So nice they had to play twice. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers just played last night and are running back again tonight..in Portland. Don't look at last night's results and think that's what is going to happen tonight, tonight is a brand new game. We have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard, and Donovan Clingan are going to take the floor.

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 10:00 pm ET. 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Total & Spread

  • Total: 224
  • Spread: POR -2.5

 

 


 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Injury Updates

Thunder

Trail Blazers

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers Projected Starting Lineups

Thunder

Trail Blazers

 

 

DFS Captain / MVP Picks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC

(DK $18,300 / FD $26,400)

Across 29 minutes on Tuesday, SGA scored 26 points and had eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal, but didn't play in the fourth quarter due to blowout. It really doesn't matter how Tuesday went because OKC are 1.5-point favorites because of SGA. Without Holmgren, Williams, and Wallace this year, SGA is averaging 1.5 FP/min and has a 40% USG.

Deni Avdija, POR

(DK $15,600 / FD $22,500)

Deni Avdija is so, so good and accrues a boatload of fantasy points. He averages 42 DKP/game and averages 1.16 DKP/game and 1.1 FDP/game. Avdija has nearly 40 minute upside and also has a triple-double opportunity nightly.

Donovan Clingan, POR

(DK $12,300 / FD $18,600)

UPDATE - Robert Williams is expected to play. There is still a big ceiling with Clingan because he's an elite fantasy player as a base line (1.39 DKP/min & 1.41 FDP/min without Ja Morant)

We haven't officially gotten a report out of the Blazers but it's expected that Robert Williams won't play on the second leg of a back-to-back. Without Williams and Ja Morant this year, Clingan has a 1.4 FP/min – which leads the team – and has a 20.7% USG. Clingan should have a solid path to 30-plus minutes if he stays out of foul trouble.

 


 

DFS Utility Picks

Jared McCain, OKC

(DK $6,600 / FD $5,600)

This has always been the case, but Jared McCain is a bucket getter. He's poured in 19+ points in three straight games and has started a couple of them as well. He has a 23.3% USG player without Holmgren, Williams, and Wallace this year. He's really cheap on both DK and FD.

Damian Lillard, POR

(DK $9,000 / FD $11,600)

The leader in usage for Portland when Ja Morant and Robert Williams off the floor is Damian Lillard. Lillard has a 28.1% USG and he's averaging 1.1 FP/min without them as well. Lillard has played back-to-backs and has low-to-mid 30s minute upside without them.

Jrue Holiday, POR

(DK $7,200 / FD $7,400)

The Blazers turned to Sidy Cissoko in the starting lineup over Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday, but they did lose Chris Youngblood so there is plenty of minutes available. Holiday's been right around 1 FP/min on both DK and FD without Ja Morant this year.

Aday Mara, OKC

(DK $6,200 / FD $6,000)

Aday Mara has been a plus fantasy player and if Jayliin Williams is ultimately ruled out, his role should continue to be on the rise. He double-doubled last night and has back-to-back 29+ FP outings. Mid-20s minutes is all he needs to have a monster ceiling. He averages 1.1 FP/min on both DK and FD.

 

 

DFS Dart Throws

EDITORS NOTE - Ajay Mitchell has been ruled OUT along with Jaylin Williams. That boosts EVERYONE, but I love Jared McCain and Aday Mara that much more. I think Isaiah Hartenstein also should get a boost. Bennett Stirtz, Alex Caruso, and Nique Clifford all get boosts, too.