We have a great late-night matchup for the NBA DFS Showdown slate. We have Anthony Davis and LeBron James taking on Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and the Phoenix Suns. Even with Devin Booker sitting out tonight there is still a ton of star power in this game, but I also want to help you find some of the under-the-radar plays.

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.

 

Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns

Total: 225

Spread: Suns -3.5

Lakers Injuries

Phoenix Suns

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

Durant is my slight favorite over Anthony Davis at the captain spot tonight. Devin Booker is out once again tonight, and with Booker out the last two games, Durant has been feeling it. He is being super aggressive getting to the free throw line 21 times over that span, and also getting up 43 shots. He also has a 34.6 usage rate according to statmuse.com in six games without Booker this season. That would put him only behind Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic.

Bradley Beal came back into the lineup last game, but it seems like they are easing him in, and he's helping facilitate the offense. That does nothing but help KD, so I am all about him tonight.

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

I probably would have Anthony Davis over KD at the captain spot if he was not heading into this game dealing with a hip/groin injury. Davis has just been so consistent for this Lakers team this season. In his last five fully played games he has scored at least 27 game points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds scoring no fewer than 55 fantasy points. 

AD has the highest ceiling on the slate but is also the most dangerous. If he suits up and tweaks something they will shut him down. This could make him less owned than others tonight so it is something to think about.

Update: Anthony Davis was updated to Probable tonight.

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

If Anthony Davis can't suit up tonight that means you 100% need LeBron in your lineup. We will get primetime LeBron tonight so he will be looking to attack. Getting him at $9,200 on DraftKings is a great price. He played in just 27 minutes in the last outing because of the blowout. This game should be a battle down to the wire, and we have seen LeBron play 42, 35, and 37 minutes in close games this season. I think this is a prime matchup for LeBron to explode tonight, with or without AD in the lineup.

Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns

Bradley Beal made his season debut on Monday and looked a bit rusty. He played just 24 minutes shooting 3-12 from the field. He still finished with 26 fantasy points which you will gladly take when Beal does not shoot the ball well. His fantasy production was kept float by his four assists and four rebounds as he is the point guard right now. If Beal keeps giving you those perifocal stats and shoots better tonight, he will smash his value with Booker out of the lineup tonight.

Jusuf Nurkic, Phoenix Suns

Nurkic has been a very solid pickup for the Suns this season. They are using him as a hub for the offense as he has dished out at least five assists in three straight games. Nurkic's big body is the best matchup on Anthony Davis tonight, so the Suns will need him. In his last game on Wednesday, he grabbed 17 rebounds and finished with 55 fantasy points in 38 minutes. That was his absolute ceiling, and I don't think that will happen again tonight. However, I do see him scoring over 30 fantasy points in his fourth straight game.

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

After seeing three straight games from Reaves scoring over 30 fantasy points, he threw in a clunker. He shot just 2-9 from the field and just couldn't get in a rhythm in the blowout loss against the Houston Rockets. He scored just 16 fantasy points in the earlier loss to the Suns this season. However, I expect him to bounce back tonight, especially if AD can not suit up in a close game.

Honorable mention: 

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Drew Eubanks, Phoenix Suns

Eubanks has been so solid for fantasy purposes this season. He does not have a high ceiling, but he is just uber-consistent. He has just two games this season in which he has not scored over 20 fantasy. One of which was the game against the Suns when he had his worst game of the season. He plays just around 20 minutes each night, but he is so active when he is on the court. If you need a salary saver, Eubanks gives you a solid floor.

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

With AD banged up, Rui is all of a sudden an important piece to this team. He played a season-high 26 minutes and was uber-efficient from the floor shooting 10-14. He finished with 24 points and eight rebounds for 44 fantasy points as it looked like he finally got into a rhythm with an extended run. I love Hachimura if AD is off the floor tonight, but he is far less appealing if he plays.

Keita Bates-Diop, Phoenix Suns

Bates Diop has been inserted in the starting lineup for the past two games. ONE game went well, the other, not so much. He played 31 minutes in the overtime win on Monday and took just four shots which isn't great. However, he gave you three blocks assists, and five rebounds. He is no more than a three-and-D wing for this team, but if he keeps doing the little things he can return value at his $4,200 price tag.

Taurean Prince, Los Angeles Lakers

Prince is just a dart throw at $4,000 on DraftKings. There is just no consistency with this man. In his last five games, he scored over 20 fantasy points twice in two games. However, in the other three, he failed to score over 10 fantasy points. The floor just falls out for him in some games when the shot isn't falling. Play him at your own risk.

 

Fantasy Alarm is the home of all things Fantasy Sports. Bringing you the best Fantasy Football, Fantasy Baseball, and Fantasy Basketball content all year long. Be sure to also check out the best fantasy promo codes on offer today!

Dominate your NBA DFS Showdown contests today using our Player Projections that you can use specifically for Showdown!