Dominate your NBA DFS Showdown contests today using our Player Projections that you can use specifically for Showdown!

 

 

Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns

Spread: Suns -12

Total: 232.5

Injuries:

Los Angeles Lakers:

LeBron James - Out

Phoenix Suns:

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

 

 

Anthony Davis, PF/C (LAL) – In his first two games back following an 18-game absence with a foot injury, Davis hasn’t seemed to miss a beat. Workload hasn’t been an issue as Davis played 37 and 35 minutes respectively and he should be in for something similar tonight with LeBron James sidelined. There is the risk of a blowout here, but that applies more to the Suns’ side of things as the Lakers will be leaning heavily on Davis to keep things close. Since his return, Davis is averaging 25.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and seven assists per game as the offense will likely run through him. 

 

 

Devin Booker, PG/SG (PHX) – The match-up suits Booker perfectly from a DFS perspective and he enters the game both well-rested (he got the day off on Sunday) and on a hot streak averaging 36.8 points per game in his last four. Booker is going to need to really rack up the production in the first half tonight, and if the spread for tonight’s game holds true, he will be a large reason as to why the Suns pull away. 

 

 

Russell Westbrook, PG (LAL) – Too little too late, but things have gotten better for Westbrook as the season winds down. James being sidelined does help here as more of the offensive focus and volume flows through to Westbrook, and that should continue tonight. In three of his last four games, Westbrook has scored between 24 and 27 points, and while we likely won’t see a double-double from him, the potential is always there and he is averaging 7.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game on the season. 

UTIL

 

 

Chris Paul, PG (PHX) – The matchup is great and the performance is there, but I do have some doubts about how much of Paul we will see in the fourth quarter if this game does in fact get out of hand. Ultimately, I can see the Lakers keeping it close for a while, and that would stand to benefit Paul. With 14 points and 11 assists per game in his last five, the veteran will be entering the playoffs strong. 

 

 

Malik Monk, PG/SG (LAL) – Monk is getting the minutes in the starting lineup for Los Angeles, but after three games in which he scored 23, 23, and 28 points respectively, the guard has made just five shots in each of his last three games. He has still found his way into double figures offensively while playing over 30 minutes per game, so I’m looking for a bounce back here. In his last five games, Monk is shooting 52.3% from the field, so all he needs is just a few more shots. 

 

 

Cameron Johnson, SF/PF (PHX) – Johnson is back to the bench tonight, but after missing a month of action, the rust should be off for the forward. In 32 minutes on Sunday, Johnson made just four of his 15 shots from the field, and while the volume will likely see a decrease, it shouldn’t be by much. 

 

 

Carmelo Anthony, PF (LAL) – Anthony took 18 shots in James’ absence on Sunday, and I would expect the veteran to be in for a similar role tonight off the bench for the Lakers. Throughout this season, Anthony has proven to be a capable scoring option and the expected volume certainly supports it. 

Dart Throws

 

 

Avery Bradley, SG/SF (LAL) – While he hasn’t done much else, Bradley has scored 10 points in each of his last two games while playing 34 and 28 minutes. As you look to fill out the back end of your roster that is a solid place to start, and Bradley did pick up three steals in one of those games. 

 

 

Landry Shamet, SG/SF (PHX) – Shamet should get about 15 to 20 minutes of playing time tonight, and if things go sideways in the fourth quarter, he could be in line for a little extra action. In his last four games, Shamet is averaging just over nine points, so we are working with some offensive ability while also securing some salary cap relief.