NBA Grind Down Monday, November 17th
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
Denver at Cleveland
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -11.5, 216 Over/Under
- Denver Proj. Starters – Lawson-Afflalo-Chandler-Faried-Mozgov
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Marion-James-Love-Varejao
| Denver | Cleveland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 216 |  | Vegas Total | 216 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 11.5 | Vegas Sprd | -11.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 102.3 | Team Proj. | 113.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 100.39 | Team Pace | 95.58 | |||||||||
| 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 | Ty Lawson | Arron Afflalo | Wilson Chandler | Kenneth Faried | Timofey Mozgov | Proj Starter | Kyrie Irving | Shawn Marion | LeBron James | Kevin Love | Anderson Varejao | |
| Opp. Season | 14 | 15 | 21 | 26 | 18 | Opp. Season | 18 | 1 | 26 | 24 | 26 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 17 | 5 | 19 | 30 | 21 | Opp. Last 7 | 26 | 16 | 7 | 16 | 30 | |
Denver
The Nuggets have looked awful this season. They are 2-7 with a point differential of -7.2 per game. Their luck also appears to be lacking as they head to Cleveland to take on a red hot Cavaliers’ offense. The Nuggets are currently 11.5-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 216 points. The good news for the Nuggets is that this is a fantasy-friendly matchup. The Cavaliers are ranked 26th in defensive efficiency and have allowed their opponents to score 104.1 points per game. If the Nuggets can keep this one within striking distance, this game will be full of viable fantasy options.
Injury Note: Danilo Gallinari and Nate Robinson are both out tonight. J.J. Hickson is on the wrong side of questionable.
Prime Plays
Ty Lawson – Over his last four games, Lawson is averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists in 37 minutes of action. He draws a prime matchup against Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers in what is projected as the highest scoring game of the night. Lawson is still fairly priced across the industry and he’s shown that he has 40 fantasy point upside. If the Nuggets have any chance of winning this game, they will need a big game from Lawson.
Secondary Plays
Arron Afflalo – Afflalo is coming off of his best game of the season. He put up 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 32 minutes of playing time against the Knicks yesterday. Afflalo has shown an ability to post 30+ fantasy points and his price is down after his slow start to the season.
Wilson Chandler – Chandler has scored at least 22.5 fantasy points (FD scoring) in four of his last five games and may see some extended playing time tonight with Robinson and Gallinari both out. He does draw a tough matchup against LeBron James though.
Cleveland
The Cavaliers’ offense has been red hot over their last four games. They have scored at least 110 points in each game and they have won by an average of 15 points per game during that stretch. Their efficient play on the offensive side of the floor should continue tonight as they face the Nuggets, who are ranked 24th in defensive efficiency. The Nuggets also play at a fast-pace (100.4 possessions per 48 minutes) and are a bad rebounding team. There are few better fantasy matchups than the Nuggets, but there is some concern that this game could turn into a blowout.
Prime Plays
LeBron James – During this four-game winning streak, LeBron is averaging 32 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists per game. He’s been unstoppable for opposing defenses and his ability to knock down the three this season has added another dimension to his game. James should have another monster fantasy outing tonight against the Nuggets, who are currently ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing SFs.
Kyrie Irving – Coach Blatt may say that James and Love eat first in this offense, but it’s pretty clear that Irving is the number two option offensively. Plus, he’s the PG so he’s going to have the ball in his hands a lot more often than Love. Irving has scored at least 37 fantasy points (FD scoring) in four of his last five games and draws a prime matchup against Ty Lawson.
Secondary Plays
Kevin Love / Anderson Varejao – Targeting bigs against the Nuggets has been a viable fantasy strategy for years. The Nuggets have little to no interior defense and are ranked 18th in rebounding differential this season. There should be plenty of boards for Love and Varejao in tonight’s uptempo game against the Nuggets.
