Charlotte Hornets @ Los Angeles Clippers
Over/Under: 232.5
Spread: LAC -9
We got a match in the Staples Center where the Clippers will play host to the visiting Hornets in a late-night Westcoast Showdown!
New To Monitor:
*Serge Ibaka – GTD (Back)
Player Breakdowns:
MVP/CPT
1.) Kawhi Leonard SF (LAC) $16,200 –
Kawhi is the top CPT/MVP play for tonight and I believe there is enough value to get him in your CPT/MVP spot. Kawhi has 50+ fantasy point upside, and this Hornets team has given up an abundance of fantasy points to the SF spot. Leonard has topped 43 fantasy points in five of his last seven games and has averaged 47 fantasy points over his last five home contests.
2.) LaMelo Ball PG (CHA) $14,400 –
With Patrick Beverly on the shelf, the Clippers have been awful against the PG spot in these scenarios without his defensive presence on the court. Ball is fresh off a 43-fantasy point effort against the Lakers last time out where he poured in 26 actual, grabbed five boards, dished seven assists, with a steal in 33 minutes of action. He has not failed to eclipse 40 fantasy points in all but one of his last eight road travels.
3.) Ivica Zubac C (LAC) $9,300 –
If Ibaka happens to suit up, then this play will revert a FLEX only! However, IF Ibaka happens to sit once again, then Zubac would grab another spot-start and this is an amazing match up against a team that doesn’t defend opposing Centers well. Zubac has played back-to-back 35-minute outing as a result of the Ibaka absences and also put up 33 fantasy points in both contests to boot. Recorded one double-double, while accruing four steals and one block. If he starts, he is a very nice value play at the CPT/MVP spot that allows you to get some studs.
FLEX
1.) Paul George SG (LAC) $10,000 –
PG13 out up near 50 fantasy points against the Mavericks last time out with 28 actual, seven boards, five dimes, with one block and one steal in 41 huge minutes. The prior two games he had only gone for 24 and 29 fantasy points, so to see he has been a bit up-and-down lately is correct. However, we know the kind of upside he has, and we can basically lock him in for 30+ fantasy points on most nights, with an upside of 40+.
2.) Terry Rozier PG/SG (CHA) $7,600 –
Rozier has been a consistent fantasy producer lately and even put up 33 fantasy points against the Lakers last time out. He has topped 32 fantasy points in his last three-straight games and has put up 27 or more fantasy points in his last seven-straight contests. I think he flies a bit under the radar in this match up, but with Patrick Beverly out, the backcourt defense for the Clippers is much weaker. I think Rozier is a sneaky CPT/MPV pick as well if you are playing multiple GPPs lineups for this showdown, as we have seen him go for 45+ fantasy points several times over his last 15 or so games.
3.) Marcus Morris SF/PF (LAC) $5,400 –
Morris has reclaimed his starting PF role for this Clippers team and has played 31 and 36 minutes in his last two games, while putting up 30 and 27 fantasy points as a result. His price is extremely affordable, and the Hornets lack interior defense with any combination they place on the floor with Cody Zeller on the shelf. Think that you need to make Morris a core play in your lineups for this slate.
DARTS:
1.) Nicolas Batum SF/PC (LAC) $4,000 –
Get a little bit of a revenge against the former team narrative here with Batum as he faces his old squad. Batum has not exactly been reduced a ton of minutes with the newly reverted bench role, and the fact that Ibaka has missed the last two games, has allowed him to see 26 and 29 minutes. IF Ibaka DOES play, I would maybe look to pivot off Batum, as I would have to bump him down a smidge, however he has put up 16 or more fantasy points in six of his last eight games.
2.) Luke Kennard SG/SF (LAC) $2,400 –
The tournament dart of the night is right here in Luke Kennard , who has seen 12, 19, and 21 minutes over his last three games while putting up 27, 18, and 27 fantasy points to boot. With the Clippers being thin in the guard rotation without Beverly, Kennard has seen a slight up-tick in both minutes and production lately. Ride the wave while it is still there and take a chance on Kennard if you need a salary-saving dart.