Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers
O/U: 211
Spread: LAC -8.5
Injuries
Lakers
LeBron James - OUT
Dennis Schroder - OUT
Jared Dudley - OUT
Anthony Davis - PROB
Kyle Kuzma - PROB
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - PROB
Marc Gasol - PROB
Talen Horton-Tucker - QUEST
Clippers
Serge Ibaka - OUT
Amir Coffey - OUT
Jay Scrubb - OUT
MVP/CPT
Without LeBron James and Dennis Schroder on the floor this season, Davis has posted a robust 37.3% USG and averages 1.32 FP/min. Both leading the team. Davis hasn’t been putting up monster numbers since his return, but we know what he’s capable of and he’s still averaged 42.3 DKP/game over his last five.
George continues to look really good out there even with Kawhi Leonard back. George has a 26.4% USG and averages 1.22 FP/min with Leonard on the floor this year. He’s averaged 40 DKP/game against the Lakers this year and has put up 50+ DKP in six of his last 10 games. George may continue to lead the way for LAC while Kawhi Leonard battles back from injury.
Look, this isn’t generally a route we should interest ourselves in, but hear me out. There’s a lot of star power in this game between Leonard, George, Davis and Drummond and to fit a couple of them, we need to differentiate somewhere. Well, Jackson played 33 minutes even with the return of Pat Bev. That looks like it’ll continue for the time being and Jackson took 17 shots, scoring 18 points and 35.75 DKP to boot. Just a thought.
Mid Tier
Which version of Drummond are we going to get here? The one that had three double-doubles in four games coming into the Denver outing or the one that didn’t grab a single rebound in 22 minutes against the Nuggets? That’s why I can’t CPT him, but would take a stab in my lineup. He has upside despite only playing 22-26 minutes a night.
Marcus Morris Sr.
He shows flashes of how good he can be, but usually, when everyone is healthy, he doesn’t need too. He’s coming off 35 DKP last time out, which is the third time in five games he’s accomplished that feat. He’s scored 15+ actual points in nine-of-10 games overall.
Another Lakers player we’re just unsure about which guy is going to show up. Kuzma took 16 shots and scored 24 actual two games ago and then the very next night takes FOUR shots and puts up a complete dud. This isn’t an easy match-up likely being guarded by Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris , but with LeBron James and Dennis Schroder out, Kuzma is the Robin to Anthony Davis ’ Batman on the offensive end.
Value Tier
He’s not the most skilled offensive player in the world, but he hustles his ass off and that's what keeps him on the floor. He’s played 26 and 28 minutes the last two games and has averaged 22.5 DKP/game in those two. He’s going to continue to see run as LAL’s primary ball handlers in James and Schroder are out.
KCP isn’t exciting to use, but he gets the job done. He’s scored 10 actual in two straight and has put up an average of 23.75 DKP over that span. It’s a tough match-up against Paul George , but KCP will be on the court for a lot of the game and provides us with a safe floor in terms of fantasy production.
This one might feel a little personal to Cousins here after being released by the Lakers last year. He’s also just been more involved overall lately playing around 14 minutes per game, but putting up 17+ DKP. He’s only 3.6K and if Cousins were to be extended to 20 minutes here, man look out, he’ll be in every winning showdown lineup out there.