NBA Grind Down: Sunday, December 21st - Page Two
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L.A. Lakers at Sacramento
- Vegas Line – Sacramento -7, 210 Over/Under
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Price-Bryant-Johnson-Davis-Hill
- Sacramento Proj. Starters – Collison-McLemore-Gay-Thompson-Cousins
| L.A. Lakers | Sacramento | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 210 |  | Vegas Total | 210 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 7.0 | Vegas Sprd | -7.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.50 | Team Proj. | 108.50 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 97.66 | Team Pace | 95.77 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proj Starter | Ronnie Price | Kobe Bryant | Wesley Johnson | Ed Davis | Jordan Hill | Proj Starter | Darren Collison | Ben McLemore | Rudy Gay | Jason Thompson | DeMarcus Cousins | |
| Opp. Season | 11 | 27 | 7 | 29 | 4 | Opp. Season | 30 | 9 | 25 | 24 | 16 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 15 | 29 | 20 | 3 | 5 | Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 11 | 27 | 16 | 6 | |
L.A. Lakers
The Lakers actually have 8 wins after that disastrous start of the season. They are now rolling into Sacramento who has struggled pretty badly without their star Cousins in the lineup. This game pits two face paced offenses against each other and has the highest total of the day at 209’.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Kobe Bryant – If you want to take a GPP flier, now is the time with Kobe. He looked like Jordan’s flu game the other night and they just said it is fatigue. I could see Kobe coming out tonight and somehow going for 40, but it is a very risky option.
Sacramento
Sacramento is struggling pretty badly, but a remedy for many teams this year has been a matchup against Kobe and the Lakers. The Kings are 7 point favorites at home tonight and should be able to have multiple solid fantasy contributors.
Elite Plays
DeMarcus Cousins – Well, there were no minute limits on Cousins in his first start back as he played 33 minutes and had a 27/11 line. He has a premier matchup against the bigs of the Lakers who have struggled with their inside defense all year.
Darren Collison – His value takes a bit of a hit with Cousins back in the lineup, but the matchup is hard to ignore. Whether it is Ronnie Price or Lin, Collison will not have a whole lot of resistance tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
Phoenix at Washington
- Vegas Line – Washington -6.5, 202.5 Over/Under
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Dragic-Bledsoe-Tucker-Morris-Len
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Humphries-Gortat
| Phoenix | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 202 |  | Vegas Total | 202 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 6.50 | Vegas Sprd | -6.50 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98 | Team Proj. | 104.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 98.68 | Team Pace | 95.9 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proj Starter | Goran Dragic | Eric Bledsoe | P.J. Tucker | Markieff Morris | Alex Len | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Kris Humphries | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 2 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 8 | Opp. Season | 14 | 23 | 6 | 7 | 29 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 16 | 18 | 6 | 18 | Opp. Last 7 | 17 | 15 | 23 | 1 | 28 | |
Phoenix
Phoenix was on a bit of a losing streak prior to winning their last two games. They were led by their dualing guards of Bledsoe and Thomas who had 25 and 22 respectively. This games total is set at 206 as the Suns score around 104.4 points per game and the Wizards 101.2.
Elite Plays
Eric Bledsoe – His price has come down at some sites in the last few weeks since their backcourt got healthier which is why Bledsoe makes a decent GPP play. He has 40 point upside on sites where he needs about 35 to reach value. This is again, a GPP only play, as the Wizards have played great defense.
Secondary Plays
None
Washington
The Wizards were expected to be a pretty good team this year. So far they are exceeding expectations big time as they are rolled out to a 19-6 record. John Wall has been one of the top players in the league and Beal seems to be finding his groove finally. Washington is 6 point favorites tonight in a game that should be full of scoring.
Elite Plays
John Wall – Wall is easily the second best point guard on the slate, but of course you are going to have to pay a hefty price. Whether it is Dragic or Thomas, neither plays the best defense and Wall seems to be a lock for 35 fantasy point with a much higher ceiling. He gets 35+ minutes every night and his home stats are much better than his away ones on the year.
Brad Beal – He is a decent cash game option where his 5x price is about at the 30 point mark. He is getting a ton of minutes in this offense and seems to finally be getting comfortable.
