NBA First Look: Wednesday, March 18th

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2015-03-19 18:52:45

It’s Wednesday, meaning we’ve got a lot of NBA games to examine.

Odds are subject to change throughout the day

Brooklyn

Opponent Preview – Cleveland:
Pace of Play: 94.8 (Rank: 24)
Points Allowed Per Game: 99 (Rank: 12)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 21
Rebounding Differential Rank: 8

Targets: The Nets draw a tough matchup against the Cavaliers, who have been an elite defensive team over the last couple of months. The Cavaliers have improved to 12th in points allowed per game and 8th in rebounding differential. Thaddeus Young is the preferred target here, as he is still affordable and has seen an uptick in minutes recently.

Cleveland

Opponent Preview – Brooklyn:
Pace of Play: 94.7 (Rank: 25)
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.9 (Rank: 15)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 22
Rebounding Differential Rank: 24

Targets: LeBron James basically killed any lineup that he was on the other night against the Heat. This is a good spot for the Cavaliers to bounce back, but the Nets present an average matchup at best. This game has blowout potential and it’s looking like a good night to fade the Cavaliers altogether.

Detroit

Opponent Preview – Philadelphia:
Pace of Play: 98.4 (Rank: 5)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.9 (Rank: 20)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 12
Rebounding Differential Rank: 29

Targets: The Pistons picked up an incredible come from behind win over the Grizzlies last night. They will look to keep it going against the Sixers, who are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA. Greg Monroe is tentatively expected to play in this game, but Andre Drummond is still a terrific fantasy option. Reggie Jackson is also worth a look against Isaiah Canaan.

Philadelphia

Opponent Preview – Detroit:
Pace of Play: 95.6 (Rank: 20)
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.9 (Rank: 15)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 20
Rebounding Differential Rank: 10

Targets: The Sixers have been competitive recently, but it hasn’t resulted in many wins. Nerlens Noel continues to fill up all areas of the stat sheet. While he remains a viable fantasy option against the Pistons, his price continues to climb on both FanDuel and DraftKings. Isaiah Canaan and Ish Smith are both decent secondary options.

Portland

Opponent Preview – Miami:
Pace of Play: 93 (Rank: 29)
Points Allowed Per Game: 97 (Rank: 7)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 18
Rebounding Differential Rank: 23

Targets: The Heat have picked up their pace of play recently, which does help this matchup a little. This is still expected to be a fairly low-scoring game though. Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum are both in play here, but neither players stands out as a must play.

Miami

Opponent Preview – Portland:
Pace of Play: 96.6 (Rank: 12)
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.6 (Rank: 9)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 3
Rebounding Differential Rank: 9

Targets: Dwyane Wade has been on an absolute tear, scoring at least 35 fantasy points in each of his last eight games. The Heat need a win to keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff picture and I expect Wade to put the team on his back once again. The only question is whether or not his price has become too expensive.

Minnesota

Opponent Preview – Toronto:
Pace of Play: 96 (Rank: 16)
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.3 (Rank: 22)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 22
Rebounding Differential Rank: 21

Targets: It looks like half of the Wolves’ roster is questionable for Monday night’s game against the Raptors. This really hurts our ability to analyze the potential fantasy production in this matchup. If Ricky Rubio, Kevin Garnett, and Nikola Pekovic are forced to sit out again, target Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng, and Justin Hamilton.

Toronto

Opponent Preview – Minnesota:
Pace of Play: 97.5 (Rank: 9)
Points Allowed Per Game: 106 (Rank: 30)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 30
Rebounding Differential Rank: 20

Targets: The Raptors draw a fantastic matchup against the Wolves, who have allowed more points per game than any other team in the NBA. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are both terrific options here, but we do have to factor in a potential blowout.

Indiana

Opponent Preview – Chicago:
Pace of Play: 95.6 (Rank: 20)
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.9 (Rank: 11)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 13
Rebounding Differential Rank: 6

Targets: This game features one of the lowest totals on the board. Both of these teams play at a slow pace and both are ranked in the top 11 in points allowed per game. George Hill is playing his best basketball of the season and he draws a favorable matchup against the Bulls, who have struggled to contain point guards since the Derrick Rose injury.

Chicago

Opponent Preview – Indiana:
Pace of Play: 95.5 (Rank: 23)
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.3 (Rank: 3)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 5
Rebounding Differential Rank: 6

Targets: The Bulls draw one of the worst matchups on the schedule. The Pacers play at an extremely slow pace and have held their opponents to the third-fewest points per game this season. Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic are in play as secondary options, but both are overpriced for their matchup against the Pacers.

San Antonio

Opponent Preview – Milwaukee:
Pace of Play: 96.3 (Rank: 14)
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.8 (Rank: 5)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 2
Rebounding Differential Rank: 21

Targets: The Spurs are looking to bounce back, after losing to the Knicks in overtime on Tuesday night. The starters did have their minutes somewhat limited and I’d be surprised if Pop decides to rest anyone in this game. The Bucks present a tough matchup, but Kawhi Leonard has been on a tear over his last ten games, averaging 39 fantasy points per contest. Tony Parker is also in play thanks to his matchup against Michael Carter-Williams.

