In Tuesday's featured NBA showdown, the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Portland tonight to take on the Trail Blazers in an intriguing Western Conference battle at the Moda Center. Oklahoma City enters riding a four-game winning streak and boasting an 8-2 record, while Portland looks to get back on track after dropping two straight games.

Be sure to monitor injury updates, confirmed starting lineups, and projected minutes before lock to identify the best captain/MVP options and salary-saving plays. Let’s dive into the NBA DFS Showdown playbook breakdown for today’s game, starting at 9:00 pm ET. 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Total & Spread

  • Total: 224.5
  • Spread: OKC -2.5

 

 


 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Injury Updates

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Projected Starting Lineups

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DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC

(DK $11,400 / FD $17,400)

Gilgeous-Alexander remains the centerpiece of Oklahoma City's offense and has an excellent opportunity to keep producing at an elite level. He's averaging 29.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists through 10 games, and recently delivered 30 points and nine assists against Washington in just 29 minutes. With Williams and Holmgren still sidelined, SGA should continue shouldering an enormous offensive workload. His ability to score at all three levels while contributing in the assist and defensive categories gives him the highest fantasy ceiling on the slate.

Deni Avdija, POR

(DK $10,000 / FD $14,800)

Avdija has emerged as Portland's most consistent offensive weapon, averaging 22.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists through nine appearances. His ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories makes him particularly attractive in all formats, especially with his role as a primary facilitator and scorer. He managed just 15 points in Portland's most recent loss to San Antonio, but his overall production this season remains impressive. Avdija should see plenty of opportunities to initiate offense and attack an Oklahoma City defense that will present a difficult challenge.

Damian Lillard, POR

(DK $8,600 / FD $10,600)

Lillard has given Portland another reliable scoring option since returning to the organization, averaging 19.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists over his first nine games. He's also knocking down 2.8 three-pointers per contest, adding fantasy appeal through his perimeter shooting. Lillard's ability to create his own offense and generate scoring opportunities for teammates makes him an important piece of Portland's attack. Oklahoma City's defensive pressure makes for a tough matchup, but his shooting range and ball-handling responsibilities give him plenty of opportunities to accumulate fantasy production.

Ajay Mitchell, OKC

(DK $8,000 / FD $9,800)

Mitchell has taken advantage of his expanded opportunities this season, emerging as a productive secondary scoring option alongside Gilgeous-Alexander. Through 10 games, he's averaging 18.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting an impressive 51.7% from the field. With several important Oklahoma City contributors unavailable, Mitchell should remain heavily involved offensively. He's also demonstrated the ability to contribute defensively, averaging 1.2 steals per game. His scoring efficiency and increased responsibility make him an appealing option with significant upside.

 

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Donovan Clingan, POR

(DK $7,600 / FD $11,000)

Clingan has been a consistent presence in the middle for Portland, averaging a double-double with 11.9 points and 10.0 rebounds through nine games. He's also averaging 2.1 blocks per contest, providing an additional avenue for fantasy production. His rebounding and rim-protection abilities make him particularly interesting against an Oklahoma City team missing Holmgren. Clingan has also shown some perimeter shooting ability this season, knocking down 45.5% of his three-point attempts. His ability to dominate the glass and contribute defensively gives him a strong floor, and his legitimate 20-20 upside gives him an excellent ceiling. 

Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC

(DK $7,200 / FD $8,000)

Hartenstein offers a different type of fantasy production for Oklahoma City, with his rebounding and playmaking abilities providing value beyond scoring. He's averaging 6.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists through 10 appearances, while also recording 1.2 steals per game. With Holmgren unavailable, Hartenstein's role in the frontcourt becomes increasingly important, particularly in controlling the glass and providing interior defense. His ability to contribute in several categories without needing to score a bunch of points makes him an intriguing mid-range option.

Jrue Holiday, POR

(DK $7,000 / FD $7,000)

Holiday brings valuable versatility to Portland's backcourt and has been productive in multiple areas early in the season. He's averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 51.3% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. His defensive instincts are another important part of his fantasy appeal, as he's averaging one steal per game. Holiday doesn't necessarily need to dominate the ball to make an impact, and his ability to contribute as a scorer, facilitator, and defender gives him a useful all-around profile at his mid-range salary.

Aday Mara, OKC

(DK $6,000 / FD $6,000)

Mara is an interesting value option who has started to make the most of his opportunities in Oklahoma City's frontcourt. The rookie is averaging 8.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game, showcasing his potential as an interior contributor. He delivered his best performance yet against Washington, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while shooting 8-for-10 from the field. With Holmgren sidelined, Mara should have another opportunity to see meaningful minutes. His recent production and shot-blocking ability make him an intriguing low-cost option with plenty of upside. 

 

 

 

DFS Dart Throws