NBA Grind Down: Saturday, February 22nd

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2014-02-22 18:00:23

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: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NFL Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review

Click ‘Stat Chart’ Buttons Below for Pop-Ups of Essential Game-Specific Statistics including Defense vs. Position and Pace

Memphis at Charlotte

Vegas Line – Memphis -2, 180 Over/Under
Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Prince-Randolph-Gasol
Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Henderson-Kidd-Gilchrist-McRoberts-Jefferson

Memphis

Last night’s Grizzlies game ended up being a shootout against the Clippers, but something tells me that tonight’s game will be a little different. The total for this game is set at 180 points which is by far the lowest total of the night. The Grizzlies are one of the slowest paced teams in the league, averaging only 92 possessions per game. The Bobcats aren’t much better as they only average 95 possessions per game.

A slow paced, defensive battle typically isn’t a game that you want to target in daily fantasy basketball, but there are two matchups that we can exploit in this one. The Bobcats are ranked 18th against PG’s and 26th against Centers this season. This puts Mike Conley and Marc Gasol in play. Zach Randolph should probably be avoided tonight as the McRoberts and the Bobcats have really defended the PF position well.

Charlotte

The Bobcats have a very tough matchup tonight. The Grizzlies have only given up more than 90 points in 4 of their last 14 games. Their defense and slow pace of play have suffocated opponents offensive production. Al Jefferson has been on fire over the past few weeks, but is over-priced for his matchup against Marc Gasol. Kemba Walker also has a less than favorable matchup tonight. I will be avoiding all things Bobcats tonight.

New Orleans at Washington

Vegas Line – Washington -6, 196.5 Over/Under
New Orleans Proj. Starters – Roberts-Gordon-Aminu-Davis-Ajinca
Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Ariza-Hilario-Gortat

New Orleans

The Pelicans are 6 points underdogs tonight against the Wizards. Their matchup is a decent one as Wizards play at an average pace and give up close to 100 points per game to their opponents. The Wizards have been very stout with their interior defense this season, but they aren’t necessarily a great rebounding team. Anthony Davis should be able to use his length to dominate the glass on both ends of the floor. Brian Roberts is worth a look as a deep value play as the Wizards have not been great at defending PG’s this season.

Anthony Davis – Davis is one of the few players in the league that I typically don’t mind taking in a bad matchup. Davis doesn’t need to average 25 actual points per game in order to be an effective fantasy player. Davis can grab 15 rebounds, block 5 shots, and pick up a few steals any night of the week and be close to covering his value. His price has come down from where it was earlier in the season and I think he makes a great play tonight.

Washington

The Wizards have a nice matchup tonight against the Pelicans. While the Pelicans play at a below average pace, they have not been great on the defensive end of the floor and are giving up 101 points per game to their opponents. This game is expected to be fairly high scoring and there are three viable fantasy options tonight. I don’t love the matchup for Nene Hilario or Trevor Ariza, but the other 3 starters are all in play tonight. Marcin Gortat should be able to find some success down low against Ajinca and Bradley Beal has really picked up his level of play over the past two weeks.

John Wall – Wall has some of the best home splits in the NBA. He is averaging over 40 FP’s per game at home this season and draws an excellent matchup against Roberts and the Pelicans who are ranked 21st at defending the PG position. Wall should be able to top 40 FP’s again tonight and should battle Curry for the top scoring PG tonight.

New York at Atlanta

Vegas Line – Atlanta -2.5, 202 Over/Under
New York Proj. Starters – Felton-Prigioni-Smith-Anthony-Chandler
Atlanta Proj. Starters – Teague-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Brand

New York

The Knicks are coming off of a tough double-OT loss last night to the Magic. It will be interesting to see how they come out and play tonight. Something tells me that they are really going to struggle defensively. This game has a high total and is a great game to target tonight. Iman Shumpert will miss tonight’s game so look for J.R. Smith to get another start at SG. Additionally, the Knicks will be without Beno Udrih and Metta World Peace as they have bought out both of their contracts.

The Knicks have a favorable matchup against the Hawks who both play at a fast pace and struggle defensively. The Hawks are ranked 20th or worse in terms of fantasy points allowed to SG’s, SF’s, PF’s, and Centers this season. Tyson Chandler makes a solid punt option at Center, his price is still very affordable on a couple of sites. J.R. Smith is also in play, he offers nice upside for his price. If you are looking for a cheap value play, Tim Hardaway Jr. makes a nice punt option, he is playing 30+ minutes per game lately.

Carmelo Anthony – Melo may be a bit tired after putting up 44 points last night against the Magic, but he has another solid matchup tonight against Millsap and the Hawks. Over the last 15 days, the Hawks have given up the 2nd most FP’s to opposing PF’s. Melo is one of the top overall fantasy options tonight.