Milwaukee

Opponent Preview – San Antonio:
Pace of Play: 95.9 (Rank: 17)
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.8 (Rank: 10)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 9
Rebounding Differential Rank: 12

Targets: The Bucks lost a nail-biter to the Pelicans on Tuesday night. They now have to turn around and face the defending-champion Spurs. There are better matchups to exploit tonight and I’ll be avoiding the Bucks in cash games. Giannis Antetokounmpo is worth a look as a tournament play.

Boston

Opponent Preview – Oklahoma City:
Pace of Play: 97.9 (Rank: 7)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.2 (Rank: 18)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 11
Rebounding Differential Rank: 2

Targets: Isaiah Thomas is not traveling with the team, which means Evan Turner, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley will all continue to see extended playing time in his absence. Bradley is the best cash game option of the three, while Turner and Smart are both intriguing tournament options against the Thunder.

Oklahoma City

Opponent Preview – Boston:
Pace of Play: 98.3 (Rank: 6)
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.4 (Rank: 24)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 14
Rebounding Differential Rank: 18

Targets: Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka are both out for Wednesday’s game, which means it will be another edition of the Russell Westbrook and Enes Kanter show. Both are elite options at their respective positions. Steven Adams and Mitch McGary are both decent value plays, as both have had big fantasy outings with Serge Ibaka out.

Orlando

Opponent Preview – Dallas:
Pace of Play: 96.6 (Rank: 12)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.9 (Rank: 20)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 15
Rebounding Differential Rank: 30

Targets: Tobias Harris hurt his ankle against the Rockets and will likely be forced to miss Wednesday night’s game against the Mavericks. This should give a boost to both Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic typically sees a sizable boost in usage with Harris out of the lineup. Elfrid Payton is also in play here, as the Mavericks have not contained opposing point guards this season.

Dallas

Opponent Preview – Orlando:
Pace of Play: 95.9 (Rank: 17)
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.6 (Rank: 25)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 25
Rebounding Differential Rank: 26

Targets: The Mavericks finally appear to be turning the corner, after a rough month of February. Chandler Parsons has been a big part of that, thanks to his great play over the last four games. He’s the preferred option against the Magic, but keep in mind that this game could very easily turn into a blowout. The Magic are playing in the second half of back-to-back road games.

L.A. Clippers

Opponent Preview – Sacramento:
Pace of Play: 97.8 (Rank: 8)
Points Allowed Per Game: 105.4 (Rank: 29)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 27
Rebounding Differential Rank: 2

Targets: The Clippers draw one of the best matchups on the board, but they are tough targets in daily fantasy. Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and J.J. Redick all seem overpriced. Blake Griffin has an affordable price tag, but the Clippers could run away with this game. Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins are both questionable for the Kings.

Sacramento

Opponent Preview – L.A. Clippers:
Pace of Play: 96.7 (Rank: 10)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.6 (Rank: 19)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 17
Rebounding Differential Rank: 19

Targets: Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins are both questionable for Wednesday night’s game. If they are both forced to sit, Ray McCallum, Omri Casspi, Ben McLemore, and Jason Thompson would all become terrific value plays.

Atlanta

Opponent Preview – Golden State:
Pace of Play: 100.9 (Rank: 1)
Points Allowed Per Game: (Rank: )
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 1
Rebounding Differential Rank: 16

Targets: We never fully know who is going to play for the Hawks until their starting lineup is announced, but in a big game against the Warriors, I’m expecting them to have all of their players available (with the exception of Kyle Korver). Al Horford and Paul Millsap are the preferred plays against the Warriors.

Golden State

Opponent Preview – Atlanta:
Pace of Play: 96.2 (Rank: 15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.5 (Rank: 4)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 27

Targets: The Warriors are extremely tough to beat at home. This should be a terrific game to watch though, as these two teams own the best two records in the NBA. The Hawks are stout defensively, but Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are both viable options on Wednesday night.

Washington

Opponent Preview – Utah:
Pace of Play: 92.6 (Rank: 30)
Points Allowed Per Game: 95.1 (Rank: 1)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 16
Rebounding Differential Rank: 1

Targets: At this point, I want no part of the Utah Jazz defense. The Jazz have had the best defense in the NBA over the last few weeks and it’s not even close. The total of the game is set at only 180 points and all Wizards can safely be avoided.

Utah

Opponent Preview – Washington:
Pace of Play: 95.9 (Rank: 17)
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.3 (Rank: 8)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 3
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4

Targets: Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors continue to dominate opposing frontcourts. Wednesday’s matchup against the Wizards should be a fun one, as the Wizards have one of the toughest frontcourts in the NBA. Gobert and Favors are both in play, but both are off my radar due to their tough matchup and expensive price tags. Rodney Hood is worth a look as a value play at small forward.