NBA DFS Showdown Playbook April 10: Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans
Golden State Warriors & New Orleans Pelicans
Spread: Warriors -6
Total: 221
Injuries:
Golden State Warriors:
Stephen Curry – Out
Andrew Wiggins – Out
Otto Porter Jr – Out
Andre Iguodala - Out
New Orleans Pelicans:
Jonas Valanciunas – Out
Brandon Ingram – Out
Herbert Jones – Out
Devonte’ Graham – Out
*Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.
NBA DFS MVP/CPT Plays
Jordan Poole, PG (GSW) – Thanks to going 11 of 11 from the free-throw line, Poole since managed to score 18 points despite making just three of his 19 shot attempts. Poole also included eight assists and six rebounds, so if you didn’t see him misfiring all night, you would think it was a solid effort from him. The volume is nothing new, and it’s hard to imagine Poole will be just as bad from the field.
Klay Thompson, SG (GSW) – After getting the night off for rest purposes on Saturday, we shouldn’t have to worry about Thompson tonight. In each of his last five games, Thompson has played a minimum of 33 minutes and in three of those games he has scored between 33 and 37 points. Once again, Thompson figures to be busy hoisting up shots from behind the arc.
Jose Alvarado, PG (NO) – Alvarado had a solid game last night scoring 12 points and handing out five assists in 23 minutes of action, and he figures to be much busier tonight. Brandon Ingram and Devonte’ Graham are out, and while active, CJ McCollum’s minutes are expected to be very limited. With that being said, the offense will likely flow through Alvarado and the volume will be there to support a big night.
NBA DFS Utility Plays
Willy Hernangomez, C (NO) – In his last three games, Hernangomez is averaging 14.7 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes of action. While we want him to maintain that level of efficiency, we should get a little more of Hernangomez tonight with Jonas Valanciunas out and that makes the center even more of an attractive option.
Draymond Green, PF/C (GSW) – Due to the lack of his offensive upside, I generally go past Green based also on pricing. Tonight’s slate offers up a little more forgiveness from a salary cap perspective which means I feel a little more comfortable going with Green. Last night, Green filled the stat sheet with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in what has become close to a standard effort for him. Green shouldn’t encounter much resistance tonight, and with the game meaning something for Golden State, they will rely on him to help deliver a victory.
Naji Marshall, SF/PF (NO) – Marshall will see an expanded role tonight, and based on the price, we are dealing with a potential chalk situation, but I’m not sure it matters. In Marshall, there is a forward who is elevated from about 15 to 20 minutes of action off the bench to a starter role, and even with limited work, Marshall can hit double figures offensively. Someone has to score for New Orleans tonight, so it might as well be Marshall.
Jaxson Hayes, PF/C (NO) – Hayes is potentially the only starter playing regular minutes tonight for New Orleans, and the price won’t be too bad on the budget. Last night, Hayes was involved in the offense as he made five of 12 shots from the field which was good for 13 points along with five rebounds. We do get some upside on the boards from Hayes, but there is also a solid floor.
Jonathan Kuminga, PF (GSW) – In 22 minutes last night, Kuminga showed off his offensive ability by scoring 18 points while grabbing four rebounds. At a minimum, we should see a similar workload tonight with Otto Porter sidelined, although Thompson is back, and Kuminga has proven to be a capable scoring threat.
NBA DFS Dart Throws
Gary Payton, PG/SG (GSW) – The likely first player off the bench for Golden State scored six points in 23 minutes last night while grabbing six rebounds. In three of his last five games, Payton scored 10 points, so there is some upside available off the bench and he should get the volume to duplicate that effort tonight.
Larry Nance Jr, PF (NO) – Nance should be good for at least 20 minutes of action, but likely a little more, off the bench for the Pelicans as they are down a few key contributors. After scoring in double figures for three straight games, Nance did take a step back last night as he scored just two points in 19 minutes of action while grabbing just three rebounds. Tonight, Nance will have the opportunity to bounce back.
Garrett Temple, PG (NO) – It doesn’t get any cheaper than the minimum priced Temple who I expect to play more than eight minutes tonight. On Saturday, Temple scored three points to go along with an assist and a rebound, but if you really want to save some cash, he is your guy.
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.