LPL/LCK Slate July 16th, 2021
(+275) ThunderTalk Gaming v LGD Gaming (-400)
(+190) Invictus Gaming v JD Gaming (-260)
(+165) Fredit BRION v Afreeca Freecs (-210)
(+230) DRX v Liiv SANDBOX (-325)
While I have transferred into cover more of the LCS and the LEC I have missed breaking down the insanity that is the LPL and LCK everyday. On this slate if feels super chalky with top of the table teams taking on primarily bottom of the table teams. The exception is the wild card in Invictus Gaming. Look for really explosive performances out of certain key players because there are some serious production mismatches on this slate and I am thrilled to be covering these matchups for you! Let’s dive in!
Game #1 ThunderTalk Gaming v LGD Gaming
Cann’s Pick: LGD Gaming
Game #2: Invictus Gaming v JD Gaming
Cann’s Pick: JD Gaming
Game #3: IFredit BRION v Afreeca Freecs
Cann’s Pick: Afreeca Freecs
Game #4: DRX v Liiv SANDBOX
Cann’s Pick: Liiv SANDBOX
Fantasy Value Breakdown
Captain
Favorite: Kramer (LGD: $11,700) This could be one of those career series for Kramer. He is playing one of the worst teams in TT who has a team have a .8 KDA and he himself rank second among LPL ADCs in terms of kills with 106 in 26 games. He makes up almost 30% of all LGD’s kills and is averaging only 2.5 deaths per game. Huge upside here and it will take a pretty big upset to prevent you from getting your money’s worth on this pick.
Value Pick: Prince (LSB: $10,800)
Top Lane
Favorite: Zoom (JDG: $6,600) JDG is performing at a much higher level this split but I faded them a lot on Friday because they are playing IG. IG is notorious for beating the best teams pretty soundly but then getting embarrassed by bottom of the table teams. My exception for this matchup is in the top lane. When you look at the matchup, IG has a problem in the top lane. Their normal starter (TheShy) just doesn’t look to be in working form so they have put in neny into the starting lineup. He has performed to a decent level, but there is a big gap between in and the consistency of Zoom. Look for Zoom to add some big numbers to his already impressive 132 assists.
Value Pick: Hoya (BRO: $5,200)
Jungle
Favorite: Dread (AF: $7,200) What makes Dread an exciting pick for Friday morning is his focus on getting his team online. He has 77 kills (second most among LCK junglers) but even more impressive is his 137 assists. He has a 77% team kill participation rate and is always looking around mid lane to get early advantages around his laner or the scuttle crabs. I trust AF way more than I do BRO for Friday’s matchup, though I wouldn’t be shocked if this goes 3 games.
Value Pick: Croco (LSB: $6,800)
Mid Lane
Favorite: xiye (LGD: $7,600) This is a bad bad man right here. You will see the aggression the LPL is known for when you watch xiye play. He is aggressive, looks for trades all the time, and is willing to gie to ensure the maximum damage is delivered in a team fight. TT may focus him early but don’t sleep on his ability to pick up late game kills (102) and assists (146).
Value Pick: Lava (BRO: $6,800)
ADC
Favorite: Leo (AF: $7,400) AF are already up a game on BRO in the Spring split and it looks like they could go 2-0. BRO have their matches where they compete with literal world champions in DWG but then you take a step back and realize they have only won 42% of all of their games in their matches this Summer. Leo has a 4.3 KDA and gets most of that kill participation through assists (125). This isn’t always ideal but you are getting him at a great price for playing one of the worst teams in the LCK.
Value Pick: Wink (IG: $6,600)
Support
Favorite: Mark (LGD: $6,000) Mark is supporting the most deadly ADC on the slate. That alone justifies the price with this support but looking at his stats, it checks out on investment. Mark has the third most assists in the LPL with 240 and thats with a lowly 67% team kill participation rate. This tells us that the ceiling could be higher with this aggressive team. One thing to keep in mind is that Mark is prone to dying in teamfights so the hope with this pick is he grabs high kill participation before each death.
Value Pick: Lehends (AF: $5,400)
Team
Favorite: LGD Gaming ($5,600) I feel like I am giving LGD the kiss of death here but this is too good of a matchup for them not to lock it in. TT was somewhat competitive in the Spring Split but have completely nosedived in Summer. TT is decent in the early game and have pretty good pressure in lanes but fall off a cliff in the late game. LGD on the other hand get more polished as the game progresses and their new jungler (Shad0w) does such a great job securing late game objectives which is big points for you.
Value Pick: Fredit BRION ($4,600)
Cann’s Example Lineup
DraftKings Classic
$50,000 Salary Cap
Captain (x1.5): Prince ($10,800)
Alternate: Rookie ($9.900)
Top: Summit ($6,200)
Jungle: Shad0w ($7,000)
Alternate: Croco ($6,800)
Mid: Lava ($6,800)
ADC: Loken ($7,800)
Alternate: WInk ($6,600)
Support: Mark ($6,000)
Team: Liiv SANDBOX ($5,200)