NBA Grind Down: Monday, November 16th - Page Two
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix – 9:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Phoenix -11.5, 206.5 Over/Under
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Russell-Clarkson-World Peace-Randle-Hibbert
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Bledsoe-Knight-Tucker-Morris-Chandler
| L.A. Lakers | Phoenix | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 206.5 |  | Vegas Total | 206.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 11.5 | Vegas Sprd | -11.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 97.5 | Team Proj. | 109.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 101.30 | Team Pace | 103.90 | |||||||||
| 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 | D’Angelo Russell | Jordan Clarkson | Metta World Peace | Julius Randle | Roy Hibbert | Proj. Starter | Eric Bledsoe | Brandon Knight | P.J. Tucker | Markieff Morris | Tyson Chandler | |
| Opp. Season | 17 | 15 | 27 | 5 | 9 | Opp. Season | 18 | 10 | 25 | 27 | 30 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 23 | 22 | 3 | 17 | Opp. Last 7 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 23 | 30 | |
L.A. Lakers
The Lakers picked up their second win of the season last night, with a home victory over the Pistons. While that’s all well and good, they will likely fall back to their losing ways tonight, as they head to Phoenix to take on the Suns. This should be a fast-paced game, but a blowout is certainly in the realm of possibility, as the Lakers are 11.5-point underdogs. Kobe Bryant did not travel with the team for tonight’s game, which means we could see another start from Metta World Peace.
- Phoenix Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.1 (13 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 97.9 (7 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 4.5 (6 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 194.6 (11 of 30)
Even though the Suns play at a quick pace, they are still very stout defensively. They are ranked seventh in defenisve efficiency and they are ranked 13th or better in points allowed per game and fantasy points allowed per game this season. The Lakers have a low implied team total of 97.5 points, which is well below the average for the 12 teams in action tonight.
When it comes to fantasy options on the Lakers, it’s basically Julius Randle and then everyone else. It’s tough to trust any of the players in the backcourt, as they are all splitting minutes. Randle is a secondary option tonight against the Suns, but don’t feel like you have to force him into your lineup in what could easily turn into a blowout.
Elite Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Julius Randle
FD: $5,800 — DK: $6,000
Min/Game: 28.8 — Turnover-Adjusted Usage: 17.5
FP/Game: 26.1 — FP/Min.: 0.91
Phoenix
The Suns are looking for their third win in a row tonight. They are 5-4 on the season and they appear poised to make a run at the playoffs in the Western Conference. The Suns are 11.5-point favorites tonight in what could be yet another blowout on tonight’s schedule.
- L.A. Lakers Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 104.1 (22 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 104.0 (21 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -5.0 (26 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 211.6 (27 of 30)
The Suns draw one of the best matchups on the board tonight, as the Lakers are ranked 21st or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game this season. While this game does have the potential to turn into a rout, at least the matchup is favorable enough that the starters could potentially reach value even if they were limited to three quarters of playing time.
Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight should be able to attack this Lakers’ defense and get whatever they want offensively. Both players are borderline elite options at their respective positions. Jon Leuer and Tyson Chandler would both see a nice boost if Markieff Morris is unable to play. Conversely, if Morris is in the lineup, he would make a strong play himself.
Elite Plays
Eric Bledsoe
FD: $8,700 — DK: $8,400
Min/Game: 34.0 — Turnover-Adjusted Usage: 24.3
FP/Game: 39.8 — FP/Min.: 1.17
Brandon Knight
FD: $6,900 — DK: $7,000
Min/Game: 33.6 — Turnover-Adjusted Usage: 21.5
FP/Game: 29.8 — FP/Min.: 0.89
Secondary Plays
Tyson Chandler
FD: $5,600 — DK: $5,300
Min/Game: 27.7 — Turnover-Adjusted Usage: 8.8
FP/Game: 22.4 — FP/Min.: 0.81
Markieff Morris
If he returns to the starting lineup.
FD: $5,500 — DK: $5,800
Min/Game: 25.0 — Turnover-Adjusted Usage: 24.1
FP/Game: 21.6 — FP/Min.: 0.86
Jon Leuer
If Markieff Morris is ruled out.
FD: $3,700 — DK: $3,400
Min/Game: 16.8 — Turnover-Adjusted Usage: 16.0
FP/Game: 15.6 — FP/Min.: 0.93