NBA Grind Down: Monday, April 21st
Welcome to the RotoGrinders NBA Grind Down Article. Each day, we’ll break down all of the matchups with a focus on defense vs. position stats. The Grind Down shows you Vegas lines, defense stats and projected starting lineups for each and every game.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. Use this article to help you gain a better understanding of the matchups for the coming week and build from there. We have everything you could possibly need on our Daily Research console for you to be a successful daily fantasy player!
Note: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NBA Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review
Click ‘Stat Chart’ Buttons Below for Pop-Ups of Essential Game-Specific Statistics including Defense vs. Position and Pace
All stat chart buttons below open in an in-screen popup window and include stat tables for all games on the given page of the Grind Down Article
Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -7, 189 Over/Under
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Prince-Randolph-Gasol
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Sefolosha-Durant-Ibaka-Perkins
Memphis
The Grizzlies made a furious comeback in Game 1, but it was a little too late and the Thunder ended up winning by 14. I expect the Grizzlies to get off to a much quicker start in this game and I expect them to be better on the defensive end of the floor. In case you didn’t hear, Nick Calathes has been suspended for 20 games which means Mike Conley will likely play close to 40 minutes per game in this series.
Looking at the DvP rankings, the Thunder were ranked 2nd and 3rd against SF’s and Centers over the course of the season and those held true in Game 1. We saw Marc Gasol really struggle to get it going offensively. He does a lot on the court, but I think there are better plays at the Center position. I think the two best plays here are Zach Randolph and Mike Conley.
- Zach Randolph – Randolph put up 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists in Game 1 and should have similar success against Ibaka and the Thunder in Game 2. Z-Bo is the Grizzlies’ go-to player offensively and he has great career numbers against the Thunder. He makes a solid cash game play.
- Mike Conley – As mentioned above, with Calathes out for the postseason, Conley is going to have to play close to 40 minutes per game. He put up 16 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds in Game 1 and the Thunder have been below average defensively against PG’s this season. I will be targeting him heavily in all leagues.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder put up 100 points in Game 1, but I expect the Grizzlies to try to slow the pace of the game down in Game 2. The Grizzlies were one of the slowest paced teams in the league this season and were ranked 12th or better against all five positions on the floor in terms of fantasy points allowed. While this isn’t the best matchup, there are only two games on the schedule tonight and 3 games on the schedule Tuesday night, so I’m not sure that we can avoid all Thunder players. I will be avoiding Kevin Durant here though, his price is just a little too high to roster him in a bad matchup.
- Russell Westbrook – Westbrook still isn’t playing 40 minutes a games, but he is seeing around 34 per game now which is certainly better than the 30 minute cap that he was on a few weeks ago. Westbrook had 38 FP’s in game 1 and should have similar success in Game 2. He has a nice height advantage over Conley and can create his own shot anytime that he wants it.
- Serge Ibaka – Ibaka got off to a slow start in Game 1, but finished strong and ended up with 36 FP’s. This is a nice matchup for Ibaka because he can establish his dominance defensively and Zach Randolph is a player that often gets his shot blocked. Ibaka continues to make a safe cash game play in this series.
Golden State at L.A. Clippers
- Vegas Line – L.A. Clippers -8, 212 Over/Under
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Iguodala-Lee-O’Neal
- L.A.Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Redick-Barnes-Griffin-Jordan
Golden State
The Warriors shocked the Clippers in Game 1 by pulling out a huge win in Los Angeles. The Clippers have to be feeling immense pressure after their first round exit in the playoffs last season and then dropping Game 1. Vegas has the Clippers as 8 point favorites here and I think Doc Rivers will have his players ready for this one.
The Clippers were ranked 2nd against PG’s this season which really hurts the value of Stephen Curry who only put up 27 FP’s in Game 1. Klay Thompson really played well in Game 1, but is probably better served as a tournament play as he relies so heavily on scoring for his fantasy production. With Andrew Bogut out again, look to Jermaine O’Neal if you are looking for a punt option at Center.
- David Lee – Lee was my favorite play on the Warriors for Game 1 and he gets the nod as my favorite play for Game 2. Lee put up 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists and should be able to have the same success down low this time around. The Clippers were ranked 23rd against PF’s this season and Lee has to step up offensively with Bogut out.
L.A.Clippers
The Clippers should be primed for a nice bounce back game in Game 2. They just can’t afford to lose the first two games and I think the Warriors will be content with stealing homecourt advantage. The Warriors played small ball last game and I don’t think the Clippers were ready for it. I expect Doc Rivers to have a much better game plan this time around.
Blake Griffin had one of the most disappointing games of all fantasy players on Saturday, but I do think he will bounce back nicely. DeAndre Jordan put up 35 fantasy points and should be in for a similar outing in Game 2. J.J. Redick was one of the few players that had it going offensively, I think he makes a nice mid-range option at SG.
- Chris Paul – Despite 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds from CP3 in Game 1, it wasn’t enough to pick up a victory. Paul will put the Clippers on his back and carry them to a Game 2 victory. If there was ever a game to spend up for CP3, this is it. Don’t be surprised to see him put up a triple-double against Curry and the Warriors.
