NBA Grind Down: Friday, March 27th
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 NBA Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review.
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Detroit at Orlando – 7:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Detroit -1.5, 196.5 Over/Under
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Jackson-Caldwell-Pope-Butler-Tolliver-Drummond
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Payton-Oladipo-Harris-Dedmon-Vucevic
| Detroit | Orlando | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 196.5 |  | Vegas Total | 196.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.5 | Vegas Sprd | 1.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 99.0 | Team Proj. | 97.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.47 | Team Pace | 95.96 | |||||||||
| 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 | Reggie Jackson | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Caron Butler | Anthony Tolliver | Andre Drummond | Proj Starter | Elfrid Payton | Victor Oladipo | Tobias Harris | Dewayne Dedmon | Nikola Vucevic | |
| Opp. Season | 21 | 12 | 30 | 23 | 22 | Opp. Season | 4 | 14 | 16 | 29 | 29 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 14 | 19 | 30 | 30 | 2 | Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 23 | 16 | |
Detroit
The Pistons still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, but they are going to have to go on a tear over the last few weeks of the regular season to do it. Tonight they head to Orlando to take on the Magic. Once again, they will be without their starting power forward, Greg Monroe. The Magic present us with an exploitable matchup, as they are ranked 25th in points allowed per game and 25th in rebounding differential this season.
Opponent Breakdown (Orlando)
Record: 22-51
Points Allowed Per Game: 102 (Rank: 25)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 26
Rebounding Differential Rank: 25
Elite Plays
Reggie Jackson (FanDuel: $7900, DraftKings: $8000 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 23.9)
With Greg Monroe out of the lineup, Jackson has really taken over offensively. Over his last five games, he has averaged 45 fantasy points per contest. He’s still only seeing around 33 minutes per game, but his increased role in the offense is more than enough reason to target him tonight. He also draws a favorable matchup against a Magic team that is ranked 21st against point guards this season.
Secondary Plays
Andre Drummond (FD: $9300, DK: $8600 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 21.3)
Drummond has also made the most of his increased opportunity with Greg Monroe out of the lineup. Over his last five games, he has averaged 43 fantasy points per contest. His price on FanDuel may be a bit too high (especially in cash games), but he’s priced affordably on DraftKings at only $8,600. Drummond makes a terrific tournament play against a Magic team that is ranked 22nd against centers this season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (FD: $5500, DK: $5200 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 18.8)
KCP has quietly strung together some very productive outings. Over his last five games, he has averaged 31 fantasy points in 38 minutes per contest. As long as he is seeing that type of playing time on a nightly basis, he deserves consideration as a value play at shooting guard. This may be the last night to target KCP before the masses realize how well he has been playing.
Orlando
The Magic have lost eight of their last ten games and have nothing to play for at this point in the season. They are listed as 1.5-point underdogs tonight against the Pistons. This is a mediocre matchup at best, as the Pistons are ranked 15th in points allowed per game and 10th in rebounding differential this season. The Magic are expected to have all five of their starters in the lineup, after Tobias Harris and Dewayne Dedmon have both missed some games over the last couple of weeks.
Opponent Breakdown (Detroit)
Record: 27-44
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.6 (Rank: 15)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 20
Rebounding Differential Rank: 10
Elite Plays
Nikola Vucevic (FD: $8000, DK: $7800 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 25.8)
Vucevic has scored at least 34 fantasy points in five of his last eight games and he draws a sneaky-good matchup against the Pistons. On the season, the Pistons have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. This game is also expected to stay close, which should help solidify his minutes in the rotation. He should be able to reach value tonight against Andre Drummond and the Pistons.
Secondary Plays
Elfrid Payton (FD: $7300, DK: $7800 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 18.4)
There is a TON of value at point guard tonight. Payton should not be targeted in cash games, but he makes an intriguing tournament play if you are looking to set your lineup apart from the rest. Payton has scored at least 37 fantasy points in five of his last seven games.
L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia – 7:00 PM
- Vegas Line – L.A. Clippers -12.5, 201.5 Over/Under
- L.A. Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Redick-Barnes-Griffin-Jordan
- Philadelphia Proj. Starters – Smith-Richardson-Sampson-Mbah a Moute-Noel
| L.A. Clippers | Philadelphia | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 201.5 |  | Vegas Total | 201.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -12.5 | Vegas Sprd | 12.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 107.0 | Team Proj. | 94.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.83 | Team Pace | 98.35 | |||||||||
| 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 | Chris Paul | J.J. Redick | Matt Barnes | Blake Griffin | DeAndre Jordan | Proj Starter | Ish Smith | Jason Richardson | Jakarr Sampson | Luc Mbah a Moute | Nerlens Noel | |
| Opp. Season | 24 | 29 | 15 | 25 | 30 | Opp. Season | 3 | 16 | 27 | 16 | 13 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 29 | Opp. Last 7 | 1 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 11 | |
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers demolished the Knicks in New York on Wednesday night. They may be in for a similar outing tonight against the Sixers. Los Angeles is listed as 12.5-point favorites in a game that features a total of 201.5 points. This is a favorable matchup by most accounts, but the potential blowout has to be factored in. The Sixers have absolutely nothing to play for at this point in the season.
