Cleveland Cavaliers @ Los Angeles Lakers 

Over/Under: 208.5

Spread: LAL -3.5

We have a battle out West as the Cleveland Cavaliers travel into Laker-territory to take on the Los Angeles Lakers!

News For Game:

*Collin Sexton – GTD (Hamstring)

*LeBron James – OUT

*Anthony Davis – OUT

*Andre Drummond – OUT (Waiting for buy-out)

*Kevin Love – OUT

*Jared Dudley – OUT

*Javalle McGee – OUT (Traded to DEN)

Player Breakdowns:

MVP/CPT

1.) Dennis Schroder PG (LAL) $12,300 – 

Schroder lands my top CPT/MVP spot for tonight as he has carried the second-highest usage rate since the absence of LBJ began at 24.2%, only behind Kyle Kuzma at 24.5%. The Cavs have struggled against opposing PGs this season, and Schroder has topped 35 fantasy points in three of his last five games, with all five going for 28+, as well. He is getting to the foul line well, taking double-digit shot attempts, averaging 9.0 assists per game over his last two, and also recorded 5 total steals in his last two to boot. He is an excellent source of scoring, assists, and steals, AND he has value at his price.

2.) Jarrett Allen C (CLE) $14,100 – 

One spot that has really taken a beaten for the Lakers with AD out is the Center spot and this should bode well for Allen here tonight. The Lakers have given up the fourth MOST fantasy points to the Center spot over their last ten contests, and Allen has played 32+ minutes in four of his last five games while putting up 36+ fantasy points in three of those four to boot. Allen should have a decent size differential over Montrezl Harrell and this should also work to his favor. Think Allen is the guy to have for CLE, especially if Sexton can’t give this one a go.

3.) Darius Garland PG (CLE) 11,700 – 

Garland has been good lately, and if Sexton is out, his usage will rise immensely. Garland is fresh off a 43-fantasy point effort against the Bulls where he dropped 22 points, grabbed four boards, dished nine dimes, one steal. Garland is a bit of a risky play at CPT, but we cannot doubt his upside, as he has eclipsed 40 fantasy points in three of his last five games, and he continues to play 35+ minutes a night.

MID-TIER:

1.) Kyle Kuzma SF/PF (LAL) $9,200 – 

Kuzma is the second-highest priced player on tonight’s slate, but it’s for good reason obviously. He has recorded 32, 41, and 38 fantasy point totals in his last three-straight games with LBJ down, while playing 36, 34, and 42 minutes of action. The Cavs are also allowing 8th MOST fantasy points to the PF spot over the course of the season, so this is quite a decent spot for Kuzma, who also leads the team in usage rate as mentioned above at 24.5% for the last three games.

2.) Montrezl Harrell C (LAL) $9,000 –

Trez is obviously in play here as he has been garnering lots of the reserve role off the bench in relief for Marc Gasol , as Gasol is on a minute’s limit following some time off. Harrell has still found a way to play 30+ minutes in his last four-straight contests, and has put up 40, 39, 29, and 32 fantasy points as a result. As long as he continues to get these minute-totals, he will absolutely have value. 

3.) Larry Nance Jr. SF/PF (CLE) $7,400 – 

With Love still on the shelf, Nance has rejoined the starting unit here for the Cavs and has played well in doing so. He is fresh off a 47-fantasy point outing against the Bulls where he recorded a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double with five boards, two steals, and a block. He has his up-and-down games, but he has topped 34 fantasy points in three of his last six games, and it does help to mention that the Lakers are allowing the MOST fantasy points to opposing PFs over their last ten games to boot. 

DARTS:

1.) Issac Okoro SF (CLE) $4,400 – 

Okoro is more of a defensive-specialist and that is exactly why he stays on the floor for heavy minutes in the starting unit. He generally guards the opponent’s best player and he’s pretty damn good at it. However, he has been decently productive at times as well this season and he has topped 20 fantasy points in three of his last five games, but he plays 25+ minutes a night typically, and we all know that minutes on the floor equal opportunity. We have seen a couple 30+ fantasy point outings, so to say he doesn’t have a decent ceiling for his price is quite wrong. He is a dart, but he definitely has value at his price for his minutes.

2.) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG (LAL) $3,600 – 

KCP took 10 shots last game against the Sixers and also made six of those, while getting to the charity stripe a total of four times and hitting all four of those as he scored 19 actual to go along with four boards, three assists, and two steals in route to a 33-fantasy point outing in 31 minutes. The Lakers need his offense, and the boards and assists are just icing on the cake. If he can continue to contribute in multiple categories like he did against the Sixers, he will crush his value at this price.