The Lakers will be without LeBron James (foot) for a second straight game on Friday night when they visit the Timberwolves in Minneapolis. With James sidelined, Anthony Davis ($10,500) will need to step up once again and take a larger role in the offense. While he is officially probable due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot, he is expected to play and be the focus of Los Angeles’ offense.
The Lakers are nine-point road underdogs and the point total for this matchup is set at just 213.5. Davis will be in a smash spot with extra usage, making him a good play for DFS contests like the NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]. There are also some interesting props around AD this Friday.
Best Anthony Davis Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Anthony Davis under 30.5 points (-115)
Davis has been excellent this season, averaging 27.5 points and 11.2 rebounds for 53.6 fantasy points per game at the rate of 1.52 fantasy points per minute. Overall, he leads the Lakers with a 31.3% usage rate, and with James off the floor, his numbers jump to a 37.1% usage and a production rate of 1.64 fantasy points per minute.
However, this point total seems very high for him even without LeBron, especially in a tough matchup against Rudy Gobert ($6,700). Davis played the Timberwolves less than two weeks ago and was held to just 12 points in 33 minutes. He did light them up for 36 points in his first game of the season, but that was a long time ago and he was much healthier, while the Timberwolves’ defense was still adjusting to the offseason moves.
Davis has only played one game with LeBron out this season, and that was on Sunday, when he had 30 points in 32 minutes against the Trail Blazers. This matchup is tougher than Portland, for sure, and I think he comes in under this point total like he has in three of his last four games and seven of his last nine.
Anthony Davis over 3.5 assists (-115)
If you’re looking to back Davis for an over, there are a couple that I like. This is my favorite one since the Wolves will focus their defense on Davis, creating opportunities for him to pass out of double teams. He’s usually a willing passer (sometimes too much), and he can get to this number fairly easily if his teammates help him out.
Davis only had one assist on Sunday without LeBron, but before that he had five-plus assists in six of his previous seven games. He’s averaging 3.5 assists per game on the season and, with LeBron off the court, his assist rate goes from 17.3% to 20.4%. With more touches comes more assist opportunities.
The other Davis over that I like is Steals + Blocks over 3.5 at +115. Davis had five blocks and two steals against the Blazers and he’s definitely capable of doing consistent work on defense.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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