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NBA Grind Down: Saturday, April 4th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-04-06 15:09:07

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 NBA Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review.

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Philadelphia at Charlotte – 7:00 PM EST

Philadelphia Charlotte
philadelphianba Vegas Total 190 charlottenba Vegas Total 190
Vegas Sprd 7.0 Vegas Sprd -7.0
Team Proj. 91.8 Team Proj. 98.8
Team Pace 98.29 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 Ish Smith Jakarr Sampson Jerami Grant Nerlens Noel Furkan Aldemir Proj Starter Kemba Walker Gerald Henderson Jeff Taylor Marvin Williams Bismack Biyombo
Opp. Season 16 8 3 18 6 Opp. Season 24 28 17 25 30
Opp. Last 7 25 4 17 9 14 Opp. Last 7 20 9 20 20 19

Philadelphia

Philadelphia comes into this game playing just as poorly as they have all season. They have currently lost four in a row and have just been awful on the road this year as well. This results in the 76ers being 8-point underdogs against the Hornets in a matchup that features the lowest total of the slate. The only reported injury for the 76ers is to Isaiah Canaan, who is out with a sprained ankle.

Elite Plays

Ishmael Smith – The injury to Canaan should finally lock Ish Smith into a full compliment of minutes. He has been playing well recently getting about 30 minutes a game and scoring 30+ fantasy points in two of his last four games. With 35+ minutes tonight, he should be a lock for 30+ against Kemba Walker.

Secondary Plays

Nerlens Noel – The slow match up and the price make Noel a secondary play only for me tonight. He has been very consistent lately and the clear best player for the 76ers in the last third of the season. He makes an excellent tournament play with 50-point fantasy potential.

Charlotte

The Hornets have played themselves out of a playoff spot in the awful Eastern Conference. They still have a bit of an outside chance to get in, but will have to begin to make their run now. This should result in team that comes out ready to play as well as the starters should see the court as much as possible. The game does feature a very low total of 189, but injuries to Jefferson, Zeller and Kidd-Gilchrist should open up some decent fantasy plays.

Elite Plays

Marvin Williams – The injury to Zeller has forced Marvin Williams into 30 minutes of action and he has produced over 24 fantasy points in each of his last five games. Now the injury to Al Jefferson should lock him into 35+ tonight. He gets a great match up against the 76ers who rank 25th at defending the power forward position. His salary is better at FanDuel, but he should hit value across the industry tonight.

Secondary Plays

Kemba Walker – Walker threw up a complete dud on Friday in a difficult match up against the Pacers. This should bring his ownership levels down a bit tonight in what is a great matchup as the 76ers are ranked 24th in defending the point guard position. I think he makes a great tournament play as he does have 50-point upside.

Bismack Biyombo – With Jefferson’s season most likely over, Biyombo will get the starts for the rest of the season. He is cheap and his minutes should increase big time in a good matchup. He makes for a solid value play tonight.

Gerald Henderson – It is tough to want to take so many players from such a low projected game, but there is some great value due to injuries. MKG is out for this one and if Lance Stephenson doesn’t play again, Gerald would be in line for a lot of minutes in a good matchup.

Brooklyn at Atlanta – 7:30 PM EST

Brooklyn Atlanta
brooklynnba Vegas Total 203 atlantanba Vegas Total 203
Vegas Sprd 9.0 Vegas Sprd -9.0
Team Proj. 97.3 Team Proj. 106.3
Team Pace 94.94 Team Pace 96.12
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 Deron Williams Markel Brown Joe Johnson Thaddeus Young Brook Lopez Proj Starter Jeff Teague Kyle Korver DeMarre Carroll Paul Millsap Al Horford
Opp. Season 14 18 12 17 10 Opp. Season 13 25 10 28 19
Opp. Last 7 23 12 3 1 24 Opp. Last 7 17 15 4 25 4

Brooklyn

The Nets are currently in that couple of team battle for the 8th seed in the East. The surging Nets have won their last six games and eight of their last ten. They will look to continue this momentum into Atlanta for a tough match up against the cream of the Eastern crop. One of the keys to the recent success of this Nets squad has been on the offensive end as they have exceeded the 100-point mark in their last five games and seven of their last ten. Things may be a bit difficult on the road against the Hawks tonight though who rank seventh in points allowed per game.

