Tonight's featured NBA Showdown pits the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Utah Jazz. OKC has already ruled several starters and key rotation members, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Despite their shorthanded roster, they are still nearly double-digit favorites over Utah. This is a fun one that will require some guesswork with the Thunder rotations. Let's dive in! 

UPDATE: Lauri Markkanen has been ruled OUT. Kyle Filipowski will start and is now a core UTIL play. Also, a pretty sizeable bump to Jusuf Nurkic. 

 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Total & Spread

  • Total: 236.5
  • Spread: OKC -9.5

 

 

 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Injury Updates

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Projected Starting Lineups

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DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Jalen Williams, OKC

(DK CPT - $13,800, UTIL - $9,200 / FD CPT - $17,700, UTIL - $11,800)

Williams has already played more than 30 minutes in two of his four games this season, and he would have done so again last game if not for the lopsided score against Dallas. J-Dub posted a 34.6% usage rate with SGA off the court last season, and he should be the focal point of the OKC offense tonight. 

Keyonte George, UTA 

(DK CPT - $13,200, UTIL - $8,800 / FD CPT - $16,200, UTIL - $10,800)

George has taken a big step forward this season, averaging a career-best 22.9 points per game and increasing his field goal percentage to 44.2%. The third-year guard has routinely flashed a 50-fantasy point ceiling and could contend for the top score on the slate. 

Chet Holmgren, OKC 

(DK CPT - $13,500, UTIL - $9,000 / FD CPT - $14,100, UTIL - $9,400)

Holmgren saw the third-largest usage boost on the team last season when SGA was off the floor, behind only Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins. He has seen a 1.9% boost this season with SGA off, but J-Dub has also missed most of the season so far. Holmgren adds enough with his rebounding and blocks that he can post a ceiling game without scoring a ton of points, so he is very viable in the top lineup spot. 

Ajay Mitchell, OKC 

(DK CPT - $9,600, UTIL - $6,400 / FD CPT - $9,000, UTIL - $6,000)

Mitchell has been a breakout contributor for an OKC team that already boasted the deepest roster in the league. When SGA has been out of the lineup this season, Mitchell has seen the largest usage bump (+4.4%) on the team. It remains to be seen if that will hold now that Jalen Williams is back in the lineup, but it is noteworthy nonetheless.  


 

 

 

DFS Utility Picks

Lauri Markkanen, UTA (UPDATED)

(DK CPT - $14,100, UTIL - $9,400 / FD CPT - $18,300, UTIL - $12,200)

Markkanen has a strong ceiling himself, but he is preferred in a UTIL slot on this particular single-game slate. His teammate George has shown a higher ceiling and has reached it more frequently. Also, several OKC players are underpriced relative to their ceiling due to key absences. This is not a knock on Markkanen, and he remains a strong floor, raw points option.   

UPDATE: Markkanen has been ruled out. Pivot to Kyle Filipowski or Jusuf Nurkic. 

Jaylin Williams, OKC 

(DK CPT - $7,500, UTIL - $5,000 / FD CPT - $5,700, UTIL - $3,800)

The “other” Jaylin Williams joined the starting lineup last game for the injured Isaiah Hartenstein, and he could certainly see another start tonight with even more players out. He played just 19 minutes due to the lopsided score, but he should have a chance to play mid-to-upper-20s in this one if he starts again. 

Aaron Wiggins, OKC 

(DK CPT - $9,000, UTIL - $6,000 / FD CPT - $7,200, UTIL - $4,800)

With several players ruled out for OKC, Wiggins should have a significant role either from the starting lineup or as one of the first players off the bench. He's made five starts this season and is playable regardless of whether he starts. 

Cason Wallace, OKC 

(DK CPT - $8,400, UTIL - $5,600 / FD CPT - $6,600, UTIL - $4,400)

Wallace is locked into a starting role and has a great chance to play more than 30 minutes for the shorthanded Thunder. He's seen a 1.8% usage bump with SGA off the floor this season, so he may have a bit of an expanded role as well. 

 

 

DFS Dart Throws

  • Kyle Filipowski, UTA (DK CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600 / FD CPT - $7,500, UTIL - $5,000)
  • Ace Bailey, UTA (DK CPT - $9,300, UTIL - $6,200 / FD CPT - $7,800, UTIL - $5,200)
  • Jusuf Nurkic, UTA (DK CPT - $11,400, UTIL - $7,600 / FD CPT - $10,500, UTIL - $7,000)
  • Kenrich Williams, OKC (DK CPT - $2,100, UTIL - $1,400 / FD CPT - $3,000, UTIL - $2,000)