NBA Grind Down: Saturday, February 10th

by Travis Mangone (Mangone) Last Updated 2018-02-10 19:09:44

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Welcome to the RotoGrinders NBA Grind Down. In this all-encompassing preview of today’s NBA action, every game will be broken down statistically, with several key elements highlighted in our charts.

Vegas lines are broken down to show projected Implied Team Totals, to give you an idea of who is favored to win, and often more importantly, how many points they’re expected to score. We also provide pace numbers, so you can spot a game that might have a few extra possessions and more opportunities for fantasy points.

We also provide position-by-position matchup rankings for every team, to give you an idea of the players who will be in better situations to succeed. Using Defense versus Position data, every projected starter is listed along with his opponent’s rank in points allowed to players of his position. These color-coded charts will help you spot the best matchups of the night at a glance.

If you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use promo code “GRINDERS” to receive the best perks in the industry.

Legend & FAQ

New Orleans Pelicans at Brooklyn Nets – 6:00 PM ET

New Orleans Pelicans							Brooklyn Nets
			Vegas Total		220.0					Vegas Total		220.0
			Vegas Spread		-2.5					Vegas Spread		2.5
			Implied Team Total		111.3					Implied Team Total		108.8
			Pace Projection +/-		1.8					Pace Projection +/-		2.5
Projected Starters	Jrue Holiday	DeAndre Liggins	E’Twaun Moore	Nikola Mirotic	Anthony Davis		Projected Starters	Spencer Dinwiddie	Allen Crabbe	Joe Harris	DeMarre Carroll	Jarrett Allen
Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C		Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C
DvP	23	17	13	23	30		DvP	21	26	21	26	11
DRPM Rat.	6	19	25	8	26		DRPM Rat.	2	11	28	21	2

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have been struggling recently but a game against the Nets can certainly turn things around quickly. The Brooklyn Nets are ranked 24th in points allowed per game, 23rd in defensive efficiency, 17th in rebounding differential and 6th in pace of play. This is a team that we should be targeting and with DeMarcus Cousins out there is still reasons to love getting exposure to the Pelicans.

If you follow my content you know I hate Jrue Holiday. I played him yesterday and there is no way I am going back to that bum again! Sort of kidding here as this is a good spot for Jrue against the 23rd ranked team against opposing point guards. It is no secret that the Nets are awful against guards and this is a great bounce back spot for Jrue. If he was on the main slate I would have to give him a strong look, but I will likely just stay away from him because its not on the main slate. If you can roster him feel free to because the matchup is good and Jrue loves going off when I don’t roster him. Nikola Mirotic is still trying to fit well in this system. This is still a good matchup for him and I like the idea of buying on him until his price gets higher. Mirotic has upside in this matchup and is a secondary play. I sort of buried the lead with Anthony Davis who would be a high owned elite play if he was on the main slate. If you are playing a slate with Davis, I would do my best to get exposure to him against the 30th ranked team at defending opposing centers. I don’t understand what the coach is doing with Rondo, but if he decides to start him today I like him in tournaments. Again, though, this is not no the main slate and it is probably not worth taking shots on Rondo here. My focus will be Davis, Jrue and Mirotic, in that order.

Notable Injuries None

New Orleans Pelicans Offense

Points Per Game: 110.7 (4 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 111.3 (3 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 0.5 (10 of 14)

Matchup vs. Brooklyn Nets

Points Allowed Per Game: 109.1 (24 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 107.6 (23 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -0.9 (17 of 30)
Pace of Play: 101.1 (6 of 30)

Elite Plays – Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday

Secondary Plays – Nikola Mirotic

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are clearly not trying to win games and just spreading out the minutes between everyone on their roster. It is frustrating for DFS but tough to avoid when they get to play the Pelicans. The Pelicans are ranked 29th in points allowed per game, 22nd in defensive efficiency, 22nd in rebounding differential and 4th in pace of play. This is a great team to target and despite Kenny Atkinson’s minutes distribution we must consider some Nets.

