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NBA Grind Down: Saturday, April 11th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-04-14 13:06:20

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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New York at Orlando – 7:00 PM EST

New York Orlando
newyorknba Vegas Total 192 orlandonba Vegas Total 192
Vegas Sprd 11.0 Vegas Sprd -11.0
Team Proj. 90.75 Team Proj. 101.8
Team Pace 93.48 Team Pace 95.95
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 Langston Galloway Tim Hardaway Lance Thomas Quincy Acy Cole Aldrich Proj Starter Elfrid Payton Victor Oladipo Tobias Harris Dewayne Dedmon Nikola Vucevic
Opp. Season 21 11 30 23 21 Opp. Season 23 23 2 7 25
Opp. Last 7 10 19 5 16 13 Opp. Last 7 28 17 2 7 21

New York

The first game on the slate is a meaningless matchup between the Knicks and the Magic. The Knicks are basically counting down the games left in the season, and have the best opportunity at worst record in the league if they continue to lose. They have a good shot at that, even against another poor team in the Magic. Both of these teams are poor defensively, which could help bump some fantasy values, but the Knicks at this point are very difficult to get a read on minutes wise. At this point, we are not sure if Andrea Bargnani or Cleanthony Early will suit up tonight. If Bargnani does play, he makes a secondary, tournament play only.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Langston Galloway (FD: $6100, DK: $5500)/Shane Larkin (FD: $4800 DK: $4500) – I do not love either guy here, but on a six-game slate we may be forced to play one of them. These are the two guys in this rotation that are locked into 30+ minutes per game and it should continue tonight. They have a decent matchup against the Magic who are ranked 23rd against the point guard position this year. I do not think they will have monster games, but should reach value tonight.

Orlando

The Magic are another team that just wants this season to be over, but they do have some young players that are playing some solid basketball. This Magic team has actually won three of their last four games and has a good chance to win another one tonight against the Knicks. The Magic are 11-point favorites for the game tonight with a total of 193. The Magic are fully healthy for the first time in a long while, but the main guys are still seeing big minutes.

Elite Plays

Nikola Vucevic (FD: $8600, DK: $7600) – Vucevic has one of the best matchups on the board tonight as New York is ranked 26th against centers this year. Vucevic has taken advantage of this in their previous three games as he has averaged 27.3 points and 16.3 rebounds.

Secondary Plays

Elfrid Payton (FD: $8000, DK: $7500) – Payton also has a prime matchup tonight against the Knicks and has been playing very well recently. He has over 35 fantasy points in each of his last seven games and is getting all the minutes he can handle. He makes a solid option at the point position tonight.

Victor Oladipo (FD: $8000, DK: $7200) – Oladipo is a bit expensive on FD, but makes a fine play at DraftKings tonight. He, like the other two, is locked into big minutes tonight regardless of the outcome and this Magic squad is really seeing how their young players play together towards the end of this season. I like the other two guys as solid cash game plays, while Oladipo is more of a tournament play for me tonight.

Toronto at Miami – 7:30 PM EST

Toronto Miami
torontonba Vegas Total 196 miaminba Vegas Total 196
Vegas Sprd 3.5 Vegas Sprd -3.5
Team Proj. 96.5 Team Proj. 100.0
Team Pace 95.59 Team Pace 93.11
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 Kyle Lowry DeMar DeRozan Terrence Ross Tyler Hansbrough Jonas Valanciunas Proj Starter Goran Dragic Dwyane Wade Luol Deng Udonis Haslem Hassan Whiteside
Opp. Season 10 3 8 5 11 Opp. Season 22 12 27 8 10
Opp. Last 7 11 8 23 18 10 Opp. Last 7 15 9 15 2 8

Toronto

Toronto travels to Miami tonight for a game with a lot of playoff implications. Toronto is still battling for the third playoff spot in the East, so starters will be getting enough minutes tonight to make value. Miami has the seventh-ranked defense in points allowed per game, but have struggled defensively over the last few weeks. The big news was Kyle Lowry’s return last night where he played 33 minutes. This did not affect DeRozan’s value at all, but does however take Vasquez out of play and downgrades Williams a bit. Amir Johnson should be back as well which takes Hansbrough and Patterson out of play as well.

Editor’s Note: Amir Johnson is out for tonight’s game.

