We have a battle of two Western Conference teams for our late-night NBA Showdown. The struggling Memphis Grizzlies are traveling to Los Angeles to take on Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis is trying to turn their 2-8 season around, while the Lakers who may be without LeBron James look to get over 500.

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.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers

Total: 222

Spread: Lakers -4.5

Grizzlies Injuries:

Lakers Injuries:

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

We are unsure if LeBron is going to be in or out tonight but on the front night of a back-to-back, my guess would be he is out. That means Anthony Davis is the clear-cut top option for the captain/MVP spot tonight. In nine games this season Davis has scored over 60 fantasy points in five of them. Nobody else on this slate has that type of ceiling. 

Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies

If you want to pay down at the captain spot and go against the grain, Desmond Bane is the option. He is another guy that has a 60 fantasy point ceiling as he has done it twice this year in 10 games. Bane is just an absolute bucket right now as the top offensive threat for Memphis and is seeing a 30.8 usage rate this season which is the 17th highest amongst qualifiers. Just to make it easy, fit him and Davis both in your lineup tonight.

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

Russell Is pretty expensive on tonight's slate being priced at $8,000. However, he has a nice solid floor night in and night out. Russell has not scored fewer than 22 fantasy points at any point this season. Plus, when LeBron is out of the lineup D-Lo's usage rate goes from just over 22% to 27.5%. With Russell getting more on-the-ball duties, I have no issue playing him tonight with LeBron out. If Bron plays, I am not paying up.

Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves has been much better after a very slow start to the season. Over the past five games, he is averaging 31 fantasy points per game. He is getting up five three-point attempts per game during that span and knocking them down at a 40% clip. I think Austin Reaves is a lineup lock tonight in my opinion with, or without Lebron James in the lineup.

Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies

I like Marcus Smart tonight in a primetime game in LA. He has been inconsistent as of late but seems to play better when against better teams for some reason. He has scored under 25 fantasy points against Portland twice and Utah. But against the likes of Denver, Dallas, and the Clippers he scored over 30 fantasy points. I expect Smart to be extra engaged tonight and should return value.

Bismack Biyombo, Memphis Grizzlies

Xavier Tillman is questionable heading into this one. If he is back Biyombo's ceiling would take a bit of a hit. However, he has been so good for fantasy purposes since coming over to the Grizzlies. He has grabbed double-digit rebounds in every game this season and back-to-back double-doubles. Keep riding the wave tonight, until you can't any longer.

NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays

Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies

Luke Kennard has been rock solid off the bench since coming back from injury this season. Over the past five games, the sniper is shooting 53% from downtown on 30 attempts. You absolutely love to see that, and at times the second unit offense is on his shoulders. Just like Biyombo above let's keep riding the hot streak while we can against a bottom-10 Lakers defense.

Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

If LeBron is out tonight Hachimura will most likely be the chalkiest play on the slate. He slid right into the starting lineup and played 33 minutes for Bron on Sunday. He finished with 19 points and five rebounds for 32 fantasy points. That was his fourth straight game of over 21 fantasy points. His price is cheap enough to play him with LeBron in or out.

Jacob Gilyard, Memphis Grizzlies

Gilyard has been inserted into the starting lineup the past two games and has done a very solid job. His price is only $4,200 on DraftKings which is still very juicy. Even if he isn't scoring he is doing the little things dishing out 11 assists and grabbing nine rebounds over those two games. As long as Gilyyard is starting he should be in your lineup.

Max Christie, Los Angeles Lakers

This is my deep dart-thrown of the night. You may not have to pay down this far, but in case you do, you might be able to get away with Max Christie tonight. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in three of his past five and has played at least 22 minutes in three of them. With the Lakers dealing with injuries, we could see some more run for Christie tonight.

 

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