NBA Grind Down: Friday, March 7th

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2014-03-07 20:54:33

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: Any 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

Click ‘Stat Chart’ Buttons Below for Pop-Ups of Essential Game-Specific Statistics including Defense vs. Position and Pace

Memphis at Chicago

Vegas Line – Pick ‘Em, 178 Over/Under
Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Prince-Randolph-Gasol
Chicago Proj. Starters – Hinrich-Butler-Dunleavy-Boozer-Noah

Memphis/Chicago

There are 11 games on the schedule tonight so we will try to get through these as painlessly as possible. The analysis for each game will try to focus on the picks instead of the team. The first game of the night features 2 of the top 3 defenses in the league. Both of these teams average 93 possessions per game or less and are each giving up less than 96 points per game to their opponents. Even though this game is expected to stay close, a game with a total in the 170’s is never good for potential fantasy output. Avoid this game and look elsewhere.

Cleveland at Charlotte

Vegas Line – Charlotte -5, 193.5 Over/Under
Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Waiters-Deng-Thompson-Hawes
Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Douglas-Roberts-Kidd-Gilchrist-McRoberts-Jefferson

Cleveland

The Cavs travel to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats who despite giving up huge games to Carmelo and LeBron, have been very solid defensively this season. The Bobcats are ranked in the top 10 in terms of points allowed per game as well as defensive efficiency. The Bobcats are ranked 19th or better against all five positions on the floor in terms of fantasy points allowed. That said, I don’t mind Spencer Hawes in this one. With Anderson Varejao still out, Hawes makes a solid mid-range option at Center.

Kyrie Irving – Even though Kyrie has much better splits at home, he has really picked up his play of late. Over his last 5 games, he is averaging over 40 FP’s per game. He has a nice matchup against the Bobcats who have been below average defensively against the PG position this season.

Charlotte

The Bobcats have a favorable matchup tonight against the Cavs who are giving up 101.5 points per game. This game is expected to stay close too which always helps the fantasy value of the stud players. The Bobcats will be without Gerald Henderson again tonight as the Bobcats are going to give him the weekend off in order to rest his strained calf. Chris Douglas-Roberts will draw another start at SG. He is still close to minimum salary on most sites and he played well the other night.

Al Jefferson – Jefferson has been on a tear over the past two months and has a solid matchup against Hawes and the Cavs tonight. Even though the Cavs have been pretty good at defending the Center position, Jefferson is coming off of a great game against the Pacers and I don’t see him having problems with Hawes tonight. Jefferson has a 29.8% usage rate on the season and should be treated as the top Center in play tonight.

Kemba Walker – Walker is one of my favorite plays tonight. He is very affordable on most fantasy sites and he has quite a few things in his favor. First, and most importantly is his matchup against Kyrie and the Cavs who have surrendered the 3rd most FP’s to opposing PG’s on the season. Walker is also playing at home where he has averaged over 33 FP’s per game this season.

Sacramento at Toronto

Vegas Line – Toronto -6, 205 Over/Under
Sacramento Proj. Starters – Thomas-McLemore-Gay-Thompson-Cousins
Toronto Proj. Starters – Lowry-Derozan-Ross-Johnson-Valanciunas

Sacramento

The Kings travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors in what will be a revenge game for Rudy Gay. He played well against the Raptors in their first meeting and offers a nice upside play tonight. I don’t think he will be finding his way onto any of my cash games, but I do like him as an upside play for a GPP. The Raptors have been solid defensively this season, ranking 14th or better against all five positions on the floor in terms of fantasy points allowed. Isaiah Thomas should be avoided if possible, Kyle Lowry is a very tough defender and should be able to slow him down.

DeMarcus Cousins – Tonight is the night to get a little spendy at the Center position. Cousins is another solid option. He leads all Centers with a 32.3% usage rate which is actually the 2nd highest in the league for all players. The Raptors have been pretty stout down low, but Cousins can play well in any matchup when his mind is right.

