Both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers play their second game in two nights as the two Western Conference foes lock horns in Los Angeles. The Trail Blazers lost in LA against the Clippers just last night, while the Lakers, led by Austin Reaves, dethroned the Kings. This is an interesting matchup between the two teams, one that’s healthy and dealing with many organizational issues, and the other is dealing with a multitude of injuries.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Total & Spread

  • Total: 226.5
  • Spread: POR -2.5

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Injury Updates

Trail Blazers

Lakers

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Projected Starting Lineups

Trail Blazers

Lakers

 

 

 

DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Austin Reaves, LAL

(DK CPT - $13,500, UTIL - $9,000 / FD CPT - $20,400, UTIL - $13,600)

The start for Austin Reaves has been as good as it possibly could’ve been and is coming off a 51-point, 11-rebound, and nine-assist outing just last night. Reaves has put up 45+ FP in each of his first three games, and without Luka Doncic and LeBron James, he’s going to continue to dominate the ball and usage.

Deni Avdija, POR

(DK CPT - $13,800, UTIL - $9,200 / FD CPT - $19,200, UTIL - $12,800)

Checking into this game with a 29% USG is Deni Avdija, who has started his 2025-’26 campaign like he finished his ‘24-’25 season. That usage is second on the Blazers, and his 1.19 DKP/min is first on the team. Avdija is going to be much less owned as captain than Austin Reaves.

Deandre Ayton, LAL

(DK CPT - $12,300, UTIL - $8,200 / FD CPT - $11,400, UTIL - $7,600)

In 41 minutes without Luka Doncic this year, Deandre Ayton has a 23.9% USG and has averaged 1.2 FP/min on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The Lakers are extremely short-handed in this game, and Ayton could run it back like he did yesterday, especially if Toumani Camara locks Austin Reaves down at all.

Jrue Holiday, POR

(DK CPT - $11,700, UTIL - $7,800 / FD CPT - $16,200, UTIL - $10,800)

Can we talk about how good Jrue Holiday has been this year? He’s been incredible, and that’s just a fact. He’s averaging north of 1.1 FP/min on both DraftKings and FanDuel. He’s put up 36+ DKP in all three games he’s played in, and in two competitive games, he’s played 33-plus minutes.

 

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Rui Hachimura, LAL

(DK CPT - $10,200, UTIL - $6,800 / FD CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600)

After 40 minutes on Sunday night, get ready to learn another 40 minutes tonight, buddy. The Lakers are even more short-handed than they were on Sunday, and Rui Hachimura is a very solid play because of it. Limited captain upside, but solid UTIL play.

Shaedon Sharpe, POR

(DK CPT - $12,900, UTIL - $8,600 / FD CPT - $16,800, UTIL - $11,200)

The one guy I have listed in the utility section that could be a captain is Shaedon Sharpe. Why? Well, he currently has a robust 32% usage rate this season. That just suggests that it could be a night where the athletic Sharpe could get it going and not stop scoring.

Jerami Grant, POR

(DK CPT - $9,600, UTIL - $6,400 / FD CPT - $12,300, UTIL - $8,200)

Despite coming off the bench in all three games this year, Jerami Grant has played at least 28 minutes in each game and has been scoring at an elite clip. He has a 22.7 PPG average along with 30 FP/game as well. Solid option.


 

 


 

DFS Dart Throws

  • Jake LaRavia, LAL (DK CPT - $6,600, UTIL - $4,400 / FD CPT - $7,800, UTIL - $5,200)
  • Jarred Vanderbilt, LAL (DK CPT - $6,000, UTIL - $4,400 / FD CPT - $7,200, UTIL - $4,400)
  • Blake Wesley, POR (DK CPT - $4,800, UTIL - $3,200 / FD CPT - $5,400, UTIL - $3,600)
  • Dalton Knecht, LAL (DK CPT - $6,900, UTIL - $4,600 / FD CPT - $4,200, UTIL - $2,800)

 

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