It’s not the most exciting NBA DFS Showdown matchup as the Memphis Grizzlies travel to the Los Angeles Clippers. Ja Morant’s minutes are trending upwards, and James Harden is questionable. Those are the two biggest storylines we’re going to be looking at. Let’s dive into the NBA DFS Showdown playbook breakdown!

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers Total & Spread

  • Total: 228
  • Spread: LAC -4

 

 

 

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers Injury Updates

Grizzlies

Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers Projected Starting Lineups

Grizzlies

Clippers

 

 


 

DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Kawhi Leonard, LAC

(DK CPT - $15,600, UTIL - $10,400 / FD CPT - $18,900, UTIL - $12,600)

In a very competitive game against the Rockets last time out, Kawhi Leonard played a season-high 41 minutes and looked fantastic on both ends. He topped 50 FP to boot, and a matchup against the Grizzlies is far superior to the Rockets on. Leonard has surpassed James Harden as the team leader on the FP/min front and is not listed on the injury report as Harden is. We’re talking about a guy with a 31% USG rate, and as we just saw, 40-minute upside to boot.

James Harden, LAC

(DK CPT - $16,200, UTIL - $10,800 / FD CPT - $20,400, UTIL - $13,600)

We’ll see if James Harden plays because as soon as you start talking about calf injuries these days, it’s very much up in the air. But, if he does, Harden’s a great play. He’s posted a 31% USG and has averaged 1.3 FP/min as well. It’s a great pace-up spot for James Harden and the Clippers, too.

Ja Morant, MEM

(DK CPT - $15,000, UTIL - $10,000 / FD CPT - $17,700, UTIL - $11,800)

In Ja Morant’s return, he posted a 40.9% USG and put up 43.5 DKP and 39.8 FDP. He also had 14 potential assists to boot. He played 25 minutes and definitely could get a bump up somewhere near 30. Without Zach Edey this year, Morant has a 32.7% USG and 1.17 FP/min this year.

Santi Aldama, MEM

(DK CPT - $11,400, UTIL - $7,600 / FD CPT - $14,100, UTIL - $9,400)

I wonder if the Grizzlies are going to continue to roll out their Santi Aldama / Jaren Jackson, or if they will use Jock Landale in their starting lineup because Ivica Zubac is opposing them. Either way, Aldama should get plenty of minutes as he played 35 in the team’s first game without Edey. This year, without Edey, Aldama has a 20.6% USG and is averaging 1.1 FP/min. 

Ivica Zubac, MEM

(DK CPT - $14,100, UTIL - $9,400 / FD CPT - $16,500, UTIL - $11,000)

There’s actually a TON to like about Ivica Zubac here, and it’s possible he goes nuclear here. If you look at the Memphis Grizzlies' numbers without Zach Edey earlier in the year, it makes me love Zubac. They were 24th in DRtg from the start of the year to November 12th, a span in which Edey missed, and were also 20th in rebounding. Zubac has been fantastic outside of one game as he’s scored 30-plus DKP in 17 of his last 18 games. It came against the Grizzlies, who had Edey. Coincidence? I think not.

 

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Cedric Coward, MEM

(DK CPT - $11,500, UTIL - $7,000 / FD CPT - $11,400, UTIL - $7,600)

After a little bit of a lull, Cedric Coward has looked really good in two of his last three games as he’s posted 40-plus FP in those two. He’s sitting at a near 20% USG and is at 1.04 FP/min this year without Zach Edey. His minutes limit has been lifted, and he is consistently sitting around 30 minutes per game.

Jock Landale, MEM

(DK CPT - $7,800, UTIL - $5,200 / FD CPT - $7,800, UTIL - $5,200)

Life without Zach Edey includes more Jock Landale for the Grizzlies, and he’s a pretty good player. He’s a .99 FP/min player without Edey this year, too. Landale played 27 minutes despite coming off the bench, and we should see him play mid-to-high 20s minutes as long as Edey is out.

Cam Spencer, MEM

(DK CPT - $8,700, UTIL - $5,800 / FD CPT - $10,200, UTIL - $6,800)

Let’s face it; Cam Spencer isn’t going to continue to shoot this way forever, but man, he can’t miss at all right now. He’s up to 50% from three-point territory this year, and the Clippers allow the fifth-most threes per game while allowing the highest opponent field goal percentage from deep. Spencer’s been over 30 DKP in four straight games and has been over 20 in 11 straight. Having a nice floor is a good final piece in your showdown lineups.

Jaylen Wells, MEM

(DK CPT - $9,600, UTIL - $6,400 / FD CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600)

 

 

 

DFS Dart Throws