Sign In $

NBA Grind Down: Friday, November 27th - Page Two

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2015-11-27 22:19:55

grind%20down%20article%20faq

Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets – 8:00 PM

Philadelphia 76ers Houston Rockets
philadelphianba Vegas Total 198.5 houstonnba Vegas Total 198.5
Vegas Sprd 10.5 Vegas Sprd -10.5
Team Proj. 94.0 Team Proj. 104.5
Team Pace 99.60 Team Pace 100.10
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 T.J. McConnell Isaiah Canaan Robert Covington Nerlens Noel Jahlil Okafor Proj. Starter Jason Terry James Harden Trevor Ariza Terrence Jones Dwight Howard
Opp. Season 24 23 27 30 17 Opp. Season 21 5 29 28 24
Opp. Last 7 19 23 21 24 11 Opp. Last 7 10 11 18 28 21

Philadelphia 76ers (Record: 0-16, Road: 0-9)

The Sixers were so so close to getting their first win of the season. However, I pulled the ultimate Twitter jinx with just under two minutes left in their game against the Celtics on Wednesday. Eventually, the Sixers did what they do best, they fell apart and lost their 16th game in a row. Their first win will come eventually, but I have a hard time seeing it happen tonight against the Rockets.

The Rockets have been awful defensively this season. They are ranked 22nd or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game. Vegas doesn’t seem to have any faith in the Sixers though, as their team total is still set at only 94 points.

Despite a low team total, there are still two fantasy options that are on my radar here. Robert Covington has really played well in his last five games, averaging 27.3 fantasy points per contest. Now that he is back in the starting lineup, he deserves consideration in all league formats. Isaiah Canaan is also an elite play tonight at his cheap price point. As long as he draws another start, he should see 30+ minutes of playing time against the Rockets.

Elite Plays

Robert Covington

FD — $5,700
DK — $5,100
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 19.1 | Last Five Games: 19.2
Min/Game — Season: 27.4 | Last Five Games: 29.8
FP/Game — Season: 23.0 | Last Five Games: 27.3

Isaiah Canaan

FD — $4,100
DK — $3,900
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 17.2 | Last Five Games: 17.8
Min/Game — Season: 25.4 | Last Five Games: 25.5
FP/Game — Season: 17.0 | Last Five Games: 18.3

Secondary Plays

Jahlil Okafor

FD — $6,600
DK — $7,000
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 22.3 | Last Five Games: 20.5
Min/Game — Season: 33.5 | Last Five Games: 32.9
FP/Game — Season: 31.1 | Last Five Games: 29.9

Houston Rockets (Record: 5-10, Home: 3-7)

The Rockets have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season. They are 5-10 with a 3-7 record at home. Luckily, they get to face the team with the worst record in the NBA tonight. The Rockets are 10.5-point favorites against the Sixers.

With an 0-16 record, it’s no surprise that the Sixers have been bad defensively. On the season, they are ranked 19th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game. The Rockets have an implied team total of 104.5 points, which is the seventh highest of the 24 teams in action.

This game does have the potential to turn into a blowout, which does limit the fantasy appeal of the Rockets. There is a massive difference in talent between these two teams and I’m always a little wary of targeting players in games that have double-digit point spreads. James Harden and Dwight Howard are both borderline elite plays here, but again, you have to be comfortable with the fact that they may only see three quarters of action. Terrence Jones and Trevor Ariza are secondary options.

Elite Plays

James Harden

FD — $10,400
DK — $10,100
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 27.7 | Last Five Games: 25.8
Min/Game — Season: 39.1 | Last Five Games: 38.4
FP/Game — Season: 47.0 | Last Five Games: 49.3

Dwight Howard

FD — $8,100
DK — $7,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 14.0 | Last Five Games: 9.4
Min/Game — Season: 32.7 | Last Five Games: 36.3
FP/Game — Season: 33.8 | Last Five Games: 30.6

Secondary Plays

Trevor Ariza

FD — $6,000
DK — $5,700
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 14.5 | Last Five Games: 15.9
Min/Game — Season: 35.6 | Last Five Games: 36.1
FP/Game — Season: 24.6 | Last Five Games: 27.6

Terrence Jones

FD — $5,700
DK — $5,900
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 17.5 | Last Five Games: 17.1
Min/Game — Season: 26.8 | Last Five Games: 28.6
FP/Game — Season: 22.1 | Last Five Games: 20.3

Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder – 8:00 PM

Detroit Pistons Oklahoma City Thunder
detroitnba Vegas Total 206.5 oklahomacitynba Vegas Total 206.5
Vegas Sprd 7.5 Vegas Sprd -7.5
Team Proj. 99.5 Team Proj. 107.0
Team Pace 97.00 Team Pace 101.10
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 Marcus Morris Ersan Ilyasova Andre Drummond Proj. Starter Russell Westbrook Andre Roberson Kevin Durant Serge Ibaka Steven Adams
Opp. Season 11 25 14 16 9 Opp. Season 9 17 2 21 5
Opp. Last 7 11 10 15 8 14 Opp. Last 7 20 15 4 4 22

