An NBA Championship preview perhaps? The Bucks are third in the Eastern Conference with a 29-16 record while the Clippers are third in the Western Conference at 31-16. The Bucks lost their last two games, but they rested their stars last time out, so they should be rested and raring to go for this one. Away from home, Milwaukee is 11-9. The Clippers have won their last five games and are 16-6 at home. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Clippers favored by 2.5 points with the total at 231.5. This should be a fun one.
Let’s break down everything to play a few Showdown lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (MIL vs LAC)
SHOWDOWN STRATEGY
Captain’s Picks
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($17,100 CP) - Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a sore knee and has scored 33 and 35.5 DKFP in the last two games he’s played. I brush all of those factors off like nothing. Antetokounmpo is off the injury report and did not play in Milwaukee’s last game, so he should be healthy and well-rested. He averages 1.64 DKFP per minute, and he went off for 71.5 DKFP the last time he faced the Clippers. That doesn’t mean he will do it again, but it’s well within the range of outcomes. The game should be tight and competitive, so Antetokounmpo should get his full allotment of minutes.
Paul George ($13,800 CP) - George is on a little bit of a heater, going for 55.75 and 47.75 DKFP in the Clippers’ two games. He’s garnering a usage rate of 29.8% and has been hoisting up around 19 shots per game, so the opportunity for a ceiling game is always there — especially considering he contributes in every statistical category. The Bucks' defensive philosophy is to defend inside first then spread out, allowing perimeter shots, which is where George operates and thrives.
FLEX Plays
Nicolas Batum ($4,200) - Since moving to the bench seven games ago, Batum has averaged 28.1 minutes and 20.42 DKFP a night. In two games, he produced 12.5 and 9.5 DKFP, so the floor is low. But over the last three games, he’s gone for 29, 22.5 and 21.5 DKFP.
Pat Connaughton ($6,000) - Connaughton has averaged 28.1 minutes per game and 0.84 DKFP per minute over the last three contests. He’s a low-usage player, so points will rarely rain down, but he rebounds well and chips in defensive stats.
Marcus Morris Sr. ($4,800) - Since entering the starting lineup six games ago, Morris has averaged 28.7 minutes, 11.3 field goal attempts and 25.33 DKFP a night. His ability to shoot from the perimeter has been a nice complement for Kawhi Leonard ($9,400) and George. The Bucks allow perimeter shots, so he could get plenty of good looks Monday.
Fades
Khris Middleton ($9,000) - Kawhi Leonard. End of analysis. Fine, the Clippers neutralize small forwards’ fantasy points per minute by 9.98% below league average. Middleton is a talented player and won’t be matched up against Leonard every possession and can grab rebounds and dish out assists, so he will still produce. It will just be difficult to exceed salary expectations in this matchup.
Ivica Zubac ($6,600) - Zubac has been great since filling in for Serge Ibaka. He’s averaged 28.9 minutes and 30.14 DKFP per game over Los Angeles’ last seven. But, the Bucks are tough in the paint and neutralize the fantasy points per minute of centers by 15.76% below league average, second-best in the league.
THE OUTCOME
I like the Bucks in this one because I feel a Greek Freak eruption incoming. Leonard and PG will get busy, keeping this game competitive until the end, but Antetokounmpo will be too much for them to handle.
Final Score: Bucks 121, Clippers 117
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (MIL vs LAC)
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