NBA Showdown Playbook March 2: Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors DFS Picks
We have an intriguing matchup between the Los Angles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are short-handed heading into this without Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins. That opens the door for Jordan Poole to have a big night going against Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
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Injury Report
Los Angeles Clippers
None
Golden State Warriors
Jordan Poole - Probable
Andrew Wiggins - OUT
Andre Iguodala - OUT
Gary Payton Jr. - OUT
Stephen Curry - OUT
NBA DFS Showdown Slate Picks
MVP/Captain
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is coming off a game in which he struggled a bit from the field going just 7-19 from the field, but he still finished with 38 fantasy points. He is usually much more efficient shooting over 63 percent in three of his last five games. Kawhi is the best option at the captain spot tonight because of his consistency and the ceiling he possesses.
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Well, I thought George was going to take the biggest hit from Westbrook coming over but then he came out and dropped 60, 36.5, and 43 fantasy points. George is still a solid option for the captain spot if you can pay for him. Him hitting his ceiling is based on his rebounding. When he scored 60 fantasy points the other night he grabbed 10 rebounds. He could rebound well against this smaller Warriors lineup.
Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
Poole is probable heading into this one and should be good to go with a left knee contusion. When he gets it going we know he can go completely bananas. He posted a line of 29-6-5 in the Warriors last game, for 43 fantasy points. The last time he played the Clippers he scored 40 fantasy points. He should have a solid game once again tonight.
Utility
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers
Russell Westbrook debuted with the Clippers last Friday night. He has been very solid posting 44, 38, and 40 fantasy points. I was honestly surprised by how much Westbrook had the ball in his hands. He has posted two double-digit assist games out of three with the Clippers. You also know he is going to want to get his every night as well.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
When Draymond plays he is going to be effective, especially without Curry in the lineup. He is the guy who makes this offense go right now recording at least five assists in his last six games. He has scored over 30 fantasy points four times over that span as well. Play Draymond tonight.
Donte DiVincenzo, Golden State Warriors
Donte is a big part of this Warriors offense once again with all the injuries. He has played 35 minutes in three straight games and has scored at least 26 fantasy points in each game. At his price of 6K, he should be in your lineup tonight.
Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers
Even with the rotation changes we have still seen Powell play at least 25 minutes in two of their past three games. He has struggled from the field the last two games shooting a combined 8-23 and failing to score 20 fantasy points. What we know about Powell is that he wont lose confidence and keep shooting.
Dart Throws
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Kuminga is cheap and he plays at least 25 minutes a night. He has also scored over 20 fantasy points in four of his past five games. Kuminga has been becoming more assertive on the offensive end as well taking at least 10 shot attempts in four of those games.
Anthony Lamb, Golden State Warriors
Anthony Lamb is becoming a solid option at his price of just $2,200. He has scored at least 27 fantasy points in his last three games. It's his rebounding that has helped his fantasy numbers where he has grabbed at least five rebounds in four straight games. Not much ceiling here, but a solid dart-throw option nonetheless.
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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.