NBA Grind Down: Friday, December 5th
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: Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NFL 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
Oklahoma City at Philadelphia
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -12.5, 199 Over/Under
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Roberson-Durant-Ibaka-Adams
- Philadelphia Proj. Starters – Carter-Williams-Thompson-Mbah a Moute-Noel-Sims
| Oklahoma City | Philadelphia | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 199.0 |  | Vegas Total | 199.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -12.5 | Vegas Sprd | 12.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 105.8 | Team Proj. | 93.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.74 | Team Pace | 100.15 | |||||||||
| 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 | Russell Westbrook | Andre Roberson | Kevin Durant | Serge Ibaka | Steven Adams | Proj Starter | Michael Carter-Williams | Hollis Thompson | Mbah a Moute | Nerlens Noel | Henry Sims | |
| Opp. Season | 7 | 27 | 30 | 15 | 15 | Opp. Season | 13 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 19 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 7 | 14 | 30 | 7 | 9 | Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 29 | 12 | |
Oklahoma City
We have 12 games on the schedule tonight. In an interest of time, I’ll try to keep the team analysis short and focus more on the picks. The Thunder head to Philadelphia to take on the Sixers tonight. They are looking for their first win of the season with both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the floor. Vegas has the Thunder listed as 12.5-point favorites. Fantasy-wise, this is an excellent matchup. The Sixers play at a very fast pace and are giving up an average of 104.3 points per game to their opponents. I’m going to wait another game or two before considering Durant, as is will take a couple of games for him to get acclimated.
Elite Plays
Russell Westbrook (FD: $9800, DK: $9800 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 40.1)
Westbrook didn’t play well the other night against the Pelicans, yet he still finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. He is such a dynamic player, that he can have big fantasy outings even when he is not playing well. Westbrook currently has the highest usage rate of any player in the NBA and should see a full complement of minutes, as long as this game doesn’t get out of hand. Westbrook also has a great matchup against Michael Carter-Williams and the Sixers, who are ranked 21st in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing PGs.
Secondary Plays
Serge Ibaka (FD: $7800, DK: $7100 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 22.6)
You may be thinking, “Why on Earth would I target Ibaka with Durant and Westbrook back?” While I won’t be using Ibaka in cash games, he makes an interesting tournament play. Defenses will no longer be able to key in on Ibaka and he should be able to expend more energy on the defensive end of the floor. He also has a great chance to post a double-double tonight against the Sixers, who are ranked dead last in rebounding differential this season.
Philadelphia
The Sixers picked up their first win of the season the other night against the T-Wolves. While that has to feel good to get that monkey off their backs, things are still looking rather bleak in Philly. Tonight they host the Thunder in what is expected to be an easy win for OKC. Tony Wroten is currently questionable for tonight’s game. If he is back in the lineup, that would hurt both Michael Carter-Williams’ and K.J. McDaniels’ fantasy value.
Elite Plays
Michael Carter-Williams (FD: $8700, DK: $8400 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 30.7)
MCW is in play either way, but is a much more appealing fantasy option with Tony Wroten out. In the three games without Wroten on the court, MCW is averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. No, you did not read that wrong, he has averaged a triple-double over the last three games. This game should be played at a very fast pace and as long as Wroten is ruled out, MCW makes for an elite fantasy option. If Wroten does play, I’d drop MCW down to a secondary play.
Secondary Plays
K.J. McDaniels (FD: $4900, DK: $5700 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 19.1)
Even if Tony Wroten is back in the lineup, McDaniels should see 30+ minutes off the bench. He’s clearly better than Hollis Thompson. Over his last four games, he has averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. He’s a very appealing option on FD tonight, where he is only listed at $4,900.
