NBA Grind Down Friday, November 7th
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 NFL 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
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Minnesota at Orlando
- Vegas Line – Minnesota -2.5, 201 Over/Under
- Minnesota Proj. Starters – Ricky Rubio-Kevin Martin-Andrew Wiggins-Thaddeus Young-Nikola Pekovic
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Elfrid Payton-Evan Fournier-Tobias Harris-Channing Frye-Nikola Vucevic
| Minnesota | Orlando | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 201 |  | Vegas Total | 201 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -2.5 | Vegas Sprd | 2.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.8 | Team Proj. | 99.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.37 | Team Pace | 97.09 | |||||||||
| 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 | Ricky Rubio | Kevin Martin | Andrew Wiggins | Thaddeus Young | Nikola Pekovic | Proj Starter | Elfrid Payton | Evan Fournier | Tobias Harris | Channing Frye | Nikola Vucevic | |
| Opp. Season | 20 | 26 | 6 | 28 | 25 | Opp. Season | 8 | 17 | 2 | 17 | 13 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 12 | 30 | 4 | 29 | 5 | Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 20 | 2 | 23 | 4 | |
Minnesota
After two blowouts last night, we get a full 11-game slate to look forward to tonight. There are big tournaments across the industry including FanDuel’s $175k Slam and DraftKings’ $120k Crossover.
The Wolves have looked better than most have expected this season. Their starting five is actually pretty formidable and they’ve opened up their season with a 2-2 record with victories over the Nets and the Pistons. They enter tonight’s game against the Magic as 2.5-point favorites with a total 201 points. Both of these teams play at a quick pace (more than 96 possessions per 48 minutes) and neither team is very stout defensively. The Wolves should have no problems scoring against Orlando who has given up over 100 points per game to opponents.
Prime Plays
Ricky Rubio – Elfrid Payton won the defensive player of the year award in college, but so far this season, NBA point guards have had success against him as the Magic have given up the 11th most fantasy points to opposing PGs. Rubio is coming off of a near-triple double against the Nets. With Kevin Love gone, Rubio is a much bigger part of the offense and he’s performed admirably as he is averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. Rubio is a high floor, high ceiling option tonight against the Magic.
Kevin Martin – Over his last two games, Martin is averaging 37 minutes, 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. With Kevin Love now in Cleveland, Martin is a focal point of this offense. Tonight he faces the Magic who have given up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing SGs this season. His price is very affordable tonight on both FanDuel ($6,200) and DraftKings ($5,700).
Secondary Plays
Nikola Pekovic – Pekovic is coming off of his best game of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Despite a slow start to the season, he should be a viable fantasy option all season.
Thaddeus Young – If you take out the game where he got hurt against the Bulls, Young has posted at least 31 fantasy points (FD scoring) in every game this season. He’ll match up against Channing Frye.
Orlando
The Magic have not been a great team in terms of playing actual basketball, but they have been a bright spot in daily fantasy basketball as Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Evan Fournier, and Elfrid Payton have all been popular targets through the first couple weeks of the season. They should be popular targets once again as the Magic square off against the Timberwolves in what is expected to be a close, high scoring game.
Prime Plays
Tobias Harris – Small forward is a very thin position tonight. Harris is one of the few options at the position that stands out. Over his last three games, Harris has played at least 34 minutes and has posted at least 26 fantasy points (FD scoring) in each game. He has a usage rate of 22.8 which is second only to Nikola Vucevic on the Magic.
Elfrid Payton – Payton is an impressive rookie that can really fill up all areas of the stat sheet. Even though his salary is starting to creep up on most fantasy sites, it still doesn’t match his recent level of production. Through the first five games of his career, he is averaging 8 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals per game. His offensive skill set still needs some work, but that should improve as the season wears on. At his price, he’s one of the better value plays tonight.
Secondary Plays
Nikola Vucevic – Vucey already has four double-doubles in his first five games. He’s been dominant in the early part of the season. What’s holding him back tonight is a matchup against Nikola Pekovic who is one of the better low-post defenders in the NBA.
Evan Fournier – Fournier is a good value play at SG tonight. He continues to see extended playing time with Victor Oladipo out. Plus, he has a pretty sweet pony tail, most likely to distract his opponents.
