Happy Thursday, Hoopsters! We have an exciting late-night hammer for a showdown slate tonight in the Golden State Warriors traveling a short distance into Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. Only one small bit of news we have to pay attention to with Paul George being questionable, but there is PLENTY to like about this game! Let's dive in.

Finding some of the NBA DFS top picks could be easier if you look at Fantasy Alarm’s NBA DFS Projections, powered by FanJections. Let’s dive into the complete breakdown for tonight’s showdown slate.

 

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers

Total: 231.5

Spread: Clippers (-5.5)

Golden State Warriors Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

 

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Nobody on this Clippers team has been hotter lately than Klaw. Leonard has put up some really nice fantasy games lately and is playing big minutes to boot. Even with the game well put away and Kawhi only seeing 31 minutes of action last time out vs the Kings, he still managed to provide 45 fantasy points on the night on 31 points, four rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal. This was his third-straight game of 30+ actual points, 4+ boards, 3+ dimes, with six total blocks and steals over that span. 

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Hard not to like Steph here tonight for the Warriors, as he should be an absolute usage hog with no Draymond Green. With Draymond OFF the floor this year, Curry is averaging nearly 47 DraftKings fantasy points with a 1.29 fantasy point per minute, which both are easily tops on the team. Curry will have to carry the load tonight if the Warriors want to hang in this game.

Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors

If you want to go a bit more contrarian at the CPT/MVP spot and save a few more dollars, look no further than CP3 here tonight. Paul is actually the 2nd highest FP/M player on this Warriors team when Draymond sits. He carries a modest 1.11 fantasy point per minute over a 319-minute sample (highest amount of minutes on the team as well), while averaging a smidge under 40 fantasy points in that scenario. 

 

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers

I like Harden here as a solid UTIL play, as he has a great floor and will play heavy minutes in this game more than likely. Harden has seen 30+ minutes in seven of his last eight contests, and the 28-minutes last time out vs the Kings was due to the big lead late in the game. Harden has also topped 35 fantasy points in seven-straight games. Harden is the type of lock and load UTIL play that you will likely have to have on your roster. 

Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers - OUT!!

PG13 is dealing with a groin injury he sustained late in that same King's game last time out and he did not return to that game. However, it was positive news to see that he DID attend shootaround this morning and that could place him well on track to suit up for this game. He is a bit pricey, and I believe I like Harden a bit more here, but I wouldn't blame anyone for going George as long as he is a full-go. Before last game, PG had been at 40 or more fantasy points in four-straight games. 

Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers 

Zubac has played extremely well when facing the Warriors, already having put up back-to-back 32+ fantasy point efforts vs them this season and not so long ago. Zubac only saw 23 minutes last game vs the Kings due to blow out, but he had seen 33 and 42 minutes the two games prior. We can likely expect around 25-28 minutes from Zubac most nights, and we know the Warriors typically enjoy running small-ball, although they could elect to run more Looney tonight with Draymond's absence. However, Zubac has still feasted in this match up so have to give him his flowers here.

Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers

Powell continues to be a staple of this Clipper's rotation and one of the more meaningful ones in terms of fantasy production. Powell has seen 25+ minutes in his last five-straight games while putting up modest fantasy performances at best, but did have two go for 28 fantasy points. He is more of a boom-of-bust type play, but he will see the floor.

Dario Saric, Golden State Warriors

Saric is basically the Powell of the Clippers. He is super productive for the most part, even more than Powell being that main sixth man off the bench and plays around 20-24 minutes. Saric has put up at least 20 fantasy points in three-straight, but could see an extended role here with the Warriors down a Big in the frontcourt. We have seen Saric put up some really solid fantasy games when getting extended minutes.

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

It was Podz and Kuminga who started the second half of the Warrior's most recent game against the Suns, but it was Podz who really excelled in that game going for 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and a steal on the night, which was good for 44 fantasy points. We do know that Podz does have a 15-20 fantasy point floor, however, we have also seen nice ceiling from him as well, including last game in which he played 29 minutes. With Draymond and Gary Payton on the sidelines, this will allow more time to be earned from the bench crew and Podz should be leading that as he has now seen at least 23 or more minutes in four of his last five games.

Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Kuminga has been getting more run lately and he is generally one of the main beneficiaries when Draymond has been out of off the floor. Kuminga saw 28 minutes last game and 29 minutes the game before in route to 26 and 41 fantasy points in those games! Kuminga is a young stud and can be a nice stretch big, much like Draymond and he is a big body to help defend the likes of Kawhi. Fully expect him to get good run here again tonight.

Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors 

I do expect the Warriors to start Looney tonight against Zubac. He has played 13 and 18 minutes in the last two meetings and put up 23 fantasy points in the game with just 18 minutes. He is a flier play here tonight, but he has seen 269-minutes so far this season when Draymond is OFF the court, and holds a 1.03 fantasy point per minute for that span.

Daniel Theis, Los Angeles Clippers 

Theis has been the main beneficiary of the back-up center minutes that Mason Plumlee has vacated by injury. Theis continues to see decent run in spell of Zubac, and has played well in the two games vs these Warriors this season. Theis played 22 minutes in their last meeting and recorded 24 fantasy points, while playing 16 minutes in the prior meeting and recording 16 fantasy points. He is a cheap Clipper dart.

 

 

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