Don’t worry NBA DFS fans. DraftKings has got you. It’s a big NFL day but DraftKings has an NBA DFS Showdown Slate on Sunday night. Check out the NBA DFS picks for Sunday’s lone NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $80K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st] (OKC @ POR)
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Captain’s Picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($18,600 CP) — The NBA is a show. It always has been. The sport lends itself to stories. Narratives often determine outcomes. SGA is an MVP contender, but his candidacy is a show. It’s not real. Nikola Jokic is the MVP. The Joker may be the greatest player ever. SGA’s MVP prospects received a boost on Saturday. Jokic had an off night. The league is dark on Sunday. There’s one game. There’s one star. This is an opportunity for Gilgeous-Alexander to shine. SGA doesn’t need narratives. He scored 81.5 FPTS on Jan. 22 and only made three 3-pointers. SGA got to the free throw line 18 times and made 17 freebies. That’s aggressive. He attacks the basket. That’s a captain.
FLEX Plays
Jalen Williams ($10,000) — Is this the 2025 Scottie Pippen? Williams is a star but his glow goes unknown. Williams exists in SGA’s orbit. SGA’s second fiddle still succeeds in DFS. There are plenty of possessions and opportunities to go around in regular-season NBA games. Williams is an all-star in a matchup with no stars. The Blazers’ frontcourt is lacking and not at full strength. The return of Isaiah Hartenstein further complicates matters for the Blazers. How will the Blazers shut down SGA and the big men? Not to mention, they’ve got to worry about the Thunder’s 3-and-D wings.
Donovan Clingan ($5,000) — The husky Husky—7-foot-2 and 265 pounds—returned from injury on Jan. 24. He only played 18 minutes. He scored 35.25 FPTS in 18 minutes. His four points weren’t impressive. His other numbers were—13 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and a steal. That’s a solid floor. What happens when he scores? And he will score. The Blazers have nothing to play for. They’re tanking. Let the rookie cook. Deandre Ayton is out. Clingan’s had a couple of days of rest. The seventh pick in the 2024 NBA Draft could prove his lotto status on Sunday’s Showdown Slate.
Cason Wallace ($4,800) — Everything is clicking for the Thunder. Every transaction works. The trades, the free agents pick-ups and their draft picks don’t miss. They have the Midas touch. Wallace is developing into a top-tier backcourt player. He could start on most teams. He is starting for the Thunder. Wallace plays around 25 minutes a night in a crowded roster of capable contributors. Wallace has exceeded or returned value in seven of his last 10 games.
Fade
Isaiah Hartenstein ($8,600) — It’s too soon. This is Hartenstein’s first game in two weeks. The Thunder don’t need Hartenstein on Sunday. They need him this season. Big men are fragile. He shouldn’t be rushed to return to full action. The Thunder are well aware of life without a big man. Chet Holmgren has been injured for most of his professional career. Hartenstein can produce on limited minutes but it’s hard for him to return value as the third-highest-priced player on DraftKings NBA Showdown Slate.
The Outcome
The Thunder are double-digit road favorites despite the Blazers winning four in a row. The Blazers’ wins were against bad teams and struggling teams. The Thunder are the best team in the NBA. The Blazers might cover, but the Thunder should win with ease.
Final score: Thunder 117, Trail Blazers 109