Dallas at Charlotte
- Vegas Line – Dallas -2.5, 199 Over/Under
- Dallas Proj. Starters – Nelson-Ellis-Parsons-Nowitzki-Chandler
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Stephenson-Hairston-Williams-Jefferson
| Dallas | Charlotte | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 199 |  | Vegas Total | 199 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -2.5 | Vegas Sprd | 2.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.8 | Team Proj. | 98.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.86 | Team Pace | 94.57 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jameer Nelson | Monta Ellis | Chandler Parsons | Dirk Nowitzki | Tyson Chandler | Proj Starter | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | P.J. Hairston | Marvin Williams | Al Jefferson | |
| Opp. Season | 28 | 21 | 5 | 13 | 19 | Opp. Season | 17 | 7 | 23 | 9 | 7 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 13 | 2 | 19 | 16 | Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 8 | 28 | 1 | 13 | |
Dallas
The Mavericks are 7-3 to start the season. They are playing terrific on the offensive side of the floor as they are averaging 109.5 points per game which is the highest of any team in the NBA. Tonight they are 2.5-point favorites against the Hornets in Charlotte. In terms of the fantasy matchup, this is average at best. The Hornets are a slow paced team (94.6 possessions per 48 minutes) that is ranked 13th in defensive efficiency this season. There aren’t any must plays on the Mavericks, as they are a well-balanced offense in a less than appealing matchup.
Prime Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Chandler Parsons – After a slow start to the season, Parsons shot has finally started to drop. He has scored 25 or more fantasy points (FD scoring) in three straight games and draws a decent matchup against the rookie P.J. Hairston.
Tyson Chandler – As long as Chandler stays out of foul trouble tonight, I expect him to see some extended playing time as he will be dealt the task of defending Al Jefferson. Chandler has topped 32 fantasy points (FD scoring) in three of his last four games.
Charlotte
The Hornets do not play an uptempo style of basketball, but this should be a pace-up game for them tonight against the Mavericks. The total for this game is set at 199 points which is high for a typical Hornets game. The reason for the high total is simple: the Mavericks are not a great team defensively. They are ranked 18th in defensive efficiency and have given up over 100 points per game to their opponents this season.
Injury Note: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gary Neal are both out tonight.
Prime Plays
Kemba Walker – The Mavericks are ranked 17th against PGs this season, but that stat has been helped by a couple of blowouts. At the end of the day, Jameer Nelson is not an elite defender. He’s not even an average defender at this stage in his career. Walker’s price is down this season and tonight is a great chance to buy low on him in a favorable matchup.
Secondary Plays
Al Jefferson – Jefferson draws a tough matchup against Tyson Chandler, but he’s one of the few big men in the NBA with enough low post moves to make him fairly matchup-proof. Jefferson’s usage rate of 27.4 is the 15th highest of any player in the NBA.
Phoenix at Boston
- Vegas Line – Phoenix -1.5, 215.5 Over/Under
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Bledsoe-Dragic-Morris-Morris-Plumlee
- Boston Proj. Starters – Rondo-Bradley-Green-Sullinger-Olynyk
| Phoenix | Boston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 215 |  | Vegas Total | 215 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.5 | Vegas Sprd | 1.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 108.5 | Team Proj. | 107.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 98.32 | Team Pace | 98.81 | |||||||||
| 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 | Eric Bledsoe | Goran Dragic | Marcus Morris | Markieff Morris | Miles Plumlee | Proj Starter | Rajon Rondo | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Kelly Olynyk | |
| Opp. Season | 23 | 19 | 19 | 30 | 1 | Opp. Season | 24 | 25 | 3 | 28 | 11 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 25 | 6 | 26 | 13 | 5 | Opp. Last 7 | 22 | 23 | 12 | 3 | 25 | |
Phoenix
This should be one of the more entertaining games to watch tonight. Both of these teams love to push the pace and Vegas has the total for the game set at 215.5 points. The Suns square off against the Celtics who average 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes. The Celtics are ranked 27th in defensive efficiency and have allowed their opponents to score an average of 108.4 points per game this season.
