LPL Slate Feb 22nd, 2021

Suning v JD Gaming

FunPlus Phoenix v Team WE

This is a shorter slate with big implications. There have been some serious surprises thus far about which teams are succeeding and those who are failing. This slate feels a little chalky which means I can almost guarantee this is n’t going to play out like normal. Either way, we are watching the LPL which means we should expect some serious fireworks!  

Game #1 Suning v JD Gaming

Cann’s Pick: Suning

Game #2: FunPlus Phoenix v Team WE

Cann’s Pick: FunPlus Phoenix

Fantasy Value Breakdown

Captain

Favorite: Lwx (FPX: $11,700) In 17 games in the first half of the split Lwx picked up 100 kills. He has a KDA of 7.5 and is the most consistent performer in the LPL in terms of DFS. Coming into this slate he is averaging 89 FPPG which would set you around 133.5 in the captain’s slot, that is a pretty good place to be. 

Value Pick: huanfeng (SN: $11,100) Even with Suning really underperforming in the first half, huanfeng has been a pretty solid pickup. He has 73 kills and 74 assists which is 397 fantasy points earned without factoring creep scores or death into the figure. This is a pretty solid output for a guy who so clearly does not mesh with his support. The two week break could have given him some time to right the ship and get into more of a groove and while JDG has had some good games, LokeN is not overly frightening. 

Top Lane

Favorite: Nuguri (FPX: $6,200) The carry top laner has fallen out of style in the meta. If a top laner picks up 3 or 4 kills it is a huge win. The benefit of Nuguri is he picks up quite a few assists (107) and a great laning numbers at 10 minutes (+268 for gold and +274 in experience). It may not be super valuable to spend on a top laner but if you wanted to secure points for this role, Nuguri is a great pick. 

Value Pick: bin (SN: $6,000) If you want to save a few bucks picking up bin is a pretty smart place to do it. In the LPL, bin has the third most kills (49) and only 19% of Suning’s deaths. This should be a three game match if it is as close as I think it will be so bin should have plenty of opportunities against 369 to rack up points. 

Jungle

Favorite: Kanavi (JDG: $6,800) I would put Kanavi as the favorite for two reasons. First, while it appears Tian will be back playing on the slate you never know if FPX continues to run with Bo. The second reason is more about his opponent SofM. To say SofM has understatement. He is only 12% of all of SN’s kills and participates 61.3% of all of SN kills. Kanavi functions well as a team and should continue to outperform SofM today. 

Value Pick: beishang (TWE: $6,400) Of all the junglers playing on Monday morning, beishang has the most kills with 69. He has a 5.8 KDA and drives the success of Team WE. He has a 67.6% team kill participation and has almost 27.9% of Team WE’s kills. Now with changes to the games the carry jungler is becoming more and more phased out so he may not have the opportunity to have the same impact but he is currently their best option. 

Mid Lane

Favorite: Doinb (FPX: $7,400) Doinb is a fairly average mid laner in terms of stats. He has 50 kills and 30 deaths but his assist numbers are pretty impressive (140). He usually plays pretty passively in lane but turns it on in the late game assisting Lwx and company in late game teamfights. 

Value Pick: Angel (SN: $7,000)  He is a safe player with a marginal impact on the games he plays in. He has a 68.8% team kill participation but relatively low kill (43) and assist (94) numbers but he has one of the lowest death totals (23) in the league. If Suning bounces back and makes the playoffs it will be because Angel begins to make a larger and larger impact on the map. Add on top of that the fact that he is playing one of the worst mid laners in Yagao and this is well worth the money.   

ADC

Favorite: Loken (JDG: $7,600) While he is the lowest performing bot laner on this slate (58 kills and 72 assists) what still makes LokeN a decent choice here is the fact that there is a real possibility this series goes a full 3 games and is a bit coin flippy. I also think LvMao (JDG support) is a decent support and protecting his laner so LokeN could get through this series without too many deaths. 

Value Pick: Jiumeng (WE: $6,800) I officially do NOT endorse this pick. I have thought Team WE were frauds since the beginning of the split and were lucky enough to play some of the easier or struggling competition early on. With this in mind, Jiumeng does have a 3.8 KDA which is respectable and 80 total kills. He should outproduce LokeN but there are two other good options on this slate to choose from. 

Support

Favorite: Crisp (FPX: $5,800) Anyone who supports Lwx should be seen as a solid pickup for support, that includes me. Now add Crisp’s ability to roam and play around Bo/Tian as well and you have a lethal support. He is averaging almost 70 FPPG which is more than some top laners which is mind blowing. The bot lane will be the game changer in this matchup and I think Crisp will continue to push FPX towards 1st place. 

Value Pick: Missing (WE: $4,800) This pick is all about value. By paying $1000 less you can invest that into your captain role which will have a larger impact. Missing is averaging 43 FPPG, which is a respectable number. HE is 6th in the LPL in assists (132) but he has such a high tendency to die that he will lose some potential earned points.  

Team

Favorite: FunPlus Phoenix ($5,600) I figured I would just complete the full send on jinxing this team with my breakdown. They are second in the league in both  early and late game ratings. They take first baron in 65% of the time and the first 3 turrets 79% of the time. The true first place team in the LPL in my eyes.  

Value Pick: JD Gaming ($5,200) While I expect this game to go a full 3 matches (and very possible Suning victory) comparing the two teams it is hard to pick against JD. They have an edge in the early and late game as well as every measurable 

Cann’s Example Lineup

DraftKings Classic 

$50,000 Salary Cap

Captain (x1.5): Lwx ($11,700)

Alternate: Doinb ($11,100)

Top: bin ($6,000)

Jungle: beishang ($6,400)

Alternate: Bo/Tian ($7,200/$7,000)
Mid: Angel ($7,000)

ADC: huanfeng ($7,400)

Alternate: LokeN ($7,600)

Support: Crisp ($5,800)

Team: JD Gaming ($5,200)