Dallas, TX
Wizards Look to Sweep Season Series vs. Mavericks
The 1-8 Washington Wizards are taking on the 2-7 Dallas Mavericks, in a matchup between two of the worst teams in the NBA. This marks the second, and final, time these two teams will match up this season, with the Wizards winning their only game of the season back on Oct. 24 in Dallas.
This time around, both teams are banged up, with Mavericks star Anthony Davis and Wizards stars Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly’s health being in question. With both teams suffering from the injury bug, this could be the perfect opportunity for Washington to sneak out their second win of the season.
If Davis plays, then he will be at the top of the Wizards’ scouting report. His ability to operate as an offensive hub whilst simultaneously being one of the best defenders in the NBA makes him one of the more potent players in all of basketball. However, if Davis doesn’t play, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg will top the Wizards’ report.
Although Flagg has struggled with offensive consistency throughout the early skirts of his NBA career, that doesn’t make his impact any less felt. Flagg is an elite athlete and open floor playmaker, making him a formidable threat in transition.
Along with that, Flagg has elite touch around the basket, allowing him to finish from a variety of angles. Flagg’s shooting touch has wavered throughout the early portions of his rookie year, but he has proven in the past to be more than capable of stepping out and hitting threes — along with having a smooth mid-range game. Flagg is also an elite defender, considering his age, making him all the more impactful to a struggling Mavericks team.
The Mavericks’ lack of secondary creators is what has held them back the most this season. Although they have a plethora of guys that could get hot at any point and impact a game, their lack of consistency makes the team offense waiver from game to game.
PJ Washington and D’Angelo Russel have been the team’s most “consistent” threats, providing a constant offensive gravity. Washington thrives off of playing others —- hunting open space with cuts and relocation —- in turn setting himself up for clean looks. Russell, on the other hand, is the team’s starting point guard, getting the team set in actions and operating as a lead ball handler.
Max Christie, Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall are three guys who make an impact every night, along with being capable of taking over games. Christie and Marshall are both creative scorers who have proven defensive prowess, allowing them to gel into any lineup. Gafford is a prototypical play finishing big, who catches lobs and blocks shots on the other end. Gafford did exit the Mavericks’ last matchup versus the Memphis Grizzlies early with reported ankle soreness, though, leaving his availability up in the air.
As previously mentioned, the Mavericks have a plethora of guys who can get hot at any moment. Brandon Williams stands out as the most consistent threat in the second unit, using his speed and ball handling skill to get to his spots in a hurry. Klay Thompson, although well past his prime, is still one of the best shooters in NBA history, making him someone the Wizards must keep track of if they wish to pull this one off.
The Mavericks have proven the ability in the past to take down the Mavericks, making this a more than winnable game. Both teams being banged up means that others will have to rise to the occasion, filling the shoes of those who are absen’t. In Washington’s case, they will need consistent play from their best player, Alex Sarr, along with a few other guys capitalizing on the moment in hopes of propelling the team to victory.
Make sure you bookmark Washington Wizards on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Dallas, TX
DraftKings Showdown MNF Tight End Strategy: Oronde Gadsden vs. Dallas Goedert
The wild card for both offenses in this matchup is the tight end position. Oronde Gadsden is a developing player with a high ceiling, while Dallas Goedert has been scoring more this year and has the talent to post a big game if coverage favors his opportunities. Which tight end offers more value on tonight’s DraftKings Showdown slate for Monday Night Football?
Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers (DK: $5,800)
From Week 6 to Week 9, Gadsden was an excellent waiver wire find at tight end. He had a floor of 12.00 fantasy points in four contests (7/68, 7/164/1, 5/77/1, and 5/68), highlighted by his best fantasy day (32.40). His role has been much lower over his last three games (3/13, 2/41, and 1/27) while averaging 4.3 targets.
The Eagles rank fourth in tight end defense (109.00 fantasy points). They allow only 8.6 yards per catch, accounting for 15.3% of their receiving yards allowed. Only three tight ends scored.
- Jake Ferguson (5/23)
- Travis Kelce (4/61)
- Evan Engram (4/33/1)
- T.J. Hockenson (6/43)
- Jake Ferguson (5/60)
- Cole Kmet (3/36/1)
Gadsden doesn’t have a great matchup on paper, but the Eagles’ defense hasn’t played the most challenging tight end schedule. I like the pricing on the Chargers’ tight end in this matchup.
Best MNF Wide Receivers to Target for Tonight’s DraftKings Showdown Slate
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (DK: $5,400)
Goedert is another player in this matchup over a quiet six-game stretch (3/18, 3/28/2, 4/43, 2/24, 2/20, and 2/27) on 21 combined targets. He scored seven touchdowns between Week 3 and Week 8 (six games), with his impact showing coming in Week 6 (9/110/1).
The Chargers also play week against tight ends (130.60 fantasy points – 6th). They’ve allowed six touchdowns, with them catching 71.9% of their targets.
- Travis Kelce (2/47/1)
- Theo Johnson (3/17/1)
- Tyler Warren (4/69/1)
- Brock Bowers (4/63/2)
Goedert should be an overlooked asset by Los Angeles’ defense in this matchup. His ceiling supports his lower salary, putting him in the mix at the backend of the showdown ticket.
