NBA Grind Down: Friday, January 24th - Page 3
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Washington at Phoenix
- Vegas Line – Phoenix -3, 207 Over/Under
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Ariza-Hilario-Gortat
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Dragic-Green-Tucker-Frye-Plumlee
Washington
The Wizards and Suns game has one of the highest totals of the evening and neither of these teams mind getting into a track meet. Looks for both teams to push the ball and try to create some easy buckets in transition. The Suns have been very average defensively this season, but they have defended SG’s well thanks to the solid defense of both Gerald Green and Eric Bledsoe (whose obviously out).
- John Wall – You can make a case for Gortat in this one as well, especially if you like the revenge factor, but Wall is my top play on the Wizards. Dragic isn’t the best on-ball defender and Wall is at his best when he is pushing the tempo and attacking the rim.
Phoenix
The Suns are facing a Wizards team that has defended two positions well and has struggled to defend two positions. The Wizards struggle to defend PG’s and SF’s. While I don’t mind P.J. Tucker, I certainly think you can find some better options in his price range.
- Goran Dragic – Dragic is in a great position tonight. He has really played well since the Bledsoe injury and should continue that strong play tonight against the Wizards. Dragic is averaging over 33 FP’s per game at home this season and he should be able to top that mark in this favorable matchup.
Indiana at Sacramento
- Vegas Line – No Lines Set for This Game Yet
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Hill-Stephenson-George-West-Hibbert
- Sacramento Proj. Starters – Thomas-Thornton-Gay-Thompson-Cousins
Indiana
The Pacers will be at full strength tonight, but their opponent unfortunately, will not be. The Kings will be without two of their best three players as Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins are both sitting out after getting hurt against the Rockets the other night. The Pacers are 11 point favorites here and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pacers run away with this one early.
- Paul George – George makes a solid GPP play tonight. Not only is he facing one of the worst defenses in the league, but he is facing them without their best wing defender (Gay) and their best rim protector (Cousins). The only concern here is that this game will turn into a blowout, but that only helps George’s value in a GPP because he may be a bit under-owned. The Kings don’t have anyone that can defend George.
Sacramento
The Kings have a few nice fantasy plays tonight thanks to the injuries to Gay and Cousins. With both of them out, Derrick Williams, Jason Thompson, and Aaron Gray will all be called upon to play major minutes tonight. I like Williams and Thompson more than Gray though as I’m not sure how much he can give you offensively. Other than those two, I think Isaiah Thomas makes a nice GPP play. The only way the Kings are going to keep this game close is by a strong game from IT2.
Minnesota at Golden State
- Vegas Line – No Lines Set for This Game Yet
- Minnesota Proj. Starters – Rubio-Martin-Brewer-Love-Pekovic
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Iguodala-Lee-Bogut
Minnesota
The total in this game is set at 210 points which is the highest of the night. Both of these teams have great offenses and both like to push the pace. Of the two teams though, the Warriors are in a more favorable position because they have a much better defense than the Wolves. There’s really only one player that I like on the Wolves tonight. Ricky Rubio has been struggling, Kevin Martin has a tough matchup, Corey Brewer is often nowhere to be found, and Nikola Pekovic will be defended by one of the best post defenders in basketball.
- Kevin Love – I do love Love tonight though. He has shown that he is matchup proof and the Wolves may have to lean heavily on him tonight. In his previous 10 games against the Warriors, Love has averaged 22 and 16. I think he can top those numbers tonight.
Golden State
The Warriors have a favorable matchup tonight. The big story here is the availability of both David Lee and Andrew Bogut. They are both considered game-time decisions and with this being the last game of the night, we aren’t likely to know their status until well after the first game tips off. That makes it hard to judge the Warrior’s fantasy value on sites that lock their lineups. For me, I will be avoiding the bigs completely and will be using a steady dose of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson throughout my lineups.