Atlanta

The Hawks were without Jeff Teague last night in a loss to the Pistons. His status for tonight’s game is still up in the air. If he has to sit out another game, look for Shelvin Mack to draw another start and for Lou Williams to see a nice boost off the bench. Both of them played great in last night’s game against the Pistons.

Looking at the DvP rankings, there aren’t many great matchups here, but I’m expecting the Knicks to struggle defensively as they will be playing on tired legs. Kyle Korver is cheap on DS and FD and Elton Brand has been a great punt option. Both are in play again tonight.

Paul Millsap – This pick goes against the DvP rankings, but I have a hard time seeing Melo stop Millsap on the offensive end of the floor. Millsap is playing huge minutes with all of the injuries to the Hawks bigs and his game is so versatile that he is extremely difficult for opponents to defend. He’s topped 40 FP’s in back to back games and I think he makes in 3 in a row tonight.

Dallas at Detroit

Vegas Line – Dallas -3.5, 213 Over/Under
Dallas Proj. Starters – Calderon-Ellis-Marion-Nowitzki-Dalembert
Detroit Proj. Starters – Jennings-Singler-Smith-Monroe-Drummond

Dallas

The Mavericks go from playing one bad defense to another. After a huge offensive night against the Sixers, the Mavericks now get to face the Pistons who are giving up an average of 103 points per game which is the 6th highest in the NBA. This game should be much closer than last night’s game too which helps the fantasy value of both teams.

The Pistons are ranked 14th or worse against all five positions on the floor in terms of fantasy points allowed. Jose Calderon makes a nice punt option at point guard, both he and Shawn Marion are underpriced on most fantasy sites across the industry.

Dirk Nowitzki – Dirk has a lot of things in his favor tonight. He has been on fire over his past few games, he has a terrific matchup against the Pistons, he has a great track record against the Pistons (averaging 25, 8, and 3), and he only played 27 minutes last night so he should be in for a full complement of minutes tonight. Dirk is one of my favorite plays tonight.

Monta Ellis – Even though the Pistons are ranked 14th against SG’s in the season long DvP rankings, most of that was from the defense of Caldwell-Pope. Now that Kyle Singler is starting, the Pistons have dropped in the rankings. They have given up the 3rd most FP’s to opposing SG’s over the last 15 days. Monta struggled last night, but should be in for a great bounce back game tonight.

Detroit

The Pistons are also in a terrific matchup tonight. The Mavericks are giving up the 7th most points per game in the league and the Pistons are coming off of a great offensive game last night against the Hawks. This should be one of the higher scoring games of the night and it might not be a bad play to take a couple players from both teams.

Looking at the Mavericks’ DvP rankings, they have been average against every position this season. That means that there aren’t any matchups that we need to avoid on the Pistons. Brandon Jennings should be able to push the pace and has a nice chance of reaching a double-double. Kyle Singler continues to make a nice punt play. Josh Smith always provides the upside that you are looking for in a GPP.

Andre Drummond – The Mavericks have one big Center and then have a very under-sized Blair and a very thin Wright. Look for Drummond to dominate the glass tonight. He didn’t have the huge game that I was expecting him to last night, but maybe he was just saving it for tonight. He should be considered the top Center on the board as Jefferson has an extremely tough matchup against the Grizzlies.

Indiana at Milwaukee

Vegas Line – Indiana -11.5, 189 Over/Under
Indiana Proj. Starters – Hill-Stephenson-George-West-Hibbert
Milwaukee Proj. Starters – Knight-Wolters-Middleton-Ilyasova-Pachulia

Indiana

This is one of those matchups that could be fantasy gold or fantasy trouble. The Pacers are 11.5 point favorites, but are facing a Bucks team that has been extremely inept on the defensive end of the floor this season. The Bucks are one of the slower paced teams in the league, yet they are still giving up close to 102 points per game to their opponents.

I expect the Pacers to play well tonight, but it all comes down to whether or not the Bucks can keep this game within striking distance. If they can, the Pacers have some great fantasy options. If it turns into a blowout, we could see the Pacers’ starters on the bench for the entire 4th quarter. All five starters from the Pacers are in play here. I am worried that this game will be over by halftime, but I am also going to have some kind of exposure to this game.

Lance Stephenson – Stephenson has a terrific matchup tonight against Nate Wolters. With Brandon Knight expected to be back in the lineup for the Bucks, Wolters will slide over and start at SG. Stephenson is one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA and Wolters will not be able to keep him off the glass. Stephenson will get back to his 30+ FP ways tonight.

Milwaukee

I like to avoid all players that are facing the Grizzlies and the Pacers. They are the two best defenses in the league and even though there are exceptions, both teams typically shut down their opponents offense. All Bucks players have less than favorable matchups and should be avoiding in your leagues tonight.