Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers
Spread: GSW -5.5
Total: 227.5
Golden State Warriors Injuries
Draymond Green - OUT
Gary Payton II - OUT
James Wiseman - OUT
Andre Iguodala - OUT
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries
Anthony Davis - OUT
Kendrick Nunn - OUT
Avery Bradley - PROB
LeBron James - QUEST
Talen Horton-Tucker - QUEST
MVP/CAPTAIN
Stephen Curry’s play hasn’t been great in recent…months, but we know the upside and he’s facing a reeling Lakers team here. The Lakers are 20th in defensive rating since the All-Star break and are 0-4. Curry, despite shooting horribly against them, has big numbers against the Lakers this year. He’s averaging 50.9 DKP/game in two meetings while topping 36 minutes as well. His shooting can only get better from here considering he’s shot 32% from the floor and 19% from three.
I mean, barring he plays (currently questionable), LeBron James is arguably the best captain play. He’s played well despite his team dropping the ball horribly lately. He’s poured in 42+ DKP in every game since the break, has two double-doubles all while pouring in 26+ actual points in three of four games. James has a much higher ceiling than that even as we know. He’s as good as it gets, but just monitor the news to make sure he’s in.
If you want to fit both James and Curry into your lineup, it’s not very comfortable putting one of them in your captain spot, so here we are: Carmelo Anthony. Anthony has played a significant role of late topping 25+ minutes in four straight games. He’s also scored 13+ points and blocked a shot in four straight games. He has 30+ minute upside and 30+ DKP upside, which is why we could consider using him in the captain's chair. With Anthony Davis out, he has a 21.9% USG and averages .95 FP/min.
UTILITY
I like Andrew Wiggins a bunch here, a little more than even Klay Thompson. We all know that Thompson can get hotter than a forest fire, but Wiggins is in the better form currently. He’s topped 32 DKP in each of the last two games and has 28+ in three straight. He’s been steady against the Lakers in two meetings averaging 27.6 DKP.
The order in which I put Wiggins and Klay Thompson here matters. I like Wiggins’ current form more than Thompson’s. That being said, With Gary Payton, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala out this year, Thompson has a 30% USG rate – which leads the team – and averages 1.17 FP/min.
It’s been hard to gauge Malik Monk’s minutes within the rotation but right now, he’s playing a lot because he’s making shots. He’s hit 29 and 39 minutes the last two games and has scored 12 and 17 points. In each of those two games, he’s put up 26+ DKP. At this price, it’s hard to fade especially if Talen Horton-Tucker ends up sitting as well.
I already outlined my love for Jordan Poole in the NBA DFS Value Vault, but the Warriors are down a couple of extra guys that will offer Poole more run here. Gary Payton II has been starting but will miss today’s game, which in theory should give Poole some extra time. He’s coming off a HUGE game offensively in which he scored 23 points and 36.25 DKP. With the guys out for the Warriors that are, Poole has a 24.6% USG and averages .99 FP/min.
Could we see Jonathan Kuminga re-enter the starting lineup here? I think it’s possible. It’s likely between him and Otto Porter Jr. with Gary Payton II ruled out. Kuminga is a FP/min MONSTER and commands a hefty usage. With Payton, Green, and Iguodala out, Kuminga has a 24% USG rate and averages just shy of one FP/min. If he’s starting, I’d consider him in my CPT spot.
Like I just mentioned above, Otto Porter Jr. could potentially start this game. It’s likely between he and Jonathan Kuminga. Porter has basically been a FP/min guy this year as he’s averaged 21.2 minutes and put up 20.6 FP/min.
Austin Reaves and Dwight Howard just have SUCH low floors. If they’re starting I’d consider both, but if one or both are coming off the bench then I’d have little to no interest. We’ve seen Dwight Howard record plenty of DNPs this year in situations he wasn’t starting the game.