Denver at Washington
- Vegas Line – Washington -4, 207 Over/Under
- Denver Proj. Starters – Lawson-Afflalo-Chandler-Faried-Mozgov
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce(Q)-Humphries-Gortat
| Denver | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 207.0 |  | Vegas Total | 207.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.5 | Team Proj. | 105.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 99.08 | Team Pace | 95.35 | |||||||||
| 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 | Ty Lawson | Arron Afflalo | Wilson Chandler | Kenneth Faried | Timofey Mozgov | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Kris Humphries | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 2 | 8 | 19 | 6 | 1 | Opp. Season | 12 | 4 | 22 | 27 | 11 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 5 | Opp. Last 7 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 13 | |
Denver
The Nuggets win-streak came to an end, but they have still won seven of their last ten games. Vegas has them listed as 4-point underdogs tonight against the Wizards in what should be a fairly high-scoring game. In terms of the matchup, this isn’t a great one for the Nuggets. It will be a pace-down game and the Wizards are ranked 6th in defensive efficiency this season, holding their opponents to 95.9 points per game.
Elite Plays
Ty Lawson (FD: $8900, DK: $9200 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 22.4)
Lawson is the only Nuggets player that I am considering tonight. He has been on a terrific run over the last couple of weeks. On the season, he is averaging 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. Tonight he will match up with another elite PG in John Wall. These two should go at each other all night. If their prices are close, I prefer Wall over Lawson, but both are in play tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
Washington
The Wizards are in a great matchup tonight. The Nuggets play at a fast pace (99.1 possessions per 48 minutes) and are currently ranked 21st in defensive efficiency, allowing opponents to score an average of 105.2 points per game. Nene Hilario and Paul Pierce are both questionable for tonight’s game. Kris Humphries and Otto Porter would likely start in their place if they are unable to suit up.
Elite Plays
John Wall (FD: $9300, DK: $10300 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 26.8)
Once again, Wall makes an elite play at home. On the season, he is averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals per game at home. For whatever reason, he just plays much better in front of his home crowd. He draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Nuggets, who are a bottom ten defense in the NBA. While the Nuggets have defended PGs fairly well, this is a good matchup for Wall as a lot of this game will be played in transition.
Bradley Beal (FD: $6800, DK: $5800 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 22.8)
I told you that the cure for an offensive slump was the Lakers defense. Beal had, by far, his best game of the season the other night. He had 27 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists, on his way to 41 fantasy points. His price on DK is still too low and tonight is a great chance to exploit that. He draws a terrific matchup against the Nuggets, who are ranked 24th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing SGs. Beal would also see a small boost if Paul Pierce has to sit out.
Secondary Plays
Marcin Gortat (FD: $7300, DK: $7300 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 19.1)
Targeting big men against the Nuggets is a viable fantasy strategy. The Nuggets are ranked 24th against PFs and 19th against centers in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes. Gortat may not have the highest ceiling, but he has a high floor and a favorable matchup. Gortat is a safe cash game play tonight. Plus, he has a great knack for knowing which plays his opponents are going to run next (featured on the right).
New York at Charlotte
- Vegas Line – Charlotte -4.5, 188 Over/Under
- New York Proj. Starters – Calderon-Shumpert-Anthony-Acy-Stoudemire
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Stephenson-Henderson-Zeller-Jefferson
| New York | Charlotte | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 188.0 |  | Vegas Total | 188.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.5 | Vegas Sprd | -4.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 91.75 | Team Proj. | 96.25 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 91.91 | Team Pace | 94.26 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jose Calderon | Iman Shumpert | Carmelo Anthony | Quincy Acy | Amar’e Stoudemire | Proj Starter | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | Gerald Henderson | Cody Zeller | Al Jefferson | |
| Opp. Season | 29 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 13 | Opp. Season | 4 | 26 | 4 | 24 | 9 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 19 | 11 | 27 | 7 | Opp. Last 7 | 18 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 20 | |
New York
The Knicks almost pulled off a win over the Cavaliers, but they eventually fell short. They are now 4-16 on the season, including an awful road record of 1-8. Tonight they head to Charlotte to take on an equally disappointing Hornets team. This game is one of my least favorite to target tonight. The total is set at only 188 points and both of these teams play at a very slow pace.
