Tonight's featured NBA DFS Showdown is a Western Conference battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. The Lakers are at full strength except for Austin Reaves, while the Nuggets are still without Nikola Jokic and Cameron Johnson. 

Let’s dive into the NBA DFS Showdown playbook breakdown for today’s game, kicking off at 10:00 pm ET!

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Total & Spread

  • Total: 228
  • Spread: LAL -2.5

 

 

 

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Injury Updates

Lakers

Nuggets

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Projected Starting Lineups

Lakers

Nuggets

 

 

DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Luka Doncic, LAL

(DK CPT - $18,600, UTIL - $12,400 / FD MVP - $24,000, UTIL - $16,000)

Doncic is completely off the injury report after sitting out a game last week and playing through a questionable tag a couple of days ago. He has averaged an elite 1.71 FP/min with Austin Reaves off the floor this season, and he easily has the highest ceiling on the slate. 

Jamal Murray, DEN

(DK CPT - $15,900, UTIL - $10,600 / FD MVP - $20,700, UTIL - $13,800)

Murray is coming off his first dud since Jokic went down with an injury, as Denver was blown out by Charlotte last game. He should be right back on track for this game, which means he is likely to play nearly 40 minutes, and he possesses 60+ fantasy point upside. 

LeBron James, LAL

(DK CPT - $15,000, UTIL - $10,000 / FD MVP - $19,800, UTIL - $13,200)

LeBron has turned back the clock a bit with Austin Reaves sidelined. In 10 games since Reaves was injured, James is averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. The 41-year-old is proving he still has plenty left in the tank, including a 60+ fantasy point ceiling. 

 

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Aaron Gordon, DEN 

(DK CPT - $11,400, UTIL - $7,600 / FD MVP - $15,900, UTIL - $10,600)

Gordon has been incredibly consistent since returning from injury, scoring at least 29 fantasy points in six of his last seven games. He should be well rested after sitting out the second leg of the back-to-back and should see minutes in the low 30s this game. 

Peyton Watson, DEN

(DK CPT - $12,900, UTIL - $8,600 / FD MVP - $13,200, UTIL - $8,800)

Watson has come back to earth a bit after flashing an elite stretch of basketball when Denver needed it most. He should still be in line for mid-30s minutes, and he still has a 50-fantasy point ceiling, even if that isn't the most likely outcome. 

Deandre Ayton, LAL 

(DK CPT - $10,800, UTIL - $7,200 / FD MVP - $14,100, UTIL - $9,400)

Ayton has flashed significant upside with Reaves sidelined, posting two ceiling games of more than 40 fantasy points in the last week. Denver is a bit undersized with Jokic and Valanciunas out with injury, and that should benefit a player like Ayton.  

Drew Timme, LAL

(DK CPT - $2,400, UTIL - $1,600 / FD MVP - $1,800, UTIL - $1,200)

Timme operated as the 10th man in the rotation last game, even with Doncic and Ayton back in the lineup. He's a salary-saving option that has a chance to play mid-teens minutes and can help you upgrade another spot on the roster. 

 

 

 

DFS Dart Throws

  • Marcus Smart, LAL (DK CPT - $7,500, UTIL - $5,000 / FD MVP - $7,200, UTIL - $4,800) 
  • Tim Hardaway, DEN (DK CPT - $8,100, UTIL - $5,400 / FD MVP - $8,700, UTIL - $5,800) 
  • Jalen Pickett, DEN (DK CPT - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600 / FD MVP - $9,900, UTIL - $6,600) 
  • Jarred Vanderbilt, LAL (DK CPT - $4,200, UTIL - $2,800 / FD MVP - $4,800, UTIL - $3,200) 
  • Jaxson Hayes, LAL (DK CPT - $3,600, UTIL - $2,400 / FD MVP - $3,900, UTIL - $2,600)Â