Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns
Spread: PHX -11.5
O/U: 220.5
Injuries
Warriors
Stephen Curry - OUT
Draymond Green - OUT
Kelly Oubre - OUT
Suns
Cameron Johnson - OUT
MVP/CPT
If this game can stay competitive, Booker has 40 actual point upside. He was ejected in the third quarter of the last game he played, but before that he had 30+ actual in 3-of-4. Booker has played exceptionally well at home this year averaging 26.4 PPG on 53% shooting and 40.7 DKP compared to 24.2 PPG on 48% shooting and 35.6 DKP. The Warriors are reeling with players resting and Booker should really be able to get whatever he wants on the offensive end of things.
Anybody the Warriors throw at Ayton he should be able to bully. The Warriors are actually starting James Wiseman, which bodes well for Ayton as Wiseman is a good shot blocker, but his skinny body type can’t handle Ayton down low. Ayton had a stretch of four consecutive 30+ DKP outings before only playing 25 minutes against the Lakers. He should dominate here.
No Curry, Oubre or Green means allllll the Wiggins. He’s averaging 17 PPG on the year and if there was ever a time that Golden State needed him to essentially double his output, it’s tonight. Wiggins has a robust 30.4% USG rate and averages .98 FP/min without those three players on the floor.
Mid Tier
I mean, we’ve wanted him to start and we’re getting that tonight. Wiseman does a LOT while on the floor and he can really score the basketball on the inside and from the perimeter. He actually leads the Warriors in USG rate and FP/min when Curry, Green and Oubre are off the floor. Not Andrew Wiggins , James Wiseman. Hard to fade tonight all things considered.
Someone who is very safe essentially every night and every time we use him is Mikal Bridges . Over his last five games Bridges has averaged 30.3 minutes and 27.8 DKP/game but has given us 24.5 or more in 8-of-9 games. He put up 35 DKP against the Warriors in their lone meeting earlier this year and GSW is without one of their two best defenders in Kelly Oubre and Draymond Green .
Value Tier
We’ve seen Lee enter the starting lineup for this contest which isn’t unfamiliar territory as he started 36 games for the Warriors last season. Lee isn't a high usage player, but he’s a strong contributor and a good shooter as he’s posted a 38% clip from three-point territory this season. Lee has already been playing 18+ minutes every night and could see somewhere around 30 this evening.
Cameron Johnson missing the last game opened the door for Saric to play 26 minutes and he made the most of it scoring 21 actual and 33.75 DKP. Saric has a big 24.2% USG rate and averages 1.01 FP/min when Johnson’s off the floor. We should see Saric as the first player off the bench and also in garbage time if and when this gets out hand.
What should we expect from Mannion? Well, Mannion is averaging 19.3 points, 6.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in the G-League this season and is playing over 30 minutes per game. His stamina should hold up and there’s really no reason Steve Kerr won’t lean heavily on him for big minutes considering who’s out. The 48th pick of this year's draft is...wait for it…$1,000 and is the Warriors starting point-guard this evening.