Spencer Dinwiddie has been good and until they give the lead ball handling duties back to Russell, Dinwiddie will be in play at his price. The Pelicans struggle against opposing guards and this could be a good spot for Dinwiddie. I don’t like Russell because the coach won’t play him minutes. Until I get word that he will play more minutes, he is an easy fade. Jarrett Allen also seems limited on his minutes and at his price in a matchup against Anthony Davis, I will pass on him as well. I think mixing in guys like Joe Harris, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe is fine because RHJ and Levert are out. They typically would limit their minutes, but the injuries here force the Nets to have to play these wing players more minutes. I like mixing these players throughout your lineup against a team that struggles at defending wing players. They are cheap, and I think in a single game format you could pair them up with Jrue and Davis to make a really good team.

Notable Injuries Caris Levert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (out)

Brooklyn Nets Offense

Points Per Game: 105.1 (16 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 108.8 (6 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 3.7 (3 of 14)

Matchup vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Points Allowed Per Game: 111.1 (29 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 107.3 (22 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -1.4 (22 of 30)
Pace of Play: 101.8 (4 of 30)

Elite Plays – None

Secondary Plays – Spender Dinwiddie and DeMarre Carroll

Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM ET

Milwaukee Bucks							Orlando Magic
			Vegas Total		207.5					Vegas Total		207.5
			Vegas Spread		-5.0					Vegas Spread		5.0
			Implied Team Total		106.3					Implied Team Total		101.3
			Pace Projection +/-		1.6					Pace Projection +/-		-1.7
Projected Starters	Eric Bledsoe	Tony Snell	Khris Middleton	Giannis Antetokounmpo	John Henson		Projected Starters	D.J. Augustin	Evan Fournier	Jonathon Simmons	Mario Hezonja	Bismack Biyombo
Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C		Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C
DvP	30	29	20	28	22		DvP	9	3	2	7	26
DRPM Rat.	22	28	30	24	26		DRPM Rat.	8	26	26	3	2

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks get one of the best matchups in the league against the Orlando Magic. The Magic are ranked 27th in points allowed per game, 27th in defensive efficiency and 29th in rebounding differential. This is a big pace up game for the Bucks, but they are only 4.5-point favorites. Vegas thinks the game will stay close enough where we won’t have to worry about a blowout, so a lot the Bucks players look to be in play.

Giannis Antetokounmpo gets one of the easiest matchups you can ask for in DFS. The Magic are ranked 28th against opposing power forwards but I would assume they put their best defender Jonathon Simmons on him all game. Simmons is not someone I would worry about against a superstar like Giannis and if you like him as a play go ahead and play him. Giannis is an elite play in this game environment and one of the best spend up options on the slate. Eric Bledsoe has flashed a ton of upside since Brodgon has gone down. Many thought Middleton could be the primary beneficiary, but it has been Bledsoe. In Bledsoe’s last three games he is averaging 43.5 DraftKings points per game. The Magic just traded away their starting point guard and I don’t expect the defense of D.J. Augustin to move them up a ton. The Magic are still ranked dead last against opposing point guards. Bledsoe is an elite play in this matchup and should be a great play today. Kris Middleton has been struggling recently and I don’t know why. I thought Brogdon going down would help him out, but it hasn’t done much for him. The Magic are a team that can help anyone turn it around and this could be the spot Middleton does it. I think he is a solid play, but I prefer Bledsoe at a similar price. Henson is the last guy that I want to consider here because of his cheap price on DraftKings at $5300. He is too much on FanDuel, but on DK he is playable. I won’t be playing him because I don’t love the matchup, but I think Henson’s price on DK is worth noting because of the upside he has shown. All the other fringe Bucks options are easy fades for me and not in play.

Notable Injuries Malcolm Brogdon (out)

Milwaukee Bucks Offense

Points Per Game: 104.6 (17 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 106.3 (10 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 1.7 (7 of 14)

Matchup vs. Orlando Magic

Points Allowed Per Game: 109.9 (27 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 108.6 (27 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -4.0 (29 of 30)
Pace of Play: 100.9 (7 of 30)

Elite Plays – Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe

Secondary Plays – Jabari Parker (depends on minutes)

Orlando Magic

The Magic traded away one of their best healthy players in Elfrid Payton and are clearly a mess. This team has one of the worst records in the league and is clearly trying to tank. They get a matchup against a good Bucks team that is ranked 15th in defensive efficiency and 24th in pace of play. This is a massive pace down game for Orlando but the recent trade of Elfird Payton will certainly help a lot of these Magic plays get to value easier.