Prime Plays
Eric Bledsoe – Bledsoe is one of my favorite plays tonight. If you look at the usage rate, Bledsoe has been the primary ball-handler in this offense. He draws a terrific matchup against the Celtics, who are ranked 23rd against PGs and 19th against SGs. He’ll likely match up against Avery Bradley, but he hasn’t been the elite defender that we’ve seen him be in year’s past. Bledsoe should excel in an uptempo game and the best part is that his price is down across the industry.
Markieff Morris – Morris has had a rough five-game stretch, but should be able to bounce back tonight against the Celtics. Not only does this game have one of the highest totals of the night, but the Celtics are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to PFs this season.
Secondary Plays
Isaiah Thomas – It’s hard to pay up for Thomas as he is still coming off the bench, but he’s been incredibly productive this season. He has topped 27 fantasy points in six of the first ten games of the season.
Boston
The Celtics have become one of my favorite teams to see on the schedule. Like the Sixers and Lakers, they play at a fast pace and have little to no defense. The difference is that the Celtics have the ability to be competitive which keeps games close. Tonight they face the Suns, who also like to push the tempo, averaging 98.3 possessions per game. The Suns are ranked 20th in defensive efficiency and 21st in rebounding differential this season.
Prime Plays
Rajon Rondo – Rondo is one of the only players in the NBA that can take over a game without scoring. He’s a terrific defender, rebounder, and passer and teams have had a tough time slowing him down. On the season, he is averaging 10 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists and 2 steals per game. He has topped 39 fantasy points in four of his last five games (FD scoring) and he draws a favorable matchup against the Suns, who are ranked 25th against PGs this season.
Kelly Olynyk – Olynyk has been my go-to center over the last week or so and that trend will continue tonight. He has as much upside as some of the more expensive centers, yet his price is still in the $5-$6k range on both FD and DK. Ever since being benched a couple of weeks ago, he has really responded well with at least 27 fantasy points in four of his last five games. He should see 30+ minutes tonight in a game that suits his style of play.
Secondary Plays
Jared Sullinger – Sullinger seems to fly under the radar most nights despite averaging 15 points 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He makes a solid play once again, as the Suns are ranked 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing PFs this season.
Orlando at Detroit
- Vegas Line – Detroit -4.5, 191 Over/Under
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Oladipo-Fournier-Harris-Frye-Vucevic
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Jennings-Caldwell-Pope-Smith-Monroe-Drummond
| Orlando | Detroit | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 191 |  | Vegas Total | 191 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.5 | Vegas Sprd | -4.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 93.3 | Team Proj. | 97.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.09 | Team Pace | 93.45 | |||||||||
| 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 | Victor Oladipo | Evan Fournier | Tobias Harris | Channing Frye | Nikola Vucevic | Proj Starter | Brandon Jennings | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Josh Smith | Greg Monroe | Andre Drummond | |
| Opp. Season | 5 | 24 | 2 | 22 | 27 | Opp. Season | 8 | 29 | 10 | 19 | 25 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 20 | 1 | 26 | 29 | Opp. Last 7 | 7 | 29 | 13 | 8 | 22 | |
Orlando
The Magic have been a good team to target in DFS because they have talented young players that they are trying to develop. This leads their young guns to see big minutes on a consistent basis. The Magic are 4.5-point underdogs tonight against the Pistons in a game that features a total of 191 points. The Pistons play at a slow pace (93.4 possessions per game), but have been playing at a much faster pace over their last few games. I have a sneaky suspicion that this game will turn into a track meet.
Prime Plays
Victor Oladipo – The Magic have wasted little time getting Oladipo big minutes in his first two games of the season. After playing 25 minutes off the bench in his season debut, he started and played 32 minutes in their last game. Oladipo is going to be a fantasy stud this season. He has a very high usage rate and is able to fill up all areas of the stat sheet. He scored 36 fantasy points against the Wizards the other night and has similar upside tonight against the Pistons.