Best DraftKings Showdown Running Back For Monday Night Football!
DraftKings Showdown Lineup Strategy For Eagles vs. Chargers
Here’s my game plan for tonight’s showdown:
- Jalen Hurts
- Dallas Goedert/Oronde Gadsden/Cameron Dicker
- Dallas Goedert/Oronde Gadsden/Cameron Dicker
- DeVonta Smith/Ladd McConkey/A.J. Brown
- Justin Herbert
Tre’ Harris is my top low-value filler.
My easier team builds have Oronde Gadsden or Dallas Goedert as the captain. Jalen Hurts is a must for me. I’m fading Saquon Barkley based on his salary and direction, while also rooting for the Eagles’ passing attack. The over/under (41.5) in this game is relatively low, suggesting slower drives and a faster-moving clock.
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Dallas, TX
Dallas beats Pittsburgh in shootout
The Stars were able to squeeze a 3-2 win out against the Penguins Sunday evening at home after a rocky sixty minutes of regulation.
The Stars welcomed back two key players who had been out of the lineup for weeks. Forward Matt Duchene and defenseman Nils Lundkvist were thrown right back into the swing of things in a game that never seemed fully in Dallas’ control.
The Stars struggled to get rolling in the first period. Passes were not connecting and shots were not going in. Thanks to goalie Jake Oettinger, the Penguins were held scoreless until Connor Dewar slapped a puck past him and got Pittsburgh on the board as the period winded down.
The Stars came out hot in the second period, with Jamie Benn leading the charge. Just under a minute and a half into play, Roope Hintz slid the puck to the captain, who shot it in and evened out the score. This is Benn’s fourth goal of the season after missing most of it due to a collapsed lung.
But the Stars’ momentum started to falter. They could not clear their own zone and took on two penalties in the process of trying to slow down the Penguins. Although the Stars killed both power plays, they could not manage to score on the other end, either. The Stars only recorded three shots on goal in the second period.
“It wasn’t our best game. I thought they were better than us tonight, five-on-five, especially in that second period,” head coach Glen Gulutzan said. “It took us a while to generate, we actually didn’t generate a ton… We’ve got to find our footing here a little bit. Whether it’s a little bit more rest or a couple practices to get sharpened up.”
Pittsburgh, who had 11 shots on goal in the second, scored with five minutes to go after Thomas Novak deflected a shot by Kris Letang into Oettinger’s goal.
Dallas came into the third period down 2-1, and for just over twelve minutes Dallas struggled to clear their zone and only recorded four shots on goal. Then, they were handed a chance after Ville Koivunen got sent to the box for slashing. But the Stars’ power play, which has been strong this season, could not deliver.
With just under five minutes to play, desperation for Dallas started to set in. The Stars fired off shots, but none could connect with the back of the net. Instead, they emptied their own net. The extra attacker gave Dallas the edge and defenseman Miro Heiskanen slapped a wrist shot past Tristan Jarry and tied things up.
This uphill battle of a game for Dallas was headed to overtime. Every possession looked like it could be the one to end things. Jason Robertson had a close chance, then Wyatt Johnston and then Robertson again. The Penguins had their own fair share of opportunities, but once again, Oettinger bailed out his team. Neither club could capitalize and the game went to a shootout.
Robertson missed the first shot and Oettinger gloved Bryan Rust’s attempt. Matt Duchene, who missed 24 games, could not convert his chance and neither could Sidney Crosby on the other end.
Mikko Rantanen lined up next, and as chants of “Moooose,” filled the arena, the forward shot the puck past Jarry. Letang had a chance to match that goal, but Oettinger stonewalled him. The Stars recorded another win, despite the uphill battle it took to get there.
“You don’t remember these games in a couple of weeks,” Rantanen said. ” You just remember the two points. So, we’ll take it.”
Dallas will travel to Winnipeg on Tuesday to take on the Jets at 7 p.m. CT.
Dallas, TX
Former Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks dies at 79
Tom Hicks, the Texas businessman who owned two pro sports franchises in the Dallas area, as well as an English Premier League soccer team, died Saturday, Dec. 6, at the age of 79.
Hicks died peacefully in Dallas, surrounded by family, a spokesperson said in a press release on Sunday.
As the owner of MLB’s Texas Rangers, Hicks signed shortstop Alex Rodriguez to what was then the largest contract in baseball history − a 10-year, $252 million deal at the 2000 Winter Meetings − one that wouldn’t be surpassed until Giancarlo Stanton’s 13-year, $325 million pact with the Miami Marlins 15 years later.
Hicks owned the Rangers from 1998 to 2010 as they won three division titles and appeared in the 2010 World Series.
Three years earlier, Hicks purchased the Dallas Stars of the NHL, owning them from 1995 to 2011 and winning a Stanley Cup in 1999.
“Our franchise would not be in the position we are today without the ownership of Mr. Hicks,” the team said in a statement. “His legacy will be honored by our franchise for decades to come.”
Hicks expanded his sports empire into the world of seccer in 2007, when he acquired a 50% stake in Liverpool of the EPL.
He also served on the University of Texas’s board of regents from 1994 to 1999.
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