The Magic traded away their starting point guard Elfrid Payton which should open a ton of value on Orlando. In their first game without Payton, D.J. Augustin was the top value play with 41.1 FanDuel points. On FanDuel, Augustine is $6200 and is a tougher roster at that price but on DraftKings for $4700 he is an elite play. Shelvin Mack was a popular play last slate and is now around $4000 on both sites. He saw 21 minutes in his last game, but I think there is room for more minutes if he plays better. I don’t love him as a value play, but I think he is in the conversation and a secondary play. Evan Fournier is someone that I rarely like to roster. The situation has changed though and at his current price with no Elfrid Payton he is more in play. With their starting lineup from the other night Fournier had a 26.5% usage and averaged 1.02 fantasy points per minute. That is a 6% usage bump for him and I think with Payton gone he is a secondary play. The matchup isn’t great against the Bucks, who are ranked in the top ten against every position except centers. Either way the usage bump exceeds the matchup and makes Fournier a secondary play.

Mario Hezonja is still too cheap around the industry at $5500. In Hezonja’s last seven games he is playing at least 25 minutes per game and putting up at least 20 fantasy points in each game. He has been as consistent as it comes and should be a secondary play in cash games and tournaments. Jonathon Simmons is a high upside tournament play at this price. I don’t like him in this matchup because they should use him a lot on defense to try and defend Giannis. I understand at his price he has massive upside, but this is a spot where I think we can stay away. Bismack Biyombo gets the best matchup on Orlando against the 26th ranked team against opposing centers. It is well known that the Bucks struggle against opposing bigs and at his price around the industry Biyombo is an elite option. I know I said the Bucks struggle against opposing bigs but I don’t think Marreese Speights makes the cut here. I get he is cheap and has upside, but he is Marreese Speights and Frank Vogel is inconsistent with his bench players minutes.

Notable Injuries Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic (out)

Orlando Magic Offense

Points Per Game: 105.7 (15 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 101.3 (14 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: -4.5 (14 of 14)

Matchup vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Points Allowed Per Game: 104.6 (11 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 106.0 (15 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -2.8 (27 of 30)
Pace of Play: 97.6 (24 of 30)

Elite Plays – D.J. Augustin (dk) and Bismack Biyombo

Secondary Plays – Mario Hezonja and Shelvin Mack

Los Angeles Clippers at Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM ET

Los Angeles Clippers							Philadelphia 76ers
			Vegas Total		218.0					Vegas Total		218.0
			Vegas Spread		3.0					Vegas Spread		-3.0
			Implied Team Total		107.5					Implied Team Total		110.5
			Pace Projection +/-		2.3					Pace Projection +/-		1.4
Projected Starters	Austin Rivers	Avery Bradley	Danilo Gallinari	Tobias Harris	DeAndre Jordan		Projected Starters	Ben Simmons	J.J. Redick	Robert Covington	Dario Saric	Joel Embiid
Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C		Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C
DvP	16	22	22	16	12		DvP	14	28	25	19	21
DRPM Rat.	1	26	1	24	3		DRPM Rat.	29	23	7	27	11

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are coming off a back to back and must travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers. This game is going to be a fast-paced game. The Clippers are still somehow a playoff team and if you look at their starting five they are not bad considering they traded away their superstar. They also have some favorable prices around the industry that we are going to have to consider on today’s slate.

As you all know I love revenge matchups and I know it’s been a while, but this guy has a nice price and is in a revenge spot. Lou Williams might be expensive on DraftKings at $7900 but he is still a solid play over there. The real discount is on FanDuel where we can get him for only $6800. We also must roster two shooting guards on FanDuel and I don’t see how Williams isn’t an elite play here. The only concern I have is taking a jump shooter on the second night of a back to back but that won’t stop me. Williams is an elite cash game and tournament play on this slate. (prefer him more on FanDuel)

