Washington Wizards & Phoenix Suns
Spread: Suns -9
Total: 213
Injuries:
Washington Wizards:
Spencer Dinwiddie - Out
Phoenix Suns:
Devin Booker – Out
Frank Kaminsky – 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
Deandre Ayton, C (PHO) – There are few matchups better for big men than facing Washington, and Ayton should be up to the task tonight. Not only did Ayton return to action from his illness, but he played 45 minutes and had one his best games of the season with 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Suns are looking for more offense with Booker sidelined, and there’s no reason why it can’t, or shouldn’t, come from Ayton.
Chris Paul, PG (PHO) – If there was ever the time to ride the wave of a Paul hot streak, this would be it. He continues to capitalize on Devin Booker being sidelined as Paul is taking the opportunity to turn the clock back. That was certainly the case on Tuesday against Portland as the point guard went for 24 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds. Granted it did come after nine-point outing in the previous game, but Paul generally finishes with double-digit assists and he gets a Washington team that played last night.
Bradley Beal, PG/SG (WAS) – We know that Beal is the focal point of the Washington offense, and with Dinwiddie out tonight, that only increases. At times, Beal has been frustrating from a DFS perspective this season, but he is coming off a 30-point performance last night, and if the Wizards have any hope of keeping the game close, they will need something similar from him as he will have to shoot, and then keep on shooting. With five rebounds and five assists last night, in line with his season marks, Beal is on the one-dimensional side for his price. While he is a top option, we should also be aware of the blowout risk, and with the Wizards playing last night, we might not see the minutes from Beal. At the same time though, that also applies to Paul and Ayton.
Util
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF (PHO) – Johnson is now up to six straight games in which he is scoring in double figures as he has emerged as Booker’s replacement offensively for Phoenix. The forward is consistently playing around 30 minutes a night, and that continued after Ayton returned on Tuesday as Johnson got 32 minutes of run while also attempting 14 shots. It didn’t necessarily translate to success for Johnson against Portland as he made just four of those shots, but 12 points and eight rebounds is still a solid performance as a floor. Despite the recent success, Johnson is priced reasonably and likely will be rostered on most lines.
Cameron Payne, PG/SG (PHO) – We have seen Payne’s price rise as of late, but he still fits nicely into a lineup. Payne had a solid role prior to Booker’s injury, but he continues to take advantage of the extra shots available with between 14 and 17 field goal attempts in five of his last six games. At this point, it comes down to making his shots, and with 17 points in two of his last three games, Payne has been doing so while chipping in a few rebounds and assists.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF (WAS) – Cheaper than his Washington peers in this category, Caldwell-Pope is worth a look, and price is a factor here. We are going to get around 30 minutes and 10 to 15 shots tonight out of the swingman, and if they are falling the value will be there with no Dinwiddie.
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF (WAS) – Kuzma followed up a 26-point performance by scoring six points last night as he shot three of 10 from the field and didn’t get to the line. No Dinwiddie means that Kuzma will be relied on a little more offensively and for the most part, even if he hasn’t consistently shown it over the last week or so, Kuzma has been solid on the glass this season averaging 8.1 rebounds a game.
Daniel Gafford, C (WAS) – Gafford isn’t dissimilar among the Wizards tonight as he is fairly priced, but also limited in the upside department. In his last five games, Gafford has scored 14 points in three of them while hitting double figures in rebounds twice.
Dart Throws
Aaron Holiday, PG/SG (WAS) – The price is right here as Holiday likely slides into the starting lineup tonight. Last night was a bust as he scored two points in nine minutes of action, but in the game prior, Holiday went for 18 points in 15 minutes of action while grabbing six rebounds. He is going to be popular tonight, especially once it is confirmed if he is in the starting lineup, but he has proven to do well when given the chance.
Raul Neto, PG (WAS) – If you want to save a little more cash and go away from Holiday, then Neto might be the direction to go in. He will see a usage boost tonight, and if given the shots, another 13-point performance becomes the floor as he shot five of 16 from the field a few games ago.
Landry Shamet, SG/SF (PHO) – I’m not sure how much salary cap space we will really need to save tonight, but Shamet starts and plays around 25 minutes a game, so here we are. Shamet can very easily score in double figures, but that just means he needs to make his shots.
JaVale McGee, C (PHO) – As far as dart throws go, McGee is on the expensive side, but with Ayton back, this is where he fits. I’m not sure I would read too much into him playing just eight minutes on Tuesday (about half his workload with Ayton active) but the production was still there with four points and seven rebounds. However, we do need to be aware of his price as it relates to his minutes with Ayton back.