NBA Grind Down: Saturday, November 2nd - Page 2
Houston at Utah
| Houston | Utah | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts |  | Vegas | |||||||||
| Spread | Spread | 3.0 | ||||||||||
| Pace | 98.64 | Pace | 93.40 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 24 | 7 | 6 | 27 | 3 | Season | 22 | 26 | 21 | 25 | 22 | |
| Last10 | 22 | 7 | 4 | 24 | 3 | Last10 | 27 | 8 | 14 | 29 | 26 | |
| Beverley-Harden-Parsons-Asik-Howard | Lucas III-Hayward-Jefferson-Favors-Kanter | |||||||||||
Houston
The Rockets are likely going to lead the league in scoring this year and they are going to have to if they want to keep both Dwight and Harden happy. This should be a fun game to watch. Both of these teams played last night and while you would think that the Rockets would win this game easily, Utah is a very tough place to play and I expect this game to come down to the wire.
Players to Target
- Chandler Parsons – Parsons has only averaged 9.5 points this season, but don’t be discouraged by that. He’s going to get plenty of open looks in this offense and he’s played an average of 37 minutes in each game. He played well in Utah last season and I like him as a mid-range pick that should exceed his value tonight.
- Dwight Howard – I don’t love the matchup for Dwight as Kanter is one of the most physical centers in the league, but I think Dwight can get him in foul trouble early and then feast on the weak bench of the Jazz. Dwight has looked good in a Rockets uniform and should keep up that production tonight.
Utah
The Jazz are a team that is full of young, talented players. They are one of the best teams to target from a fantasy perspective because you can count on Heyward, Favors, and Kanter to all get a lot of minutes. They are also going to be the three main weapons offensively. I love the matchup for the Jazz tonight against the Rockets and think everyone is in play except for Kanter. If he gets in foul trouble, he will have a long night on the bench.
Players to Target
- Derrick Favors – I will say it again, Favors is going to be an 18 and 10 player this season, but I will actually change that to a 16 and 12 player. He has developed a solid offensive game in the offseason and is one of the best rebounders in the game.
- Gordon Heyward – Heyward has a lot of fans in Utah, he is probably the biggest fan favorite so he is always pumped up when he’s at home. He is going to see a ton of minutes tonight trying to guard Harden and is one of those players that likes to prove himself against the best players in the game.
San Antonio at Portland
| San Antonio | Portland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts |  | Vegas | |||||||||
| Spread | Spread | 5.0 | ||||||||||
| Pace | 96.36 | Pace | 93.72 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 18 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 20 | Season | 11 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 19 | |
| Last10 | 9 | 30 | 16 | 23 | 24 | Last10 | 4 | 26 | 5 | 14 | 16 | |
| Parker-Green-Leonard-Duncan-Splitter | Lillard-Matthews-Batum-Aldridge-Lopez | |||||||||||
San Antonio
The Spurs take on a Portland team that ranks in the bottom half of the league against every single position so you can really take your pick. However, I will caution you that the Spurs are on a back to back and Popovich has a notorious history of sitting his players on back to backs. And he sits them without any warning to the media. I like the matchup for Parker, but I would be scared of the POP.
Players to Target
- Kawhi Leonard – Leonard and Batum both look like good plays in this one. They are both similar players too. They like to make plays on the defensive end to fuel their offense.
Portland
The Blazers have a pretty good matchup against the Spurs who actually have one of the faster paces in the game. If Duncan is out again tonight, look for LaMarcus Aldridge to have a big game. I also like the matchup for Nicolas Batum, but my favorite pick is the young star PG.
Players to Target
- Damian Lillard – Lillard was one of my favorite plays yesterday and while he had a good game, he didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I think he could do so tonight. Look for him to push the ball and really put pressure on Tony P to play defense.
Sacramento at Golden State
| Sacramento | Golden State | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts | 196.0 |  | Vegas | 196.0 | |||||||
| Spread | 3.5 | Spread | ||||||||||
| Pace | 96.34 | Pace | 96.81 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 25 | 18 | 29 | 20 | 11 | Season | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 26 | |
| Last10 | 24 | 16 | 23 | 4 | 25 | Last10 | 20 | 25 | 29 | 16 | 27 | |
| Vasquez-Thornton-Salmons-Patterson-Cousins | Curry-Thompson-Iguodala-Lee-Bogut | |||||||||||
Sacramento
This game has the potential to be a blowout. The Kings played last night and now have to play in one of the toughest stadiums in the NBA. I think there will be plenty of points to go around in this matchup, but make sure to keep the blowout potential in mind.
Players to Target
- DeMarcus Cousins – Cousins has played well two games in a row and gets to face a much slower Andrew Bogut tonight. This will be the ultimate test for Cousins’ consistency because last season he loved to take nights off.
Golden State
The Warriors are one of the best home teams in basketball. I love the matchup for everyone involved, but again this one could be over by the end of the 3rd quarter. I think all of the Warriors are in play with the exception of Bogut, he has a bad matchup and doesn’t get enough minutes to warrant roster consideration.
Players to Target
- David Lee – I love the play for Lee tonight. He will be matched up with Patterson and Thompson and should have no problem with either one. Look for Lee to get a double double.