Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Clippers

Spread: LAC -5

O/U: 229

Tip-off: 3:30 PM EST

Injuries:

Clippers

Mavericks

PACE (the number of possessions a team uses per game)

Clippers rank 26th in pace (100.0)

Mavericks rank 18th in pace (102.5)

MVP/CPT

Paul George , SG ($15,600)

Not only is there a possibility that Kawhi Leonard sits here, but George has opened the season on fire from the floor averaging 28 PPG on 65.6% shooting and 58.8% from three and Leonard played in both of them. George is a swiss army knife as he can provide us stats from all categories necessary, as he’s already averaging 5.5 RPG and 6.0 APG as well. We saw George notch a 33.4% USG rate with Kawhi Leonard off the floor last year, now there is also no Montrezl Harrell , so it could be a one man show on Sunday. The Mavs are the 27th ranked defense this year and this is a pace up spot for PG13. 

Luka Doncic , PG ($16,500)

Even if Kawhi Leonard sits, I still suspect Doncic to check in as the highest owned player of the slate, even ahead of Paul George . We know how incredible Doncic can be, but he hasn’t really shown it yet, but the season is young. The scoring isn’t lacking as he’s poured in 32 and 27 points, but the peripherals are lagging behind a bit. We know they’re coming and they’re going to come in bunches, but this isn’t the easiest spot on the board with the likes of Patrick Beverley , Paul George and possibly Kawhi Leonard defending him. He’s still an elite option, but know he’s chalk on Sunday’s showdown.

Josh Richardson , SG ($11,400)

What we pretty much suspected during the offseason is coming true while Kristaps Porzingis is out; Richardson is the Mavs second scorer. His 19.1% USG rate may not suggest that, but he’s second in scoring at 14.5 PPG and is coming off a 17 point performance against the Lakers. Just two years ago in MIA, Richardson averaged 16.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, 3.6 RPG and 1.1 SPG, so we know he can really stuff a box score when needed. The Mavs need him to continue to assert himself offensively and we suspect that he’ll continue to do just that.

Mid-Tier

Nicolas Batum , SF/PF ($5,200)

Let the record show that Batum has looked great during his first two games with the Clippers. Most of us deemed him washed after a lost season in Charlotte, but he was injured and just wasn’t given much run. He’s getting the run with LAC, starting while Marcus Morris is hurt, and thriving as both games he’s put up 23+ DK points. He’s averaged 32 MPG as well and that’s the kicker. The Mavs front court is small and Batum could again wreak havoc on the glass as he’s coming off a 10 rebound effort his last time out.

Lou Williams , PG/SG ($6,200)

The Clippers haven’t deployed Williams just yet, but the time is coming, especially if Kawhi Leonard sits this game out. Williams has played just 23 and 25 minutes in each of the first two games and he’s averaged 26.6 or more for three straight seasons since coming to the Clippers. We know Williams can fill it up and with Kawhi Leonard off the floor last year, Williams posted a 32.5% USG and averaged 1.26 FP/min, second in both categories behind Paul George . Williams is a GPP option on this showdown slate.

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG ($8,200)

It’s scary using Hardaway on large slates, but his game fits showdown perfectly. He’s as streaky as they come, but if he gets hot, he breaks the slate, so when better than to use him when there is only one game! He hasn’t shot the ball well in the first two games making just 31.8% of his attempts, but he hasn’t shied away from taking them, which is a bonus. His life may be a little easier if Kawhi Leonard doesn’t play because he won’t have to deal with that headache defensively.

Dart Throw(s)

**ADDED** Luke Kennard , SG/SF ($4,200)

With the news Kawhi Leonard is officially out, Luke Kennard will be moving into the Clippers starting lineup in his stead. Kennard and the Clippers came to a big extension recently so they're going to use him a bunch here. With Leonard and Marcus Morris both out, we could see 30 minutes ofut of Kennard due to the wings running thin on depth. Kennard averaged 15.8 PPG last year in Detroit.

Dorian Finney-Smith , SF/PF ($4,200)

What’s nerve racking about using DFS in...DFS is that he doesn’t take a whole lot of shots, so we need the peripheral stats to come through and they have the first two games notching eight rebounds in the first game and five steals through two. He’s starting, playing 32.5 MPG and contributing. The Clippers biggest hole is in their front court where they’re also starting an undersized forward in Nicolas Batum . 

Trey Burke , PG/SG ($2,800)

This is a complete shot in the dark, but Burke has played 20 and 24 minutes in each of the first two games of the year and was a spark in their last game pouring in 17 points off the bench. If his shot doesn’t fall it could be a quick hook, but the fact that he scored just seven points in his first game and still stayed on the floor speaks to the Mavs need for secondary scoring with Kristaps Porzingis out. 

Ivica Zubac , C ($6,400)

Although Zubac isn’t starting, he’s played a prominent role in the first two games of the year averaging 23 MPG and 11.5 PPG. He took 11 FT’s last time out as he is really looking for his offense right now. Serge Ibaka has only played 21 minutes in each of the first two games this season, leading to more run for Zubac. This is a match-up Zubac can take full advantage of considering the smaller front-court Dallas runs out each and every game.