Toronto

The Raptors have a favorable matchup tonight against the Kings who are giving up 103.9 points per game this season which is the 4th most in the NBA. The Kings are ranked 12th against Centers this season, but are ranked 21st or worse against the other 4 positions on the floor. The two players to target here are the guards of the Raptors.

Kyle Lowry – Since the All-Star break, Lowry is averaging 18 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game which equates to over 40 FP’s per game. Tonight he is facing a Kings’ defense that has struggled against PG’s this season. This game should be a fast-paced game and with Lowry’s 21.1% usage rate this season, he should be heavily involved offensively.

DeMar DeRozan – DeRozan is one of the top SG’s tonight. He has a terrific matchup against McLemore and the Kings who have surrendered the most FP’s to SG’s over the last 15 days. It may not be a bad idea to pair the two guards as they can play well together and both have great matchups.

Brooklyn at Boston

Vegas Line – Brooklyn -4, 197 Over/Under
Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Livingston-Johnson-Pierce-Garnett
Boston Proj. Starters – Rondo-Bayless-Green-Sullinger-Bass

Brooklyn

The Nets will be without Kevin Garnett again tonight which means Mason Plumlee will get another start at Center. Garnett’s absence also give a small fantasy boost to Andray Blatche. Of the two, Blatche is the much better fantasy option. Joe Johnson is questionable for this game, if he can’t go, bump up both Shaun Livingston and Marcus Thornton. The Celtics are a fairly slow paced team, but they have not been great on the defensive end of the floor. They are ranked 16th or worse against SG’s, SF’s, and Centers.

Shaun Livingston – Livingston is a nice punt option tonight. He is close to minimum salary on both FD and DK and has averaged 20 FP’s over his last 4 games. Livingston has a nice matchup against the much smaller Bayless and he should be able to use that height advantage in the post. Plus, Livingston would see a boost if Johnson has to sit out.

Boston

This game is interesting because it will be the 2nd time that Paul Pierce has faced his former team and it will be the 1st time that Rajon Rondo has faced his former teammates. The Nets are ranked in the top 10 in terms of points allowed as they are giving up less than 100 points per game. While it’s not the best matchup for the C’s, there are two play here that have caught my eye.

Rajon Rondo – Rondo will want to put on a show against his former teammates and he has a decent matchup against Deron Williams who has never been known for his defense. Rondo really disappointed the other night against the Warriors, but the C’s were out of that game early. Expect a nice bounce back game from Rondo.

Jerryd Bayless – Bayless is playing major minutes right now because the C’s have had quite a few injuries at the SG position. Bayless has a nice matchup against the Nets who are ranked 24th against the SG position. He has a great chance to top 20 FP’s here.

Utah at New York

Vegas Line – New York -6.5, 197 Over/Under
Utah Proj. Starters – Burke-Hayward-Jefferson-Williams-Favors
New York Proj. Starters – Felton-Smith-Anthony-Stoudemire-Chandler

Utah

The Jazz have not been a great road team this season and even though they are facing a struggling Knicks team, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this game turn into a blowout. As far as the matchup goes, this game does line up well for Gordon Hayward. The Knicks are ranked 27th against SG’s this season and Hayward has great upside. That said, he is also a risky play so I would recommend only using him in GPP’s. The rest of the Jazz players are easy to avoid tonight.

New York

The Knicks face a very slow paced Jazz team that is giving up 100.6 points per game. The two positions that the Jazz have struggled against this season are the PG and Center positions, but neither Raymond Felton nor Tyson Chandler look like great plays. Carmelo Anthony is averaging close to 45 FP’s per game at home this season, but if you are paying up for a stud tonight, I think there are better options.

Amare Stoudemire – Amar’e has really turned back the clock. In his last two games he is averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds. His play should draw him another start tonight and his price is still cheap on both FD and DK. He makes a nice punt play at the PF position.