Secondary Plays
None
Indiana at Minnesota
- Vegas Line – Indiana -3, 200 Over/Under
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Sloan-Stuckey-Hill-West-Hibbert
- Minnesota Proj. Starters – LaVine-Muhammad-Wiggins-Young-Dieng
| Indiana | Minnesota | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 200 |  | Vegas Total | 200 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -3 | Vegas Sprd | 3 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.5 | Team Proj. | 98.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.83 | Team Pace | 98.7 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proj Starter | Donald Sloan | Rodney Stuckey | Solomon Hill | David West | Roy Hibbert | Proj Starter | Zach LaVine | Shabazz Muhammad | Andrew Wiggins | Thaddeus Young | Gorgui Dieng | |
| Opp. Season | 22 | 29 | 28 | 14 | 26 | Opp. Season | 26 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 30 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 24 | 27 | 16 | 4 | 29 | Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 23 | |
Indiana
The Pacers played in once of the ugliest offensive games of the year last night as they could only muster up 73 points against a poor defensive squad in the Nuggets. The Pacers have another chance at quality fantasy games tonight agains Minnesota who are 29th in the league in points allowed. The Pacers are small 2’ point favorites on the night.
Elite Plays
Rodney Stuckey – Going back to the well the night after a player hurts you is difficult, but Stuckey has an amazing matchup against the TWolves who are 29th in the league at defending the SG position. Although he played horribly, he did get 35 minutes last night which is very encouraging and gets an added boost if Watson sits again.
Secondary Plays
David West – The only player on the floor last night to have a good game was West. He is shaping into the cash game expert that we know and love and basically will go out and hit his value most nights, but especially when the tempo is bumped with an opponent like Minnesota.
Minnesota
The Twolves are now without Brewer which has made a bit of a fantasy impact on some of the other players on the squad. They will continue to be a bottom of the league team in all areas, but have some good young players that will have some big games for them this year. The total is set at 197, but the Twolves are facing a top 5 defense in the Pacers. Use them with caution tonight.
Elite Plays
Shabazz Muhammed – The one player I think you can plug in a forget is Shabazz. He is getting a starting role as well as a major boost in minutes. He will be one of the highest owned players on the slate as his price will take a few games to adjust.
Secondary Plays
None
New Orleans at Oklahoma City
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -7.5, 203.5 Over/Under
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Evans-Babbitt-Davis-Asik
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Roberson-Durant-Ibaka-Adams
| New Orleans | Oklahoma City | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203 |  | Vegas Total | 203 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 7.50 | Vegas Sprd | -7.50 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98 | Team Proj. | 105.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.02 | Team Pace | 95.05 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks and Projected Starters | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proj Starter | Jrue Holiday | Tyreke Evans | Luke Babbitt | Anthony Davis | Omer Asik | Proj Starter | Russell Westbrook | Andre Roberson | Kevin Durant | Serge Ibaka | Steven Adams | |
| Opp. Season | 17 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 9 | Opp. Season | 19 | 13 | 30 | 4 | 15 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 28 | 10 | 25 | 22 | 1 | Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 5 | 24 | |
New Orleans
Raise your hand if you have Anthony Davis and Danny Green in your cash game lineups last night? Well you lost a bit of money just like I did. It is a new day and that is why DFS is so great. This should be a great matchup if Durant plays and there is currently no spread or total due to the questionable status of the superstar.
Elite Plays
Anthony Davis – He has one of the highest ceilings in the game today and going back to the well is something that you have to do in DFS.
Secondary Plays
Ryan Anderson – If he is cheap, he is hitting his shots right now which means he will be putting down some threes. If he can hit a few of them, he should make value where cheap.
Oklahoma City
The big news we are waiting for is if Durant plays. I would assume they would keep him out today as a precautionary deal here, but you never know with the NBA.
Elite Plays
Russell Westbrook – I don’t care about Durant’s status tonight, all I care about is the fact that Westbrook has been the best fantasy player at any position over the course of the month of December. He is putting up 40 burgers like nothing and is hitting 50s in 4 of his last 5 games. Durant being out would boost his ceiling, but he is playing out of his mind at the moment.
Secondary Plays
Reggie Jackson/Serge Ibaka – We saw both of these guys step it up with Durant out of the lineup. They both are solid plays if he is out again and only if he is out.