Happy Monday, December 1st! Tonight's featured NBA Showdown is a Western Conference battle between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are getting LeBron James back tonight, and it sounds like Deandre Ayton will also be good to go. The Suns also have a clean injury report (minus Jalen Green, of course) with Grayson Allen and potentially Ryan Dunn back. Let's dive in! 

 

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Total & Spread

  • Total: 235.5
  • Spread: LAL -4.5

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Injury Updates

Suns 

Lakers

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers Projected Starting Lineups

Suns 

Lakers

 


DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Luka Doncic, LAL 

(DK CPT - $19,500, UTIL - $13,000 / FD CPT - $23,400, UTIL - $15,600)

Even with LeBron James back in the lineup, Luka easily has the highest raw ceiling on the slate. It should be a priority to force him into the top lineup spot at least as much as the field. He now has 60+ FP in six straight games with an 80-point ceiling. 

Austin Reaves, LAL 

(DK CPT - $13,500, UTIL - $9,000 / FD CPT - $19,200, UTIL - $12,800)

Reaves nearly matched Luka in production last game. He continues to be underestimated playing alongside his star teammates, but it's time to admit he is a star himself. He has a higher minutes ceiling than LeBron, and we have seen him fill up the stat sheet even when both Luka and LeBron are active. 

LeBron James, LAL

(DK CPT - $14,400, UTIL - $9,600 / FD CPT - $17,700, UTIL - $11,800)

He has already played more than 30 minutes on multiple occasions, and that is enough to expect an occasional ceiling performance from him. He may not be the best player in the world any longer, but there is still plenty of basketball left in the now 40-year-old. 

 

 

 

DFS Utility Picks

Devin Booker, PHX 

(DK CPT - $15,000, UTIL - $10,000 / FD CPT - $19,500, UTIL - $13,000)

Booker has really been more of a high-floor player than a high-ceiling player this season. That is a fine option for the UTIL slot, but I prefer Lakers ahead of him in the top lineup spot. 

Deandre Ayton, LAL

(DK CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600 / FD CPT - $15,000, UTIL - $10,000)

Ayton had an injury scare at the end of last night, but it appears he avoided an injury. Assuming he's back in there for 30+ minutes, he is a good producer of points and rebounds, with a strong chance for a double-double.  

Collin Gillespie, PHX 

(DK CPT - $9,000, UTIL - $6,000 / FD CPT - $13,200, UTIL - $8,800)

Gillespie has been shooting the lights out from downtown, and seeing him hold onto that role with the return of Grayson Allen was a positive indicator that he is a core rotation member going forward. 

Dillon Brooks, PHX 

(DK CPT - $9,600, UTIL - $6,400 / FD CPT - $12,600, UTIL - $8,400)

Brooks has been another pleasant surprise for the Suns this season. contributing on both ends of the floor. He was able to find 18 shots despite the return of Allen, although his minutes did fall below 30. Dunn's potential return should not impact him further, as he is a locked-in starter who should see at least upper-20s minutes. 

 

 


DFS Dart Throws

  • Royce O'Neale, PHX (DK CPT - $8,400, UTIL - $5,600 / FD CPT - $9,000, UTIL - $6,000)
  • Ryan Dunn, PHX (DK CPT - $6,900, UTIL - $4,600 / FD CPT - $7,200, UTIL - $4,800)
  • Oso Ighodaro, PHX (DK CPT - $5,400, UTIL - $3,600 / FD CPT - $5,700, UTIL - $3,800)
  • Jaxson Hayes, LAL (DK CPT - $6,000, UTIL - $4,000 / FD CPT - $3,000, UTIL - $2,000)
  • Gabe Vincent, LAL (DK CPT - $4,200, UTIL - $2,800 / FD CPT - $2,400, UTIL - $1,600)