Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope the NBA DFS main slate treated you well tonight, but it is now to switch our focus to the DFS Showdown for tonight. The new-look Toronto Raptors led by Scotties Barnes are heading to Los Angeles to take on LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers. The Lakers look to get back on track after struggling as of late losing four of their last five games.

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.

 

Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Total: 235

Spread: Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5)

Toronto Raptors Injuries:

  • Otto Porter - Doubtful
  • Jakob Poeltl - OUT
  • Christian Koloko - OUT

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries:

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is the safest play at the captain position tonight, that is why he is so much more expensive than everyone else. The man is just an animal on both ends of the court. AD has not failed to score over forty fantasy points since late November, having just an amazing floor. The Raptors are very small heading into this one with Jakob Poeltl being out with injury. They will most likely start Chris Boucher at the center position, who has some length, but is way too thin, to be able to match up with AD 1on 1. Play Davis tonight, as he should dominate.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James is the other Laker you can make a case for putting in the captain spot. Well, because he is LeBron James. LeBron has been good but not great as of late even though he is playing a ton of minutes. In the last two games, he has gotten back on track scoring over 45 fantasy points in each game. It isn't a great matchup for LeBron with the Raptors having a multitude of wings that they can throw at him on the defensive side. I am ok playing Bron at the captain spot tonight, he just isn't my first choice.

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

If you want to look at the Raptors side of things for the captain spot, I think Scottie Barnes is your man. Barnes is a young stud who does everything for this Raptors team. He leads them in assists, steals, rebounds, and tied in blocks with Jakob Poeltl. It isn't a great matchup against the Lakers who have a solid defense, but Barnes should still be able to get his. Plus, he is coming off an abysmal game against the Warriors scoring just 16 fantasy which was his lowest output of the season. That should not happen again.

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam is playing with trade rumors circling around him. He has been very good as of late. Over his last six games, he is averaging 26 points per game but is grabbing under six rebounds per game. With Poeltl missing tonight's game that could mean Siakam will be needed to crash the boards more. That could mean a ceiling game for the veteran. Siakam has averaged over seven rebounds in his career without Jakob Poeltl in the lineup. That stat is courtesy of Statmuse.com.

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves just happens to throw a clunker in there sometimes. He has two games in his last five in which he has scored just 10 and 11 fantasy points making him a risky play. However, when puts shots up, and is just aggressive with the ball in his hands, he can explode. In the three games prior to the last game, Reaves dished out 29 assists during that span. I look for Reaves to make an impact in this one and could have a big game, against a mediocre defense for Toronto.

Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors

Quickley has been very solid and consistent since coming over in the trade to Toronto. He has started every game and has a 23% usage rate which is behind just Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. We have seen a bit more from the play-making side of his game that we didn't see with the Knicks throughout his career. He is coming off his first game dishing out double-digit assists since 2022. If he keeps playmaking like this, and his price stays this low, Quickley should keep finding his way into your lineup.

Dennis Schroder, Toronto Raptors

In the four games with Immanuel Quickley on the Raptors, his usage rate has taken a hit. He went from a 23% usage rate to just a 17% usage rate. However, his numbers haven't taken a huge hit. He is averaging a bit more points per game, on more efficient shooting. That might not stay that way, but Schroder has slid down the opposing team scouting reports with Quickley here. Play Schroder tonight if you want a solid 25 fantasy points.

NBA DFS Showdown Value Top Plays

Taurean Prince, Los Angeles Lakers

A lot of Taurean Princes' fantasy output hinges on whether he is going to knock down shots or not. In his last five games, Prince has scored over 20 fantasy points in four of those games. In those games, Prince knocked down at least three three-pointers in those games. In the other game, he scored just eight fantasy points and shot 0-5 from downtown. Play Prince at your own risk tonight, but at 5K it could be worth the risk.

Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors

If Boucher starts tonight he is going to be the chalkiest guy on the slate with his price sitting at just $4,600. Chris Boucher has averaged 15.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 23 games as a starter in his career per statmuse.com. He should get 20+ minutes tonight, making him worth his price, even though he is going to be chalk, and guarding Anthony Davis.

Gary Trent, Toronto Raptors

Gary Trent Jr. is just sitting at $4,200 on DraftKings, which seems like a bit of a misprice. Ya, he can have a clunker and go for under 10 fantasy points. But not many guys at that price have the ability to go off for 30+ fantasy points. We know he is not shy about pulling the trigger from downtown, and if he gets hot from downtown he could lead you to the cash line.

 

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