Opponent Breakdown (Philadelphia)
Record: 18-54
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.2 (Rank: 17)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 10
Rebounding Differential Rank: 27
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Chris Paul (FD: $10800, DK: $9900), Blake Griffin (FD: $9200, DK: $8900), and DeAndre Jordan (FD: $9200, DK: $8300)are all viable plays in tournaments. Given the potential for a blowout, they are risky options in cash games.
Philadelphia
The Sixers have won five of their last ten games. Sixers fans have to be wondering why their team is trying so hard, after basically tanking the entire season. The good news for Sixers’ fans is that they have little chance of picking up a win tonight against the Clippers. The Sixers are huge underdogs at home with their team total set at only 94.5 points.
Opponent Breakdown (L.A. Clippers)
Record: 47-25
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.2 (Rank: 17)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 17
Rebounding Differential Rank: 18
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Nerlens Noel (FD: $7700, DK: $7800 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 16.9)
Noel is the one Sixers’ player that is on my radar tonight. He has been terrific over his last ten games, averaging 37 fantasy points per contest. During that stretch, he has topped the 40 fantasy point mark five times. He draws a mediocre matchup against the Clippers, who are ranked 13th against centers this season.
Charlotte at Washington – 7:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Washington -3.5, 188.5 Over/Under
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Henderson-Kidd-Gilchrist-Williams-Jefferson
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
| Charlotte | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 188.5 |  | Vegas Total | 188.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 3.5 | Vegas Sprd | -3.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 92.5 | Team Proj. | 96.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.52 | Team Pace | 95.92 | |||||||||
| 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 | Kemba Walker | Gerald Henderson | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Marvin Williams | Al Jefferson | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 16 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 3 | Opp. Season | 10 | 10 | 3 | 19 | 6 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 7 | 24 | 22 | 21 | Opp. Last 7 | 21 | 3 | 22 | 25 | 23 | |
Charlotte
The Hornets have lost seven of their last ten games. They are blowing their chance to grab a hold of one of the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Luckily, the other teams in the East are all faltering as well and they are still only a half-game behind the Celtics. The Hornets draw a tough matchup tonight against the Wizards, who are ranked in the top ten in points allowed per game and rebounding differential. The Hornets’ team total is set at only 92.5 points.
Opponent Breakdown (Washington)
Record: 40-32
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.7 (Rank: 8)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 6
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Kemba Walker (FD: $7600, DK: $7200 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 26)
Walker has played well over his last four games, averaging 35 fantasy points per contest. The Hornets are in must-win mode from here on out and he’ll likely push for 35+ minutes tonight against a Wizards’ defense that is ranked dead last against point guards over the last seven days. Walker will also see a small boost if Mo Williams (questionable) is unable to play tonight.
Washington
The Wizards are looking to end their four-game losing streak tonight, as they host the Hornets. The Wizards have been past by the Cavaliers, Bulls, and Raptors and are now on the outside looking in terms of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They draw a difficult matchup for fantasy production tonight, as the Hornets are a slow-paced team that has held their opponents to the fourth-fewest points per game this season.
Opponent Breakdown (Charlotte)
Record: 30-40
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.9 (Rank: 4)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 12
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
John Wall (FD: $9500, DK: $8600 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 25.2)
With all the value at point guard, it’s hard to justify targeting Wall in cash games tonight. For that reason, he is listed as a secondary option against the Hornets. Wall deserves consideration in tournaments though, as he has played well over the last couple of weeks. He has also played well at home this season, averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists per game.
Miami at Atlanta – 7:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Atlanta -8.5, 196.5 Over/Under
- Miami Proj. Starters – Dragic-Chalmers-Deng-Walker-Haslem
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Schroder-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
| Miami | Atlanta | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 196.5 |  | Vegas Total | 196.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 8.5 | Vegas Sprd | -8.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.0 | Team Proj. | 102.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.12 | Team Pace | 96.32 | |||||||||
| 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 | Goran Dragic | Mario Chalmers | Luol Deng | Henry Walker | Udonis Haslem | Proj Starter | Dennis Schroder | Kyle Korver | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | |
| Opp. Season | 15 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 9 | Opp. Season | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 11 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 15 | Opp. Last 7 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 19 | |
Miami
The Heat are expected to be without Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside tonight, as they take on the Hawks in Atlanta. They are large underdogs in this game that could easily turn into a blowout. While a blowout is never something we like to see in daily fantasy basketball, the injury situation has opened the door for a couple of fantasy options tonight.
