Best lineup strategy for 76ers vs. Nuggets NBA Showdown

In one of four games to tip-off on Tuesday night in the NBA, we have the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Denver Nuggets. This is the fifth game of six-game road trip for Philadelphia, who has won three out of their last four games.

This game features a few great DFS plays that could end up making or breaking your lineup. Many DFS players will opt to pick Nikola Jokic, Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray or Tobias Harris in their captain spots, which would not be bad options.

However, where you can really separate yourself from your opponent is with the FLEX picks, in which both teams have some interesting choices. Let’s go over the Showdown fantasy outlook for the game for contests on DraftKings.

Captain’s Picks

Nikola Jokic ($16,500) — The 26-year-old center is the highest-priced player in Tuesday night’s showdown contest. However, Jokic is worth the price of admission as he’s almost averaging a triple double this season (26.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists). He’s also producing 59.5 fantasy points per game. In the Nuggets’ last five games, the MVP candidate is recording 58.2 DKFP. And within those contests, Jokic posted a double-double four times and triple-double twice.

We should expect to see him stuff the stat sheet against a Sixers team that still without Joel Embiid and lacks depth in the front court. The Sixers rank first against centers this season (OPRK).

Ben Simmons ($13,800) — Simmons is another stat sheet stuffer like Jokic, who can give you a ton of fantasy points. This season, the All-star point guard is averaging 15.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Since Joel Embiid has been out with a knee injury, the Sixers have leaned on both Simmons and Tobias Harris to shoulder the offensive workload.

In the Sixers’ last five contests, the former first overall pick is averaging 37.7 DFKP, which is lower than his season average of 40.5 fantasy points per game. After only recording 25.8 DKFP on Saturday night against the Clippers, we should expect Simmons to bounce back on Tuesday night. The Denver Nuggets are ranked 12th against PG/SFs (OPRK) and 21st in opponent field goal percentage at 47.0.

FLEX Plays

Michael Porter Jr. ($7,200) — Despite the Nuggets acquiring Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline from the Magic, it has not slowed down the production from Michael Porter Jr.

The second-year forward is coming off a double-double consisting of 15 points and 10 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Porter Jr. also scored 34.5 DKFP, making it the sixth-straight game, where he’s scored at least 30 fantasy points or more. This season, the former Mizzou standout is averaging 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 31.1 fantasy points per game.

On Tuesday night, he’ll be facing a Sixers team that is ranked 22nd against PF/SFs (OPRK) this season. He’ll see a lot of Tobias Harris and maybe Matisse Thybulle here and there on defense.

Danny Green ($5,000) — The veteran guard is currently shooting the lights and is someone you need to get into your showdown lineup at the $5K price tag. This season, Green is only averaging 9.7 points, but shooting 41.5% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range.

Since the Sixers returned from the All-Star break on March 11, Green is averaging 14.3 points per game, but shooting an outstanding 48.8% from behind the arc. Now granted, Green is shooting the ball extremely well from the perimeter, but does not do much otherwise to fill up the box score. He’s averaging 21.8 FPPG this season, but is producing 29.1 DKFP in the Sixers’ last five games.

Fades

Will Barton ($6,600) — The veteran wing player has hit a rough patch recently after scoring in double figures in 11-straight games. In the Nuggets’ last three games, Barton was held to five points against the New Orleans Pelicans (3/26) and zero points by the Toronto Raptors (3/24). However, he bounced back with a 12-point performance against the Hawks, where he had 25.5 fantasy points.

Barton should have a favorable matchup on Tuesday night as the Sixers rank 23rd against SG/SFs (OPRK) this season. But Philadelphia is one of the better defensive teams in the NBA, especially on the perimeter.

Mike Scott ($2,400) — With the Sixers lacking in front court depth, head coach Doc Rivers has turned to veteran forward Mike Scott at the five spot. However, that has not paid major dividends for Scott or the Sixers. In the last two games, Scott has scored a combined nine points, but he has produced 11.3 and 23.8 DKFP. Despite the double-digit fantasy outings, Scott does not hold much value, if he isn’t knocking down shots from the perimeter.

The Outcome

The Sixers march into this game fresh off a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The last time these two teams met up earlier this season, Philadelphia was without multiple players, but still made it a game in a losing effort. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Sixers are five-point underdogs. If they can play defense, while still allowing Jokic to get his points, then they could have a chance to win.

Final score: Nuggets 118 Sixers 113