NBA Grind Down Wednesday, December 31st - Page Two
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New Orleans at San Antonio
- Vegas Line – San Antonio -4, 200 Over/Under
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Evans-Babbitt-Davis-Asik
- San Antonio Proj. Starters – Joseph-Green-Belinelli-Duncan-Splitter
| New Orleans | San Antonio | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 200 |  | Vegas Total | 200 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98.00 | Team Proj. | 102.00 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.26 | Team Pace | 95.4 | |||||||||
| 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 | Cory Joseph | Danny Green | Marco Belinelli | Tim Duncan | Tiago Splitter | |
| Opp. Season | 15 | 5 | 10 | 24 | 12 | Opp. Season | 21 | 12 | 28 | 10 | 10 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 21 | 6 | 17 | 25 | 18 | Opp. Last 7 | 10 | 23 | 1 | 29 | 3 | |
New Orleans
The Pelicans head to San Antonio to take on the Spurs in a game that is expected to be very competitive. The Pelicans are 4-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 200 points. In terms of the matchup, this isn’t a great one. The Spurs are ranked in the top ten in both defensive efficiency and rebounding differential. They have also held their opponents to 98.8 points per game this season.
Opponent Breakdown (San Antonio)
Record: 19-14
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.8
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 6
Rebounding Differential Rank: 10
Elite Plays
Anthony Davis (FD: $11500, DK: $11600 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 26.8)
While I don’t love the matchup for Davis, you can easily fit him into your lineups with all of the value out there tonight. Plus, he has played well against the Spurs this season. In two meetings, he is averaging 25 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 blocks, and 3 steals per game. He may not reach 5x salary, but he may not need to with all of the value out there tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
San Antonio
There is no word on whether or not Coach Popovich is going to rest his veterans tonight, but it’s certainly a possibility. This is the Spurs third game in four nights and we all know how much Popovich loves to rest his starters. Until we know for sure, it’s extremely tough to breakdown their matchup against the Pelicans tonight. That said, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili would both be in play tonight if they get the green light to suit up.
Injury Update: Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard will both miss tonight’s game.
Opponent Breakdown (New Orleans)
Record: 16-15
Points Allowed Per Game: 102.1
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 26
Rebounding Differential Rank: 11
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Cory Joseph (FD: $5400, DK: $5300 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 17.2)
Tony Parker has already been ruled out tonight, which means Joseph will draw another start at point guard. Patty Mills is now back in the mix, but this is only his second game back from injury and the Spurs will likely play it safe with him. Joseph should see 30+ minutes tonight against the Pelicans, who are ranked 21st in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season.
Phoenix at Oklahoma City
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -7.5, 213 Over/Under
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Dragic-Bledsoe-Tucker-Morris-Len
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Roberson-Durant-Ibaka-Adams
| Phoenix | Oklahoma City | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 213 |  | Vegas Total | 213 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 7.50 | Vegas Sprd | -7.50 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 102.75 | Team Proj. | 110.25 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 98.73 | Team Pace | 95.72 | |||||||||
| 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 | Russell Westbrook | Andre Roberson | Kevin Durant | Serge Ibaka | Steven Adams | |
| Opp. Season | 23 | 11 | 4 | 19 | 6 | Opp. Season | 14 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 28 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 26 | 21 | 8 | 21 | 12 | Opp. Last 7 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 28 | 5 | |
Phoenix
The Thunder travel to Oklahoma City to take on a healthy Thunder team. Kevin Durant is expected to return to the lineup tonight, which hurts the chances of the Suns picking up a win on the road. Vegas has the Suns listed as 7.5-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 213 points. The good news is that this game is expected to be played at a very fast-pace. The bad news is that outside of Eric Bledsoe, there really aren’t any options that stand out tonight.
Opponent Breakdown (Oklahoma City)
Record: 15-17
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.1
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 5
Rebounding Differential Rank: 2
Elite Plays
Eric Bledsoe (FD: $8200, DK: $9300 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 24)
Bledsoe has been on a tear over his last six games, averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game. During that stretch, he is averaging 41.5 fantasy points per game. His price has yet to reflect his recent level of production, which means that this could be the last time to target him at this price before it goes up. He draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Thunder in a game that features the highest total on the schedule tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
Oklahoma City
Kevin Durant is expected to be back in the lineup tonight, which means Perry Jones will likely head back to the bench. Coach Brooks said that his minutes will likely be around the mid-30’s. His price is still a little too high for my liking in his first game back from injury, but he could be worth a look as a tournament play. He was finally starting to gain confidence before hurting his ankle.
Opponent Breakdown (Phoenix)
Record: 18-15
Points Allowed Per Game: 103.9
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 17
Rebounding Differential Rank: 26
Elite Plays
Russell Westbrook (FD: $11700, DK: $12100 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 39.2)
Westbrook is still the top overall fantasy option on the board tonight, even with Kevin Durant expected back in the lineup. Westbrook has been absolutely dominant this season, averaging 28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals per game. The Suns have been stingy against point guards this season, but they haven’t faced many as talented as Westbrook. He has scored at least 47 fantasy points in each of his last ten games and should keep the streak alive tonight against the Suns.
Secondary Plays
None