Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers

Over/Under: 226.5

Spread: LAC -4
 

Injuries

Memphis

Dillon Brooks - OUT

Los Angeles

Kawhi Leonard - OUT

Serge Ibaka - OUT

Nicolas Batum - IN

Keon Johnson - QUEST

MVP/CPT

Paul George, LAC

Look, we knew Paul George was going to be good this year, but if the first game of the season was any indication on HOW good, we’re in for a treat. George notched a 29 point, 11 rebound double-double while also putting forth six assists. He had a 30% usage rate while also playing 37 minutes on opening night. Memphis gave up 121 points on opening night and played at a solid pace, notching a pace over 102. There’s a reason as to why George is the top spend up of the slate.

Ja Morant, MEM

In the first game of the year, Morant took 29 shots. You absolutely LOVE to see it. The Grizzlies lost Jonas Valanciunas and are without Dillon Brooks this year, two of their leading scorers from a year ago, so with them gone it’s fantastic to see Morant taking on a bigger role, a role we were all hoping he’d take. The Clippers did not look great in their first game defensively, notching a 112 DRtg as a team. It’s going to be fun to watch all year and this could be a fun game between two absolute stars in George and Morant.

Desmond Bane, MEM

A strategy we could look to deploy here is using Bane in the captain spot to make sure we can afford everyone and everything. Bane is very, very cheap on this slate and in the team’s first game, was the second offensive option behind Morant notching 22 actual points and a 28% USG rate. Bane should see a healthy amount of run against Eric Bledsoe here and Bledsoe had a 116 DRtg a year ago. Sneaky captain play here.

Mid Tier

Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM

I love the talent and there really is no disputing the talent either, but he needs to stay healthy and he needs to stay out of foul trouble. Jackson only shot 3-of-12 from the field on opening night, but he had six rebounds and four blocks and his length and athleticism can cause so many headaches defensively. He really was looking to stretch the floor too, taking eight three-pointers. He is going to take a tremendous leap forward with his game if he’s approaching 40% from the three.

Eric Bledsoe, LAC

Maybe Bledsoe just likes playing in a Clippers jersey, ya know? He looked great on opening night scoring 22 actual while chipping in everywhere else on route to 37.25 DKP. Bledsoe was announced the starter during the preseason and you can see why. The team has a lot of good shooting on the floor and Bledsoe is someone who can drive and kick out to them, so expect his two assists from the first game to rise moving forward. The one thing to monitor is that Nicolas Batum is back. Could it be Bledsoe that takes a hits in terms of minutes if they choose to go with a more defensive first unit down the stretch? That remains to be seen.

Terance Mann, LAC

I think one of the most interesting parts of the Clippers first game was the fact that Mann played 39 minutes off the bench. It wasn’t an overtime game and he didn’t start. 39 minutes regardless. That’s BIG TIME and something we MUST take note of. Did he only take eight shots and put up 28.5 DKP over that span? Yes, but we saw his ability to score last postseason especially, so don’t worry about the lack of scoring. Could Mann be the one to take a hit with Nicolas Batum returning? I wouldn’t think so after seeing him get a contract extension followed by 39 minutes in the first game.

Value Tier

Steven Adams, LAC

We here at DFS Alarm have spent the last couple years telling you to attack Ivica Zubac and we’re not stopping now. He doesn’t leave the paint, which bodes well for Adams in the rebounding department here. He grabbed 14 on opening night and played 32 minutes. He was a basket shy of a double-double and that’s attainable playing with Ja Morant who’s always looking for the open man. Adams is a tremendous value at just 5.2K on this showdown slate.

DeAnthony Melton, MEM

We know Melton can play. When he’s gotten the run in years past, he’s filled up the box score every which way and now that he’s starting with Dillon Brooks out, we’re really getting to see it. He poured in 20 actual points along with four rebounds and three assists while knocking down FOUR three’s. Brooks is still out and Melton is going to continue to start and should see 30+ minutes once again. Excellent value option.

Nicolas Batum, LAC

We should expect Batum to come off the bench, but it’s not like he missed opening night because he was injured. He has personal reasons to why he missed it and he’s healthy for this one as he didn’t show up on the injury report. Batum can play anywhere from the two to the four and because of his versatility, should see plenty of run off the pine. While everyone uses Bane and Melton as their spend down’s, I implore you to look at Batum if entering multiple lineups or looking to be contrarian.