With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the NBA delivers a six-game slate on Tuesday. Two teams who have been rumored to be active on the trade front are the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers, who will face each other with depleted rosters. This game is also the featured Showdown contest on DraftKings, so let’s discuss some players to consider adding to your lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (PHI vs GSW)
Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
SHOWDOWN STRATEGY
Captain’s Pick
Ben Simmons ($14,700 CP): The big name who will be sidelined for the Sixers in this game is Joel Embiid (knee), who will miss his sixth straight contest. While Simmons missed one of the previous five games with an injury of his own, he averaged 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and one steal across the other four contests. With his ability to contribute in so many different areas, and the possibility for added shot attempts with Embiid out, Simmons has one of the highest floors of anyone in this game.
Tobias Harris ($14,100 CP): Harris has been excellent across the five games that Embiid has missed, averaging 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.8 steals. The key to his added scoring numbers is that he averaged 19.4 shot attempts per game during that stretch, which is up from his season average of 15.6 per game. That’s a significant increase for a player who is shooting 50.8 percent from the field. If you want to fade Simmons, Harris might be just as appealing for the Captain’s spot, if not more so.
UTIL Plays
Andrew Wiggins ($7,600): While the Sixers will be without Embiid, the Warriors will have to take the floor without Stephen Curry (tailbone). He has missed both of the last two games, which helped Wiggins score 66 and 37.8 DKFP, respectively. Across those two games, he attempted a total of 38 shots and 21 free throws. Expect him to be very busy on the offensive end again, while also logging a ton of minutes.
Jordan Poole ($6,800): Even before Curry suffered his injury, the Warriors were desperate for someone to step up in the scoring department off the bench. Poole has provided that jolt, averaging 20.9 points and 3.3 three-pointers over the last seven games. He even started both of the last two games with Curry out and logged at least 34 minutes in both contests. Playing time and shot attempts shouldn’t be difficult for Poole to come by in this matchup, either.
Danny Green ($5,600): The Sixers made two key additions to help space the floor before the season, bringing in Green and Seth Curry. However, with Curry out because of an ankle injury, it’s up to Green to jack up shots from behind the arc at will. He is 7-for-11 on three-pointers across the last two games with Curry out, which helped him score exactly 32.8 DKFP in both contests. At this reasonable salary, he is difficult to pass up.
Fades
Kelly Oubre Jr. ($7,200): With Curry out, the Warriors sure could have used Oubre to step up the last two games. However, he responded by shooting a combined 6-for-20 from the field. He’s in a bit of a funk right now, scoring 28 DKFP or fewer in each of his last seven games. He could break out at any moment, but with Wiggins playing well and checking in at a similar salary, Wiggins might be the better choice.
The Outcome
Having to play without Curry will be difficult, but the Warriors at least have the advantage of playing at home, where they are 13-7 this season. By comparison, they are just 9-14 on the road. They could also be getting some reinforcements with Eric Paschall ($2,200) and James Wiseman ($4,800) possibly eligible to be activated from the league’s health and safety protocols. With that being said, look for the duo of Simmons and Harris to lead the Sixers to a narrow victory.
Final Score: 76ers 110, Warriors 107
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (PHI vs GSW)
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