Happy Sunday, November 30th! Tonight's featured NBA Showdown is a Western Conference battle between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are huge favorites despite already ruling out LeBron James and Marcus Smart. The Pelicans are on the second leg of a back-to-back and will also be shorthanded tonight, as they have ruled out Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy. Let's dive in! 

 

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Total & Spread

  • Total: 230.5
  • Spread: LAL -16.5

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Injury Updates

Pelicans 

Lakers

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Projected Starting Lineups

Pelicans 

Lakers

 


DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Luka Doncic, LAL 

(DK CPT - $20,400, UTIL - $13,600 / FD CPT - $24,900, UTIL - $16,600)

With LeBron James ruled out, Luka Doncic is easily the top overall play on the slate. Luka has posted an absurd 38.9% usage rate with LeBron off the floor this season, and he is averaging an equally impressive 1.78 FPPM. With the Pelicans also ruling out their two stars, fitting Luka comfortably in the top lineup spot is easy to accomplish, and he is therefore likely to be massive chalk.  

Austin Reaves, LAL 

(DK CPT - $13,200, UTIL - $8,800 / FD CPT - $17,400, UTIL - $11,600)

Reaves has the best chance of anyone not named Luka to lead the slate in fantasy points, as he receives a healthy boost in production with LeBron James and Marcus Smart ruled out. With those two off the floor this season, Reaves has posted a 30% usage rate and averaged 1.4 FPPM. He has also seen a 7.6% increase in his assist rate. 

Saddiq Bey, NOP

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

Saddiq Bey has been one of the few bright spots for the Pelicans this season. Since re-joining the starting lineup four games ago, Bey has averaged 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. 

 

 

 

DFS Utility Picks

Deandre Ayton, LAL

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

Ayton has flashed a few ceiling games when the Lakers have been shorthanded. He has seen a marginal boost in all of his rates with James and Smart off the floor this season, and he has averaged more than 1.0 FPPM in this situation. He is a strong option for a UTIL slot in any contest. 

Derik Queen, NOP

(DK CPT - $11,400, UTIL - $7,600 / FD CPT - $12,000, UTIL - $8,000)

If we knew Queen was going to play more than 30 minutes, there would be a good argument for him in the top lineup spot, but the minutes have been extremely volatile. He should be locked into a massive role with both Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy ruled out, but there is still plenty of risk. For that reason, I prefer him as a UTIL option. 

Jose Alvarado, NOP 

(DK CPT - $6,600, UTIL - $4,400 / FD CPT - $6,900, UTIL - $4,600)

Alvarado and Fears shared the floor at times in every quarter last night. That is a strong development for the minutes floor and ceiling of each player. Alvarado likely continues in his bench role with Bryce McGowens drawing another start, but he still has plenty of upside if he can play upper-20s minutes again. 

Jeremiah Fears, NOP 

(DK CPT - $9,600, UTIL - $6,400 / FD CPT - $8,100, UTIL - $5,400)

Alvarado and Fears shared the floor at times in every quarter last night. That is a strong development for the minutes floor and ceiling of each player. Fears should start at point guard again and has an excellent chance to play more than 30 minutes again. 

 

 


DFS Dart Throws

  • Bryce McGowens, NOP (DK CPT - $4,200, UTIL - $2,800 / FD CPT - $2,400, UTIL - $1,600)
  • Micah Peavy, NOP (DK CPT - $5,100, UTIL - $3,400 / FD CPT - $4,800, UTIL - $3,200)
  • Yves Missi, NOP (DK CPT - $6,900, UTIL - $4,600 / FD CPT - $6,300, UTIL - $4,200)
  • Jake LaRavia, LAL (DK CPT - $7,200, UTIL - $4,800 / FD CPT - $4,500, UTIL - $3,000)
  • Gabe Vincent, LAL (DK CPT - $4,800, UTIL - $3,200 / FD CPT - $3,300, UTIL - $2,200)