DeAndre Jordan draws a tough matchup against Embiid and if he plays I would be fading Jordan. If Embiid sits, I think Jordan is a solid play but not one that I need to jam in my lineups. His price is most appealing over on DraftKings where he is only $6700. Danilo Gallinari, Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley are all solid plays around the industry. I am not in love with them, but I think you can mix and match them in your lineups here. If I could only list one as a secondary play it would be Danilo Gallinari. He is still cheap enough where he has a nice floor and decent upside at that price. He has also started rounding into form for the first time this season. I like Gallinari as a secondary play. The last guy I want to discuss is Austin Rivers. No one was talking about him yesterday when Tyler Dorsey was the talk of the town. Rivers was only $900 more on FanDuel and I didn’t pull the trigger when I wanted to because I didn’t know how many minutes he would play. Rivers played 31 minutes and if Milos sits again I will be sure to get exposure to Rivers at his cheap price.

Notable Injuries Milos Teodosic (questionable)

Los Angeles Clippers Offense

Points Per Game: 107.6 (7 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 107.5 (8 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: -0.1 (12 of 14)

Matchup vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Points Allowed Per Game: 106.5 (19 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 103.5 (4 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: + 4.7 (1 of 30)
Pace of Play: 101.6 (5 of 30)

Elite Plays – Lou Williams (fanduel) and Austin Rivers

Secondary Plays – Danilo Gallinari and Deandre Jordan (dk if Embiid is out)

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers get a matchup against a Clippers team that is starting to get healthy. The bad news for the 76ers is that they could be shorthanded with Embiid questionable on the second night of a back to back. This is going to be a fast-paced game and we don’t have a Vegas total yet because we are waiting on the Embiid news.

This game is simple for me if Embiid plays, he is a great tournament play because he will be low owned and can smash in almost any matchup. If he is ruled out, I will load up on Saric and Covington who are the main beneficiaries. They would both be elite plays, but if Embiid is ruled in I would temper my expectations with these two. Covington fits this game style well though as it is a very fast paced game where he can thrive in transition. Although he won’t see more minutes if Embiid sits it will give him a higher usage and just more opportunities. I don’t love Simmons on this slate and think there are better ways to spend your money. JJ Redick gets his revenge game today against the Clippers. He already had one this year and only had 20.5 fantasy points and I think this won’t be a day to buy in on the revenge. The main reason would be he has to deal with Avery Bradley defense all game and I don’t think we need him as a source of value on this slate. Final thoughts on the Sixers are to be on the look out for Embiid news as it is very important and could impact the slate a ton.

Notable Injuries Joel Embiid (questionable)

Philadelphia 76ers Offense

Points Per Game: 107.6 (7 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 110.5 (4 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 2.9 (5 of 14)

Matchup vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Points Allowed Per Game: 107.1 (21 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 106.0 (15 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -1.1 (19 of 30)
Pace of Play: 100.7 (8 of 30)

Elite Plays – Dario Saric (if Embiid is out, secondary play if Embiid is in)

Secondary Plays – Robert Covington (Elite play if Embiid is in)

Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls – 8:00 PM ET

Washington Wizards							Chicago Bulls
			Vegas Total		215.0					Vegas Total		215.0
			Vegas Spread		-6.0					Vegas Spread		6.0
			Implied Team Total		110.5					Implied Team Total		104.5
			Pace Projection +/-		0.7					Pace Projection +/-		0.2
Projected Starters	Tomas Satoransky	Bradley Beal	Otto Porter	Markieff Morris	Marcin Gortat		Projected Starters	Jerian Grant	Justin Holiday	Denzel Valentine	Lauri Markkanen	Robin Lopez
Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C		Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C
DvP	26	27	18	27	17		DvP	19	10	24	2	13
DRPM Rat.	23	10	22	26	24		DRPM Rat.	12	14	1	19	8

Washington Wizards

The Wizards are still fighting without John Wall and get to take on the Chicago Bulls tonight. The Bulls have been a great team to target over the last couple of months because they are ranked 26th in points allowed per game, 26th in defensive efficiency, 20th in rebounding differential and 12th in pace of play. The Wizards are also without Wall and starting to get pricey since he has been out for two weeks, but this game environment might be too good to pass on Washington players.

