OKC vs. LAC 11.01.21

Over/Under: 210

Spread: LAC -11.5

Injuries

Thunder

None

Clippers

Serge Ibaka OUT
Kawhi Leonard OUT
Marcus Morris OUT
Jason Preston OUT

MVP/CPT

Paul George, LAC – PG13 really is the one best answer for your MVP/Captain slot tonight but the salary is going to make you think about it. George is $5,100 more than any other player in this spot, but he should still be the most popular. George is at 51.4 DraftKings points per game through his first five contests, with two games over 60 DK points. Without Kawhi Leonard, George is seeing the highest usage of his career through five games (33.2%, fifth in the NBA) and is one of only three players averaging at least 27 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game. Whatever you do, have some exposure to George in your lineups and MVP spot.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC – Mr. Do Everything for the Thunder is another reasonable option at Captain, especially considering the savings you will receive. George in Captain gets you $5,800 remaining per player while SGA allows $6,820. But with so many cheap options in this game, I wouldn’t outpace the field with an SGA Captain. Through five games, SGA has two with 47+ DK points and two with less than 17. The Clippers are going to give him tough defensive looks, so this one could go either way.

Mid Tier

Josh Giddey, OKC – The 11.5-point spread in this game seems awfully large for two one-win teams. And if the Thunder are to keep it close, SGA and Giddey will be the reason why. Already a local folk hero in Oklahoma, Giddey could put his name on the map in this island game tonight, going head-to-head with Paul George. On the season, he is at 30 DK points per night playing just 28 minutes per game. We have seen a 47-point ceiling from Giddey and we certainly could see that again with the Thunder getting a big pace bump in this game (Clippers are fourth in the NBA in pace). 

Reggie Jackson, LAC – Jackson is at a bit of a crossroads in his production at the moment. The minutes are still elite, as he has been on the floor for at least 34 minutes in four of five games. But has scored 30 DK points in just one game and - speaking in real-life basketball terms – is a big part of the reason the Clippers have been outscored by 20.7 points their last three games. The salary seems a tad high here, but this seems like a get-right spot with the Clippers at home and favored by a large amount. If Jackson can relocate his shooting touch, this defensive matchup has potential for him to explode. The Thunder rank 28th in overall defensive rating this season. 

Eric Bledsoe, LAC – An absolutely abysmal last game against Portland (7.5 DK points) caused Bledsoe’s salary to plummet to $6,000. It’s a good thing we have to own short memories in DFS, because this is a salary we can take advantage of since we know Bledsoe is capable of 35+ DK points a game in this offense. The Thunder are bottom-12 defensively against both point guards and shooting guards in terms of fantasy points allowed. 

Dart Throws

Nicolas Batum, LAC – We are starting to see Batum round  back into form after injury. He is back to playing about mid-20’s minutes per night and averages 20.0 DK points in his four games this year. Last season, Batum put up 21 fantasy points per game, contributing in points (8.1), rebounds (4.7), assists (2.2) and stocks (1.6) despite only playing 27 minutes per night. That kind of contribution is worth a dart throw at just $4,800 on this slate which is $600 lower than his showdown salary last week. If Batum ends up starting as expected, this salary is simply not enough for the potential value. Look for him to also get a potential uptick in minutes with Marcus Morris sitting this one out.

James Robinson-Earl, OKC – Multiple sites are listing Robinson-Earl as the likely starter at Center tonight for the Thunder. If that’s the case, he has the opportunity to reach at least 20 minutes considering the size the Clippers bring to the table. In three games where Robinson-Earl has played at least 19 minutes this season, he has scored double-digit fantasy points each time. At just $4,400, Robinson-Earl helps unlock many other pieces to this game.