The Los Angeles Clippers host the Memphis Grizzlies at 10:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday night, and DraftKings is offering up some huge Showdown contests for this game. Below, I give you some of my favorite options to attack for the format.
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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Showdown Strategy
Captain’s Picks
Paul George ($15,000 CP)
The Clippers received the unfortunate news Tuesday night that Kawhi Leonard (foot) will be sidelined for at least a week. This automatically puts a large weight on George’s shoulders, and the All-Star hasn’t disappointed when riding solo without Leonard this season. In the eight starts he has made with Leonard inactive, George has supplied a team-high 46.4 DKFP per game.
As the Clippers’ top option, the 30-year-old has garnered a tremendous 37.9% usage rate in these games, and this Grizzlies defense he is going against ranks 24th in defensive rating for the month of April. George has sat out the second game of the Clippers’ last two back-to-backs, but he was dealing with a nagging foot injury around the time of these two tilts, and suited up for both legs of his previous two back-to-back sets prior to this. With Leonard on the shelf, and the Clippers chasing the Suns for the 2nd seed in the West, I expect George to be a full go tonight, making him undoubtedly the best player to roster at captain for this Western Conference matchup.
Update: Unfortunately, George will be rested tonight, along with Reggie Jackson and Rajon Rondo. Marcus Morris (below) is now the top option from the Clippers, and a very viable captain option at his price. When George, Leonard, Rondo, Ibaka, Jackson, Beverly and Williams have been off the court, Morris has posted 30.9% usage rate and scored 1.3 DKFP per minute, both of which are team-highs. Luke Kennard ($3,400) and Terrence Mann ($4,800) also should gain very big roles and are core plays considering how cheap they are for this showdown slate.
Marcus Morris ($9,900 CP)
Rightfully so, George is going to be the mega chalk at captain, and if looking to be contrarian, I think taking the discount with Morris is a very appealing strategy. In addition to Leonard, we can’t forget that Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverley are still out for the Clippers, and that the team just dealt away the heavy usage Lou Williams at the trade deadline. After George, Morris sees the biggest upgrade to his workload with all of these players absent, scoring 33.1 DKFP per game in the four full tilts he has suited up for without Leonard, Williams, Ibaka and Beverley.
While he doesn’t bring the same upside as George, Morris should have a strong showing with his team depleted, and taking the savings with the forward in your captain slot opens up a ton possibilities for the rest of your lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (MEM vs LAC)
UTIL Plays
Ja Morant ($8,200)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (questionable, knee) has a chance to make his long-awaited return Wednesday night, but even if this is the case, Morant should still take on a large role with Jonas Valanciunas (concussion) ruled out. So far this season, Morant’s usage rate has seen a 2.7 percentage point boost and his assist rate has leaped 7.3 percentage points when Valanciunas has been off the court, lifting the point guard to 1.14 DKFP per minute.
Albeit with the game going to double overtime, and Dillon Brooks (questionable, thigh) also missing for Memphis, Morant erupted for 72.5 DKFP with Valanciunas inactive Monday night. With no Beverley on the other side, this is a solid matchup for Morant, and the rising star is a tough fade at this friendly $8,200 price tag.
Ivica Zubac ($6,000)
In the five full contests the Clippers have been without the services of Leonard, Ibaka, Beverley and Williams this season, Zubac has chipped in with 28.8 DKFP per game. Ibaka being out of the equation is the primary factor for Zubac, which solidifies him with a near 30-minute role as the Clippers’ main center.
With this type of volume tonight, Zubac has a strong floor around 25 DKFP with a ceiling above 40, especially against this Memphis defense that has been extremely vulnerable to centers over the last few weeks. When we compare every team in the NBA’s last ten outings, no defense is surrendering more DKFP per game to opposing centers than the Grizzlies.
Xavier Tillman ($4,400)
With Valanciunas out of the lineup Monday, Tillman got the starting nod at center and seized the opportunity. In the double overtime loss to Denver, the rookie posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double worth 45 DKFP across 41 minutes. Tillman saw 31.4 minutes in regulation and I fully expect him to be in the 25-30 minute range even if Jackson plays tonight, with a role guaranteed over 30 minutes if Jackson isn’t ready to make his return.
Nonetheless, Tillman is far too cheap for life without Big Val. In the six contests the center has been unavailable for this season, Tillman has produced 27.75 DKFP per game, and the Michigan State product is a core value play for this Showdown slate.
Fades
Kyle Anderson ($7,200)
While nothing is confirmed yet, one of Jackson or Brooks, and possibly even both will be available for Memphis tonight. Hence his 27.3 minute per game average this season, this Memphis coaching staff prefers to keep Anderson below the 30-minute threshold if they can, and the forward should absolutely stay under that number in the likely event that one of Brooks or Jackson is active.
This obviously hurts Anderson’s value and chasing his compelling game log would be a mistake at this higher price tag.
The Outcome
Assuming George isn’t rested, I believe the Clippers have the advantage on their home floor. They defeated a quality Trail Blazers team on the road last night sans Leonard, and are nine for their last ten. Furthermore, the Clippers have won six straight in the Staples Center and own a 23-8 record at home this season.
Not having Valanciunas’ contributions inside is a big loss for the Grizzlies, and Los Angeles should get the job done against this struggling Memphis defense that ranks as the seventh weakest unit in the league this month.
Final Score: Clippers 115, Grizzlies 106
With the Clippers missing their pair of All-Stars in George and Leonard, and down to only ten players, the Grizzlies should be able to pick up the win in Los Angeles on Wednesday. As the current 8th seed in the West, Memphis can’t afford to lose this contest against the extremely understaffed Clippers, and while I am not expecting a blowout, the Grizzlies should cover their 3.5 point spread on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Final Score: Grizzlies 110, Clippers 102
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st] (MEM vs LAC)
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