NBA DFS Showdown Playbook November 17: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers Top Picks
We have a very intriguing matchup for our NBA DFS Showdown slate tonight. The up-and-coming Houston Rockets are traveling to Los Angeles to take on the struggling Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers have lost six straight games, five of which have come with James Harden in the lineup. Something just isn't clicking with this Clippers team, but maybe that changes tonight. Let's dive in.
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Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers
Total: 218.5
Spread: Clippers (-8)
Houston Rockets injuries:
- Amen Thompson - OUT
- Victor Oladipo - OUT
Los Angeles Clippers Injuries:
- Mason Plumlee - OUT
- Brandon Boston Jr. - OUT
NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Believe it or not, Sengun is the safest play on the slate with the likes of James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. He also might have the highest ceiling because all the guys on the Clippers are vultureing each other's fantasy points. Jalen Green is the only player on the Rockets with a higher usage rate. This offense runs through Sengun a lot of the time that's why he ranks first in assists, rebounds, and points per game for this team.
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George looks to be the guy on the Clippers with the highest ceiling with all of the alphas on this roster. Plus there was a report that Ty Lue wanted him to be more aggressive. Well, he was aggressive last game getting up 26 shot attempts, finishing with 35 points, seven rebounds, and three steals for 55 fantasy points. Sengun and George are very close tonight in my opinion, but I slightly lean Sengun tonight as my captain tonight.
NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Leonard doesn't seem to have quite the ceiling he once had, now that James Harden is here. However, he has been very consistent scoring at least 30 fantasy points in four of his past five games. Leonard hasn't scored over 35 fantasy points either. His price is still pretty high sitting at $9,400 on DraftKings but with the announcement of Russell Westbrook now coming off of the bench, could be a good thing for Leonard. It could be a nice leverage play as I don't expect him to be highly rostered tonight.
Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
VanVleet, like Sengun, is another guy who has just been rock-solid as of late. He has scored at least 31 fantasy points in four of his past five games including a game in which he went over 50. You always want to chase guys with high ceilings each night, and VanVleet is one of the few on this slate. He also has a solid floor each night as well with his assists numbers as he averages just short of eight a game and has had four double-doubles in five games. Play him tonight.
Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
As I mentioned above, Jalen Green has the highest usage rate on this Rockets team. His price is solid sitting at just $8,000, this matchup just isn't great for him. I'm sure he will see assignments from Kawhi, and Paul George tonight who can make life difficult for young players. Green went just 1-13 from the field in the last game, but he stayed in and helped in other ways. He dished out five assists and grabbed eight rebounds. I do expect him to have a better night from the floor tonight, so I will gladly put him in my lineup.
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers
News broke today that Russell Westbrook requested to come off of the bench moving forward. I kind of like this. His ownership percentage will go down because of that. But to be honest with you, I like it because Westbrook can now just be the alpha for the second unit. He can just fly around grab rebounds, dish out assists, and score the basketball. Westbrook should still see around 25 minutes each night, and that is plenty to bring you value.
NBA DFS Showdown Value Plays
Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers
Norman Powell gets a bump up for me as well with Russell Westbrook joining the second unit. Powell is hitting 45% of his three-point attempts this season and Westbrook will create more open opportunities for him. As long as he keeps knocking down shots he is viable tonight, as he has seen 26 and 31 minutes in back-to-back games.
Jae'Sean Tate, Houston Rockets
Jae'Sean Tate has carved out a nice role for this Rockets team. His role is just to come in and cause chaos. He has six steals over his past two games and that type of player matches up well against the Clippers. The Clippers average the seventh most turnover per game at just under 16 a game. If Tate continues to get his hands in the passing lane and can knock down more shots, he could have a big game tonight.
Terance Mann, Los Angeles Clippers
With Russell Westbrook moving to the bench, it was announced Terance Mann will be inserted into the starting lineup. Man has been solid off the bench his last three games dishing out at least three assists in his last three games. He is also a solid rebounder grabbing six rebounds in two of his last three games. With him entering the starting lineup he just needs to be the ultimate role player around all these stars. He could thrive in this role, starting tonight.
Jeff Green, Houston Rockets
Jeff Green is just the crafty vet who keeps going. He doesn't have a ton of upside, but that is baked into his cost, sitting at just $3,000 on DraftKings. He has played 23 and 26 minutes in the past two games and has grabbed at least four rebounds in three straight games. At his price, you will gladly take it, plus he has been a pretty solid offensive player throughout his career. I have no issues paying down for him tonight if you are going with the stars and scrubs build.
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Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.