Odds

  • Over/Under: 219
  • Spread: LAC -8.0

Injuries

Cavaliers

Clippers

MVP/CPT

Paul George, LAC – George is the one true answer for the MVP/Captain slot in this showdown, but he will also certainly be the most popular. George is at 54.4 DraftKings points per game through his first three contests, and the reason it’s that low is he only scored 39 points (in 27 minutes) in a blowout win over Portland. Without Kawhi Leonard, George is seeing the highest usage of his career through three games (31.1%) and is one of only three players averaging at least 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists through the first week. Whatever you do, have some exposure to George in your lineups.

Jarrett Allen, CLE – Cleveland’s leader in fantasy points per game through the first week isn’t Darius Garland, Collin Sexton or Evan Mobley. Allen checks in at 34.8 DK points per night, which also was held back by a game where he logged only 27 minutes due to foul trouble. Allen is giving you 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.5 stocks (steals + blocks) so far, and with the Clippers playing at the third-fastest Pace in the league, there could be a plethora of extra possessions incoming. 

Reggie Jackson, LAC – Without Leonard, the Clippers need someone to fill in the offensive and defensive holes left behind. Since last year’s playoffs, Jackson has shown he is up to the challenge. Jackson scores over 28 DK points per night and averages 34 minutes per game. He seems extra appealing tonight, as the Cavaliers picked up right where they left off last year, allowing the second most DK points to point guards this season. 

Mid Tier

Darius Garland, CLE – Garland is off to somewhat of a slow start due to an Opening Night ankle injury, but he still enters tonight as one of only five players averaging double digit points and at least nine assists per game. If Cleveland hopes to stay competitive in this one, it will be on the back of Garland who averaged a 24.5% usage rate and was at 26.3% in the game when he suffered his injury. 

Eric Bledsoe, LAC – New acquisition Bledsoe has actually been the best of the Clippers’ guards through the first week of the season, putting up 32.8 DK points per game including 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.0 stocks per night. At a salary ($7,000) cheaper than Jackson, Garland, or Collin Sexton, Bledsoe is a must-start tonight.

Evan Mobley, CLE – So far, the uber-talented rookie looks like he is worth of the high draft pick spent on him this summer. Through four games, Mobley has at least 10 points, eight rebounds, and a blocked shot in three of them. Most encouragingly, he played more than 32 minutes three times already, and the Cavaliers certainly prefer Mobley on the court to Kevin Love at this stage. His salary on DK ($8,200, second-highest in the game) seems a bit high for me, but that may help to lower his roster percentage in this Showdown game.

Dart Throws

Nicolas Batum, LAC – We’ve only seen Batum sparingly as he recovers from injury, but he is back to playing about 22 minutes per night and averages 16.4 DK points in his two games. Last season, Batum put up 21 fantasy points per game, contributing in points (8.1), rebounds (4.7), assists (2.2) and stocks (1.6) despite only playing 27 minutes per night. That kind of contribution is worth a dart throw at just $3,600. If Batum ends up starting as expected, this salary is simply too cheap.

Isaiah Hartenstein, CLE – If you really want to go low on salary, I recommend giving Hartenstein a shot at just $2,400. Hartenstein now has 21 DK points per game despite playing only 16.5 minutes per night, which is in line with his production from last year when he was a 1.33 fantasy points per minute player. The Clippers don’t have much frontcourt depth with Marcus Morris out and they have shown no willingness to play Ivica Zubak more than about 22-24 minutes per night. Hartenstein is worth a long shot, especially if you think this game turns into a blowout.