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UPDATE: Jan. 6, 3:14 p.m. — Holiday has been ruled out vs. the Jazz.
Jrue Holiday (Left Elbow Contusion) has been ruled OUT for tonight's game vs the Jazz
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 6, 2020
The Utah Jazz are among one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. Despite missing guard Mike Conley (hamstring), Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are looking like All-Star calibers performers again and have the Jazz thinking top 4 in the West. D-Mitch has been particularly good, scoring at least 30 points in three of his past five games. Let’s not forget Gobert, who has double-digit rebounds in all but one game since Nov. 27.
On the New Orleans Pelicans side, the team is actually turning a corner. The Pels are 6-4 in their past 10 games and are only 3.0 games back of the No. 8 seed in the West. They also should get rookie sensation Zion Williamson back in the lineup for his NBA debut this month. Jrue Holiday is the only question mark we have entering this game, as he’s questionable to play due to an elbow contusion. That may open up a few spots, but for the most part we know how to approach this game.
Captain’s Picks
I think Mitchell ($14,400) is the tournament option and Gobert ($13,800) is the safer option for cash games. Mitchell has a higher scoring ceiling, but is very reliant on points for fantasy production. Gobert is a double-double machine, which elevates his floor. Plus, this matchup is solid. The Pelicans rank 22nd in rebounds allowed to opponents per game (46.4) and allow opponents to shoot 46.6% from the field, also 22nd in the League.
I think you should fade any Pelicans player in the Captain’s slot unless we get word Holiday is out. Brandon Ingram ($15,600) is way too expensive and the Jazz are a great defensive team. Lonzo Ball ($12,000) has been playing well and scoring more, with at least 23 points in three straight. He’d be a candidate for Captain if Holiday is sidelined. The cheaper pivot is Josh Hart ($7,500).
FLEX Options
I think Mitchell ($9,600) and Gobert ($9,200) are locks in your lineup — either as the Captain or UTIL. We can find some value to make it fit on the New Orleans side depending on his Jrue sits. If E’Twaun Moore ($4,200) ends up starting for Holiday, I’d put him at the top of the value list. He’s starting to play more minutes off the bench and coach Alvin Gentry is familiar with the veteran. Hart ($5,000) and J.J. Redick ($4,800) are also strong values if Holiday is out. I also think Bojan Bogdanovic ($7,200) is a great mid-range option for UTIL. The Pels generally allow a ton of points and Bogdanovic has at least 14 in 11 straight games, including nice ceiling outings of 30-plus a few times.