NBA Grind Down: Monday/Tuesday
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 averages listed use FanDuel scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NBA scoring system, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel review.
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Golden State at Houston – Monday, 9:00 PM ET
- Vegas Line – Golden State -4.5, 213.5 Over/Under
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green-Bogut
- Houston Proj. Starters – Terry-Harden-Ariza-Smith-Howard
| Golden State | Houston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 213 |  | Vegas Total | 213 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -4.5 | Vegas Sprd | 4.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 109.0 | Team Proj. | 104.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.25 | Team Pace | 103.57 | |||||||||
| 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 | Stephen Curry | Klay Thompson | Harrison Barnes | Draymond Green | Andrew Bogut | Proj Starter | Jason Terry | James Harden | Trevor Ariza | Josh Smith | Dwight Howard | |
| Opp. Season | 6 | 21 | 18 | 29 | 26 | Opp. Season | 5 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 19 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Opp. Last 7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | |
Golden State
After two close games at home, the Warriors made quick work of the Rockets in Game 3. They are now one win away from a trip to the NBA Finals. The Warriors know that the Rockets have already rallied once in the playoffs and they’ll do whatever they can to try to finish them off tonight. Vegas has the Warriors listed as 4.5-point favorites with the total for the game set at 213.5 points.
Opponent Breakdown (Houston)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.6 (Rank: 17)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 6
Rebounding Differential Rank: 15
Elite Plays
Stephen Curry (FD: $10600, DK: $10500 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 28.4)
Curry had an MVP performance in Game 3, finishing with 40 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. His price on FanDuel and DraftKings remains affordable and he’s easily the top point guard option in this slate of games. He has 50+ fantasy point upside every time he takes the floor. The Rockets have not had an answer for Curry, as they are without their best on-ball defender in Patrick Beverley.
Draymond Green (FD: $8200, DK: $8000 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 17.2)
Green has flirted with a triple-double in each of the first three games in this series. He’s the top power forward option on the board and his ability to fill up all areas of the stat sheet makes him a great fantasy option in this two-game slate. The Rockets have been one of the worst teams at defending power forwards all season.
Andrew Bogut (FD: $5400, DK: $5000 / MPG: 24 / Usage Rate: 13.3)
After basically disappearing in Game 1, Bogut has bounced back nicely in the last two games with 36 and 30 fantasy points. Dwight Howard is no longer the only option at center, as targeting Bogut will allow you to afford one or even two of the superstars. Bogut will likely be the chalk play at center tonight in cash games.
Secondary Plays
Klay Thompson (FD: $6900, DK: $6800 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 27.3)
Harrison Barnes (FD: $4200, DK: $4900 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 14.8)
Andre Iguodala (FD: $4200, DK: $4400 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 13.6)
Houston
The Rockets looked like they just ran out of steam in Game 3. After two tough losses on the road, they looked gassed in their home opener against the Warriors. They now find themselves down 0-3 and a loss shy of their season being over. We’ll see what type of fight they can muster up tonight. If the game stays within ten points, James Harden, Dwight Howard, and Trevor Ariza should all play 40+ minutes.
Opponent Breakdown (Golden State)
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.5 (Rank: 14)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 1
Rebounding Differential Rank: 12
Elite Plays
James Harden (FD: $10200, DK: $10500 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 31.3)
The Warriors changed up their defensive game plan against Harden in Game 3 and it worked beautifully. He finished the game with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. With the Rockets in a win-or-stay-home situation tonight, we can expect a much better outing from Harden. He scored 58 and 70 fantasy points in the first two games of the series.
Dwight Howard (FD: $8800, DK: $8800 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 23.3)
Howard got off to a quick start in Game 3, but the rest of his teammates forgot to show up and he only ended up playing 33 minutes in the blowout. Howard is still playing through his knee injury, but he’s been terrific this postseason. He makes a terrific tournament option on single-center sites and is worth a look in cash games on sites that allow you to roster two centers.