Elite Plays
Amar’e Stoudemire (FD: $5500, DK: $5600 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 22.9)
Make sure to check the injury news throughout the day, as the Knicks have rested Stoudemire on back-to-backs a couple of times this season. As long as he is in the lineup, he’s a viable fantasy option for tonight. Stoudemire has scored at least 28 fantasy points in each of his last four games and has looked great during that stretch. He is aggressively attacking the basket and dunking over people, which we haven’t seen in years. If he starts again tonight, he is a viable option on both FD and DK.
Secondary Plays
None
Charlotte
The Hornets are looking to snap their 10-game losing streak. They have a good chance of doing so, as they face the Knicks. Vegas has the Hornets listed as 4.5-point favorites. Fantasy-wise, this isn’t the worst matchup, but the Hornets are only projected to score 96 points.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Kemba Walker (FD: $7200, DK: $7900 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 23.1)
Walker is doing his best to end this losing streak. He has scored at least 33 fantasy points in six of his last seven games. Tonight he will try to end the streak against the Knicks, who have struggled to defend PGs ever since Jose Calderon was inserted into the starting lineup.
Cody Zeller (FD: $4500, DK: $4700 / MPG: 24 / Usage Rate: 17.1)
Zeller has taken over the starting PF gig, at least for now. As a starter this season, he is averaging 11 points and 8 rebounds per game. At his price, he only needs around 23 fantasy points to reach value on both FD and DK. He’s more than capable of that tonight against the Knicks.
L.A. Lakers at Boston
- Vegas Line – Boston -3.5, 217 Over/Under
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Lin-Bryant-Johnson-Boozer-Hill
- Boston Proj. Starters – Rondo-Bradley-Green-Sullinger-Zeller
| L.A. Lakers | Boston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 217.0 |  | Vegas Total | 217.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 3.5 | Vegas Sprd | -3.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 106.25 | Team Proj. | 109.75 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 97.51 | Team Pace | 100.14 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jeremy Lin | Kobe Bryant | Wesley Johnson | Carlos Boozer | Jordan Hill | Proj Starter | Rajon Rondo | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Tyler Zeller | |
| Opp. Season | 26 | 9 | 1 | 30 | 6 | Opp. Season | 30 | 16 | 24 | 23 | 18 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 14 | 15 | 2 | 30 | 25 | Opp. Last 7 | 25 | 17 | 21 | 12 | 26 | |
L.A. Lakers
This is one of the top games to target tonight. Both of these teams love to push the pace, and both are ranked in the bottom five in defensive efficiency. Vegas has the total for this game set at 217 points, which is the highest total on the board tonight. Stacking in daily fantasy basketball is rarely recommended, but I don’t mind taking a couple of players from each team in this game.
Elite Plays
Kobe Bryant (FD: $9000, DK: $9400 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 35.8)
Bryant is still one of the best players in the NBA. While some of his numbers are inflated due to the fact that he plays on this awful Lakers team, he is still an elite fantasy option. On the season, he is averaging 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. His usage rate is 35.8, which is second only to Russell Westbrook. Tonight he squares off against Avery Bradley. While Bradley is a good defender, good offense beats good defense. Bryant should have his fingerprints all over this game.
Secondary Plays
Jordan Hill (FD: $6600, DK: $6500 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 19)
Hill is a regular feature in this column because he is always an affordable option at center. On the season, he is averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He has a usage rate of 19, which is actually pretty high for a player that’s not known for his offensive skill set. Tonight Hill will match up against the likes of Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk, who are both average defenders at best.
Jeremy Lin (FD: $5400, DK: $5100 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 18.7)
Before his last game, Lin had averaged 14 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game in his previous six outings. He is slowly becoming a more reliable fantasy option. Tonight he heads to Boston to square off against Rajon Rondo and the Celtics, who are ranked 25th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to PGs. Lin isn’t a great cash game play, but offers good upside as a tournament play.
Boston
The Celtics are 3.5-point favorites tonight in a very fantasy-friendly matchup against the Lakers. On the season, the Lakers are ranked dead last in both defensive efficiency and points allowed per game. The Lakers are also ranked 22nd in rebounding differential. All five starters are in play here.
