With the NBA Emirates Cup taking center stage this week, the NBA DFS schedule is weird. We have just ONE game on Monday, December 9th, between the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. We have some big injury news on the Knicks side as Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as questionable.

 

 

 

He missed the Knicks' last game and it's slate-shifting news if he's unable to suit up. We'll lay out scenarios for if Towns is in and out in the playbook below, so you don't skip a beat when the news comes out. Let's dive into the NBA DFS Showdown Playbook for tonight's Knicks and Raptors matchup.

New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors

  • Total: 231.5
  • Spread: NYK -6.5

Knicks vs. Raptors Notable Injuries & Lineups

New York Knicks Key Injuries

New York Knicks Starting Lineup

Toronto Raptors Key Injuries

Toronto Raptors (Projected) Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Knicks vs. Raptors NBA DFS Showdown Picks: MVP & Captain 

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks - $16,800 DK, $15,000 FD

Towns has a 29.1% USG and 1.55 FP/min this year. He's been a super-elite fantasy player all year long. This is not a back-to-back, but the Knicks play in the Emirates NBA Cup on Wednesday, so he could sit this one.

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors - $17,100 DK, $16,500 FD

Without Immanuel Quickley this year, Barnes has a 28.2% USG and 1.4 FP/min. The Knicks are 19th in DRtg and Barnes is a nightly triple-double threat.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks - $15,900 DK, $14,500 FD

I prefer Jalen Brunson if Karl-Anthony Towns is out, but I do think if Towns plays it splits up the captain ownership, which bodes well for Brunson. He's a 29.9% USG rate and 1.24 FP/min. Without Towns, he has a 35.2% USG and 1.4 FP/min.

 

 

 

UTIL NBA DFS Showdown Plays For Monday

RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors - $10,000 DK, $13,000 FD

It's been night and day for RJ Barrett at home versus the road. He's averaging 27.7 PPG and 46.3 DKP/game at home compared to 19.4 PPG and 38.9 DKP/game on the road. He's shooting way better and simply playing better. He gets his former team at home in this one. If you're a narrative guy, Barrett is a solid captain.

Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors - $8,800 DK, $12,500 FD

Even with Kelly Olynyk back, Jakob Poeltl played 34 minutes and went 20-7-7-2 for 40+ FP. Olynyk was his straight backup and it's possible Poeltl loses a couple of minutes, but nothing of significance with this being Olynyk's second game of the year.

Josh Hart, New York Knicks - $8,400 DK, $11,500 FD

Always a safe option that has a ceiling because of his ability to fill the stat sheet.

OG Anunoby, New York Knicks - $7,600 DK, $10,500 FD

If Towns sits, I'd even consider OG Anunoby a solid captain. Without Towns, he's a 22.4% USG, 1.03 FP/min player. His usage dips to 19.5% with Towns on the floor and is only at .9 with him.

 

 

 

Knicks vs. Raptors NBA DFS Picks: Dart Throws

Miles McBride, New York Knicks - $4,400 DK, $7,500 FD

The Knicks do not run a deep rotation and Miles McBride is in Thibs' trust tree. Only once in his last 11 games has he failed to play 20 minutes and he's topped 25 minutes in three straight games.

Cameron Payne, New York Knicks - $3,200 DK, $6,000 FD

Payne is listed on the injury report and will play teens minutes if he suits up. He's a 1.02 FP/min player this season, so if he's playing well he's a very solid value so you can afford expensive players.

Davion Mitchell, Toronto Raptors - $2,800 DK, $7,000 FD

I'm simply acknowledging the minutes here. He's played 26, 24, 26, and 28 in the last four games. He's shot horribly in that span, so if he continues to play that much and actually makes shots, there's something here.

 

 

 

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