NBA Grind Down: Saturday February 1st Page Three

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2014-02-01 19:24:49

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Toronto at Portland

Vegas Line – Portland -7, 205.5 Over/Under
Toronto Proj. Starters – Lowry-Derozan-Ross-Johnson-Valanciunas
Portland Proj. Starters – Lillard-Matthews-Batum-Aldridge-Lopez

Toronto

The Raptors continue to play some solid basketball. They picked up a nice win against a tough Nuggets team last night. Granted, they were without their All-Star PG, but it was still a nice win. They will get an even tougher test tonight as they travel to Portland to take on the Blazers. DeMar DeRozan was back in the lineup for last night’s game and didn’t experience any setbacks so expect him to be in the lineup again tonight. I actually think he makes a nice play tonight.

Kyle Lowry – Lowry has been very boom or bust lately, but I love his matchup against Lillard and company who have given up the 2nd most fantasy points to PG’s this season.

Portland

The Blazers have an interesting matchup tonight. The Blazers like to push the pace and the Raptors like to slow it down and play solid defense. That usually leads me to downgrade the fantasy value of the faster paced team, but I actually think the Blazers are in a nice spot tonight. I will not be taking Damian Lillard though, he is in the middle of a prolonged slump and has a very tough matchup against Lowry. LaMarcus Aldridge makes a decent play, but once again, I would rather have Kevin Love in that same price range.

Nicolas Batum – Batum’s price is very cheap across the board and I think he makes a very sneaky play tonight against the Raptors. Batum is averaging more than 30 FP’s per game at home and Ross is a pretty average defender. Look for Batum to have one of his classic 13/9/8 fantasy lines.

Utah at L.A.Clippers

Vegas Line – L.A.Clippers -12, 205.5 Over/Under
Utah Proj. Starters – Burke-Hayward-Jefferson-Williams-Favors
L.A.Clippers Proj. Starters – Collison-Redick-Barnes-Griffin-Jordan

Utah

The Jazz were full of GTD’s last night and I’m not sure it will get any better tonight. Trey Burke and Richard Jefferson were both able to play through it, but Derrick Favors and Marvin Williams both sat out and have to be considered questionable for tonight’s game. That doesn’t bode well for the Jazz’s chances of keeping this game close. The Clippers have not missed a beat without Paul in the lineup. I will likely be avoiding all Jazz players tonight, unless we get word that Favors and/or Williams are out. If so, both Enes Kanter and Jeremy Evans would make nice value options.

L.A.Clippers

The Clippers are huge favorites tonight against the Jazz who are playing in a back to back situation. I love the matchup for both Darren Collison and Blake Griffin. But I find it hard to pay up for them in a game that will more likely than not be over after 3 quarters.