NBA DFS Showdown Playbook March 14: Raptors vs Lakers
Published: Mar 14, 2022
Toronto Raptors & Los Angeles Lakers
Spread: Raptors -5
Total: 224.5
Injuries:
Toronto Raptors:
Fred VanVleet – Questionable (Knee)
Malachi Flynn – Out
OG Anunoby - Out
Los Angeles Lakers:
Anthony Davis – 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.
MVP/CPT
LeBron James, PF/C (LAL) – James followed a 50-point performance from Friday up with 31 points in 30 minutes last night as the Lakers got blown out by the Suns. While from a team perspective that is far from the desired result, it means James wasn’t asked to do too much last night bouncing back tonight shouldn’t be too difficult. For as rough as things look for the Lakers, the same can’t be said for James who is averaging 63 DK points in his last five games and shows no signs of slowing down.
Pascal Siakam, PF/C (TOR) – Siakam is in the middle of a stretch that is seeing him play his best basketball of the season as he is getting involved in all facets of the game. Over his last six games, Siakam is averaging 27.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game and tonight he gets a struggling Lakers team that also played last night. In that stretch, Siakam hasn’t scored less than 20 points, and in his last two games, he also has 17 assists (although Toronto was without VanVleet in one of those games).
Util
Scottie Barnes, SF/PF (TOR) – When VanVleet is out, the rookie really steps his game up, but we also shouldn’t completely sell Barnes short on a normal basis. There have been some rough moments at times this season for Barnes, although those do appear to be in the past with him averaging 18.3 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game in his last six. We do have to account for the risk of a rough shooting night, but Barnes does have a solid floor and the volume will be there as Anunoby’s absence does help in that department.
Fred VanVleet, PG/SG (TOR) – We are operating under the assumption that VanVleet will take the court tonight as Saturday’s night off was more of a rest day after Friday’s game. After missing almost two weeks with his knee injury, VanVleet returned by scoring 24 and 26 points but then came back down to earth making just three off 11 shots on Friday for 10 points. VanVleet did finish with six assists and eight rebounds so things could have been worse, but we do need him to score, and facing the Lakers tonight does line up well for that in a favorable matchup.
Russell Westbrook, PG (LAL) – I really tried here. After Westbrook scored 30 points against Houston last week, I figured that I’d give the point guard a real shot. Instead, I am just mentioning in him for name recognition only as he followed that performance up by scoring just five points against Washington on Friday and then 13 points last night but with just two assists and two rebounds. The talent and upside is still there, but we have been seeing more of the risk than anything else with Westbrook these days.
Malik Monk, PG/SG (LAL) – I’m never going to find fault in a starter who shoots 50% from the field on 76 shots over their last six games. Monk continues to be a reliable option for the Lakers who on just about all nights should be good enough to come through with at least 30 fantasy points.
Austin Reaves, SG/SF (LAL) – While not spectacular, Reaves continues to have success in a starting role for the Lakers as he has scored in double figures for five straight games after Sunday. Reaves took just four shots last night but he was helped by getting to the free throw line six times and he also chips in on the boards, 4.2 rebounds in his last six games, so you get a solid performance for the price.
Dart Throws
Chris Boucher, PF (TOR) – Boucher is a lot better, and also a lot more expensive, than the options that are usually present here, but we have risk in the playing time department. He went from playing 36 minutes to 12 minutes in back-to-back games, and then to 30 minutes on Saturday. In each game that Boucher received regular playing time, he scored 21 points while grabbing seven and 13 rebounds, respectively. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to Boucher’s playing time, but he should be on the court for at least 30 minutes.
Precious Achiuwa, C (TOR) – We get a little security in Achiuwa as we know that he’ll play about 20 minutes per night, and he has scored in double figures in four of his last five games. In his last six games, Achiuwa is averaging 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds and there is value in that as you fill out the back end of your roster.
Thaddeus Young, PF/C (TOR) – Young has been playing around 20 minutes a night and the dependable veteran should be good for a few baskets and boards tonight if you need some salary relief.
Avery Bradley, SG/SF (LAL) – Bradley has carved out a consistent role of roughly 20 to 25 minutes of playing time off the bench, and while on most nights he won’t jump off the stat sheet at you, it doesn’t take much here either if you need the salary relief to finish off your team. However, the value isn’t so great here that you need to make sure Bradley is in your lineup as it’s more of a use in case of emergency type situation.
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Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.