For tonight’s NBA DFS Showdown breakdown, we’re looking at the late-night hammer between the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray has already been ruled out and will offer up some Nuggets value, as well as CJ McCollum was recently reported to have a punctured lung and will be out of play for quite some time on the Pelican's side to offer up some value, as well. Finding some of the NBA DFS top picks could be made easier if you take a look at Fantasy Alarm’s NBA DFS Projections, powered by FanJections. Let’s dive into the complete breakdown for tonight’s showdown slate

New Orleans Pelicans @ Denver Nuggets

Total: 221.5

Spread: DEN -6.5

Pelicans Notable Injuries

Nuggets Notable Injuries

 

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Nikola Jokic (C), Denver Nuggets 

Even seeing that Jokic is “probable” with a wrist injury of sorts, there is a clear top play in tonight's game and that is the horse whisperer himself. Jokic has dropped over 60 DK fantasy points in his last three of four contests and this one is on his home floor, where he did those 60+ point damages to the tune of 64.5, 68.5, and 69 in his most recent outing against the Bulls. The Pelicans currently come in allowing the 4th MOST DK fantasy points on average to the center position on the season at an average of 48.3 per game. Jokic is pricey of course, but we all know it is for a very good reason. 

*Others to Consider: Brandon Ingram (SG/SF - New Orleans Pelicans)  

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Brandon Ingram (SG/SF), New Orleans Pelicans

Ingram is going to garner a ton of usage with CJ McCollum out and they will look for him to hit mid-range and perimeter shots tonight as we know the Denver frontcourt is excellent on defense in the paint. Ingram will be the #1 option here for their offense and this also should put some more facilitator duties on him to boot making him my overall top pick for the Pelicans.

Michael Porter, Jr. (SF/PF), Denver Nuggets

Michael Porter Jr. has now put up back-to-back 40+ DK fantasy point efforts and has been chucking the ball a ton. Porter Jr. has hoisted 34 shot attempts over his last two contests and these both had Jamaal Murray in those games. Porter Jr. wouldn't be a bad look at CPT spot tonight if you want to go a bit out of the box and go past Jokic/Ingram.

Zion Williamson (PF/C), New Orleans Pelicans

This is an awfully tough match up here for Zion, but someone has to do some damage other than Brandon Ingram for this Pelicans team. Zion is the second in line here and should look to be the product of the “playmaker” tonight, as Ingram should be taking on more facilitator duties. Zion is priced-up quite a bit here for a reason I believe, and they will look towards both he and Ingram to fuel this team.

Others to Consider: Jonas Valanciunias (C - New Orleans Pelicans), Aaron Gordon (PF - Denver Nuggets)

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Herbert Jones (SF/PF), New Orleans Pelicans

Herbert Jones has all the tools in the making to be a great 5-tool player for the Pelicans. He is absolutely ridiculous on defense and he does enough on offense to say he does have a ceiling. In this game, the Pelicans will need someone else to carry the load, and I think they will look at Herbert to do both on either side of the ball. Herbert had a massive 45-point DK fantasy point effort two games ago against the Pistons, so we know the ceiling is definitely there. 

Reggie Jackson (PG), Denver Nuggets

Reggie is one of my top values tonight as we know he will get the start at PG for the injured Jamaal Murray. Reggie has already filled in great this season when given the run while backing up Murray, and now the veteran will get another crack at the starting gig. Jackson likely won't wow you with his numbers, but his floor presents the most to be desired in playing him in UTIL.

Dyson Daniels (PG/SG), New Orleans Pelicans

Dyson has been receiving a decent amount of burn over the last two-to-three games with fellow young guard Jordan Hawkins being utilized the most in the backcourt and drawing tough competitors from the opposing defense. Hawkins is likely to receive Kentavious Caldwell-Pope treatment, so this should allow Daniels to play the PG role, or back up in the event they decide to play Ingram at point, which we have seen them do multiple times. Daniels has shown over the last three games that not only is he getting the opportunity to thrive a bit, but he can produce putting up games of 20.5, 30.25, and 22.75 fantasy points. Dyson should be heavily involved tonight. 

Others to Consider: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG - Denver Nuggets), Christian Braun (SG/SF - Denver Nugget),  Jordan Hawkins (SG - New Orleans Pelicans).

 

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