Are there going to be enough healthy players to have a game tonight? It is certainly an interesting slate, and things got even crazier with James breaking the news he won’t be returning tonight. Davis carried the load for the Lakers last night from a minute’s perspective and has been overall with James out and he is dealing with a groin injury, so I was expecting him to potentially rest or play a limited role. That is still possible, but if Davis is active, he is the best player on the slate. However, I wouldn’t consider him to be a must play as Davis had a pedestrian 20-point, six rebound, four assist performance last night against a tough Knicks’ defense.

Kelly Olynyk HOU ($13,200)

Even if Wood does return tonight, it’s hard to miss what Olynyk has been doing as of late. Plus, it’s not like Houston is flush with offensive options either. In his last four games, all without Wood, Olynyk is averaging 22 points, 10.3 rebounds, and seven assists per game which has been good for 52 DK points. Maybe he takes a slight hit with Wood in the lineup, but I’m not sure it will be much.

Andre Drummond LAL ($10,500)/Christian Wood HOU ($14,100)

I had been down on Drummond, but the Lakers let him lose last night as he scored 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in 36 minutes of action. It was the first time he got out of the low 20’s in a while, and it will be interesting to see what Los Angeles does with him tonight. If Wood is in the lineup, he works here as well, but even though the floor is higher, the cost is as well.

MID-TIER:

Jae’Sean Tate HOU ($7,400)

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Tate put up 20 points, but despite the opportunities available to him in Houston’s offense, it just isn’t his game on a consistent basis. However, he has been filling the box score as of late with both rebounds and assists which makes his path to 30 fantasy points a relatively stress free one.

Kyle Kuzma LAL ($6,400)

With James out again, Kuzma gets a reprieve tonight as the Lakers will be relying on him offensively once again. Last night Kuzma was up to the task scoring 23 points on nine of 17 shooting in 33 minutes of action. Facing Houston tonight, Kuzma should find an easier go of it than he did against the Knicks last night.

Alex Caruso LAL ($5,600)

Caruso did leave last night’s game due to his foot injury, but previously he hadn’t missed a game and he appears to be ready to go tonight. We know that the ball will be in his hands and he is coming off 17 and 18 point performances and he is averaging just under five assists per game in his last four.

DART THROWS:

Wesley Matthews LAL ($2,400)

Matthews has been getting extended run as of late averaging 23 minutes in his last five games, and he got the start last night as well and ultimately played 24 minutes. With eight points and six rebounds, Matthews was a solid contributor as he made three of his seven shots. I would expect him to busy again tonight.

D.J. Augustin HOU ($3,800)

I’m all for starting point guards, and Augustin scored 21 points in 25 minutes of action against Portland. He only picked two assists, that is where Tate comes in as a facilitator, but at this price the level of scoring is enough coupled with whatever other production we get.

Montrezl Harrell LAL ($4,400)

Harrell is a little expensive for a dart throw, but that is the type of slate we have tonight. With James still out, and my expectation that Davis and Drummond have their minutes reduced from last night, Harrell should be in line for more than five minutes tonight. Generally, he plays closer to 20, and Harrell can score in double figures while grabbing a few rebounds if given the opportunity. Tonight, could be that night as the Lakers look to take things easy in a winnable game after a tough, overtime game last night.

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