(-500) Damwon Gaming KIA v Fredit BRION (+340)

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The time has come for the LCK playoffs to begin! Our first matchup includes one of the most storied franchises ever in DWG KIA squaring off against one of the youngest organizations in Fredit BRION. This will be the first playoff birth for Fredit BRION which is a tremendous accomplishment but unfortunately, they are squaring off against the 3rd seeded and former World Champion Damwon. This is a best-of-five game series that will force teams to be consistent in their approach to the game and limit the impact of more off-meta strategies. The “cheese” approach of lower teams won’t hold water when they need to win three games against better teams. This is how I see this matchup playing out. Expect for BRO to come out in game one or two with a wild champion pick or early game rotation. It may catch out DWG and they could steal a game. In reality, though, there is just entirely too much talent on this higher seed and we should see them prevail in this first round of matches. 

Game #1: Damwon Gaming KIA v Fredit BRION

Cann’s Pick: Damwon Gaming KIA (3-1)  

Fantasy Value Breakdown

Captain- Damwon Gaming KIA

Favorite: deokdam (DK: $16,200) While deokdam has had his ups and downs this split, I think DWG has to be happy with his total body of work. In his 42 games played, he had 177 kills, 171 assists, and averaged a +207 gold advantage at 10 minutes. This will be a piece to look out for in this series, especially with the overall inflated production numbers out of ADCs this split. His opponent, Hena, is much weaker in lane and struggles with positioning. DK has a strong approach to team fights and it will be in these late-game fights that we will see deokdam shine brightest.

Value Pick: Canyon (DK: $14,100)

 

 

Captain- Fredit BRION

Favorite: Lava (BRO: $15,000) There aren’t too many places in this lineup that I feel strongly about. The only angle for this team to win on Wednesday will be playing through Lava and making sure he is on a pick with agency. Lava needs to have the ability to lane safely but also have high impact in the late game. It will be his job (almost solely) to take out deokdam as DWG is rotating to team fights. This is the playstyle that has helped most get him to his 149 kills and a 74% team kill participation rate. ShowMaker has not played at the same level as he has in the past and the gap between him and Lava is not a complete ocean, which feels like the case in the other lanes. 

Flex- Damwon Gaming KIA

Favorite: Canyon (DK: $9,400) This is the only player to dethrone a T1 player in the First Team All-Pro lineup (over Oner) and while Oner had better numbers, I think it makes sense. You watch the games that DWG have lost or struggled in, it is mainly when Canyon hasn’t played at a level to carry his whole team. Canyon is the facilitator for this squad which you see in his 266 assists and 73% team kill participation rate. He gains advantages early (+180 @10 min) and is a participant in nearly 40% of all DWG first blood kills. Easy pick up here. 

Value Pick: Kellin (DK: $7,200) 

Flex- Fredit BRION

Favorite: UmTi (BRO: $9,000) I am sticking with the jungler position in my flex position. We have seen junglers across the globe be the catalyst for their team. The best teams in the world have the most effective junglers working the map. UmTi is no exception to this rule. He has a 3.4 KDA (top 6 in the LCK) and 233 assists (6th in the LCK among junglers). He will look to avoid Canyon in the jungle and instead of shadowing him into lanes, UmTi will want to put pressure in the off lanes. This approach will require his laners to be safe in lane when he is in another lane but could allow him to get laners ahead safely. This will be crucial for BRO to make a series of this. 

Value Pick: Morgan (BRO: $7,800) 

Cann’s Example Lineup

DraftKings Classic 

$50,000 Salary Cap

Captain (x1.5): deokdam (DWG: $16,200)

Alternate: Canyon (DWG: $14,100)

Captain (x1.5): Lava (BRO: $15,000)

Alternate: Morgan (BRO: $11,700)

Flex: Canyon (DWG: $9,400)

Alternate: Damwon Gaming ($6,600)

Flex: UmTi (BRO: $9,000)

Alternate: Hena (BRO:$10,200)