NBA Grind Down: Friday, March 20th - Page Three
New Orleans at Golden State – 10:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Golden State -13, 202 Over/Under
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Evans-Gordon-Pondexter-Cunningham-Asik
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Holiday-Barnes-Green-Bogut
| New Orleans | Golden State | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 202 |  | Vegas Total | 202 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 13.0 | Vegas Sprd | -13.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.50 | Team Proj. | 107.50 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.99 | Team Pace | 100.89 | |||||||||
| 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 | Quincy Pondexter | Anthony Davis | Omer Asik | Proj Starter | Stephen Curry | Justin Holiday | Harrison Barnes | Draymond Green | Andrew Bogut | |
| Opp. Season | 7 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 20 | Opp. Season | 17 | 18 | 9 | 6 | 12 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 23 | 22 | 30 | 15 | Opp. Last 7 | 6 | 27 | 4 | 2 | 26 | |
New Orleans
The Pelicans lost a tough game to the Suns last night in Phoenix. They now have to turn around and play the Warriors in the second half of back-to-back road games. Omer Asik and Anthony Davis are both questionable for tonight’s game. Their availability really changes the appeal for the rest of the Pelicans’ players. It’s tough to break down this game until we have an update on both players, which may not happen until well after the first games tip off.
Opponent Breakdown (Golden State)
Record: 54-13
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.5 (Rank: 14)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 1
Rebounding Differential Rank: 17
Elite Plays
TBD – Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon would both see a huge boost if Anthony Davis is unable to play tonight. Both would be asked to carry the load offensively tonight against the Warriors.
Secondary Plays
TBD – Dante Cunningham and Alexis Ajinca would both see a major boost if Anthony Davis and Omer Asik are both ruled out.
Golden State
The Warriors picked up a big win over the Hawks on Wednesday night. I’m a little concerned with tonight’s game against the Pelicans, as Steve Kerr would love to get his starters some rest if the Warriors get up big early. If Anthony Davis doesn’t suit up tonight, this game could easily be over by halftime. For that reason, I will likely be avoiding both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in cash games, as we have to pay a premium for both players.
Opponent Breakdown (New Orleans)
Record: 37-31
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.7 (Rank: 11)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 25
Rebounding Differential Rank: 5
Elite Plays
Harrison Barnes (FD: $4300, DK: $4300 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 14.4)
Klay Thompson will not play tonight, which means Harrison Barnes should see a boost in minutes and usage. Barnes played well in his first start with Thompson out, scoring 32 fantasy points against the Hawks. His splits at home have been much better than they have on the road this season, which is another reason to consider Barnes tonight. He offers great value tonight on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
Andre Iguodala (FD: $5200, DK: $4400 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 12.9)
Iguodala also played well in the first game without Klay Thompson in the lineup. He played 29 minutes and scored 37 fantasy points. Barnes is the preferred play on FanDuel ($900 cheaper), but it’s going to be tough deciding between the two on DraftKings ($100 price difference).
Secondary Plays
None
Washington at L.A. Clippers – 10:30 PM
- Vegas Line – L.A. Clippers -6.5, 203 Over/Under
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
- L.A. Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Redick-Turkoglu-Griffin-Jordan
| Washington | L.A. Clippers | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203 |  | Vegas Total | 203 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 6.50 | Vegas Sprd | -6.50 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98.25 | Team Proj. | 104.75 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.78 | Team Pace | 96.81 | |||||||||
| 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 | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | Proj Starter | Chris Paul | J.J. Redick | Hedo Turkoglu | Blake Griffin | DeAndre Jordan | |
| Opp. Season | 3 | 15 | 28 | 14 | 13 | Opp. Season | 8 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 17 | 16 | 29 | 4 | 23 | Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 10 | |
Washington
John Wall is dealing with an ankle injury and he is listed as questionable ahead of tonight’s game against the Clippers. If Wall is unable to suit up, Ramon Sessions would draw the start at point guard. The Wizards are listed as 6.5-point underdogs in this game, but it does have a high total of 203 points.
Opponent Breakdown (L.A. Clippers)
Record: 44-25
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.5 (Rank: 18)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 17
Rebounding Differential Rank: 18
Elite Plays
Bradley Beal (FD: $5800, DK: $5800 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 22.1)
This is a great time to buy low on Beal. Even with 11 games on the schedule tonight, shooting guard is a very thin position. Beal’s price is depressed and his minutes are trending upward. Both of which help his fantasy appeal against a Clippers’ team that has struggled against talented wing players. Beal only needs 29 fantasy points to reach value, which he is more than capable of. Beal would also see a boost if John Wall is unable to suit up.
Secondary Plays
None
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers are a tough team to target right now in daily fantasy basketball. They have four very productive fantasy players, but they are all cutting into each other’s production. While they are favorites tonight against the Wizards, this is not a matchup that we need to go out of our way to target. The Wizards are ranked in the top seven in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential this season.
Opponent Breakdown (Washington)
Record: 40-28
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.1 (Rank: 7)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 3
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
None