DraftKings DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Rockets at Lakers (9/12)

Today’s slate features only one game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. Currently, the Lakers are up 3-1 in the series, which could lead to a desperation attempt from the Rockets and their players. As of right now, the Lakers lead in implied total and are expected to be the favorites. Ensure you’re up-to-date with injury and lineup news.

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Star

LeBron James (LAL): $18,600
LeBron is simply outstanding. He has not slowed down at all, even in year 17. In his last game, King James totaled 53.75 DraftKings points, which was a slight step back from his two dominant 63-plus point performances. Bron was one assist away from another triple-double and value performance. You simply cannot go wrong with playing LeBron at any spot, but he will be a chalky choice at the star spot.

James Harden (HOU): $18,000
While Harden is still putting together 50-point performances, he isn’t exactly reaching value or the ceiling we all know he is capable of reaching. Harden has only hit value once in this series and he continues to come in under expectation while sharing the court with Russell Westbrook. Harden will need to go all out tonight to attempt to save the Rockets’ season, but he doesn’t seem like the safest or wisest option at the star spot.

Anthony Davis (LAL): $17,400
AD has been insanely consistent throughout this series. The big man has totaled between 54.5 and 56.5 DraftKings points in all four contests. The Rockets’ small-ball lineup actually hasn’t performed terribly against Davis, but they’re still clearly overmatched simply due to a lack of size in the paint and at the five spot. Anthony Davis is a safe bet for 50-plus points and a double-double, but it is fair to wonder what his ceiling actually is. Still, AD is a fine and intriguing contrarian option tonight.

Russell Westbrook (HOU): $15,000
Like Harden, Westbrook harbors an astronomically high ceiling on any given slate but has yet to hit his peak against the Lakers with his top performance checking in at 54.5 DraftKings points. The biggest reason for intrigue with the Rockets happens to be their sheer desperation entering tonight, but they don’t appear to provide better value than the Lakers’ two star options.

Utility

Robert Covington (HOU): $8,000
RoCo is generally a safe option with a high floor, mostly due to his defensive prowess. The issue for RoCo is his miserable 12.25-point performance in his last contest in which he only attempted two shots and scored three real-life points. Expect a better performance from the Rockets’ defensive ace — they really need more production out of him if they stand a shot at winning.

Eric Gordon (HOU): $7,200
Eric Gordon has continued to play well, topping 30-plus points twice and 27-plus points three times out of four contests against the Lakeshow. While Gordon hasn’t necessarily hit value, he’s come relatively close, is playing 35-plus minutes per contest, and is jacking up a fair number of shots in nearly every game. Gordon would be a fine play in the utility role for today’s slate.

P.J. Tucker (HOU): $6,400
Tucker is coming off two miserable performances of 8.5 and 5.75 DraftKings points. While he’s a prime option to be a buy-low candidate, he’s also struggling across the board and has registered four fouls in every single game in this series. His minutes are what makes Tucker a decent option, but he is simply not playing well and could ultimately crash and burn your lineup if you decide to take the plunge.

Kyle Kuzma (LAL): $5,800
Kuz — like Tucker — is coming off a weak 8-point performance in his latest contest in which he only scored four points. Prior to that stinker, Kuz was performing relatively well, though nowhere near his value. Luckily, the price drop does allow Kuz much more wiggle room and potential as it pertains to reaching value in what might be the final game in this contest.

Rajon Rondo (LAL):$5,200
Rondo has been arguably the most consistent option of all of the utility options. In his last three games, Rondo hasn’t scored less than 37.25 DraftKings points and hasn’t scored more than 39. Not only is he playing a solid number of minutes, but he’s tallying assists at will (no surprise!), has chipped in as a scorer, and is shooting the ball at a very strong percentage.

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