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Atlanta Hawks @ Los Angeles Clippers
Spread: LAC -6.5
O/U: 225.5
Injuries
Atlanta
Trae Young - IN
De'Andre Hunter - IN
Cam Reddish - OUT
Clippers
Serge Ibaka - OUT
Patrick Beverley - OUT
MVP/CPT
George has looked great the past two games shooting 50% or better from the field in both and that has translated well into scoring, averaging 24.5 PPG. He’s also topped 45 DKP in each of those contests, scoring better than Kawhi Leonard in each game. George has flashed more upside than Leonard and the kicker is that he’s cheaper.
Leonard hasn’t been the best for fantasy lately, but we know what he can do and because of that, he warrants CPT consideration on this showdown slate. Atlanta ranks 18th in defensive rating as a team and this is a nice pace up spot for LAC as well. Leonard has performed far better at home than on the road this year, averaging 49 DKP compared to 43.2 on the road.
I think Capela is a sneaky CPT tonight as long as we don’t get burned and he plays just 23 minutes. With Ivica Zubac hanging around the rim the whole night, Capela won’t have to leave the restricted area much, giving him the chance to vacuum up all of the rebounds. He has topped 14 in five-of-six and if he gets 30 minutes, there's a serious chance at 20 tonight.
Mid-Tier
He went absolutely berserk against the Lakers on Saturday and Collins should at the very least make our player pool here. He’s put up 34+ FP in four straight and topped 40 in three-of-four. In his one meeting against Los Angeles this year, he put up 41.3 DKP, so obviously he enjoys facing the teams from LA because that 60 burger he just dropped came against the Lakers.
With Serge Ibaka once again out, look for the Clippers to deploy Zubac for extended run. He was well on his way to a third straight 30+ minute evening before the Clippers blew the Hornets out and his services were no longer needed. In the two games prior, both 35 minutes of action, he put up 30+ DKP, one game resulting in a double-double.
Pretty much insert everything I just wrote about Zubac into this column. Morris would have once again topped 30 minutes if not for the blowout last time out. He’s topped 28+ FP in each start over 30 minutes and let’s not forget, this guy averaged nearly 20 PPG for the Knicks last year before being traded, so he knows a thing or two about getting buckets.
Value Tier
The Clippers have moved Batum to the bench but his minutes really haven’t suffered much as he’s played 28 and 29 the last two games. They’re electing to play point-guardless basketball for much of the game, which has given Batum the chances. The Hawks are a bottom half of the league defense and the same can be said specifically against small-forwards.
We’ve now seen Bogdanovic’s minutes creep up to 29 and 30 the last two games and the fantasy production has followed pouring in 37.5 and 19 DKP. He’s taken 24 shots in those games and we know he’s not shy about shooting the ball. He has a 19.4% USG rate and is only $4,000. Hard to pass up on even with De’Andre Hunter returning.