Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers

Spread: Lakers -11.5

Total: 214.5

Injuries:

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Luguentz Dort – Questionable (Shoulder)

Los Angeles Lakers:

LeBron James – Out

Anthony Davis – Probable (Knee)

Dwight Howard – Probable (Neck)

Kendrick Nunn – Out

Wayne Ellington – Probable (Hamstring)

**Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.

MVP/CPT

Russell Westbrook LAL, PG – Westbrook isn’t going to come cheap tonight, and he requires a large investment. Based on what we have seen from him to this point with the Lakers, it could go either way, but you aren’t going to get his potential anywhere else. He does have a 64-fantasy point performance in his first year with the Lakers, but with an average of 45 DK points (turnovers have been a real problem), Westbrook has been underwhelming overall. LeBron James being out tonight does work in Westbrook’s favor as his usage will increase, but there are some blowout concerns as Los Angeles is a double-digit favorite even with James sidelined. Don’t forget though, it is a revenge game against the Thunder tonight and in their last meeting Westbrook had 59.5 DK points. If you don’t roll with Westbrook in the captain spot, I don’t see how he can be a complete fade, so we will need to come up with some savings. 

Anthony Davis LAL, PF/C – Fitting Davis with Westbrook is going to be tough tonight, and I wouldn’t advise it on your main lineup. With that being said, he is a worthy second choice in the captain seat if you are looking to go contrarian. The knee injury doesn’t appear to an issue for Davis, and he should also benefit from James being out of the lineup. He has been busy, and efficient, offensively this season averaging 25 points per game along with 11.1 rebounds, but if the shot doesn’t fall, the floor is around 40 DK points. The good thing though is that we shouldn’t have to worry about volume tonight although there is the concern of a blowout. 

Josh Giddey OKC, SG/SF – If I’m going to fade Westbrook up top tonight, let’s go crazy and pick up some cost savings. The good news with Giddey, is that the rookie has been underpriced and he brings upside to the table. Giddey’s learning curve doesn’t appear to be too vast, and at 31 DK points on average this season, it’s hard to argue with the results. The expectation is that the Thunder will be trailing, so Giddey should be busy trying to keep pace and that means plenty of shots; and points along with a floor of about six rebounds and assists each. 

Util

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC, PG – There might be a dud or two for Gilgeous-Alexander mixed in at times, but we can’t question his volume as the only show in town for the Thunder. He hasn’t taken less than 15 shots in a game this season, and those were also the two worst games of his season, and we can expect him to be busy tonight. In his previous match-up against the Lakers, SGA put up 47 DK points and is averaging 22.9 points with 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game so far this season. 

Carmelo Anthony LAL, PF – Anthony has been turning back the clock this season and he benefits from James being sidelined tonight as well. We have to keep an eye on the starting lineup tonight, but I’m not sure that even matters as Anthony has been playing 28 minutes a game off the bench. At 16.5 points per game, his shot has been falling all season, but he is one-dimensional (even more so than he previously was) and we aren’t going to get another game where he blocks four shots. 

Malik Monk LAL, SG – If James was playing tonight, I’m not sure Monk even is a dart throw. However, he started the last two games that James missed and 39 and 32 minutes respectively while averaging 14 points. The ownership is going to be high here, but you might not have a choice but to ride the chalk at this price. 

Darius Bazley OKC, PF – Bazley had his best game of the season against these same Lakers as he scored 20 points while grabbing six rebounds. It was his busiest offensive game of the season but he generally is consistent with 10.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. 

Luguentz Dort OKC, SG – To be honest I am in a little bit of shock that I’m even recommending Dort tonight. It seems like he is going to play despite being listed on the injury report and the price isn’t terrible. Dort provides a boring 20 to 25 fantasy points per night based mostly on his playing time, and while this isn’t a play I would ever advocate forcing, if Dort fits, it’s a little safer than throwing a dart. 

Dart Throws

Rajon Rondo, LAL, PG – Even with James playing, I’d be on Rondo but he does get a little boost tonight with James sidelined. Wayne Ellington might return tonight for the Lakers but Rondo has carved out a nice role for himself off the bench with six points and 4.3 assists per game. We also know that, at any time, Rondo has the skill set for more. 

Jeremiah Robinson Earl OKC, PF/C – Robinson-Earl starts for the Thunder so that is a good thing. His playing though fluctuates on a nightly basis, and with an average of 17 minutes per night, there isn’t much opportunity for production. Even when he is on the floor though, Robinson-Earl averages just 5.7 points and four rebounds per game, but 12-17 fantasy points do have their place in your lineup. 

Derrick Favors OKC, C – Not to rain on my own parade, but despite coming off the bench, Favors is likely the better option than Robinson-Earl tonight. Cost plays a large factor here as Favors is averaging 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.