Chicago at Philadelphia
- Vegas Line – Chicago -11, 188.5 Over/Under
- Chicago Proj. Starters – Derrick Rose-Jimmy Butler-Mike Dunleavy-Pau Gasol-Joakim Noah
- Philadelphia Proj. Starters – Tony Wroten-Chris Johnson-Hollis Thompson-Brandon Davies-Henry Sims
| Chicago | Philadelphia | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 188 |  | Vegas Total | 188 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -11.0 | Vegas Sprd | 11.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 99.8 | Team Proj. | 88.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.34 | 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 | Derrick Rose | Jimmy Butler | Mike Dunleavy | Pau Gasol | Joakim Noah | Proj Starter | Tony Wroten | Chris Johnson | Hollis Thompson | Brandon Davies | Henry Sims | |
| Opp. Season | 3 | 27 | 27 | 2 | 28 | Opp. Season | 5 | 23 | 26 | 11 | 19 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 7 | 28 | 27 | 1 | 26 | Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 24 | 25 | 13 | 18 | |
Chicago
The Bulls are 4-1 to start the season, but the story so far hasn’t been their play on the court, it’s their inability to give their beat reporters accurate information. Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, and Jimmy Butler have all been doubtful, questionable, and probable at one point or another this season and we can’t seem to get a final decision from Coach Thibs until minutes before tip-off. We are likely headed for another night of confusion as Derrick Rose is listed as a game-time decision and Joakim Noah is listed as probable.
In terms of the matchup, this may be the best one on the schedule tonight. The Sixers are averaging 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes which puts them as the fifth fastest-paced team the league. Facing a fast-paced offense will lead to more possessions for Bulls which is great news considering the fact that the Sixers are giving up 101 points per game to opponents. But wait, there’s more! The Sixers are also the league’s worst rebounding team with a -9.6 rebound differential per game.
Prime Plays
Pau Gasol – Gasol has held up well through the rigors of playing for Coach Thibs. He’s played at least 36 minutes in four straight games and it hasn’t slowed him down one bit. On the season, he is averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Even with Joakim Noah back in the lineup, Gasol is a highly recommended play tonight. The Sixers can’t defend and they can’t rebound.
Jimmy Butler – The knock on Butler has always been his inability to produce consistently on the offensive end of the floor. So far this season, that hasn’t been a problem. He is averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game this season. He draws a prime matchup against the Sixers who have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing SGs this season.
Secondary Plays
Taj Gibson – Gibson will likely head back to the bench tonight as Joakim Noah is expected to play, but he should still see around 30 minutes of playing time against a bad defensive and rebounding team.
Philadelphia
It’s down to the Sixers and the Lakers to see who will be the last win-less team left in the NBA. Both teams are 0-5 and both have looked equally terrible on the court. The Sixers will have a tough time picking up their first win of the season tonight as they face a very talented Bulls team. The Sixers are 11-point underdogs in a game that features a total of only 188 points. A low total and a potential blowout does not bode well for the Sixers’ potential fantasy production. Nerlens Noel will not play tonight which means the Sixers will likely start Brandon Davies and Henry Sims in the front-court.
Prime Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Tony Wroten – Wroten is not a great shooter and he turns the ball over a lot. Other than that, he’s a fantasy option in daily fantasy because he does a little of everything on the floor. His usage rate of 30.2 is off the charts as it is the seventh highest usage rate of any player in the NBA.
Brandon Davies – Davies should see extended playing time tonight with Nerlens Noel out. While the matchup against the Bulls’ frontcourt isn’t ideal, he has scored at least 24 fantasy points in each of his last three games and is still close to minimum salary ($3k on DK).
