:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69143457/1232248715.5.jpg)
Saturday night’s featured Showdown on DraftKings involves the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have been one of the best teams in the league this season, and they have a chance to potentially catch the Jazz for the top spot in the Western Conference.
The Spurs were expected to struggle this season, but Gregg Popovich has his team on the verge of the playoffs once again. They’re currently in 10th place in the Western Conference standings, which would qualify them for the play-in tournament. That said, their lead over the Pelicans is just 2.0 games, so they’re going to need to continue to win ballgames. DraftKings Sportsbook currently has the Suns as 10-point favorites in this matchup, so the Spurs will have their work cut out for them.
Let’s break down this matchup to help with your Showdown lineups.
(NOTE: All salaries are in the utility spot unless otherwise indicated.)
Set your DraftKings lineup here: NBA Showdown $100K Fadeaway [$25K to 1st] (SAS vs PHO)
Captain’s Picks
DeMar DeRozan ($15,000 CP) – If you’re looking to pay up at Captain, your choices are either Devin Booker ($16,500 CP) or Chris Paul ($15,300 CP) for the Suns or DeRozan for the Spurs. Of that trio, I feel the best about DeRozan’s workload. CP3 has played less than 30 minutes in each of his past four games, and Booker has been capped around 34. DeRozan has logged at least 37.2 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s a comparable producer to Booker and Paul on a per-minute basis. He’s scored at least 42.5 DKFP in four of his past five games, so he’s the safest “stud” in this matchup.
EDITOR’S NOTE: DeMar DeRozan (rest) is listed as out for tonight’s game vs. the Suns.
Deandre Ayton ($13,500 CP) – Saving a bit of money with Ayton might be my preferred strategy. He’s just the fifth-most expensive player on this slate, but he ranks third in DKFP per minute over the past month. That puts him behind only Paul and Booker, and Ayton is significantly cheaper than both. He’s managed to return value in seven straight games on DraftKings, and the Spurs have been mediocre in defending centers this season.
UTIL Plays
Jae Crowder ($5,600) – This looks like a great night for a stars-and-scrubs build. There is a clear list of studs to pay up for, and there is also an appealing group of value plays to target. There also really isn’t anyone who stands out in the midrange.
Crowder is about as expensive as I’m looking to go outside of the stud tier (Paul, Booker, DeRozan, Ayton and Dejounte Murray). He’s lost some minutes recently, but Crowder has the potential to give us a big performance when he hits his ceiling. He went off for 37.0 DKFP three games ago, and that kind of upside is what you’re looking for in tournaments.
Dario Saric ($2,200) – Now we’re getting the good stuff. Saric has carved out a decent role for the Suns as their backup center, and he’s logged at least 17.8 minutes in three of his past four games. He’s scored at least 17.0 DKFP in each of his past four contests, so he’s a steal at just $2,200.
Drew Eubanks ($2,400) – Eubanks is basically the Spurs’ version of Saric. He isn’t playing a ton of minutes at the moment, but he’s playing more than enough to pay off his current salary. Eubanks has averaged 1.06 DKFP per minute over the past month, and he should see around 18 minutes vs. the Suns.
Locking in Eubanks and Saric at utility gives you the ability to do basically whatever you want with the rest of your lineup. I love that strategy on today’s slate.
Fades
Derrick White ($8,600) – White is still a big part of the Spurs’ future, but this has been a bit of a lost season for him. He missed a large chunk of the early season with an injury, and he hasn’t been able to find his footing when he’s been on the court. He’s had some nice games recently, but his production has been sporadic.
I’m not thrilled about his chances tonight vs. the Suns, who have been one of the best defensive teams in basketball. There’s also a chance he draws Chris Paul, who remains a lockdown defender at his advanced age.
THE OUTCOME
The Suns are clearly the better team in this matchup, and I expect them to ultimately get the job done. That said, it might be a bit closer than expected. They’re currently listed as 10-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, but the Spurs have been frisky this season. They’re 16-10 against the spread as an underdog, and they’re 4-1 against the spread when getting at least seven points.
I’m also expecting points to be at a premium. The Spurs have played at a slightly below-average pace this season, while the Suns have been one of the slowest teams in the league. I like DeRozan to do enough to ultimately keep this one competitive right to the final whistle.
Final Score: Spurs 108, Suns 111
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
Set your DraftKings lineup here: NBA Showdown $100K Fadeaway [$25K to 1st] (SAS vs PHO)
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is mlamarca) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.