Kawhi Leonard (foot) and Norman Powell (knee) will both miss their second game in a row Monday vs. the Pistons. Leonard has now only played in one of the Clippers’ first four games following the All-Star break, so this foot injury he is dealing with is certainly worrisome for the fragile veteran.
Leonard has only played in 16 games this season and is averaging 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in those contests. Leonard and Powell rank second and third in usage rate for the Clippers this season, respectively, and with them absent, Amir Coffey ($4,000) and Derrick Jones Jr. ($4,700) should continue to start. More importantly, James Harden ($9,700) should handle a massive role as the Clippers’ clear alpha.
In the eight starts Harden has made with both Leonard and Powell inactive this season, Harden’s usage rate has risen 2.7 percentage points to 32.9% and he is averaging 23 PPG. Fantasy wise, Harden is leading Los Angeles with 49.5 FPTS per game with both Leonard and Powell out. Facing a Pistons team that is on the second night of a back-to-back Monday, Harden is an appealing, lucrative option for DFS.
As a team, the Clippers are 4-5 with both Leonard and Powell inactive this season. Following the news that these two players will be out Monday, Los Angeles has become a one-point underdog vs. the Pistons on DraftKings Sportsbook after opening as the favorite for this tilt.