Atlanta at Charlotte
- Vegas Line – Charlotte -2, 191 Over/Under
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Jeff Teague-Kyle Korver-DeMarre Carroll-Paul Millsap-Al Horford
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Kemba Walker-Lance Stephenson-Michael Kidd-Gilchrist-Marvin Williams-Al Jefferson
| Atlanta | Charlotte | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 191 |  | Vegas Total | 191 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 2.0 | Vegas Sprd | -2.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.5 | Team Proj. | 96.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.44 | Team Pace | 94.10 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jeff Teague | Kyle Korver | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | Proj Starter | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Marvin Williams | Al Jefferson | |
| Opp. Season | 4 | 25 | 14 | 9 | 14 | Opp. Season | 17 | 21 | 12 | 29 | 6 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 13 | Opp. Last 7 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 8 | |
Atlanta
The Hawks are only 1-2 to open the season, but both of their losses were in tough road matchups. The Hawks are a playoff team in the East, especially with a healthy Al Horford on board. Tonight they travel to Charlotte to take on another Eastern Conference playoff team in the Hornets. The Hawks are 2-point underdogs in a game that features a low total of 191 points. Charlotte is ranked as the sixth most efficient team defensively and they are ranked 14th or better in fantasy points allowed to PGs, SFs, PFs, and Centers. There are better matchups to exploit tonight.
Prime Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Al Horford – Horford is an interesting GPP-play tonight. His price is cheap, his ownership level should be low, and he draws a nice matchup against Al Jefferson who has never been known for his play on the defensive side of the floor.
Charlotte
The Hornets have had a tough time adjusting to their new roster. While their defense has been stout (much like it was last season), they are ranked 26th in offensive efficiency while only averaging 91.4 points per game. It sounds like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is headed for a game-time decision tonight. If he is able to play, that would send Gerald Henderson back to the bench and would likely cut into Gary Neal’s playing time as well. If you want to stay up to date with all of the injuries before tip-off, make sure to sign up for the NBA Email Alerts by clicking here
Prime Plays
Al Jefferson – The Hornets did what we asked them to do in their last game; they fed the ball to their big man. Jefferson finished with 28 points (on 25 shots), 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. It was his best game of the season and it’s no surprise that the Hornets picked up a win. Jefferson is their best weapon offensively and I expect them to go to him early and often tonight against the Hawks. It’s a good time to buy low on his price before it skyrockets.
Secondary Plays
Lance Stephenson – Stephenson may not be a safe cash game option, but his ability to fill up the stat sheet gives him good upside. He’s a nice tournament play tonight against Kyle Korver and the Hawks.
Indiana at Boston
- Vegas Line – Boston -4, 195 Over/Under
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Donald Sloan-Solomon Hill-C.J. Miles-Luis Scola-Roy Hibbert
- Boston Proj. Starters – Rajon Rondo-Avery Bradley-Jeff Green-Jared Sullinger-Kelly Olynyk
| Indiana | Boston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 195 |  | Vegas Total | 195 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 95.5 | Team Proj. | 99.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.87 | Team Pace | 102.82 | |||||||||
| 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 | Donald Sloan | Solomon Hill | C.J. Miles | Luis Scola | Roy Hibbert | Proj Starter | Rajon Rondo | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Kelly Olynyk | |
| Opp. Season | 23 | 24 | 13 | 27 | 1 | Opp. Season | 27 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 26 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 14 | 23 | 16 | 25 | 1 | Opp. Last 7 | 28 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 27 | |
Indiana
The Pacers have gotten off to a terrible start this season. They are 1-4 and the injuries just keep piling up. George Hill, C.J. Watson, Paul George, David West, and Rodney Stuckey will all miss tonight’s game which means extended playing time for the usual suspects. The Pacers come into tonight’s game against the Celtics as 4-point underdogs which seems a bit low to me. The total is set at only 195 points, but the Celtics do like to push the pace which could lead to a few extra Pacers possessions tonight.
Prime Plays
Roy Hibbert – Hibbert has been very consistent this season which is exactly what we look for in cash games. He is averaging 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks per game this season. He has seen an increase in minutes this season thanks to all of the injuries. Increased opportunity leads directly to increased production. Tonight Hibbert draws a favorable matchup against an under-sized Celtics frontcourt.
Donald Sloan – Sloan has made the most of his opportunity to start. He is averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game this season and he will continue to see all of the minutes he can handle as long as George Hill and C.J. Watson are both out. His price around the industry has come up a bit, but he’s still a solid value play and the Celtics have given up the eighth most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season.
