Happy Monday, everyone! To finish the night we have an intriguing matchup for our NBA DFS Showdown as we head out west for a clash with the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers will welcome in the New York Knicks for the first meeting of the season. This game has a TON to like about it and we will break it all down below!

Finding some of the NBA DFS top picks could be easier if you look at Fantasy Alarm’s NBA DFS Projections, powered by FanJections. Let’s dive into the complete breakdown for tonight’s showdown slate.

 

New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers

Total: 234.5

Spread: Lakers (-4)

New York Knicks Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

 

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

I do think we see AD play in this game tonight after missing the Lakers most recent game in the rubber match against the Spurs. Believe the five days of rest, should be more than enough to get some heal in on his hip and groin. We know what Davis is capable of, and we have pretty much seen that he is going to he the main focal point of the offense and defense when he is on the floor, even with James. The Knicks are having to start Isaiah Hartenstein in place of Mitchell Robinson, and this is great for Davis. Davis has touched 60 or more fantasy points in his last 2 of 3 and this is a good enough spot for him as any.

Julius Randle, New York Knicks 

Something tells me that Jalen Brunson will get the Cam Reddish treatment tonight and we saw Reddish completely shut down Tyrese Haliburton in the in-season championship game. Reddish is known for his defense and that is why he starts. He will be on Brunson and Randle will get most of the looks here. Not to mention, Randle was not exactly treated well in his past stint with the Lakers, so coming back to Staples should be a fun experience for him! Randle has shown nice upside lately, and we know he can go for 60+ any night literally.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Obviously, if LBJ is in tonight, he is viable for 50+ any night as well. James did return last game in that 2nd game against the Spurs and played 36 minutes in route to 59 fantasy points on 23 points, seven boards, 14 assists, and two steals. He should see a similar minute total tonight, and if AD for some reason does NOT play, then obviously he moves a bit higher here on the top CPT/MVP list. 

 

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Brunson is still most definitely in play, as the Knicks won't exactly have enough offense to keep up with the Lakers if both AD and James do play, so they will need Brunson regardless and Tom Thibs may look for ways to have Brunson on the floor when Reddish is not just for that reason. Either way, Brunson is an elite player and his usage rate is too high to not consider in a single game format. We did see him just put up 50 actual vs the Suns three nights ago, and has gone for 40 or more fantasy points in three-straight.

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves continues to be the heaviest-minute and usage player for the Lakers coming off the bench and playing around 30 minutes a night. He fills ups that stat-sheet with the best of them, and usually gets floor time with either AD spell or James, and sometimes both where he runs the offense himself. Reaves has topped 35 fantasy points in his last five games, and should be in that 30-35 fantasy range here again tonight.

Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks

The only thing that would kill Hartenstein tonight is fouls. If he can find a way to not foul Davis all night, he will likely be a very nice value here. His size allows him to grab rebounds a plenty, and he has been scoring between 7-12 points a night since being thrusted into the starting role with the Robinson injury. Hartenstein is seeing 27+ minutes a night as a starter and has eclipsed 29 fantasy points in four of the five starts so far. 

RJ Barrett, New York Knicks

Barrett could be utilized a bit more if the Lakers do decide to focus on stopping Jalen Brunson, as I would assume they do. Barrett does have a decent offensive bag and can grab boards with a possible steal or two. Barrett has topped 30 fantasy points in four of his last six, while securing at least 27+ in five of those six to boot. Think he could be a little lower-owned than expected here in this game also.

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Josh Hart, New York Knicks

Hart was ejected against the Clippers in the Knick's most recent game due to receiving two techs and arguing with the referees. Before only playing the 8 minutes in that game, Hart was routinely seeing 25-30 minutes a night, which is where he should be once again here tonight. Hart is much like Barrett, but with assists factored in. He can fill the sheet and we know he will likely be in the mix for most of the game.

Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks

Even though Quickley doesn't see near the amount of minutes he should, he still finds ways to be productive in the time he gets. Quickley is only seeing 18-23 minutes a game, but he has recorded at least 18 or more fantasy points in five-straight games. We know the Knicks will likely need bench scoring, and this is where Quickley should come in tonight in LA.

Jericho Sims, New York Knicks

There just isn't a ton of value on this slate for the Laker's side, but I think there is a ton for the Knicks. Sims should be the direct back up for Hartenstein here, and in the event that Hartenstein cannot contain his fouls, Sims could possibly see an up-tick in minutes. Sims has shown a small flash last season where he was a bright spot off the bench. Either way, he should still see around 12-15 minutes even so.

 

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