Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns

Total: 213

O/U: PHX -8

Injuries

Mavericks

Luka Doncic - OUT

Maxi Kleber - OUT

Suns

Frank Kaminsky - OUT

Dario Saric - OUT

*Suns are playing their third game in four nights.

MVP/CPT

Kristaps Porzingis, DAL

Excluding Boban, because we know how much of a freak he is, Kristaps Porzingis is the leader in usage rate for the Mavericks when Luka Doncic is off the floor. He has a 30.7% USG rate and averages 1.4 FP/min without Doncic, who has already been ruled out here. Porzingis has been fantastic of late, notching 40.5+ DKP in each of his last three games, including 56.25 his last time out. Zinger has two double-doubles over that span, has shot 50% or better in each and has been able to stay on the floor for 32+ minutes. If Dallas can stay competitive here, he’ll be a massive reason as to why.

Deandre Ayton, PHX

Ayton returned to action after missing five straight contests without limitations and looked good. He notched a 22 point double-double and finished the game with 39 DKP. This is one of the best match-ups across the league -- at any position -- as Dallas ranks 27th in terms of DvP (defense vs. position) against centers. Ayton, in his seven played games this year, has averaged 1.15 FP/min and could put up another monster outing, similar to his last game, and by not spending all the way up at your captain spot could allow you to get the Porzingis’ and Chris Paul’s of the world in one lineup.

Jalen Brunson, DAL

With or without Luka Doncic this year, Jalen Brunson has been BALLIN’. He’s averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game and has been bouncing between the bench and the starting lineup. He’s topped 28 FP in six of his last seven games, flashing a 50-point ceiling over that span. Now you take Doncic out of the equation and Brunson has insane upside. With Doncic off the floor, he’s put up a 27.5% USG rate and has averaged 1.18 FP/min. Those are numbers you simply cannot ignore at his price tag.

Mid Tier

Devin Booker, PHX

The reason I like Booker here is because you can comfortably fit him into your builds in the FLEX position if you use a captain such as Deandre Ayton and Jalen Brunson. Booker’s expensive and as a captain at $15,600, you can’t really fit any star alongside him. Booker’s in a good groove right now, pouring in 26 and 29 actual points over his last two games along with 46 and 47 DKP. Chris Paul is a perfectly good candidate in the FLEX spot as well.

Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL

I think an underrated play on tonight’s slate, while everyone is honing in on Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Brunson, is Tim Hardaway Jr. No, I won’t hold a grudge against you THJ even though you deaded me in a Westchester County, New York Chipotle when you played for the Knicks. I’ll be the bigger person here. He’s been a solid fantasy contributor this year, especially lately, topping 30 FP in three of four games. With Luka Doncic off the floor this season, Hardaway has a 24.8% USG rate and averages 1.28 FP/min, both elite marks. Give the forgotten man some love here. 

Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL

It’s hard to think Finney-Smith won’t factor in a little bit more offensively here without Luka Doncic. Finney-Smith, the last three times he’s scored in double-figures, has put up at least 26 DKP, twice topping 30. He has a great chance of doing that once again here and I’d be willing to use him in a lineup.

Value Tier

Cameron Payne, PHX

We have a few things working in our favor here. If this game turns ugly fast, we should expect Payne to get a lot of run. Even if it stays competitive, Payne is giving us 17.2 mins/game right now while also notching 17.8 DKP/game. He’s firmly in the Suns’ rotation and has a chance to pop off despite coming off the bench.

Cameron Johnson, PHX

Here’s the chalky value play of the slate. Johnson plays a very sizable role off the Suns bench and is a very potent shooter at times. We’ve seen him knock down two or more three-point shots in three of four games and twice in his last three games he’s put up 20+ DKP. You’d be hard pressed to find a player under 3K on showdown consistently playing as much as he does and being as productive as he’s been. 

Frank Ntilikina, DAL

He had already been in the Dallas rotation, playing 16 or more minutes in seven of his last nine games. With Luka Doncic out, we should expect a slight bump in both minutes and usage for Ntilikina here. He hasn’t flashed massive upside, but he’s free. He has given us 20 FP upside in the last four games.

Honorable mention(s): Reggie Bullock