The Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies square off in a NBA Showdown on DraftKings for Monday night’s five-game slate. There’s been a lot of news for the Nets this afternoon that has impacted the lineup. Spencer Dinwiddie has a partially torn ACL and is likely out for the rest of the season. Kevin Durant is going to sit on the second of a back-to-back to rest his Achilles. So Brooklyn will be shorthanded and Memphis is 0-2 looking for a win. Let’s take a look at the Showdown contest and some picks.
Update: Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are both resting for the Nets.
Captain’s Picks
Kyrie Irving ($15,900) — The easy way to look at this is the Nets will lean on Irving to get a win tonight. No KD or Dinwiddie means Irving’s usage should be around 25-30 percent if not higher. He’s going to be pretty chalky in the Captain’s spot but his ceiling is higher than everyone not named Ja Morant ($13,800). Kyrie has scored at least 25 points in each of the first three games and that has translated to 46.4 FPTS per game. The Nets could mail this one in but then they’d drop to 2-2, which isn’t ideal with this schedule. I’m OK paying up for Irving at Captain and maybe getting against the grain in the FLEX.
Caris LeVert ($12,000) — There’s a chance LeVert starts in place of Durant or Dinwiddie. There’s also a chance LeVert continues to come off the bench. If that’s the case, I think he’ll get favorable spots against a Grizzlies defense that has allowed at least 122 points over two games. LeVert had a great game off the bench in the opener vs. the Dubs. His price was barely adjusted for no Dinwiddie and now we have no KD either. LeVert could be chalky like Irving, but other than Morant, I don’t see two better Captain’s picks.
FLEX Plays
Ja Morant ($9,200) — There’s an argument to be made for Morant in the Captain’s slot. I feel like there’s somewhat better value in LeVert or Irving and Morant should face a tougher defense. It won’t be as easy for Ja to get to the rim on DeAndre Jordan or Jarrett Allen. Still, the Grizzlies need a win and Morant has been great through two games this season. Morant’s usage has been over 32 percent in both games, that shouldn’t change much. I’m just not cool fading Ja in this contest.
Landry Shamet ($3,600) — There’s a ton of value on the Nets side of this game. I’ll also mention guys like Joe Harris ($5,200) and Taurean Prince ($2,000) because there’s so much usage and minutes to compensate for with Dinwiddie and Durant out. I’d also like to know who is going to start in those two slots before locking anything in. My guess is Shamet starts at SG next to Harris and Irving with possibly Prince at PF and Jordan at C. Prince and Shamet will give you the salary relief to play 4 studs in your lineup. Both have pretty good floors if they’re going to see around 20-plus minutes.
Fades
DeAndre Jordan ($6,000) — Jordan may get double-digit rebounds but that hasn’t given us any more reason to play him so far this season. He literally does nothing on offense unless he gets an offensive board and putback. I don’t think the Nets will try and get Jordan the ball more with KD and Dinwiddie out. If anything it’ll happen less. Jordan also hasn’t played more than 20 minutes in three games this season and that has resulted in minor fantasy output. At this price in the FLEX I’m staying away.
The Outcome
This game is tough to figure out. My lean is the Grizzlies coming off two losses and the Nets missing two key players. I think it’ll still be a close contest since the Nets have a decent amount of depth. Brooklyn also could be a bit tired. This is their third game in four nights. Now that I think about it, wouldn’t be surprised if the Grizzlies really ran away with this one. Unless we see some hero ball from Irving, the Grizzlies should get their first win of the season.
Final score: Memphis 112, Brooklyn 106