Tonight’s showdown match-up has the Washington Wizards traveling into Portland to take on the Trail Blazers. This is not your typical west coast late night hammer where we have the Warriors or Lakers on the slate, but we do get a very interesting match up with two bottom-tier teams. Let's dive in!

 

Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Total: 239

Spread: POR -4

 

Washington Wizards Injuries

Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers

Simons has been great lately and now this Portland team is down their starting SG in Shaedon Sharpe for tonight's game. Simons has played at least 36 or more minutes in his last four of five games while recording at least 38 or more fantasy points in those four of five, as well. With Sharpe off the floor so far this season, although it is a small sample of just 105 minutes, Simons is carrying a team-leading 1.14 fantasy point per minute with a team-leading 30.1% usage rate. 

Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

I like going with Blazers as my CPT/MVPs here tonight as this is a home game, they are small favorites and we all know the Wizards are just not a good team this year. Grant is the 2 on this team behind Simons and he is carrying a 25.4% usage with a 0.96 fantasy point per minute with Sharpe off the court this season so far. Since returning from a five-game absence with a concussion, Grant has played 36, 41, and 38 minutes in his last three while putting up 34, 50, and 35 fantasy points. Great spot for both Grant and Simons.

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards

Kuzma is the highest priced player on this showdown slate and although I am likely plugging the two above over Kuz, I won't fault anyone for going this route. Kuzma is the heart of this Wizards team and he owns the usage most nights. He can contribute in multiple categories and flash some defense when he wants. Kuzma is fresh off a 41 fantasy point game in Sacramento, and has touched 40 or more in three of his last four games overall.

 

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers

If there is one general spot that has been demolished on this Wizards team it is the center position. Ayton could potentially be a sneaking low-owned CPT/MVP play as well and I don't mind using it for tournaments. Ayton is obviously in a great spot and played 40 minutes last game (albeit it was his former team in the Suns) and put up 40 fantasy points. He has had some rough games lately and ultimately why I put him in the UTIL spot and not CPT/MVP, so beware and play it as caution. Washington is giving up the MOST overall fantasy points on average per game to the center position on the season at a whopping 64.5 fantasy points.

Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers

I am doing my best to stack up the Blazers here. Brogdon could draw a start here at the 2-guard with Sharpe out and that could lead into a 30+ minute night in a great spot against a fast-paced team. Brogdon was dominating earlier this season going for 40+ almost nightly, so we know he has the ceiling. With Simons returning, Brogdon has been a back-seater now mainly, but we could see a good game from him here if he gets extended. He did get 34 minutes last game when Sharpe left the game in the 1st quarter, but didn't do much with it in only recording 27 fantasy points, however this a much better spot than against the Suns.

Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards

Don't love Poole, but he is the 2 on this Wizards team behind Kuzma for the most part. Lately, he has been giving way to starting PG Tyus Jones and Jones has had some very nice games as a result. We know Poole generally is a high usage shooter and when his shot is falling, he can easily put up 30+ fantasy points. We just have not seen that ceiling very much as of late. 

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards

As stated above, Tyus is playing really well over his last four or so games. It was sparked by a home meeting against the Pacers where he eclipsed 54 fantasy points and then followed up that game by a 60-fantasy point effort against the Suns. Jones has now been over 33 fantasy points in three straight and could be the sneaky CPT/MVP play for GPPs you need. Either way, he is in play here tonight.

Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards

Neither team is very good at defending the center position, and Portland also actually ranks pretty badly in terms of fantasy points allowed giving up the 11th most fantasy points on average to the spot at 56.5 on the year. Gafford showed some nice ceiling two games ago where he recorded nearly 57 fantasy points against the Suns on the road. He has at least put up 22 fantasy points in his last four games while seeing 24+ minutes to boot.

Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers

Camara is likely the best punt play tonight for the price. He has played at least 22+ minutes in his last eight of nine games played and is generally putting up around 20 fantasy points a night in that span. As mentioned, the Wizards are not exactly great in the frontcourt, so getting a low-priced big here for the Blazers is a nice roster filler.