Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors
Over/Under: 224.5
Spread: Lakers -1.5
Tonight, we have a clash in the Bay Area as the Golden State Warriors play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in a showdown out West!
INJURY NEWS
*LeBron James PG (LAL) – Probable (Ankle)
*Kyle Kuzma PF (LAL) – Probable (Heel)
*Marc Gasol C (LAL) – OUT
*Alex Caruso PG (LAL) – OUT
Player Breakdowns:
MVP/CPT
LeBron James PG/SF (LAL) $18,900
LBJ as of no shock tops the chart at the CPT/MVP spot for tonight’s battle against the Warriors. LeBron is fresh off a rusty “return from the break” game against the Pacers where he only mustered roughly 40 fantasy points, shooting just 5-of-13 from the field and 1-4 from three-ball land. Either way, James leads the team in usage rate at 30.1% over their last five games, and in two games vs the Warriors this season he has averaged 19.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.7 spg, and 1.0 bpg, with an average usage rate of 26.7%. Have to believe that with all the statistical categories he brings forth, he is easily the top pick for the CPT/MVP.
Stephen Curry PG (GSW) @18,300
If you feel comfier that Curry may have a big night, then you can take the smidge of savings and play him at the CPT/MVP spot. Curry has topped 55 fantasy points in two of his last three games and had a string of 48+ fantasy point efforts in 8 of his last ten games played. Also, he as well leads his team in usage rate at 31.1% over their last five games, and in two games against the Lakers this season he averaged 21.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 7.0 apg, 2.0 spg, with an average of 33.3% usage overall as well. Plenty of reasons to like Curry here tonight as your top play if you feel he gets the home-cookin’ going.
Kyle Kuzma SF/PF (LAL) $11,400
If you want to take a bit of a contrarian approach at the CPT/MVP spot that may allow you to get both Curry and LBJ in your lineup, take a look at Kuzma. Kuz has played 34, and 30 minutes over his last two games and has put up 46 and 50 fantasy points as a result. Kuzma has also recorded three-straight double-doubles and three steals in his last three games, as well. In two games vs Golden State this season he is averaging a double-double with 13.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and 0.5 spg in just 22 minutes on average. Except for the fact that he has gotten at least 30 or more minutes in his last two games. With the Lakers still dealing with injuries, he should continue to see a nice work-load. It helps also that the Warriors are allowing the 5th MOST fantasy points to opposing PFs over the last 10 contests, also.
MID-TIER
Draymond Green PF/C (GSW) $8,400
Dray is fresh off a massive game in which he planted 56 fantasy points with a 11-point, 12 board, 12 dime triple-double with four steals against the Jazz last night. He has played 36 or more minutes in five of his last seven games while also putting up 45, 47, 61, 40, and 57 fantasy points in those five games. Dray brings tons of upside with his ability to put up stats in multiple categories and if you can find the cash to play him, you most definitely should consider.
Kelly Oubre Jr. SG/SG (GSW)
Oubre Jr. has been quiet over the last couple of games as he cooled-off after having a run of five of his last nine games going for 38+ fantasy points. However, he has played 30+ minutes in his last two-straight, and for 8 of his last nine. In two games vs the Lakers earlier this season, Oubre Jr. averaged 18.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.0 apg, 1.0 bpg. He brings really good value here tonight at his price and may even be a value CPT/MVP, also, as he is bound to bounce-back soon.
Dennis Schroder PG/SG (LAL) $7,800
Schroder has also benefited lately with the injury absences the Lakers continue to deal with. Schroder has been playing extremely well lately and has topped 30 fantasy points five of his last six contests played. He has also played 32+ minutes in five of his last six games to boot. He has also garnered the second-highest usage on the team over their last five games at 26.8%.
DART THROWS
Markieff Morris PF/C (LAL) $5,200
Another player that has tremendously benefited from the Lakers recent injuries is Kieff Morris. Morris has played 22+ minutes in six of his last seven games while putting up 22+ fantasy points in five of his last six games, as well. He continues to get the starting-nod at the power forward spot while also providing nice fantasy production in the process.
Jordan Poole SG/SF (GSW) $4,400
Since making his return from the G-League, Poole has been playing magnificent basketball. He has seen 26, 20, and 22 minutes over his last three games while putting up 38 (started), 25, and 24 fantasy points as a result. Head Coach Steve Kerr has raved about how Poole has earned his playing spot in this rotation and should have a solid role once again tonight.
Damian Jones C (LAL) $1,000
Jones is the absolute DART of the night; however, he has been starting at the center spot for the Lakers lately and the Warriors have not exactly been good against the position this season. He has seen 16 and 15 minutes in the Lakers last two games, and although he hasn’t exactly been overly productive, he still has topped seven fantasy points in four of his last five with a 16 and 11 fantasy point outing. One may say, “we serious here?”, but when you realize that you only need five fantasy points from Jones to hit a value of 5x, and anything over is pretty much profit, while he has topped this number in four of his last five. He has a shot at having a decent night in the boards category here if he gets another 15-16 minutes. Like the play as a large-field tournament dart (IF HE STARTS!!!).