Secondary Plays
Chris Copeland – Copeland is still coming off of the bench, but he is averaging 30 minutes per game which is basically starter’s minutes. He has put up at least 24 fantasy points (FD scoring) in four straight games.
Boston
The Celtics are 1-3 on the season, but they have been competitive and should be a fringe-playoff team in the Eastern Conference. While the Pacers are one of the slowest-paced teams in the league, they are pretty average defensively. The Celtics have made an effort to push the pace and we have seen some good fantasy outings from the likes of Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green, and Jared Sullinger.
Prime Plays
Rajon Rondo – Rondo is coming off of a triple-double against the Raptors. On the season he is averaging 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists per game with a usage rate of 20.9. Rondo is one of the few players in the NBA that doesn’t rely on scoring for his fantasy production which makes him a very consistent fantasy option. He draws a prime matchup against the Pacers who have given up the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing PGs this season.
Secondary Plays
Jared Sullinger – Sullinger finally broke out with 19 points and 16 rebounds against the Raptors the other night. Expect many more performances like that this season. Tonight’s matchup against the Pacers is tough though.
Jeff Green – Through the first four games, Green is averaging 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Green is finally being more aggressive offensively by attacking the rim rather than sitting at the three-point line shooting jumpers. I like his upside in a matchup with the likes of Miles, Hill, and Copeland.
Milwaukee at Detroit
- Vegas Line – Detroit -4.5, 191.5 Over/Under
- Milwaukee Proj. Starters – Brandon Knight-Jared Dudley-Jabari Parker-Ersan Ilyasova-Larry Sanders
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Brandon Jennings-Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-Josh Smith-Greg Monroe-Andre Drummond
| Milwaukee | Detroit | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 191 |  | Vegas Total | 191 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.5 | Vegas Sprd | -4.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 93.5 | Team Proj. | 98.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 100.24 | Team Pace | 93.69 | |||||||||
| 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 | Brandon Knight | Jared Dudley | Jabari Parker | Ersan Ilyasova | Larry Sanders | Proj Starter | Brandon Jennings | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Josh Smith | Greg Monroe | Andre Drummond | |
| Opp. Season | 1 | 19 | 9 | 23 | 17 | Opp. Season | 7 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 30 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 2 | 27 | 8 | 26 | 11 | Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 11 | 18 | 16 | 30 | |
Milwaukee
The Bucks have been a frustrating team in daily fantasy basketball. Jason Kidd picked up right where Larry Drew left off as he has had inconsistent rotations and he tends to stick with the hot hand which means their fantasy production is going to be up and down all season. Tonight’s matchup against the Pistons doesn’t help either as the Pistons are only averaging 93.5 possessions per game. This should be a slow-paced, grind it out type of game which leaves much to be desired in the world of daily fantasy basketball.
Prime Plays
Brandon Knight – The one exception to Jason Kidd’s inconsistent rotations has been Knight. He is playing 33 minutes while racking up averages of 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. The Pistons are currently ranked first against opposing PGs, but that’s just an aberration as Brandon Jennings is one of the worst on-ball defenders in the NBA. Expect another strong outing from Knight as he faces his former team.
Secondary Plays
NONE
Detroit
It didn’t take long for Coach Stan Van Gundy to go back on his word. After starting 0-4, Van Gundy decided to start his three big men together and they actually picked up their first win of the season. While that win is a little promising, it’s still going to be tough getting anything going offensively with Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond all clogging up the paint. They are currently ranked 24th in offensive efficiency and it’s likely not going to get any better.
Prime Plays
Greg Monroe – Monroe has looked great in his first two games averaging 20 points and 14 rebounds. Now that he is in the starting lineup, we can expect him to play around 35 minutes per game. Monroe’s price is still very affordable on both FanDuel and DraftKings and he’s one of the premier plays at PF tonight. He should have another strong outing tonight against Ersan Ilyasova the Bucks.
Secondary Plays
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – You down with KCP? Yeah, you know me. The reason that I’m down for KCP is that he is averaging 38 minutes and 14 shot attempts per game. I’ll take that every day of the week from a player that’s close to minimum salary.