Tonight's featured NBA DFS Showdown matchup is a Western Conference battle between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets are fully healthy, while the Clippers will be without Ivica Zubac.  

Let’s dive into the NBA DFS Showdown playbook breakdown!

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Total & Spread

  • Total: 219.5
  • Spread: HOU -7.5

 

 

 

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Injury Updates

Rockets 

Clippers

 

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Projected Starting Lineups

Rockets 

Clippers

 

 


 

DFS Captain / MVP Picks

James Harden, LAC 

(DK CPT - $16,200, UTIL - $10,800 / FD CPT - $18,600, UTIL - $12,400)

In 233 minutes with Zubac off the floor this season, Harden has seen a usage rate of over 35%. His usage increase of nearly 4.4% is the largest on the team, and he also sees about a 1% boost in rebounding. The slight discount from Sengun and an increased role without Zubac make Harden the leading option for the top lineup spot. 

Alperen Sengun, HOU 

(DK CPT - $17,700, UTIL - $11,800 / FD CPT - $21,000, UTIL - $14,000)

Sengun poured in 28 points last game, but his peripheral stats lagged with only 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He is the best fantasy producer on the favored team tonight, and he's capable of lapping the field with his fantasy ceiling. 

Kawhi Leonard, LAC 

(DK CPT - $15,600, UTIL - $10,400 / FD CPT - $19,800, UTIL - $13,200)

Like Harden, Leonard gets a decent boost with Zubac off the floor. It is a smaller sample since Kawhi has missed time of his own this season, but still noteworthy. His usage rate (+3.3%), rebound rate (+1.0%), and assist rate (+7.2%) have all seen an increase without Zubac. It all adds up to 1.4 FP/min, which would trail only Harden on this single-game slate. 

Kevin Durant, HOU 

(DK CPT - $15,900, UTIL - $10,600 / FD CPT - $17,400, UTIL - $11,600)

The Rockets have incredibly played three overtime games in their last four contests, and Durant has played over 40 minutes in all of them. He's also had 49+ fantasy points in four straight games. He is extremely consistent and offers a very high floor with his high-30s or better minutes. 

Amen Thompson, HOU 

(DK CPT - $15,000, UTIL - $10,000 / FD CPT - $15,600, UTIL - $10,400)

Thompson nearly posted a triple-double last game, with a line of 18-9-8 in an overtime loss to the Kings. He is capable of that every time he takes the court and offers one of the best floor/ceiling combos on the slate. 

 

 

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Brook Lopez, LAC 

(DK CPT - $3,900, UTIL - $2,600 / FD CPT - $7,500, UTIL - $5,000)

Lopez is expected to take over the starting lineup spot vacated by Zubac. Lopez played 24 minutes last game after Zubac was injured, and he could see even more than that tonight. After starting the second half, Lopez played 16 minutes the rest of the way, which might suggest he's in line for 30+ minutes. He's too cheap for his new role and should be a staple of lineup builds.  

John Collins, LAC 

(DK CPT - $10,200, UTIL - $6,800 / FD CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600)

Collins is yet another Clipper who sees a sizable bump in usage (+4.1%) with Zubac off the floor this season. He's produced just over 1.0 FP/min in that situation and has a strong chance to play 30 minutes tonight. 

Reed Sheppard, HOU 

(DK CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600 / FD CPT - $11,700, UTIL - $7,800)

Jabari Smith has been more consistent lately, but I'm siding with the savings down to Sheppard in a game that has multiple stars to pay up for. Sheppard has played 30+ minutes in three of his last four games and even popped off for 52 fantasy points in one. I wouldn't expect that type of ceiling again, but he's a solid contributor with a mid-range price tag. 

Nicolas Batum, LAC 

(DK CPT - $3,300, UTIL - $2,200 / FD CPT - $3,300, UTIL - $2,200)

Batum is a low per-minute producer, but he could be in line for an increased role tonight. He's near minimum price and has a chance to play 20+ minutes. 

 

 

 

 

DFS Dart Throws

  • Jabari Smith, HOU (DK CPT - $12,000, UTIL - $8,000 / FD CPT - $13,500, UTIL - $9,000)
  • Josh Okogie, HOU (DK CPT - $5,700, UTIL - $3,800 / FD CPT - $6,000, UTIL - $4,000)
  • Tari Eason, HOU (DK CPT - $7,800, UTIL - $5,200 / FD CPT - $9,300, UTIL - $6,200)
  • Kris Dunn, LAC (DK CPT - $7,500, UTIL - $5,000 / FD CPT - $8,100, UTIL - $5,400)