Opponent Breakdown (Atlanta)
Record: 54-17
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.2 (Rank: 5)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 8
Rebounding Differential Rank: 29
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Goran Dragic (FD: $6900, DK: $7000 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 21.3)
Dragic is going to have to shoulder the load offensively tonight. If the Heat are going to have any chance of keeping this game close, they will need a big outing from the dragon. He played well with Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside out on Wednesday, scoring 35 fantasy points in 33 minutes of action. There may be too much value to use him in cash games, but he’s an excellent tournament play against the Hawks.
Mario Chalmers (FD: $4500, DK: $3900 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 18.9)
Chalmers is a DraftKings-specific play. Not only is he priced under $4,000 on that site, but we are also able to roster three point guards on DK. Chalmers has played well with Dwyane Wade out of the lineup this season and only needs around 20 fantasy points to reach value.
Atlanta
The Hawks will be without Jeff Teague tonight. He rolled his ankle on Wednesday night and has already been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Heat. Dennis Schroder will draw the start in his place and is one of the many great value plays at point guard tonight. The rest of the Hawks’ players can be avoided. The Heat are ranked third in points allowed per game this season and this game has the potential to turn into a blowout.
Opponent Breakdown (Miami)
Record: 33-38
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.7 (Rank: 3)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 19
Rebounding Differential Rank: 24
Elite Plays
Dennis Schroder (FD: $5400, DK: $4600 / MPG: 20 / Usage Rate: 26.9)
With Jeff Teague out of the lineup, Schroder will draw the start at point guard. He offers terrific value at his price point, especially on DraftKings. Schroder has played well recently, averaging 25 fantasy points in 25 minutes per game over his last ten outings. He should push for 30+ minutes tonight against the Heat.
Secondary Plays
None
Cleveland at Brooklyn – 7:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -9, 207.5 Over/Under
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Smith-James-Love-Mozgov
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Brown-Bogdanovic-Johnson-Lopez
| Cleveland | Brooklyn | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 207.5 |  | Vegas Total | 207.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -9.0 | Vegas Sprd | 9.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 108.3 | Team Proj. | 99.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.76 | Team Pace | 94.87 | |||||||||
| 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 | Kyrie Irving | J.R. Smith | LeBron James | Kevin Love | Timofey Mozgov | Proj Starter | Deron Williams | Markel Brown | Bojan Bogdanovic | Joe Johnson | Brook Lopez | |
| Opp. Season | 11 | 27 | 9 | 28 | 19 | Opp. Season | 12 | 21 | 21 | 10 | 14 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 2 | 15 | 28 | 16 | 26 | Opp. Last 7 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 10 | |
Cleveland
The Cavaliers crushed the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday night. They are proving that they are title contenders. Tonight they head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets in a game that features little fantasy appeal. The Nets are a decent matchup, but the Cavaliers have been blowing teams out left and right over the last few weeks. The Cavaliers are listed as 9-point favorites tonight in Brooklyn.
Opponent Breakdown (Brooklyn)
Record: 30-40
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.7 (Rank: 19)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 23
Rebounding Differential Rank: 26
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Kevin Love (FD: $7300, DK: $7000 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 21.6)
Love should fly under the radar tonight. He has been an afterthought all season and no one seems to be paying attention to the fact that his price is at an all-time low. Love is coming off of a 40 fantasy point outing against the Grizzlies and he draws one of the best matchups on the board. The Nets have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season. Love is a great tournament play and a decent cash game option as well.
Brooklyn
The Nets will be without Thaddeus Young tonight, as they host the red-hot Cavaliers. Bojan Bogdanovic and Mason Plumlee will likely be the biggest beneficiaries in Young’s absence, but neither player is a recommended option against Cleveland. The Cavaliers are ranked 11th in points allowed per game and 8th in rebounding differential this season. There is only one Nets’ player of note in this game.
Opponent Breakdown (Cleveland)
Record: 47-26
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.6 (Rank: 11)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 21
Rebounding Differential Rank: 8
Elite Plays
Brook Lopez (FD: $7800, DK: $7100 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 26.5)
Lopez has been on a tear over his last ten games, averaging 38 fantasy points in 33 minutes per game. He should see a small boost with Thaddeus Young out of the lineup and he’ll likely be the Nets’ go-to scorer tonight against the Cavaliers. If this game stays close, Lopez could push for 35+ minutes. He offers great upside at his price point, especially on DraftKings.
Secondary Plays
None