Elite Plays

Deron Williams – William’s price is beginning to rise a bit, and for good reason. He is getting big minutes, he looks healthy and has scored 45 fantasy points in his last two games. At around the $6500 mark at both FD and DK, he still makes a great play tonight.

Brook Lopez – The other key to the Nets’ success has been the play of Lopez. He has a difficult matchup tonight, but it is tough to ignore what he has been doing lately. He has played around 40 minutes in close games and has been one of the best centers in the league over the last two weeks. His price is still around the 8k range and should at least make value tonight.

Secondary Plays

Thaddeus Young and Joe Johnson are possible tournament plays as they are getting minutes and have some upside, but cannot be trusted in cash games.

Atlanta

In an interesting side plot here tonight, the Atlanta Hawks have a lot of motivation to come out and win against the Brooklyn Nets. The Hawks are holding the Nets’ first round pick for the upcoming draft this year and the Hawks would love to see that pick a lottery one if the Nets miss the playoffs. This, combined with some statements made by the Hawks that they need to start gaining some momentum for the playoffs, makes me think starters may get a few more minutes then they did against the Pacers. They are 9-point favorites tonight with a decent total of 203.

Elite Plays

Paul Millsap – Millsap can do it all for the Hawks and he has the best match up of all the Hawks players tonight. The Nets have struggled against power forwards all year long and are ranked 23rd in DVP. Millsap’s price is a bit down, especially at DraftKings, and makes a great play at sites that have depressed his price.

Secondary Plays

DeMarre Carroll – I like Carroll due to his price and his recent form that showed 45-point upside. I am not sure he will come close to that mark, but 30 fantasy points should be no problem as the Hawks are projected to score 100+.

Miami at Detroit – 7:30 PM EST

Miami Detroit
miaminba Vegas Total 194 detroitnba Vegas Total 194
Vegas Sprd 1.0 Vegas Sprd -1.0
Team Proj. 96.5 Team Proj. 97.5
Team Pace 93.11 Team Pace 95.40
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 Goran Dragic Dwyane Wade Luol Deng Henry Walker Hassan Whiteside Proj Starter Reggie Jackson Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Caron Butler Anthony Tolliver Andre Drummond
Opp. Season 4 14 16 29 29 Opp. Season 11 3 7 6 11
Opp. Last 7 9 21 9 23 21 Opp. Last 7 26 6 24 14 26

Miami

The big news we will have to wait for is the health of Dwyane Wade tonight. When I first saw his fall, I thought for sure that we would be out for the rest of the year. Reports are now saying that he is going to try to give it a go, which is a complete surprise. If he does suit up, he makes a great play as his price has dropped a bit. If he does not suit up, give a big bump to Goran Dragic, Mario Chalmers becomes a great value play, and Henry Walker gets a bit of a bump.

Elite Plays

The elite plays depend on the health of Wade, as mentioned above.

Secondary Plays

Hassan Whiteside – He has played only 23 and 27 minutes in his first two games since returning from the hand injury. I think we see the minutes start increasing, especially with the blowout not looking like a factor tonight. The question marks still remain for Whiteside so he makes a tournament play for me tonight.

Detroit

Like the Heat, the Pistons may look to be playing without their star as well tonight. Greg Monroe, who has missed the last few weeks, is questionable again for tonight’s game, but will return soon. Keep an eye on the news because if he does start, I think it hurts the value of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson a bit, who have carried the offensive load without him. I do not think Monroe would be in play regardless, as he would likely not play a full compliment of minutes.

Elite Plays

Andre Drummond – I still have no confidence in playing him in cash games, as we saw the quick foul potential on Wednesday against the Hornets when he only played 28 minutes and scored 27 fantasy points. We then saw why he makes a great tournament play last night as he went for 48 fantasy points in 43 minutes. It will be an entertaining battle between the two big men tonight and both could be in store for big games.

Secondary Plays

Reggie Jackson – He is a secondary play for me tonight, as he has not reached value in his last three games. He does however, have a very high ceiling for this Pistons team, especially without Monroe. He makes a solid tournament play tonight against Dragic, who is not a great defender.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anthony Tolliver are decent punt plays at their positions if Greg Monroe continues to be out.