Elite Plays

DeMar DeRozan (FD: $8600, DK: $8100) – DeRozan has been taking this team on his shoulders in the later part of the season as Lowry has been out for quite a while. His price has increased with the recent production, but the fact that he played 37 minutes and scored 39 fantasy points last night puts and worry about a regression out of my mind.

Secondary Plays

None, unless injuries keep Amir Johnson out tonight.

Miami

Miami is fighting for a final playoff spot in the terrible Eastern Conference and are not making a strong case for it as they have lost five of their last six games. They are, however, looking healthy for this game, which should help, as they are three point favorites. This game has a decently high total at 197 and should stay close for solid fantasy potential.

Elite Plays

Dwyane Wade (FD: $6800, DK: $7200) – Wade is coming off a terrible effort where he only scored 15 fantasy points against the Bulls. He has made a few comments that make me think he is going to do everything he can to surge this team into the playoffs. I expect a big bounce back game against the Raptors tonight.

Secondary Plays

Hassan Whiteside (FD: $7700, DK: $7000) – Whiteside is another guy who has had a major salary decrease as he has had a few injuries as well as a few poor games. Whiteside is a great tournament play tonight with massive upside for his price and has a decent matchup against the Raptors who are ranked 20th against the center position in the last three weeks.

Philadelphia at Chicago – 8:00 PM EST

Philadelphia Chicago
philadelphianba Vegas Total 193 chicagonba Vegas Total 193
Vegas Sprd 13.5 Vegas Sprd -13.5
Team Proj. 90.0 Team Proj. 103.5
Team Pace 98.29 Team Pace 95.34
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 Ish Smith Robert Covington Jerami Grant Furkan Aldemir Henry Sims Proj Starter Derrick Rose Jimmy Butler Mike Dunleavy Pau Gasol Joakim Noah
Opp. Season 27 2 19 12 7 Opp. Season 26 28 17 24 30
Opp. Last 7 13 5 26 4 9 Opp. Last 7 22 11 17 21 25

Philadelphia

Philadelphia travels into Chicago where they are a very large underdog on the slate tonight. They are looking to avoid an eight-game losing streak, which may be difficult against a Bulls squad that is prepping for a playoff run as they get Rose back. Philadelphia will be most likely without Isaiah Canaan tonight as well as Nerlens Noel, but check the news for a definitive status.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

It is really tough to take anybody from the Sixers squad tonight, as they are likely to get blown out. I can see taking a tournament play on Ish Smith and a deep tournament play on Thomas Robinson if Noel sits again.

Editor’s Note: Ish Smith is not expected to play in tonight’s game. He is currently listed as doubtful.

Chicago

The Bulls finally have the starting five that they came into this season looking to play on a regular basis. They have a great matchup on the board against the Sixers, but the problem here may be how many minutes the starters will get to play in a game that they are 14-point favorites with a total of only 191.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Too many of the Bulls are on minute’s restrictions taking them into the final few games of the season. With Jimmy Butler questionable, I can see a play being used on Mike Dunleavy as he should play about 30 minutes tonight in a perfect matchup for a spot up shooter like him. The other Bull I can see playing is Pau Gasol who can put up monster numbers in only three quarters of work, but his price is a bit too high to trust him doing so for cash games.

Memphis at L.A. Clippers – 10:00 PM EST

Memphis L.A. Clippers
memphisnba Vegas Total 196 laclippersnba Vegas Total 196
Vegas Sprd 8.0 Vegas Sprd -8.0
Team Proj. 94.0 Team Proj. 102.0
Team Pace 94.27 Team Pace 97.02
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 Beno Udrih Courtney Lee Jeff Green Zach Randolph Marc Gasol Proj Starter Chris Paul J.J. Redick Matt Barnes Blake Griffin DeAndre Jordan
Opp. Season 2 18 26 13 12 Opp. Season 6 9 11 3 2
Opp. Last 7 2 2 11 11 1 Opp. Last 7 7 22 4 1 2

Memphis

This game pitting the Grizzlies against the Clippers is another one with huge playoff potential. All the games matter to both of these teams at this point as they battle for the number two seed in the Western Conference. Vegas has this game set at a high total of 197 tonight and should be one of the closest and hard fought games of the night. Check the status of Mike Conley tonight. If he continues to be out, Beno Udrih becomes a great value play.

