has topped 30 fantasy points in five of the past six. Limited minutes haven't really curbed the production pattern, while a blowout could offer Kanter extended exposure tonight.

Cynthia Frelund -- Isaiah Thomas, PG, Boston Celtics

I have him as a sleeper because PG options are deep tonight, he’s in that pretty-expensive price cap range, and the Raptors D is the second best of the teams playing tonight. No Jae Crowder means more opportunity for Thomas to keep filling up the stat sheet (which he’s done even in losses). Past 10 averages: 32.5 mins, 24.8 points (27.3 if you only look at March) and 5 assists.