For tonight’s NBA DFS Showdown breakdown, we’re looking at the late-night matchup between the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are coming off a 132-127 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings last night, while the Orlando Magic had an off night. It will be interesting to see how much LeBron James and Anthony Davis will play tonight on the second night of a back-to-back. Vegas might be thinking the same thing setting the game total at just 218 and the Lakers being favored by just two points.

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 NBA DFS showdown slate on DraftKings and FanDuel.

 

Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers

Total: 218

Spread: Lakers -2

Orlando Magic Injuries

  • None

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is coming off a monster game last night in the loss to the Kings. Davis finished with a season-high 22 shot attempts while scoring 30 game points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and blocking three shots. He was all over the place filling the stat sheet. Over his last two games, he has played 42 and 39 minutes. That is a ton of minutes to be racking up on the big man's legs this early in the season, so the Lakers may want to ease up a bit in this one. Even if they take a step back on his minutes tonight, Davis is still a viable captain play.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

The 38-year-old veteran is still getting it done as he is coming off a 27-15-8 performance while playing a whopping 39 minutes. After night one when he only played 29 minutes, we had thought that was going to be the normal thing, that just hasn't been the case since then as he has played at least 35 points in back-to-back games. It is scary taking him as a captain play tonight if they limit his minutes on a back-to-back which will cap his ceiling.

Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Both Franz and Paolo have both disappointed a bit for fantasy purposes as they have been just fine. Franz is averaging 33 fantasy points per game while shooting under 40% from the floor. We expect the shooting percentage to move up as the season moves on, and it could start in this game against a questionable Lakers defense. The difference between Paolo and Franz is that at least Wagner is getting up a volume of shots shooting getting 29 attempts from the field compared to Banchero's 18. I look for Franz to have the biggest game of his season tonight against the Lakers.

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

As mentioned above, Paolo just isn't getting the volume of shots we had hoped to see to start the season. He seems to be trying to get everyone else in a rhythm while his number suffers. The part of the stats sheet that sticks out to me is that he has only attempted one three-pointer on the season, he averaged four attempts per game last season. That number will gradually climb and could start tonight. Let's hope to see a more aggressive Banchero tonight, where he shoots closer to 15 times like last season compared to just nine attempts per game this season.

D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

Someone who hasn't disappointed this year from a DFS standpoint in D-Lo. He has scored over 28 fantasy points in each game this season. We know Russell can be somewhat of a chucker at times and we have seen that with at least 12 shot attempts in all three games. With LeBron and AD possibly taking a step back tonight on the second night of a back-to-back, I expect him to keep seeing those shot attempts. He has shot just 4-17 from downtown this season which is just 23%, Russell is a career 36% three-point shooter from behind the arc. I look for Russell to get back on track from behind the arc tonight. 

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves has started the season out about as bad as possible when it comes to scoring the ball. Reaves shot an abysmal 1-12 from the field last night finishing with just five game points and is now shooting just 36% from the field. Another worrisome thing about Reaves is that he only has four total rebounds and three total assists over his last two games. Reaves is a hustle player and we need more from him with that part of his game. The shooting woes should not continue so there is no better time to turn it around than tonight.

Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic

Cole Anthony is really the only guard I have interest in from the Orlando Magic and that is because of the volume he is seeing. Anthony has shot the ball 12 and 15 times in the two games this season while Jalen Suggs is the only other guard to get up double-digit shot attempts in any game this season. He is not only scoring well, but he has also grabbed 12 rebounds in two games as well and dished out four assists. I look for Anthony to get wherever he wants to tonight against a struggling Lakers defense.

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

There is not a ton of value on tonight's slate between these two teams unless we have a few surprises inactive. Hachimura is one of the few guys who can bring value and are cheap-ish. Hachimura played a season-high 17 minutes last night and scored 11 game points and grabbed six rebounds in limited time. His minutes could go up tonight if LeBron takes it easy, or if Taurean Prince who starts over him struggles.

Update: Rui is listed as doubtful now with an eye injury. That means more run for Taureen Prince, Jaxon Hayes, Cam Reddish, and perhaps Max Christie

Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Wagner is the backup big for the Magic behind Wendell Carter and has done a solid job this season. Wagner is coming off an 8-8 outing for 17 game points and 33 fantasy points. Obviously, I do not expect that to continue in this one, but he might be the best defensive matchup against Anthony Davis. Plus Wendell Carter can get foul-happy at times and could get into foul trouble. I have no problem playing Wagner at his price on this showdown slate.

Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic

If Jonathan Isaac ever got close to 20 minutes a night he would almost be a DraftKings lock at his price. For instance, on night one he scored 11 points grabbed four rebounds, and blocked two shots in 14 minutes of action for 19.5 fantasy points. We know he is an outstanding defensive player, he just needs to get more run. I am not sure he will get there tonight, but I do not see much value elsewhere, so you might need to throw him in your lineup to make pricing work.

 

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