NBA Grind Down: Friday, January 16th
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.
Detroit at Indiana – 7:00 pm EST
- Vegas Line – Detroit -1, 194 Over/Under
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Jennings-Caldwell-Pope-Singler-Monroe-Drummond
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Watson-Miles-Hill-West-Hibbert
| Detroit | Indiana | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 194 |  | Vegas Total | 194 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.0 | Vegas Sprd | 1.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 97.5 | Team Proj. | 96.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.75 | Team Pace | 95.53 | |||||||||
| 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 | Brandon Jennings | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Kyle Singler | Greg Monroe | Andre Drummond | Proj Starter | C.J. Watson | C.J. Miles | Solomon Hill | David West | Roy Hibbert | |
| Opp. Season | 19 | 26 | 7 | 1 | 8 | Opp. Season | 6 | 11 | 29 | 29 | 23 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 27 | 20 | 16 | 2 | 14 | Opp. Last 7 | 18 | 8 | 19 | 14 | 28 | |
Detroit
The Pistons have won eight of their last ten games and are listed as one-point favorites tonight against the Pacers. This isn’t the most fantasy-friendly matchup on the board, though. The Pacers are one of the slowest paced teams in the league. They are also ranked ninth in defensive efficiency this season.
Opponent Breakdown (Indiana)
Record: 15-25
Points Allowed Per Game: 97
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 9
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Brandon Jennings (FD: $7900, DK: $8000 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 24.8)
I still can’t trust Jennings in my cash game lineup, but he deserves consideration as a tournament play tonight. He has scored at least 39 fantasy points five times in his last ten games. He also draws a favorable matchup against C.J. Watson and the Pacers, who have allowed the 12th most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Indiana
The Pacers are very slowly climbing up the standings in the Eastern Conference. They are currently ninth in the standings, but should find themselves in the playoffs at the end of the season. Tonight they host a red-hot Pistons team that is playing some inspired basketball under Stan Van Gundy. This is a mediocre matchup at best. The Pistons are ranked right around the league average in pace of play, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential.
Opponent Breakdown (Detroit)
Record: 14-25
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.9
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 17
Rebounding Differential Rank: 14
Elite Plays
David West (FD: $6600, DK: $6300 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 22)
The Pistons have struggled to defend power forwards all season. At first, it was largely due to the fact that Josh Smith refused to play any defense, but even without Smith, the Pistons have not been able to contain the position. They have allowed the second-most fantasy points to power forwards this season. West has a high floor and makes a great cash game target at his price point.
Secondary Plays
C.J. Miles (FD: $5400, DK: $5000 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 24)
Miles sees a nice fantasy boost when he is in the starting lineup. He started the other night against the Wolves, and should earn another one tonight after scoring 22 actual points. His production is scoring-dependent, but his price is low enough to warrant consideration at shooting guard.
C.J. Watson (FD: $4500, DK: $4900 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 18.6)
Watson offers great value at point guard tonight. George Hill has already been ruled out and Watson has now played at least 30 minutes in each of his last three games, averaging 22 fantasy points per game. He draws an intriguing matchup against Brandon Jennings and the Pistons.
Memphis at Orlando – 7:00 pm EST
- Vegas Line – Memphis -6, 197 Over/Under
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Allen-Randolph-Gasol
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Payton-Oladipo-Marble-Frye-Vucevic
| Memphis | Orlando | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 197 |  | Vegas Total | 197 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -6.0 | Vegas Sprd | 6.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.5 | Team Proj. | 95.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.06 | Team Pace | 95.43 | |||||||||
| 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 | Mike Conley | Courtney Lee | Tony Allen | Zach Randolph | Marc Gasol | Proj Starter | Elfrid Payton | Victor Oladipo | Devyn Marble | Channing Frye | Nikola Vucevic | |
| Opp. Season | 26 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 26 | Opp. Season | 2 | 22 | 25 | 3 | 2 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 8 | 19 | 23 | 29 | 7 | Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 3 | 21 | 16 | 6 | |
Memphis
The Grizzlies head to Orlando to take on the Magic in a game that features a fairly low total of 197 points. Mike Conley missed shootaround this morning and is currently listed as questionable. If he is forced to sit, Beno Udrih and Courtney Lee would both see a fantasy boost in his absence. Tonight’s matchup against the Magic is a favorable one. The Magic are ranked 21st in defensive efficiency this season.
Opponent Breakdown (Orlando)
Record: 15-27
Points Allowed Per Game: 100
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 21
Rebounding Differential Rank: 26
Elite Plays
Zach Randolph (FD: $8500, DK: $7600 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 23.9)
Randolph has played well in his first three games back from injury. He has averaged 41 fantasy points in 35 minutes of action per game. He has not been limited by his injury one bit and should be in for another solid outing tonight against the Magic. On the season, the Magic have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to power forwards this season.
