We have reached the apex of the NBA season (so far) as the Emirates NBA Cup Finals are here, as the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks look to become the third champion of the cup. It’s a fairly clean injury report for both teams, and the biggest question of the day is will Victor Wembanyama start and be extended beyond the 22 minutes he played in his return, or will the Spurs be cautious about their star player? Will the Knicks continue to get dominant performances out of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns? Will the Spurs continue to shock the league behind Wemby, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle? Let’s dive into the NBA DFS Showdown playbook breakdown!

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Total & Spread

  • Total: 234
  • Spread: NYK -2.5

 

 

 

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Injury Updates

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Knicks

San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Projected Starting Lineups

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Knicks

 

 


 

DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Jalen Brunson, NYK

(DK CPT - $15,900, UTIL - $10,600 / FD CPT - $19,200, UTIL - $12,800)

It’s been an amazing tournament for Jalen Brunson, who’s seemingly been unstoppable offensively. He poured in 35 and 40 points in two straight games and 48-plus DKP in each of them. He’s been up near 40 minutes in each cup game, and there’s no reason to think that doesn’t continue here in the NBA Cup final, especially with Miles McBride and Landry Shamet out. With those two off the floor, Brunson has a 31.2% USG and is averaging 1.29 FP/min.

Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK

(DK CPT - $15,000, UTIL - $10,000 / FD CPT - $19,800, UTIL - $13,200)

Karl-Anthony Towns is simply a good fantasy player. He does a LOT when he’s on the floor, especially his scoring and rebounding abilities. This year, with Landry Shamet and Miles McBride off the floor, KAT is averaging a team-high 1.34 FP/min and has a 25.4% USG. The matchup is fascinating because Victor Wembanyama is opposing him.

Stephon Castle, SAS

(DK CPT - $12,600, UTIL - $8,400 / FD CPT - $13,200, UTIL - $8,800)

The ramp-up has been quick, as he got up to 33 minutes in his third game back and even with Victor Wembanyama back, there wasn’t much of a drop-off. He had a 26.5% USG in that game and has poured in 18-plus points and 30-plus DKP in all three since returning. When sharing the floor with Victor Wembanyama this season, he has a 21.8% USG and is averaging 1.1 FP/min. The usage is lower, sure, but the fantasy ceiling doesn’t drop off at all.

De’Aaron Fox, SAS

(DK CPT - $13,800, UTIL - $9,200 / FD CPT - $16,500, UTIL - $11,000)

I think De’Aaron Fox is slightly too expensive for my liking, but we know what his ceiling can be, which is why he made the captain section. He’s played 153 minutes with Victor Wembanyama this season and has posted a 24.9% USG and is averaging 1 FP/min. The 1 FP/min is slightly lower than his averages typically have been, and I understand he’s not going to ONLY share the court with Wemby, so he’ll have his moments to shine.

 

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Victor Wembanyama, SAS

(DK CPT - $17,400, UTIL - $11,600 / FD CPT - $24,000, UTIL - $16,000)

Unless we hear there’s going to be a significant minutes increase, it’s hard for me to use him as a captain at the price point he is on both DraftKings and FanDuel. That being said, he’s an insane fantasy player. He has a 32% USG and is averaging 1.7 FP/min, and if he gets to 30 minutes, you’ll likely need him in your lineup.

OG Anunoby, NYK

(DK CPT - $10,500, UTIL - $7,000 / FD CPT - $10,200, UTIL - $6,800)

We saw OG Anunoby play 40 minutes in the NBA Cup semi final and he’s largely been a FP/min player this year. He’s approaching a 21% USG this year without Shamet and McBride while posting 1.01 FP/min. There’s a world where you use him as a captain so you don’t spend ALL your money on Towns/Brunson/Wembanyama, and he could help fit two of those guys in your lineup comfortably.

Josh Hart, NYK

(DK CPT - $11,700, UTIL - $7,800 / FD CPT - $14,400, UTIL - $9,600)

Josh Hart continues to not be a high usage player but excellent in all areas of the game, which is why he’s such a good fantasy asset. Now, he’s more expensive than both OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, and I do not think there’s much of a difference in terms of fantasy production. The one thing you can typically say is Bridges and Anunoby are typically cheaper and lower owned, so Hart offers the contrarian road.

Mikal Bridges, NYK

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

I’m typically not a big Mikal Bridges rosterer, but I understand it because he played 43 of a possible 48 minutes in the NBA Cup semifinal. 43 of 48 minutes shoot, anyone who plays THAT much should at least be considered. He’s having an incredible shooting season, and he’s on the floor for 40-plus minutes and is cookin’, you’re going to need him in your lines.

Devin Vassell, SAS

(DK CPT - $10,200, UTIL - $6,800 / FD CPT - $9,300, UTIL - $6,200)

I think this is a great spot for Devin Vassell because the Knicks allow so many three-pointers. They are tied for the fifth-most threes allowed per game, and that’s where Vassell thrives. In each of his last two blow-ups, he’s made at least four threes and is playing with some great playmakers in Castle, Fox, and Harper. 

 

 


 

DFS Dart Throws

  • Dylan Harper, SAS (DK CPT - $6,900, UTIL - $4,600 / FD CPT - $7,500, UTIL - $5,000) – high-usage player that’s cheap on all platforms. Mid 20s minutes.
  • Julian Champagnie, SAS (DK CPT - $6,600, UTIL - $4,400 / FD CPT - $7,800, UTIL - $4,200) – Knicks struggle against three-point shooters.
  • Mitchell Robinson, NYK (DK CPT - $6,000, UTIL - $4,000 / FD CPT - $6,000, UTIL - $4,000) – Favorite value of the day.
  • Tyler Kolek, NYK (DK CPT - $3,600, UTIL - $2,400 / FD CPT - $2,400, UTIL - $1,600) – Favorite punt of the day if jamming in studs, which is common showdown practice.