Bradley Beal is $9000, man that price is killing me. Since Wall went down Beal has been good, but when you look at the numbers he doesn’t seem like a $9000 or more type of player. Beal has a 27.2% usage and is averaging .94 fantasy points per minute in 154.8-minute sample size. I know the matchup against the Bulls is great, but do I really want to spend my money on Beal?? It helps that we don’t have a lot of pay up options on this slate because it feels like I am slightly overpaying for Beal’s safety. I think he is a solid secondary play for cash games around the industry, but at his price the upside could be capped a little. I like Beal, but he is not a play I am going crazy over.

Otto Porter is one of my favorite plays on the Wizards. He sees the next biggest usage at 25.8% and is averaging 1.18 fantasy points per minute. Porter is my favorite Washington play at that price and is going to be one of my elite plays. Tomas Satoransky is cheap, but I don’t think I need to use him to save. I think he is a fine option, but not someone I am in love with. Markieff Morris is questionable for this game and if he doesn’t play the paper company will be one of the top value plays to target. Mike Scott is his name and he once said you miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take. If Markieff Morris is out I will make sure to take my shot with Mike Scott in my cash games and tournaments. Kelly Oubre could be interesting too if Morris sat but again a lot hinges on the status of Markieff. I could also see Gortat getting some more run against Robin Lopez if they are shorthanded in the frontcourt. Problem is I just like other center options, so I don’t think Gortat is worth playing …even if Markieff sits.

Notable Injuries John Wall (out) and Markieff Morris (questionable)

Washington Wizards Offense

Points Per Game: 107.3 (9 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 110.5 (4 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 3.2 (4 of 14)

Matchup vs. Chicago Bulls

Points Allowed Per Game: 109.2 (26 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 108.0 (26 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -1.2 (20 of 30)
Pace of Play: 100.0 (12 of 30)

Elite Plays – Bradley Beal and Otto Porter

Secondary Plays – Mike Scott

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are coming off an emotional win against the Minnesota Timberwolves and playing on the second night of a back to back. I am slightly concerned this could be a spot where the Bulls just don’t show up after Zach Lavine went off against his former team. Zach Lavine is out for this game and that will certainly open some value on the Bulls side of the ball. The good news is that the Wizards typically play down to their competition and the Bulls are at home. The Wizards are ranked 14th in points allowed per game, 13th in defensive efficiency, 16th in rebounding differential and 15th in pace.

The Bulls prices are too cheap on DraftKings compared to FanDuel – a common trend here. Jerian Grant is a nice value at point guard for only $5000. I only tolerate his price on FanDuel because of Lavine being out, but I think Grant is a better play on DK. Justin Holidays price on DraftKings is way too cheap at $4800. He is also in play on FanDuel with Lavine being out and is going to see a nice bump in usage. The Wizards have struggled most of the year against opposing Small Forwards so that would bring Denzel Valentine in play. Again, Lavine sees a huge usage that it is going to be distributed to everyone and making Valentine someone else we must consider at that price. Grant, Holiday and Valentine are all elite plays at their prices and are going to be awesome cash and tournament plays.

Bobby Portis, Lauri Markkanen and Robin Lopez are all plays that I am just not too interested in. My focus on Bulls is going to be on the Bulls backcourt. If you forced me to pick one of these guys to like though I think Markkanen could ask to do some more than usual with the injuries the Bulls have. But again, I am focusing more on the guards and wing players that will soak up Lavine’s minutes and production.

Notable Injuries Zach Lavine (out)

Chicago Bulls Offense

Points Per Game: 103.5 (21 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 104.5 (12 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 1.0 (8 of 14)

Matchup vs. Washington Wizards

Points Allowed Per Game: 105.7 (14 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 105.4 (13 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -0.4 (16 of 30)
Pace of Play: 99.5 (15 of 30)

Elite Plays – Jerian Grant, Justin Holiday and Denzel Valentine

Secondary Plays – Lauri Markkanen

San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors – 8:30 PM ET

San Antonio Spurs							Golden State Warriors
			Vegas Total		215.5					Vegas Total		215.5
			Vegas Spread		11.0					Vegas Spread		-11.0
			Implied Team Total		102.3					Implied Team Total		113.3
			Pace Projection +/-		3.2					Pace Projection +/-		-2.8
Projected Starters	Patty Mills	Danny Green	Kyle Anderson	LaMarcus Aldridge	Davis Bertans		Projected Starters	Stephen Curry	Klay Thompson	Kevin Durant	Draymond Green	Zaza Pachulia
Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C		Opponent Rank	PG	SG	SF	PF	C
DvP	17	23	8	29	24		DvP	2	4	4	1	5
DRPM Rat.	20	5	18	2	3		DRPM Rat.	29	1	1	19	11

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are banged up but will be playing in a massive pace up game against the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs are eleven-point road underdogs and there is some concern of a blowout. The Warriors are ranked 23rd in points allowed per game, 6th in defensive efficiency, 9th in rebounding differential and 2nd in pace of play. The recent injuries will provide us with some nice value though that cannot get overlooked.

