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Portland Trailblazers @ New York Knicks
Spread: POR -1
O/U: 214
Injuries
Portland
Damian Lillard - IN
Anfernee Simons - IN (limited)
Derrick Jones Jr. - IN (limited)
Nassir Little - OUT
Knicks
Nerlens Noel - OUT
Defense vs. Position (DvP)
Knicks - 1st vs. PG / 11th vs. SG / 6th vs. SF / 4th vs. PF / 29th vs. C
Trailblazers - 26th vs. PG / 29th vs. SG / 7th vs. SF / 16th vs. PF / 9th vs. C
MVP/CPT
We should definitely have interest in the Knicks here and Randle specifically. The Knicks are getting a really nice pace up here and Randle is rolling putting up 48+ DKP in three straight games. He’s actually accomplished the feat seven times in his last 10 games. Randle put up 43 DKP against POR in their lone meeting with one another this year.
The Knicks grade out as an elite defensive unit at all positions but center, but this is Dame Dolla we’re talking about. Without C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic this year, Lillard has a 31.5% USG rate and averages 1.31 FP/min, both lead the team. Lillard has 50 actual point upside.
The Knicks are in trouble here when the Blazers toss the ball inside to Kanter. The Knicks rank 29th against the center position according to DvP. Kanter has gone for 40+ DKP in two straight and in 5-of-6, with all six games in a row with a double-double. Kanter averages 1.15 FP/min without Nurkic and McCollum.
Mid-Tier
Barrett has by no means been great lately, but he’s been solid averaging 30.2 DKP/game over his last five. The keys here are that he is ALWAYS playing big minutes and gets a massive pace up spot against one of the worst defensive units in the league. He could even see some Carmelo Anthony defense here.
Gary Trent Jr.
Trent has been incredible for Portland lately as he’s poured in 24+ actual points in two straight and 18+ in 5-of-6 overall. Trent has put up 28+ DKP in those five games as well. He’s been one of the Blazers go-to offensive weapons and his number will once again be called upon today with a hobbled Damian Lillard and limited Derrick Jones in the starting lineup.
In two of the last three games we’ve seen Robinson’s minutes creeping up at 28 or more minutes. Nerlens Noel has been ruled out so Robinson should once again play 30 or so minutes once again. We’ve only seen one double-double over his last 10 games, but this is his shot. Enes Kanter is a bad defender.
Value Tier
It’s really been the Immanuel Quickley show lately but Payton played one of his best games of the year last time out, pouring in 20 actual points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out four assists. Portland ranks 29th vs. point-guards this year.
This is risky because Derrick Jones Jr. and Damian Lillard are both back, but Jones Jr. has been listed as limited, which could free up some more run for Hood. Hood has poured in 15+ actual points and 35+ minutes in two straight games. His offense is an X-factor in a showdown format.