Nikola Vucevic – Andre Drummond has the reputation of being a good low-post defender, but the numbers don’t support it. The Pistons have given up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers this season. Vucevic has been a double-double machine with 7 in his first 11 games this season. He has a good chance of notching his eighth double-double tonight.
Secondary Plays
Tobias Harris – Harris is off to a terrific start this season. He is averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. While his usage rate will likely go down now that Victor Oladipo is healthy, he’s still going to be a big part of this offense and he will continue to play 35+ minutes per game.
Detroit
The Pistons are one of my least favorite teams to see on the schedule. They play an a slower than average pace and have a very inconsistent offense. It’s extremely difficult to predict their fantasy output on a nightly basis and I don’t see that changing anytime in the near future. They do draw a favorable matchup against the Magic, but unfortunately there aren’t any Pistons players that are going to make the list of prime plays tonight.
Prime Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Andre Drummond – Drummond is an interesting tournament play tonight. While he hasn’t shown it this season, he does have 20/20 type of upside. He draws a favorable matchup against Nikola Vucevic and the Magic who are ranked 27th against centers this season.
Miami at Brooklyn
- Vegas Line – Brooklyn -5.5, 196 Over/Under
- Miami Proj. Starters – Cole-Chalmers-Deng-Williams-Bosh
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Johnson-Bogdanovic-Garnett-Lopez
| Miami | Brooklyn | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total |  | Vegas Total | |||||||||
| Vegas Sprd | Vegas Sprd | |||||||||||
| Team Proj. | Team Proj. | |||||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.38 | Team Pace | 96.47 | |||||||||
| 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 | Norris Cole | Mario Chalmers | Luol Deng | Shawne Williams | Chris Bosh | Proj Starter | Deron Williams | Joe Johnson | Bojan Bogdanovic | Kevin Garnett | Brook Lopez | |
| Opp. Season | 26 | 18 | 20 | 6 | 23 | Opp. Season | 10 | 28 | 27 | 2 | 24 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 5 | 27 | Opp. Last 7 | 24 | 19 | 27 | 11 | 20 | |
Miami
The Heat have been short-handed over their last couple of games and may be without Dwyane Wade and Josh McRoberts again tonight. Wade is currently listed as day-to-day, but appears to be on the wrong side of questionable. McRoberts is dealing with a nasty blister on his foot which likely hasn’t healed overnight. Check the injury news close to tip-off for an update, but for our purposes, I will treat them as being out for tonight’s game. The Heat are 5.5-point underdogs tonight against the Nets in a game that features a total of 196 points.
Prime Plays
Chris Bosh – Bosh has struggled in his last two starts, but it hasn’t been for a lack of shot attempts. In the two games with Wade out, Bosh has averaged 18 shot attempts. His usage rate, points per game, rebounds, and assists are all up this season and he’ll be the focal point of the Heat offense again tonight. It also doesn’t hurt that the Nets are ranked 23rd against opposing centers this season.
Mario Chalmers – As long as Wade is out, Chalmers should be targeted in all league formats. in the last two games with Wade sidelined, Chalmers has taken over offensively by averaging 22 points and 8 assists in those contests. His price on both FD and DK has yet to reflect this level of production. He is one of the better value plays available tonight.
Secondary Plays
Norris Cole – Cole would also see a fantasy boost if Dwyane Wade is ruled out tonight, as he would start next to Chalmers who typically cuts into his minutes. In the last two games with Wade out, Cole has scored 28 and 17 fantasy points. He’s topped 25 minutes of playing time in each of his last three games.
Brooklyn
The Nets are a tough team to target in daily fantasy basketball. They are well-balanced offensively and have a deep bench that can take over games, especially at home. It’s tough to predict who is going to play well on a nightly basis. That said, they do draw a nice matchup against the Heat, who are ranked 17th in defensive efficiency and 26th in rebounding differential.
Prime Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Deron Williams – Williams has been very consistent this season. He has scored at least 28 fantasy points (FD scoring) in eight of his first nine games of the season. The only issue here is that he plays PG which is the most stacked position in daily fantasy basketball.