Best lineup strategy for Lakers vs. Bulls NBA Showdown

The Los Angeles Lakers are even with the Los Angeles Clippers for the top spot in the Western Conference and will take on the Chicago Bulls in an interconference matchup on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET. Can the defending champs hold off a Bulls team that’s riding a three-game winning streak? Let’s go over the Showdown fantasy outlook for the game for contests on DraftKings.

Captain’s Picks

Anthony Davis ($14,700) missed his last game against the Chicago Bulls but is in a great place to dominate his hometown team the second time around. The Bulls ranks 26th on DraftKings against opposing power forwards and won’t have Wendell Carter Jr. or Otto Porter Jr. available. LeBron James ($15,000) and AD could both blow this game wide open.

Zach LaVine ($14,100) has been on the decline lately but put up 38 points against the Lakers earlier this year alongside 5 rebounds and 6 assists. He’s scored at least 32 points in six of his last 10 games while making nearly four threes per game.

FLEX Plays

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($3,800) just sprayed the Milwaukee Bucks for a season-high 23 points but remains dirt cheap. I’m not saying he’ll replicate his last performance, but he can be just as productive as Kyle Kuzma ($6,000) or Patrick Williams ($6,400) for a lot less salary.

Thaddeus Young ($5,000) will play a large role for Chicago with WCJ out and has demonstrated that he can be effective with his all-round game. He’s tallied more than 26 DKFP in three straight contests while averaging 11.6 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists per game. His passing from the high post gives him a solid floor.

Fades

Marc Gasol ($3,400) hasn’t boomed in a while. His price point is ideal for a starter, but he’s unlikely to return much value taking three shots per game. If you need a filler for $3,500 or less after you’ve built the rest of your roster, Gasol might be worth it. I’d stay away from plugging him into your flex before you experiment with other options.

The Outcome

The Lakers only won by two the last time they faced Chicago, but AD's return gives them a major boost. Los Angeles is nearly a double-digit favorite, and its second star is sure to tip the scales in its favor on the road.

Final score: Lakers win 120-109