Elite Plays
Rajon Rondo (FD: $8200, DK: $7800 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 17.5)
Rondo is coming off of a disappointing outing against the Pistons. In his defense, it was the second half of a back-to-back. The Pistons are also one of the slower paced teams in the league. Rondo is at his best when he can make plays in the open floor. There should be plenty of that tonight, as he squares off against the fast-paced Lakers. The Lakers are currently ranked dead last in defensive efficiency, points allowed per game, and fantasy points allowed to PGs. Rondo is sitting at a very affordable price on both FD and DK and should flirt with a triple-double tonight.
Jared Sullinger (FD: $7000, DK: $7600 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 22.9)
The only knock on Sullinger this season has been his playing time. He is only averaging 30 minutes per game, yet he is averaging over one fantasy point per minute. Just imagine the production that he would have if he was playing 35 minutes a game. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The good news is that he gets to face Carlos Boozer and the Lakers tonight. Boozer has been a turnstile on defense this season, as the Lakers are ranked 23rd in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing PFs.
Jeff Green (FD: $6800, DK: $6800 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 23.8)
The tough part with the Celtics tonight is determining which ones you are going to target. All five starters have favorable matchups. I have Rondo locked into my lineups, with Sullinger and Green fighting it out for a spot as the second Celtics player. Green is averaging 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He has topped 28 fantasy points in five of his last eight games and has a great chance to reach that mark again tonight.
Secondary Plays
Tyler Zeller (FD: $3900, DK: $4300 / MPG: 16 / Usage Rate: 14.5)
Zeller been a serviceable play at center since entering the starting lineup, scoring 22, 17, and 22 fantasy points in his last three games. Zeller is still very affordable at $3,900. While he doesn’t have the highest ceiling in the world, he has a nice matchup against the Lakers, who are ranked 24th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing centers this season.
Atlanta at Brooklyn
- Vegas Line – Atlanta -1, 202 Over/Under
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Teague-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Johnson-Bogdanovic-Garnett-Lopez
| Atlanta | Brooklyn | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 202.0 |  | Vegas Total | 202.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.0 | Vegas Sprd | 1.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.5 | Team Proj. | 100.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.77 | Team Pace | 94.40 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jeff Teague | Kyle Korver | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | Proj Starter | Deron Williams | Joe Johnson | Bojan Bogdanovic | Kevin Garnett | Brook Lopez | |
| Opp. Season | 28 | 28 | 21 | 13 | 16 | Opp. Season | 21 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 12 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 26 | 9 | 25 | 3 | Opp. Last 7 | 21 | 2 | 24 | 2 | 29 | |
Atlanta
This game is a polar opposite of the Lakers/Celtics game. There are few options that stand out here. Both of these teams play at an average pace, and both teams are well-balanced offensively. The Hawks are 1-point favorites tonight against the Nets, who are ranked 13th in defensive efficiency this season. The Hawks have a very strong bench that can take over a game at any time. For that reason, I will tread lightly with Atlanta tonight.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Paul Millsap (FD: $8400, DK: $8800 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 23)
Millsap is the one Hawks’ player that I don’t mind having some exposure to tonight. On the season, he has averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game. Tonight he’ll match up against Kevin Garnett and the Nets, who have been average at defending opposing PFs this season (ranked 13th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes).
Brooklyn
The Nets host the Hawks tonight in what is expected to be a competitive game. The Nets are 1-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 201 points. The matchup for the Nets isn’t terrible, as the Hawks are ranked 20th in defensive efficiency and 28th in rebounding differential this season. Kevin Garnett is expected to be back in the lineup tonight, which means Mirza Teletovic will head back to the bench.
Elite Plays
Joe Johnson (FD: $6200, DK: $6100 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 22.1)
Who doesn’t love a little revenge? Not only does Johnson get to face his former team tonight, but his price seems rather cheap on both FD and DK. On the season, Johnson is averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, which roughly equates to 28 fantasy points per game. This game has a relatively high total and is expected to be very competitive. It also doesn’t hurt that the Hawks are ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to SGs. Johnson offers a high floor and a high upside tonight, making him a good target in all league formats.
Secondary Plays
None