Detroit Pistons (Record: 8-7, Road: 4-5)

The Pistons have lost six of their last ten games, after a very nice start to the season. They will likely be in for another defeat tonight, as they are 7.5-point underdogs against the Thunder in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder have been mediocre defensively this season. They are ranked right around the league average in defensive efficiency and fantasy points allowed per game. The Pistons have an implied team total of 99.5 points, which is nearly three points higher than their season average.

Andre Drummond is the top fantasy option here, but he draws a difficult matchup against the Thunder, who have one of the best defending front-courts in the NBA. Drummond is worth a look in tournaments, but there are better plays at center for cash games. Marcus Morris should log heavy minutes once again tonight. He is a safe play at small forward. And finally, we have Reggie Jackson facing his former team. I don’t buy into narratives often, but Jackson seems like the type of player that would love to stick it to his former team.

Elite Plays

NONE

Secondary Plays

Andre Drummond

FD — $9,600
DK — $9,100
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 20.0 | Last Five Games: 18.9
Min/Game — Season: 35.6 | Last Five Games: 32.5
FP/Game — Season: 45.0 | Last Five Games: 41.8

Reggie Jackson

FD — $7,500
DK — $7,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 26.7 | Last Five Games: 26.3
Min/Game — Season: 30.9 | Last Five Games: 28.7
FP/Game — Season: 31.8 | Last Five Games: 32.4

Marcus Morris

FD — $5,900
DK — $6,000
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 17.2 | Last Five Games: 16.2
Min/Game — Season: 36.6 | Last Five Games: 34.2
FP/Game — Season: 26.4 | Last Five Games: 24.2

Oklahoma City Thunder (Record: 10-6, Home: 7-3)

The Thunder have won three games in a row and seven of their last ten. They are now sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings. The Thunder are listed as 7.5-point favorites tonight against the Pistons at home.

The Pistons have struggled offensively this season, but they have been stout on the defensive end of the floor. They are ranked seventh or better in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game. Despite the difficult matchup, the Thunder are still projected to score 107 points tonight, which is the fifth highest on the schedule.

Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are both in play tonight at home, however they are both fade-able as well. Neither player has a great individual matchup and this should be a pace-down game for the Thunder. I don’t mind targeting Westbrook OR Durant, although on a night with a full slate of games, I wouldn’t use them both in the same lineup.

Elite Plays

NONE

Secondary Plays

Russell Westbrook

FD — $11,600
DK — $11,100
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 30.9 | Last Five Games: 32.2
Min/Game — Season: 34.8 | Last Five Games: 34.6
FP/Game — Season: 53.5 | Last Five Games: 57.0

Kevin Durant

FD — $10,200
DK — $9,600
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 25.2 | Last Five Games: 21.2
Min/Game — Season: 34.5 | Last Five Games: 33.7
FP/Game — Season: 43.4 | Last Five Games: 44.7

Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers – 8:00 PM

Chicago Bulls Indiana Pacers
chicagonba Vegas Total 198.0 indiananba Vegas Total 198.0
Vegas Sprd 3.0 Vegas Sprd -3.0
Team Proj. 97.5 Team Proj. 100.5
Team Pace 100.10 Team Pace 99.10
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 Nikola Mirotic Pau Gasol Proj. Starter George Hill Monta Ellis C.J. Miles Paul George Ian Mahinmi
Opp. Season 1 27 6 8 18 Opp. Season 25 10 24 1 23
Opp. Last 7 1 26 2 15 26 Opp. Last 7 26 7 16 14 18

Chicago Bulls (Record: 9-4, Road: 4-3)

The Bulls are off to a nice start this season with a 9-4 record. They haven’t been great on the road, but a 4-3 record isn’t terrible either. They draw a tough matchup tonight against the Pacers, who look like a team that that can compete in the unusually tough Eastern Conference.

The Pacers are one of the toughest matchups in daily fantasy basketball. They are ranked fourth in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game. The Bulls are only projected to score 97.5 points tonight, which is 2.5 points lower than their season average. With a difficult matchup and such a well-balanced offense, I will be fading the Bulls tonight.

Elite Plays

NONE

Secondary Plays

NONE

Indiana Pacers (Record: 9-5, Home: 5-2)

After a shaky start to the season, the Pacers have won three games in a row and eight of their last ten. With Paul George playing at an elite level, this could be a team to be reckoned with come playoff time. The Pacers are 3-point favorites tonight, as they host the visiting Bulls.