Secondary Plays
Beno Udrih (FD: $3500, DK: $3000 / MPG: 18 / Usage Rate: 20.1)
This pick hinges on the availability of Mike Conley. Obviously if Conley is in the lineup, Udrih will have his usual reserve role. If Conley is forced to sit out, Udrih would likely draw the start against a Magic defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Orlando
The Magic have not played well at home this season. They are only 5-12 at the Amway Center. They may lose their 13th home game tonight, as they have to face a tough Grizzlies team without Tobias Harris. Devyn Marble will likely draw another start at small forward, but Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic see the biggest fantasy boost with Harris out.
Opponent Breakdown (Memphis)
Record: 27-11
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.9
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 10
Rebounding Differential Rank: 15
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Victor Oladipo (FD: $7100, DK: $6700 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 23.9)
Nikola Vucevic sees a major fantasy boost with Tobias Harris out, but I’m not a fan of his matchup against Marc Gasol. I’d rather target Oladipo, who actually draws a fairly fantasy-friendly foe (that’s a lot of f’s). The Grizzlies are ranked 22nd in fantasy points allowed to shooting guards. Oladipo is also coming off of a terrific three-game stretch, where he averaged 41 fantasy points per game.
New Orleans at Philadelphia – 7:00 pm EST
- Vegas Line – New Orleans -8.5, 194.5 Over/Under
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Evans-Gordon-Cunningham-Davis-Asik
- Philadelphia Proj. Starters – Carter-Williams-McDaniels-Covington-Mbah a Moute-Noel
| New Orleans | Philadelphia | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 194.5 |  | Vegas Total | 194.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -8.5 | Vegas Sprd | 8.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.5 | Team Proj. | 93.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.79 | Team Pace | 98.92 | |||||||||
| 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 | Tyreke Evans | Eric Gordon | Dante Cunningham | Anthony Davis | Omer Asik | Proj Starter | Michael Carter-Williams | K.J. McDaniels | Robert Covington | Luc Mbah a Moute | Nerlens Noel | |
| Opp. Season | 24 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 30 | Opp. Season | 21 | 15 | 19 | 13 | 15 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 20 | 27 | Opp. Last 7 | 10 | 2 | 24 | 26 | 15 | |
New Orleans
The Pelicans may be a bit short-handed tonight against the Sixers. Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis are both questionable for this game. Tyreke Evans would see a boost in Holiday’s absence and both Ryan Anderson and Omer Asik would see a boost in Davis’ absence. Keep your eyes peeled for an update on their status closer to tip-off and adjust your lineup accordingly.
Opponent Breakdown (Philadelphia)
Record: 7-31
Points Allowed Per Game: 103
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 14
Rebounding Differential Rank: 30
Elite Plays
Tyreke Evans (FD: $7700, DK: $7900 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 26.2)
If Jrue Holiday and/or Anthony Davis are ruled out tonight, Evans would become the top shooting guard option on the board. His already high usage rate would go up, especially if both players are ruled out. Evans has scored at least 30 fantasy points in three straight games, topping the 40-point mark twice. He draws a terrific matchup against the Sixers, who have allowed their opponents to score an average of 103 points per game this season.
Secondary Plays
Eric Gordon (FD: $4800, DK: $4600 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 17)
Gordon is in the same boat as Tyreke Evans. He would also see a major fantasy boost if Jrue Holiday and/or Anthony Davis are forced to miss tonight’s game. Gordon has scored at least 23 fantasy points in three of his last four games and should be able to keep the streak alive tonight. The Sixers are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to shooting guards this season.
Philadelphia
The Sixers will be without Tony Wroten again tonight. Robert Covington was a late scratch on Wednesday, but there hasn’t been an update on his availability for tonight’s game. Their matchup against the Pelicans is a favorable one, especially if Anthony Davis is ruled out. The Pelicans are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency, giving up an average of 100.8 points per game.
Opponent Breakdown (New Orleans)
Record: 19-19
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.8
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 25
Rebounding Differential Rank: 10
Elite Plays
K.J. McDaniels (FD: $4700, DK: $5100 / MPG: 26 / Usage Rate: 18)
McDaniels has played well since being inserted back into the starting lineup. He has scored at least 23 fantasy points in four of his last six games and needs to put up a similar performance to reach value tonight. McDaniels sees a small fantasy boost with Tony Wroten out and should be a lock for 30+ minutes in a fast-paced game against the Pelicans, who are ranked 19th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards this season.
Secondary Plays
Michael Carter-Williams (FD: $8300, DK: $8600 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 27.6)
Tony Wroten is a much better fantasy option with MCW out. Likewise, MCW is a much better option with Tony Wroten out. They are both ball-dominant guards that see an increase in their usage when one or the other is not on the floor. With Wroten ruled out of tonight’s game, MCW should be in line for a heavy workload. I still see him as more of a GPP play, but he has tremendous upside against the Pelicans.
