This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have a single game Showdown featured on DraftKings for Saturday. The Trailblazers take on the Grizzlies at 2:30 p.m. EDT, in the first of potentially two play-in games that will decide the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference.
Game Overview
POR (-6) vs. MEM O/U 232.5
The Trailblazers currently hold the eighth seed in the West and only need to win one game to secure a spot in the playoffs where they would face the conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, need to win this game to force a second game on Sunday that would be a win-or-leave-the-bubble-decider. So as it were, the Trailblazers are essentially playing with house money. It would be assumed that they will come out focused on winning and not give Memphis any kind of life. However, these teams faced off twice in the regular with each coming away with a victory.
Captain Pick
Damian Lillard ($18,000) and Ja Morant ($14,700),
I would expect this pair to be the most popular Captain choices, as they carry the biggest upside of anyone in this game. It's a common strategy since there is a fantasy-point-and-half bonus for players rostered in this spot. The downside is not being able to fit in other high upside players, so sometimes identifying a cheaper captain option can be a contrarian take when building your lineups. Lillard has been just okay when facing the Grizzles, averaging 46 fantasy points in two regular-season matchups. It's been similar success for his Memphis counterpart, Ja Morant who has averaged 44 fantasy points per game in their two previous meetings. I think if you're choosing one taking the $2.200 discount with Morant makes a lot of sense, despite Lillard being a one-man wrecking crew averaging over 70 fantasy points over his last three.
C.J. McCollum ($13,200)
Lillard's backcourt mate has been equally as effective against the Grizzlies this season averaging 43 fantasy points in two games. If going with Morant at captain, running it back with the cheaper McCollum could allow you to get in a couple safer plays without having to throw darts at the bottom to make it all fit.
Utility Options
Gary Trent Jr. ($6,200) and Dillon Brooks ($6,600)
The main appeal you're getting with these two players is court time. Both are averaging over 30 minutes per game since the bubble restart and have played significant roles in their teams' successes this season. They tend to be very scoring dependent and don't provide many peripheral stats, but in a showdown format they make for two of the safest options available.
Value Plays
Brandon Clarke ($5,800)
At this price, not sure he can technically be considered a value choice but with limited options I think it qualifies here. Clarke has seen his role expand with Jaren Jackson Jr. lost for the season due to injury. In two games against the Blazers, he's averaged 40 fantasy points with a 38.8 fantasy point display in their most recent. If he can stay out of foul trouble he should be able to return value at his mid-range price as they will need his size to combat Jusuf Nurkic in the paint.
Gorgui Dieng ($3,600)
The options get pretty slim below 4k but the former Timberwolf center may be the best of the bunch. He's carved out a solid role since joining the Grizzlies and is able to rack up fantasy points in a hurry even in limited minutes as he did in two games since the restart, scoring over 20 fantasy points. He remains the direct backup to Jonas Valanciunas and could have his number called frequently here if the aforementioned starting big man gets in foul trouble handling the likes of Jusuf Nurkic and Hassan Whiteside.