The Bulls have played better defense recently. They are now ranked tenth in points allowed per game and sixth in defensive efficiency. The Pacers have an implied team total of 100.5 points tonight, which is slightly lower than their season average. Paul George remains an elite play in all league formats. He has averaged 47.5 fantasy points per game over his last five.

Elite Plays

Paul George

FD — $9,900
DK — $10,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 26.1 | Last Five Games: 27.3
Min/Game — Season: 35.6 | Last Five Games: 34.9
FP/Game — Season: 43.2 | Last Five Games: 47.5

Secondary Plays

C.J. Miles

FD — $5,200
DK — $5,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 19.0 | Last Five Games: 22.5
Min/Game — Season: 27.6 | Last Five Games: 27.0
FP/Game — Season: 22.5 | Last Five Games: 26.6

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets – 9:00 PM

San Antonio Spurs Denver Nuggets
sanantonionba Vegas Total 196.5 denvernba Vegas Total 196.5
Vegas Sprd -8.5 Vegas Sprd 8.5
Team Proj. 102.5 Team Proj. 94.0
Team Pace 96.50 Team Pace 99.50
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 Tony Parker Danny Green Kawhi Leonard David West LaMarcus Aldridge Proj. Starter Emmanuel Mudiay Gary Harris Danilo Gallinari Darrell Arthur Nikola Jokic
Opp. Season 28 30 10 22 27 Opp. Season 23 1 1 4 1
Opp. Last 7 28 25 14 29 30 Opp. Last 7 13 5 3 23 1

San Antonio Spurs (Record: 12-3, Road: 4-3)

The Spurs are 12-3 to start the season and now that we are a month into the season, we can expect a lot of Popovich-type things from Greg Popovich. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are both getting the night off, as neither player traveled with the team for tonight’s contest against the Nuggets.

In the least surprising news of the season, the Nuggets are still bad defensively. They have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA for years and it appears that they will uphold that tradition this season. They are ranked 24th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game. The Spurs have an implied team total of 102.5 points tonight, which is three points higher than their season average.

With Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili out, Boris Diaw, David West, and Danny Green should all see a small fantasy boost. Green is the preferred play of the three, as he could get plenty of open looks tonight against the Nuggets. Kawhi Leonard is the one player that needs to be considered in all league formats. He has been terrific this season. With a high turnover-adjusted usage rate and an ability to fill up the stat sheet, he is one of my favorite plays at any position tonight.

Elite Plays

Kawhi Leonard

FD — $8,800
DK — $8,400
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 22.2 | Last Five Games: 20.9
Min/Game — Season: 34.9 | Last Five Games: 38.3
FP/Game — Season: 39.3 | Last Five Games: 41.3

Secondary Plays

LaMarcus Aldridge

FD — $7,800
DK — $6,800
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 21.2 | Last Five Games: 22.9
Min/Game — Season: 31.3 | Last Five Games: 32.8
FP/Game — Season: 30.4 | Last Five Games: 32.7

Tony Parker

FD — $5,500
DK — $5,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 18.3 | Last Five Games: 19.7
Min/Game — Season: 28.6 | Last Five Games: 32.7
FP/Game — Season: 23.3 | Last Five Games: 32.2

Danny Green

FD — $4,300
DK — $4,500
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 13.7 | Last Five Games: 14.8
Min/Game — Season: 28.7 | Last Five Games: 29.6
FP/Game — Season: 17.9 | Last Five Games: 20.0

Denver Nuggets (Record: 6-9, Home: 3-5)

The Nuggets are 6-9 to start the season, which isn’t too bad considering their lack of depth. Denver will be without Kenneth Faried tonight, but they are hoping to have Joffrey Lauvergne back. Darrell Arthur and Nikola Jokic will continue to see extended playing time in Faried’s absence.

The Spurs are the worst matchup in daily fantasy basketball. They are ranked first in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game this season. They also have the second highest point differential of any team. Even without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, the Nuggets are still 8.5-point underdogs. Nikola Jokic and Darrell Arthur are the only players on my radar in this one.