Secondary Plays
Trevor Ariza (FD: $6000, DK: $6600 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 16.8)
Josh Smith (FD: $5800, DK: $5500 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 24.2)
Terrence Jones (FD: $4400, DK: $4800 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 19.2)
Corey Brewer (FD: $3800, DK: $4100 / MPG: 26 / Usage Rate: 20.9)
Atlanta at Cleveland – Tuesday, 8:30 PM ET
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -8.5, 193.5 Over/Under
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Teague-Bazemore-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Dellavedova-Shumpert-James-Thompson-Mozgov
| Atlanta | Cleveland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 193.5 |  | Vegas Total | 193.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 8.5 | Vegas Sprd | -8.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 92.5 | Team Proj. | 101.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.87 | Team Pace | 92.75 | |||||||||
| 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 | Kent Bazemore | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | Proj Starter | Matthew Dellavedova | Iman Shumpert | LeBron James | Tristan Thompson | Timofey Mozgov | |
| Opp. Season | 10 | 20 | 17 | 7 | 7 | Opp. Season | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 5 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Opp. Last 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
Atlanta
The Hawks had their chance to pick up a win in Game 3, but they eventually fell short and now find themselves down 3-0. They are facing elimination in Game 4 in Cleveland and at this point, it would be surprising to see the Hawks keep this game close. They will likely have Al Horford back in the lineup, but the Hawks will once again be without Kyle Korver.
Opponent Breakdown (Cleveland)
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.5 (Rank: 12)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 20
Rebounding Differential Rank: 8
Elite Plays
Jeff Teague (FD: $7300, DK: $7400 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 24.9)
Teague almost willed his team to victory in Game 3, but in the end, LeBron James was just too much. Teague has scored at least 30 fantasy points in every game so far this series and he has topped the 38 fantasy point mark twice. He’ll likely have a low level of ownership once again, making him a great play if you are looking to differentiate your lineup.
Kent Bazemore (FD: $2400, DK: $3500 / MPG: 18 / Usage Rate: 15.5)
Bazemore is as close to a must play as you are going to find in this two-game slate. With Kyle Korver out, he will draw another start at shooting guard. He scored 33 fantasy points in Game 3 and he should see close to 40 minutes of action in Game 4. There is no reason to fade Bazemore, even in tournaments.
Mike Scott (FD: $2000, DK: $2700 / MPG: 16 / Usage Rate: 22.2)
Scott is another strong punt play on the Hawks. He has seen a bump in minutes in this series, playing 26 and 32 minutes in Games 2 and 3. He basically needs 10-13 fantasy points to reach value, a feat that shouldn’t be too difficult if he plays 25+ minutes again in Game 4.
Secondary Plays
Paul Millsap (FD: $8700, DK: $7600 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 23.6)
Al Horford (FD: $7800, DK: $7500 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 22.3)
Shelvin Mack (FD: $2000, DK: $2100 / MPG: 15 / Usage Rate: 19.6)
Cleveland
The Cavaliers have been hobbled throughout the playoffs, but they’ve found a way to win. They have no reason to rush Kyrie Irving back at this point and I’d be shocked if he was in the lineup in Game 4. LeBron James has also been hurt, but he should be ready to go for this closeout game against the Hawks.
Opponent Breakdown (Atlanta)
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.2 (Rank: 5)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 27
Elite Plays
LeBron James (FD: $11700, DK: $11700 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 32.5)
James was in full video game mode in Game 3. He finished with 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists. Are you kidding me LeBron? That’s a MONSTER triple-double. He’s a tough fade at this point, even with his injury. The Hawks have not been able to stop him in this series and James knows the importance of closing out a series when you have the chance.
Matthew Dellavedova (FD: $3400, DK: $3900 / MPG: 20 / Usage Rate: 12.3)
Dellavedova will likely draw another start at point guard, as the Cavaliers have no reason to rush Kyrie Irving back with a 3-0 cushion. If that’s the case, he is close to a must start in this two-game slate. He has scored 23 and 20 fantasy points in his last two starts and he should be able to post a similar fantasy outing in Game 4.
Secondary Plays
Tristan Thompson (FD: $5600, DK: $6600 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 13.9)
J.R. Smith (FD: $5400, DK: $5200 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 19.1)
Iman Shumpert (FD: $4700, DK: $5200 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 17.2)