Elite Plays

Zach Randolph (FD: $7400, DK: $6600) – Randolph should be relied upon tonight for the Grizzlies to keep this game within striking distance, especially without Conley. I expect him to play 35-40 minutes and is one of the safest power forwards on the board tonight.

Secondary Plays

Marc Gasol (FD: $8600, DK: $7600) – The Grizzlies are playing are going to be playing a pace up game against the Clippers tonight which adds value to the starters who will play big minutes. Gasol’s price is great at DK where he needs an easy 38 fantasy points to reach value.

Jeff Green (FD: $5400, DK: $5300) – If the same guys continue to sit (Lee, Allen and Conley), minutes will continue to be plentiful for Green. He has not had a big game in a while, but has been consistent and should be able to pay off his price tonight.

L.A. Clippers

The Clippers want to chase down the Grizzlies for that second playoff seed in the Western Conference. They have been crusing to victories in what has been an easy last three games, but now will have to step up against much better competition tonight. They are big favorites at -8 tonight, but I think it should stay close enough for the starters to see a full allotment.

Elite Plays

Chris Paul (FD: $10900, DK: $9600) – With Curry being a monster favorite tonight and possibly rested, Paul is easily the top point guard option on the slate. He should play big minutes and if Conley is out, Paul should dominate Udrih or Calathes with no problem.

Secondary Plays

Blake Griffin (FD: $9500, DK: $8700) – With Crawford back, the guards and Barnes take a bit of a fantasy hit as there prices are where they would be without him. That makes me feel as if Griffin is the next best play on the board, as I believe the Clippers are going to go out to make a statement tonight against the Grizzlies. It is not the greatest matchup, but Griffin could have a huge game regardless. He is a tournament play for me tonight.

Utah at Portland – 10:00 PM EST

Utah Portland
utahnba Vegas Total 184 portlandnba Vegas Total 184
Vegas Sprd 6.0 Vegas Sprd -6.0
Team Proj. 89.3 Team Proj. 95.25
Team Pace 92.47 Team Pace 96.35
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 Dante Exum Rodney Hood Gordon Hayward Derrick Favors Rudy Gobert Proj Starter Damian Lillard Allen Crabbe Nicolas Batum Meyers Leonard Robin Lopez
Opp. Season 29 22 12 1 5 Opp. Season 5 10 3 9 1
Opp. Last 7 25 21 21 9 6 Opp. Last 7 1 18 6 3 24

Utah

Utah is trying to finish the season on a positive note as they have won five of their last seven games. They continue to play defense at a very high level this season and have recently been able to score as well. They are underdogs today in the lowest total of the night at 187.

Elite Plays

Rodney Hood (FD: $4700, DK: 7600) – Check the status of Burke tonight. Without him, Hood is playing big time minutes and playing well in those minutes. Even if Burke does play, Hood would still be a secondary play on the short slate tonight.

Secondary Plays

I also like Gordon Hayward tonight as well as Rudy Gobert. They are both a bit too expensive for my cash games tonight as there is better value at their positions, but could be in for big nights.

Portland

The Trail Blazers continue to get terrible news, as Afflalo will be out for a week with a shoulder injury and are now sitting Aldridge due to what they are saying is a sprained foot. They will have to attempt to earn homecourt throughout the playoffs without their star. What this does do is open up some fantasy value on the Blazers tonight in a game that they are seven-point favorites in.

Elite Plays

Damian Lillard (FD: $8200, DK: $7900) – Anytime Aldridge has been out this year, Lillard has stepped up in a big way. Even in a difficult matchup, I expect him to do the same tonight.

Nicolas Batum (FD: $6700, DK: $6400) – The other guy who is going to have to step his game up is Batum. Even with Aldridge, he is playing huge minutes and now will have some more offensive responsibilities.

Secondary Plays

Meyers Leonard (FD: $4400, DK: 3800) – Leonard should see a big uptick in minutes tonight against the Jazz with Aldridge out. I do not expect him to win you any tournaments in a tough matchup, but at near minimum price, he makes a decent punt play tonight.

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About the Author

Ryan138
Ryan138

Ryan (Ryan138) is from Chicago and has been playing fantasy sports for over 10 years. He has been playing daily fantasy sports for over 2 years since he was introduced to Daily Joust in late 2010. In the last year, Ryan has risen into the Top 100 of the RotoGrinders leaderboards by playing at DraftDay, DraftKings and FanDuel in all the major sports.