Boston at Toronto – 7:30 PM EST

Boston Toronto
bostonnba Vegas Total 208 torontonba Vegas Total 208
Vegas Sprd 3.0 Vegas Sprd -3.0
Team Proj. 102.5 Team Proj. 105.5
Team Pace 98.32 Team Pace 95.59
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 Marcus Smart Avery Bradley Evan Turner Brandon Bass Tyler Zeller Proj Starter Greivis Vasquez DeMar DeRozan Terrence Ross Amir Johnson Jonas Valanciunas
Opp. Season 23 13 26 8 9 Opp. Season 20 5 15 23 24
Opp. Last 7 19 14 12 11 22 Opp. Last 7 24 24 2 17 9

Boston

The Boston Celtics continue to hover around that 8th spot in the playoffs and will continue to play hard in order to reach the postseason. Tonight’s matchup will be tough against the Raptors, but made a bit easier as they will likely be without Lowry again. Both teams average over 100 points per game, which results in the third highest total of the slate at 208.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Evan Turner – I do not like the price at FanDuel, but he makes for a good play at DraftKings for under 6k. His position has been changed back to shooting guard as well, which I like, as there are always a number of point guard plays out there. He is getting around 30 minutes a game and has contributed in a number of categories. He needs about 30 to reach value at DK and it should be easy in the matchup tonight.

Avery Bradley – The other Celtic who is locked into clear minutes is Bradley. He will play the most out all the guards the Celtics throw out there, and has shown big upside potential recently. His price is low across the industry and he should be able to reach value against a Raptors squad that is ranked 18th against the shooting guard position over the last three weeks.

Toronto

The Raptors still have a bit to play for, as they will look to get home-court advantage for the playoffs. They will most likely have to do it without their starting point guard Kyle Lowry, who looks like he should be out for at least a few more games. His absence has made this game into a close match up, as the Raptors are only 3-point favorites against the Celtics. Both these teams play at a high pace and the Celtics allow the seventh-most points per game, which bodes well for the fantasy potential of the Raptors tonight.

Elite Plays

DeMar DeRozan – The guy who is being leaned on the hardest with the Lowry injury is DeRozan. He should be in line for close to 40 minutes tonight and has huge upside in this matchup.

Patrick Patterson – This is dependent on the availability of Amir Johnson. If Johnson sits, Patterson would most likely get 30 minutes and would be a top value play on the slate.

Secondary Plays

Louis Williams, Greivis Vasquez and Jonas Valanciunas are all solid plays tonight. Williams and Vasquez are price dependent as they are rising a bit too high at DK, but still playable at FD. Jonas Valanciunas would get a bit of an uptick if Amir Johnson is unable to suit up tonight and has been playing very well recently.

Washington at Memphis – 8:00 PM EST

Washington Memphis
washingtonnba Vegas Total 189 memphisnba Vegas Total 189
Vegas Sprd 7.5 Vegas Sprd -7.5
Team Proj. 91.0 Team Proj. 98.5
Team Pace 96.04 Team Pace 94.27
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 John Wall Bradley Beal Paul Pierce Nene Hilario Marcin Gortat Proj Starter Mike Conley Courtney Lee Jeff Green Zach Randolph Marc Gasol
Opp. Season 6 9 14 5 2 Opp. Season 17 2 6 3 3
Opp. Last 7 4 8 29 10 16 Opp. Last 7 18 13 8 5 15

Washington

Even if this game were slated for earlier in the season, it would be difficult to find a lot of fantasy potential. As the Wizards travel to Memphis, we have two top-ten defenses in points allowed per game, as well as two teams that score under 100 per game pitted against each other. Add this to the fact that both teams are on the second night of a back to back and we may see one of the worst fantasy potential games of the night. The only plays I would take from the Wizards would be if Pierce and Nene continue to sit, Otto Porter and Drew Gooden/*Kris Humpries* could make decent value plays with Porter being the clear favorite amongst the bunch.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

None

Memphis

Coming off a win over the decimated Thunder team, the Grizzlies will play again tonight in a back to back. I would be very surprised if the Grizzlies do not rest any of their starters tonight as they have locked up the third seed in the West, but at this point we have no clear information. Check back for more information, as some very good value could and should open up here.

Elite Plays

Check Back

Secondary Plays

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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.