Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers 

Over/Under: 214

Spread: DEN -5

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets take on Anthony Davis and the Lakers in a late-night showdown!

Injuries

*LeBron James – Out

*Anthony Davis – Probable (calf)

*Dennis Schroder – Out

*Will Barton – Out

*Kyle Kuzma – Probable (thumb)

*Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Probable (ankle)

*Monte Morris - Out

Player Breakdown

CPT/MVP

Anthony Davis LAL ($15,600)

With LeBron James and Dennis Schroder both out tonight, Davis is really the only game in town for the Lakers. After scoring 26 and 22 points in his two previous games, Davis’ offense took a step back yesterday as he scored just 12 points in 33 minutes against Toronto. There doesn’t appear to be any lingering issues with his ankle so I wouldn’t necessarily be concerned that the Lakers played last night, and all we need for him is make a few more shots than he did (five of 16 from the field). Thanks to nine rebounds and seven assists, Davis still finished with 41.25 DK points, as that is a pretty good floor. 

Nikola Jokic DEN ($17,100)

This is actually a little cheaper than we have seen Jokic in the past, but the problem now is that we are getting to that point in the season where rest for the playoffs is almost as important as the game at hand. With that being said he is still a top target for tonight and he doesn’t need much playing time to wreak havoc on the opposition. In 33 minutes on Saturday, Jokic scored 30 points with 14 rebounds and seven assists in just another standard day at the office. 

Andre Drummond LAL ($11,700)

We shouldn’t have to worry about Drummond playing back-to-back games as the Lakers continue to keep his minutes down (26 yesterday). The 14 shots he took yesterday were on the high side, but as he made eight of them, we aren’t complaining as the Lakers look for alternative sources of offense. With 19 points and 11 rebounds, it was another double-double for Drummond and we can certainly expect another one tonight. 

MID-TIER

Michael Porter Jr DEN ($9,200)

Porter isn’t going to come cheap here but you know what you are going to get, and he is making it worth your while over this recent stretch. There was a clear need for a second scoring option in Denver, and over his last five games Porter hasn’t scored less than 23 points with a high of 39 while averaging about seven rebounds per game. 

Kyle Kuzma LAL ($6,200)

The price drops considerably here and Kuzma has disappointed us a fair amount so far this season often leaving us (or maybe just me) wanting more. Yesterday he turned that narrative around as he stepped up to fill the offensive void left by James and Schroder as he scored 24 points making eight of 16 shots. Sign me up for a repeat, and especially at this price.

Facundo Campazzo DEN ($5,000)

It goes without saying that we are going to include Denver’s starting point guard here. The fact that he has now scored in double figures for three straight games certainly boosts that appeal and he also has double digit assists in two of the last five. Of course, that is the high end of expectations for Campazzo but he has been pretty reliable these days as Denver’s reliance on him has increased with Morris now sidelined as well. 

DART THROWS

PJ Dozier DEN ($5,200)

You could flip a coin between Dozier and Caldwell-Pope, but I’m going to opt for the cost savings here. Both are about the same as far as minutes go and the productivity is similar with each having a place in your lineup tonight. Dozier might have a little more upside offensively, and he did shoot seven for 15 from the field on Saturday, but his four turnovers left him with just 22 DK points. 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope LAL ($4,000)

Caldwell-Pope will get another 30-plus minutes of playing time, and tonight he is the second perimeter option behind Kuzma. Generally, he doesn’t stray much more from 10 points along with a few assists, but he does have the ability and upside to surpass that offensively. 

Austin Rivers DEN ($3,400)

Denver has been relying on Rivers quite a beat these days, but his most endearing trait is the workload. While he has the ability to do so, I’m not sure he gets past 15 or 20 DK points tonight, but there is some value in the price.