NBA DFS Showdown Playbook: Kings at Lakers
Published: Nov 26, 2021
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Spread: LAL -7.5
Total: 225.5
Sacramento Kings Injuries
Harrison Barnes QUEST
Richaun Holmes QUEST
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries
Trevor Ariza OUT
Kendrick Nunn OUT
LeBron James QUEST
Austin Reaves QUEST
MVP/Captain
Anthony Davis, PF/C – Davis did not play last game with flu-like symptoms, so hopefully he is fully recovered and rested for this one. He is not on the morning injury report, which is a minor miracle, but all signs point to him being a full go tonight. That’s excellent news for our DFS lineups as the Kings allow the most fantasy points to the center position, including 22.4 points and 20.1 rebounds per game. They just allowed a slate-breaking performance to Jusuf Nurkic on Wednesday and I’ve heard Davis is slightly better than him. Play him in your MVP spot with confidence if there is no word of injury or illness.
De’Aaron Fox, PG – As bad as the Kings are against centers, the same story has been true for the Lakers against point guards this year. They allow 2.3 more fantasy points to the position than any other team in the league this year. Part of that is due to the turnstile defense from Russell Westbrook, and part of it is due to the up-tempo pace of the Lakers (second in the league). This looks like a spot where you can deploy Fox at an MVP salary much cheaper than the Lakers’ big three and have salary remaining for the studs throughout the rest of your lineup. Fox was at 32.5 fantasy points in just 27 minutes last game (turnover problems), so hopefully he is back in his regular mid-30’s tonight.
LeBron James, PG/SF - When both James and Westbrook are playing, I tend to side with James in an MVP-type spot based on the consistency we have seen this season. James provides that consistency we need in this spot, proven in his last handful of games. If we throw out the ugly Pistons’ incident, James averages 49 fantast points per game in his last five. This game pits two of the league’s top ten teams in pace and I certainly want a piece of Lebron if extra possessions are on the table. He is Questionable tonight with an abdominal injury, so pivoting to Davis at $300 more is the solution if he ends up sitting out.
Utility
Russell Westbrook, PG – In games without Lebron, Westbrook is often my go-to for MVP, but his stats take a significant hit when James is on the floor. In 11 games without Lebron this season, Westbrook averages 21.7 points, 9.4 assists, and 9.3 rebounds, according to Statmuse. When the two share the floor, Westbrook is at 17.8 points, 7.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds – all accompanied by a low 41.9% from the floor. Assuming they are both healthy, I would take the $6,000 discount and just play Westbrook in a Utility spot.
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG – New Kings’ coach Alvin Gentry has spent his first two games determining who he is comfortable playing big minutes in meaningful games. Fortunately, both games he coached have been decided by eight points or less, so we can see what his rotation will look like in normal conditions. Guys like Moe Harkless and Chimezie Metu are now ancillary pieces while the core of Fox, Barnes, Haliburton and Hield are getting huge run. The cheapest of those guys is Haliburton, who averages 34 minutes and 26.4 fantasy points in his last three. He often runs the point when Fox is on the bench, so the same reasons to play Fox apply to Haliburton. The Lakers will have trouble containing this duo.
Malik Monk, SG – The Lakers have established by now they are going to play a tight eight-man rotation with Dwight Howard sprinkling in a few minutes here and there. Monk has now solidified his spot in that rotation and averages 30 fantasy points in 32.5 minutes his last two games. The salary is Black Friday-esque $4,600 and he becomes even more attractive if Lebron happens to sit in this one.
Value Tier
Davion Mitchell, PG – The other player who seems to benefit from Coach Gentry’s ascension into the top spot is Davion Mitchell. In the past two games, he averages 27.5 minutes and his usage rate in his last four games is above 20%. In the Kings’ last games against the Blazers (another fast-paced affair against an opponent with strong guard play) Mitchell led the team with 30 minutes while scoring 16 points with three assists. At just $2,800 tonight, that will certainly work in our lineups.
Alex Len, C - You can’t get much better than a $1,000 salary for a big man who gets regular court time, especially when he started last game and Richaun Holmes is questionable with a right eye contusion. Whether or not Holmes starts, the pattern has been established that Len is going to get 15-18 minutes on the floor and he averages more than a fantasy point per minute this year (1.06). In his 17 minutes last game, he gave managers 21.25 points. At just $1,000, you have an easy opportunity to 20x that salary while also fitting all the studs you want in your other spots.
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Zach Edey will undergo surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle.
Charania’s report indicates that Edey re-sprained the same ankle that forced him to miss some time last season. It came during an offseason workout, and he is expected to miss time to start next season. Edey secured the starting center spot for Memphis late last season after playing an inconsistent role for most of his rookie year. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo could opt to use Brandon Clarke as the starting center if he’s healthy, or he could use a smaller starting lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. to start next season. The Grizzlies’ PR team announced that a preliminary timeline will be provided after he has the surgery, but as of now, the expectation is that he won’t be available for opening night.
De’Aaron Fox (finger) has been cleared for on-court work and will be ready for the start of next season.
Fox underwent season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in mid-March, about six weeks after being traded to the Spurs from Sacramento. He recently told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle that he’s been cleared to resume on-court activities, which have included some 5-on-5 play. Also, Fox hopes to ink a contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. With one year remaining on his current deal, the point guard will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229 million on August 3.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Mannix said recently that Sam Hauser could be a trade candidate this offseason if the Celtics decide to shed salary.
The cost of contending for championships has gotten steeper, especially with the salary cap rules instituted in recent years. For the Celtics, the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Jayson Tatum may impact how the front office approaches this offseason. If the team decides that a group that won’t have Tatum for most of the season can’t be a factor in the East, the decision could be made to shed salary. And Hauser, whose four-year, $45 million extension goes into effect next season, may be a prime candidate to be moved. “Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.” Hauser being traded would make Scheierman worth a look in deep fantasy leagues next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Knicks are interested in talking to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
Toppin has been solid throughout this postseason, but he hasn’t had many big scoring nights. However, after he had 18 points in the Game 6 clincher over the Knicks, he added 17 more to kick off the Finals, with 15 of those points coming from beyond the arc. If Toppin is able to continue to make an impact off the bench like he did in this game, there should be more wins coming for the Pacers.
Aaron Nesmith recorded a double-double on Thursday with 10 points (3-of-9 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Indiana dominated on the glass in this game, but it wasn’t just because of the bigs. Nesmith was the leading rebounder in this game and was one of three Pacers to grab at least 10 rebounds. However, they lost the turnover battle 24-6, and Nesmith contributed five of those. The only player with more was Myles Turner, who coughed it up six times. Indiana won this game and still has things to clean up, which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward in this series.