Elite Plays

NONE

Secondary Plays

Nikola Jokic

FD — $4,400
DK — $4,600
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 16.5 | Last Five Games: 18.9
Min/Game — Season: 17.0 | Last Five Games: 20.4
FP/Game — Season: 17.2 | Last Five Games: 24.1

Darrell Arthur

FD — $3,800
DK — $4,000
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 14.1 | Last Five Games: 17.1
Min/Game — Season: 19.1 | Last Five Games: 25.1
FP/Game — Season: 13.4 | Last Five Games: 18.7

Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns – 9:30 PM

Golden State Warriors Phoenix Suns
goldenstatenba Vegas Total 215.5 phoenixnba Vegas Total 215.5
Vegas Sprd -8.5 Vegas Sprd 8.5
Team Proj. 112.0 Team Proj. 103.5
Team Pace 101.80 Team Pace 102.60
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 Stephen Curry Klay Thompson Harrison Barnes Draymond Green Andrew Bogut Proj. Starter Eric Bledsoe Brandon Knight P.J. Tucker Markieff Morris
Opp. Season 22 19 26 6 4 Opp. Season 20 8 4 13 10
Opp. Last 7 24 22 24 19 2 Opp. Last 7 2 16 19 20 6

Golden State Warriors (Record: 16-0, Road: 7-0)

The Warriors are a perfect 16-0 on the season. They have made it look easy, as they have won each game by an average of 15.6 points. Even though tonight’s game against the Suns is on the road, the Warriors are still listed as 8.5-point favorites.

The Suns have been mediocre defensively this season. They are ranked between 14th and 20th in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game. We can safely throw all defensive statistics out when it comes to the Warriors though, as the most matchup-proof team in the NBA. The Warriors have an implied team total of 112 points tonight, which once again, is the highest on the board.

The main question for the Warriors isn’t whether or not they have a favorable matchup, it’s whether or not their opponent can keep the game close. The Warriors have the potential to blowout any team that they face, but the Suns could keep this game competitive at home. If they can keep the score within ten or so, the Warriors’ starters will see a full complement of minutes, which doesn’t happen all that often. Stephen Curry is an elite play in all league formats tonight. Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala are all viable secondary options.

Elite Plays

Stephen Curry

FD — $10,900
DK — $10,900
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 28.7 | Last Five Games: 28.3
Min/Game — Season: 34.8 | Last Five Games: 34.0
FP/Game — Season: 49.1 | Last Five Games: 46.3

Secondary Plays

Draymond Green

FD — $7,700
DK — $7,500
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 14.8 | Last Five Games: 13.1
Min/Game — Season: 33.4 | Last Five Games: 32.4
FP/Game — Season: 34.4 | Last Five Games: 31.3

Harrison Barnes

FD — $5,300
DK — $5,700
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 15.3 | Last Five Games: 13.4
Min/Game — Season: 30.7 | Last Five Games: 31.0
FP/Game — Season: 23.8 | Last Five Games: 23.6

Andre Iguodala

FD — $5,000
DK — $5,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 11.8 | Last Five Games: 9.7
Min/Game — Season: 28.5 | Last Five Games: 28.0
FP/Game — Season: 23.1 | Last Five Games: 23.3

Phoenix Suns (Record: 7-8, Home: 5-4)

The Suns are looking to get back to .500 on the season with a win tonight. Unfortunately, to do so, they will have to hand the Warriors their first loss of the season. The Suns are 8.5-point underdogs at home, but this could be a great game to target, as the total is set at a whopping 215.5 points.

The Warriors are still an elite defense, but they have shown some cracks recently. The Suns have an implied team total of 103.5 points tonight, which is still well above the average for the 24 teams in action. Brandon Knight is the top target here. He has been on fire recently, averaging 41.5 fantasy points over his last five games. Markieff Morris has also picked up his play and he is still priced at a discount across the industry. The main issue with Morris is his matchup against Draymond Green. Eric Bledsoe could make an interesting tournament target. The masses should be scared off of him, as this is only his second game back from injury.

Elite Plays

Brandon Knight

FD — $7,900
DK — $8,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 23.1 | Last Five Games: 24.3
Min/Game — Season: 35.7 | Last Five Games: 38.5
FP/Game — Season: 36.4 | Last Five Games: 41.5

Secondary Plays

Eric Bledsoe

FD — $8,500
DK — $8,400
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 24.2 | Last Five Games: 23.4
Min/Game — Season: 34.4 | Last Five Games: 37.0
FP/Game — Season: 37.7 | Last Five Games: 36.5

Markieff Morris

FD — $5,800
DK — $5,500
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 21.4 | Last Five Games: 17.7
Min/Game — Season: 26.9 | Last Five Games: 29.9
FP/Game — Season: 23.4 | Last Five Games: 26.3

Jump to Page 1 2 3

About the Author

Notorious
Derek Farnsworth (Notorious)

Derek Farnsworth (aka Notorious) is a lead RotoGrinders Expert and one of the most recognizable names and faces in all of DFS. Before joining the RotoGrinders team, Derek received a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. When he’s not busy providing content, he’s dominating the DFS industry as evidenced by his consistent top rankings in several sports and multiple Live Final appearances. Noto provides expert NBA, NFL, MLB, and PGA analysis for RotoGrinders Premium members on a daily basis and has also been nominated for five different Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association (FSWA) awards. Follow Noto on X – @RG_Notorious