Dejounte Murray has been ruled out in this game as well as Tony Parker. This will make Danny Green and Patty Mills great value plays at guard on this slate. They are both cheap around the industry and elite plays on this slate. We could also see Manu Ginobli becoming an interesting play, but I think he is more of a tournament play and there is some risk there. If Manu does get going though he could have one of those turn the clock back kind of games. LaMarcus Aldridge is seeing a 25.7% usage and is the best option on the Spurs. He has been carrying the load for them and has 50 or more fantasy points in his last two games. If the Spurs have any chance of hanging with the Warriors Aldridge is going to have to have a big game. I think he is an elite play on this slate and if you are projecting this game to stay close, I would make sure to run it back with Aldridge. Kyle Anderson could also benefit here but he is more of a cash game play. Pau Gasol and Davis Bertans are the last players to enter the conversation for me. I think Gasol has upside in this type of matchup and is strictly a tournament play. Bertans is not necessary because we have enough good value already on this slate.

Attacking value plays like Mills and Green are great way to get cheap exposure to this game because even if it blows out you don’t feel like you overpaid for someone. That is my one concern about Aldridge here, but with all this value grabbing his raw points could be a great idea with the amount of usage he could see.

Notable Injuries Dejounte Murray and Tony Parker (out)

San Antonio Spurs Offense

Points Per Game: 101.4 (27 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 102.3 (13 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: 0.8 (9 of 14)

Matchup vs. Golden State Warriors

Points Allowed Per Game: 108.0 (23 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 103.9 (6 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: + 2.3 (9 of 30)
Pace of Play: 102.5 (2 of 30)

Elite Plays – LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills and Danny Green

Secondary Plays – Pau Gasol (tournaments only)

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have been struggling recently, only winning six of their last ten games. This game is on national TV and the Warriors are eleven-point home favorites. They draw a tough matchup tonight against a Spurs team that might be banged up, but are still a tough opponent. The Spurs are ranked 1st in points allowed per game, 2nd in defensive efficiency, 5th in rebounding differential and 29th in pace. This is not the most DFS friendly team to target so I am going to really limit my exposure to a lot of Warriors players.

It is rare to want to limit your exposure to the Warriors on a nationally televised game, but this is the spot to do it. If you want to pay up for Durant, simply just find the money for the Greek Freak instead. If you want to pay for Draymond Green find the money for Lamarcus Aldridge instead. I think Durant and Green are easy fades today and not worth their prices around the industry. Sure, they are stars and can have big games on almost any slate, but I will take my chances and pass on them. Stephen Curry is my favorite play on the Warriors. This price is still too cheap for the upside that he has, and I am not scared at all of Patty Mills defense. I don’t think I will go out of my way to play Curry, but if I had to pick my favorite Warriors player on this slate it would be him and I think he is an elite play at his price. The last Golden State player that we really must discuss is Klay Thompson. I like his price and I think if you want some cheap exposure to this game it could work, but the matchup is terrible. Just $6200 on DK and $6400 feels to cheap for a guy who can get hot and has a lot of upside at that price which makes him a secondary play.

Notable Injuries None

Golden State Warriors Offense

Points Per Game: 115.5 (1 of 30)
Implied Implied Team Total: 113.3 (1 of 14)
Projected Point Differential: -2.3 (13 of 14)

Matchup vs. San Antonio Spurs

Points Allowed Per Game: 97.7 (1 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 101.2 (2 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: + 2.5 (5 of 30)
Pace of Play: 96.5 (29 of 30)

Elite Plays – Stephen Curry

Secondary Plays – Klay Thompson

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