Houston Rockets & Golden State Warriors
Spread: Warriors -11
Total: 229.5
Injuries:
Houston Rockets:
None
Golden State Warriors:
Draymond Green – Out
Andrew Wiggins – Questionable (foot)
Klay Thompson – Out
Andre Iguodala - Out
*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
Stephen Curry, PG (GSW) – After taking 27 shots (with the benefit of overtime) in what was shockingly a losing effort last night, Curry is back at it tonight against the Rockets. With Klay Thompson out, we should see similar volume from Curry after he finished with 39 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. While we want to see him shoot better than 44.4% from the field and 37.5% from downtown, it’s hard to argue with the volume and the fact that he still made six three-pointers. Curry is clearly the best player on the court tonight, but there is the possibility of a blow out tonight. But for Golden State to get there, they will heavily rely on Curry; especially with Wiggins questionable.
Kevin Porter, PG (HOU) – In what figures to be a high scoring game, let’s look for the best bet on Houston to keep up Curry offensively. That will likely fall to Porter who has scored between 15 and 23 points in his last four games while also averaging just under eight assists in his last three games.
Gary Payton II, PG/SG (GSW) – Payton moves back into the starting lineup tonight with Thompson getting a rest day and he should see another minutes boost with Iguodala out and Wiggins questionable. Then if we factor in the potential blowout situation and the extra playing time Payton could pick up there, this could be your opportunity to shoot for upside in a multi-entry tournament while stacking the rest of your roster. When previously given the playing time, Payton has had no issues hitting double figures in scoring.
Util
Christian Wood, C (HOU) – While Wood isn’t a volume shooter, he is averaging 19.8 points per game over his last five and 17.5 on the season, so we are still getting a good amount of offensive production. Wood is also averaging 10.2 rebounds per game on the season, and while it’s not the best matchup tonight for him, he’s still a solid option as he does flash 50 fantasy point upside.
Jonathan Kuminga, PF (GSW) – After being disappointed by Kuminga last night, I’m going right back to the rookie tonight. After having double-digit shot attempts in his previous five games, Kuminga wasn’t credited with a field goal attempt last night in just 15 minutes of action. Kuminga still finished with five points, five rebounds, and three assists, and facing Houston should be just the bounce back effort he needs.
Jae’Sean Tate, PF (HOU) – Someone has to score for Houston, and Tate is generally a dependable contributor as he is averaging 13.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in his last five while shooting 56.9% from the field. Occasionally we will see Tate go off (he had 49 DK points a few games ago) and that also helps to make him one of the better mid-tier options as we get upside with a solid floor.
Jalen Green, PG/SG (HOU) – While we are dealing with series variability with Green in his performance, you can’t say it’s for lack of trying as Houston is giving him plenty of opportunity. He consistently takes double digit shots, so even when he struggles, Green is still a solid bet to hit double figures offensively.
Otto Porter Jr, SF/PF (GSW) – Porter returns tonight after a rest day yesterday, and while he isn’t going to soak up too many shot attempts, the forward has shown the ability to fill the box score with ease.
Dart Throws
Garrison Mathews, SF (HOU) – We generally don’t have to worry about playing time with Mathews, but only if we could fix that consistency. Of course, if we did fix the consistency, then he wouldn’t be this cheap. After missing all eight of his field goal attempts over a two-game stretch, Mathews followed that up by scoring 40 points in his next two games on nine of 16 shooting. Considering only three field goal attempts in his last five games came from inside the three-point line, we are dealing with a high amount of variability.
Juan Toscano-Anderson, C (GSW) – Toscano-Anderson has moved up in the pecking order for Golden State with Green out but he still sticking around 15 minutes or so per game. That is what happened for Toscano-Anderson in each of his last two games but he still managed to put up 18 and 15 DK points, so for the price, you are getting a solid value.