Brooklyn at Washington – 7:00 pm EST
- Vegas Line – Washington -10, 190.5 Over/Under
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Jack-Bogdanovic-Johnson-Garnett-Plumlee
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
| Brooklyn | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 190.5 |  | Vegas Total | 190.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 10.0 | Vegas Sprd | -10.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 90.3 | Team Proj. | 100.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.32 | Team Pace | 95.56 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jarrett Jack | Bojan Bogdanovic | Joe Johnson | Kevin Garnett | Mason Plumlee | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 5 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 3 | Opp. Season | 20 | 25 | 8 | 25 | 5 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 5 | 30 | 24 | 11 | Opp. Last 7 | 25 | 27 | 11 | 21 | 8 | |
Brooklyn
The Nets are actively shopping a few of their players, so make sure to look for any breaking news close to tip-off. We all remember what happened with Dion Waiters a couple of weeks ago. The good news is that we may not need to target any of the Nets players anyway. They draw a tough matchup against the Wizards, who are ranked seventh in both defensive efficiency and rebounding differential.
Opponent Breakdown (Washington)
Record: 27-12
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.5
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 7
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
None
Washington
The Wizards have been terrific at home this season with a 17-4 record. They are not expected to have too much trouble against the Nets tonight, as Vegas has them listed as 10-point favorites. The Nets have been serviceable on the defensive end of the floor, but are certainly not a team that we need to avoid taking players against.
Opponent Breakdown (Brooklyn)
Record: 16-23
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.2
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 13
Rebounding Differential Rank: 22
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
John Wall (FD: $9100, DK: $9400 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 25.2)
Wall is the only fantasy option that looks appealing from this game. As I usually mention with Wall, he has terrific splits at home. On the season, he is averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists per game at the Verizon Center. He should continue his stellar play at home tonight against the Nets, who are ranked 20th in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season.
Chicago at Boston – 7:30 pm EST
- Vegas Line – Chicago -5, 203 Over/Under
- Chicago Proj. Starters – Rose-Butler-Snell-Gibson-Gasol
- Boston Proj. Starters – Turner-Bradley-Crowder-Sullinger-Zeller
| Chicago | Boston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203 |  | Vegas Total | 203 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -5.0 | Vegas Sprd | 5.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 104.0 | Team Proj. | 99.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.07 | Team Pace | 99.41 | |||||||||
| 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 | Derrick Rose | Jimmy Butler | Tony Snell | Taj Gibson | Pau Gasol | Proj Starter | Evan Turner | Avery Bradley | Jae Crowder | Jared Sullinger | Tyler Zeller | |
| Opp. Season | 25 | 1 | 23 | 28 | 20 | Opp. Season | 17 | 3 | 28 | 26 | 10 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 11 | 27 | 19 | 25 | Opp. Last 7 | 26 | 21 | 15 | 4 | 21 | |
Chicago
The Bulls will be without their starting center tonight. Joakim Noah was spotted in a walking boot after their game the other night and he has already been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Celtics. Taj Gibson is the biggest beneficiary of Noah being out, but Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol also see a small fantasy boost. The Bulls draw a favorable matchup against the Celtics, who have given up an average of 103.8 points per game this season.
Opponent Breakdown (Boston)
Record: 13-24
Points Allowed Per Game: 103.8
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 14
Rebounding Differential Rank: 19
Elite Plays
Taj Gibson (FD: $5300, DK: $5400 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 18.7)
I’ll make this easy for you. Lock Taj Gibson in as one of your starting power forwards on FanDuel and as one of your forwards on DraftKings. You can throw in the rest of the sites as well. Joakim Noah has been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Celtics, which means Gibson will start at power forward. Gibson has started nine games this season, averaging 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. He draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Celtics, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to power forwards this season. Don’t try to get cute and fade him, he’s as close to a must play as anyone in the player pool tonight.
Secondary Plays
Pau Gasol (FD: $9200, DK: $9500 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 24.6)
Gasol should also see a small fantasy boost with Joakim Noah out. His minutes aren’t going to go up as drastically as Gibson’s or Mirotic’s, but he may see a few extra tonight against the Celtics. The Celtics basically have a turn style as their front-court. They let opposing big men score at will. I view Gasol as a high floor option that is safe for cash games tonight.
Nikola Mirotic (FD: $4800, DK: $4900 / MPG: 18 / Usage Rate: 19.7)
Whereas Gasol makes a good cash game play, Mirotic makes an excellent tournament play. He has shown his ability to put up fantasy points quickly and he should see a nice boost in minutes with Joakim Noah out. The Bulls will likely use a three-man rotation in their front-court. He’s a player that could realistically reach 7x or 8x salary tonight.
Boston
The Celtics aren’t my favorite team to see on the schedule. Coach Brad Stevens has a deep and inconsistent rotation, neither of which help us predict production on a nightly basis. The Celtics draw a tough matchup against a defensive-minded Bulls squad and can be avoided tonight for the most part.
Opponent Breakdown (Chicago)
Record: 26-14
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.3
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 10
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Tyler Zeller (FD: $4400, DK: $3000 / MPG: 20 / Usage Rate: 18.2)
Kelly Olynyk was DraftKings’ $3,000 special on Wednesday night tonight the honor belongs to Mr. Zeller. He may be a little too risky for cash games, but he has 30 fantasy point type of upside, making an intriguing play at minimum salary. He also sees a small boost with Joakim Noah out, as he will now match up against Pau Gasol.