We might be missing a number of stars for tonight’s NBA DFS Showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers. Nikola Jokic is questionable and Paul George has already been ruled out. Where do we turn with so much production on the bench? Let's dive into the top NBA DFS picks on FanDuel and DraftKings your NBA daily fantasy lineups. Be sure to check out our NBA DFS projections, NBA DFS Lineup Generator, and all of the rest of our NBA DFS content and tools! 

 

NBA Injury Report:

Denver Nuggets

Los Angeles Clippers

 

NBA DFS Showdown Picks Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers

MVP/CAPTAIN

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets C

This entire Showdown slate (and NBA DFS in general tonight) hangs on the news of whether or not Jokic will play against the Clippers. He is listed as Questionable for the dreaded Injury Management, stemming from a recent wrist injury he suffered. At least for Showdown lineups, we will know in advance whether or not to include him. If he is in, he is the automatic, don’t-think-about-it play at MVP. Jokic averages 1.5 fantasy points per minute against the Clippers this year and has a literal 100-point upside that he has already shown this year. The Clippers and Ivica Zubac have been a bottom-10 team against centers all season long. 

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers SF/PF

When Paul George does not play this season, Kawhi Leonard basically plays at an MVP-level performance. Without PG-13, Kawhi averages 26.8 points, six rebounds, four assists, and 2.8 steals per 36 minutes on the floor. He also puts up a 29% usage rate and becomes the clear focal point of the offense. Add in the fact that shooter Luke Kennard is also out tonight, and this is a spot where Kawhi could come close to the 60 fantasy points he put up in his last game. 

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets PG

If we assume that Nikola Jokic does play, Jamal Murray is still a very good option tonight considering the matchup. The Clippers allow the second-most fantasy points to point guards over the last seven games and Murray averages 35.8 fantasy points against them in two contests this year. If we assume that Jokic does NOT play, Murray becomes an elite option in the MVP slot tonight considering how his role will increase. When Jokic is not on the floor, Murray has a 33% usage rate and 1.15 fantasy points per minute. Combine that with the matchup advantage, and this is a spot Murray could explode tonight. 

UTILITY 

Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers SG/SF

With no George and Kennard tonight, it basically frees up a boatload of minutes for Norman Powell who has been on fire lately. Powell averages 31.4 fantasy points over his last three games, but more importantly, he is seeing 29 minutes on the court during that time. He will assuredly get at least 30 minutes of playing time tonight even if he doesn’t start. When Kennard and George are out, Powell actually has the highest usage rate on the team (28.9%, slightly better than Leonard) and averages 1.11 fantasy points per minute. 

Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets PF

In just 24 minutes per game against the Clippers this season, Gordon has torched them for 38 fantasy points per game. That’s partly due to the fact that the Clippers are a bottom-10 team against power forwards this year, but also because LA has fallen to 21st in net rating. Over the last five games, the Clippers are 21st in rebounds allowed and 28th in opponents’ field goal percentage. If there are more shots and rebound opportunities tonight, Gordon will be a primary beneficiary. 

Terance Mann, Los Angeles Clippers PG/SG

We can’t really call Mann a dart throw anymore because he as a brand new, supersized role with the Clippers right now. After the Clippers felt a shakeup was needed in their team, they moved Reggie Jackson to the bench and inserted Mann in the starting lineup. He has responded with 28 fantasy points per game and 38 minutes on the floor in the two games since the change went into effect. The Nuggets are actually the sixth-worst team against point guards this season, so for just $4,600 on DraftKings, he looks like a lock at that salary. 

DART THROWS

Zeke Nnaji, Denver Nuggets C

If Jokic does not end up playing, Nnaji is going to be a great value option for the Nuggets. When Jokic does not play, Nnaji has a 17% usage rate and 0.70 fantasy points per minute. We have seen some minutes for Nnaji lately in blowout games when Jokic is not on the floor. The last three games where Nnaji saw more than 20 minutes on the floor, he scored 21.25, 27.5, and 19 fantasy points. He may not start if Jokic is out, but the minutes will be secure followed by a healthy number of points, rebounds, and blocks. 

Brandon Boston Jr., Los Angeles Clippers PG

Want a real dart throw at tonight’s slate that costs next to nothing? Try putting some Brandon Boston, Jr. in your lineups to free up some salary space. The 51st pick in the 2021 draft has gotten some run the last few games as the Clippers demoted Reggie Jackson and put Terance Mann in the starting lineup. Jackson only saw eight minutes in his last game which allowed Boston a little bit more run. In the two games last week, Boston gave us 14.25 and 14.5 fantasy points in just 20 total minutes on the floor. With the lineup shuffling right now by the Clippers, there is a chance Boston could get a look again tonight. But if Jokic plays and Denver blows them out, Boston will certainly have a lot of time on the floor. 

 

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