NBA Grind Down: Saturday, November 1st
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
Dallas at New Orleans
- Vegas Line – Dallas -1.5, 204 Over/Under
- Dallas Proj. Starters – Nelson-Ellis-Parsons-Nowitzki-Chandler
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Gordon-Evans-Davis-Asik
| Dallas | New Orleans | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 204 |  | Vegas Total | 204 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.5 | Vegas Sprd | 1.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 102.8 | Team Proj. | 101.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 89.86 | Team Pace | 96.44 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jameer Nelson | Monta Ellis | Chandler Parsons | Dirk Nowitzki | Tyson Chandler | Proj Starter | Jrue Holiday | Eric Gordon | Tyreke Evans | Anthony Davis | Omer Asik | |
| Opp. Season | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | Opp. Season | 26 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 1 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | Opp. Last 7 | 26 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 1 | |
Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a big win in their home opener against the Utah Jazz. The Mavs were lead by Dirk with 21 points and Chandler Parsons who also put in 21.
The game was out of reach, which limited a lot of the starters’ fantasy value and kept them all under 30 minutes played. This game is expected to be much closer. As I am writing this, Vegas still does not have a line out for the game, but I think there are a few plays that should be considered from this Dallas squad.
Prime Plays
Monte Ellis – With Felton out, Ellis looks to have the ball in his hands more than anyone else on the court. His game against the Jazz was limited by his minutes and he still scored 14 points with 6 assists. I expect today’s game to look a lot more like his opening night line where he had 26 points and 6 assists.
Secondary Plays
Chandler Parsons – I am avoiding the Dallas big men tonight due to a very tough inside defense of the Pelicans. Parsons came alive in the Mavs’ last game after throwing up a dud in the opener. What is real encouraging is that he played the most minutes with Ellis and also was able to get up 16 shots in those 29 minutes.
New Orleans
The Pelicans have only played one game so far and looked decent against a depleted Magic squad. The signing of Asik looks like a very good pickup for the Pelicans who now have one of the best post defending combos in the NBA. That great inside defense will have their hands full with Dirk and Chandler on the inside, but the athleticism of Davis showed shine through easily tonight.
Prime Plays
Anthony Davis – You may as well stick him in this spot for the rest of the year if the Brow continues to play like he did in their first game. He had 26 points, 17 boards and a ridiculous 9 blocks in the first matchup. Much was discussed about the, “home-town” scorekeeper who seems to give Davis a few extra steals and blocks per game which, if true, increases his value even more. He is a top play on a 12 game night.
Secondary Plays
Omer Asik – Not a whole lot was talked about when the Pelicans signed Asik, but in his years with the Bulls and Rockets, if he gets the minutes, he produces. Produce is exactly what Asik did in the first game with an easy 14 point, 17 rebound game. I expect a lot of double-doubles for the big man and his price is at a point where he should easily pay off his salary tonight.
Toronto at Orlando
- Vegas Line – Toronto -6, 195 Over/Under
- Toronto Proj. Starters – Lowry-DeRozan-Ross-Johnson-Valanciunas
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Payton-Fournier-Harris-Frye-Vucevic
| Toronto | Orlando | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 195 |  | Vegas Total | 195 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -6.0 | Vegas Sprd | 6.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.5 | Team Proj. | 94.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 97.50 | Team Pace | 96.97 | |||||||||
| 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 | Amir Johnson | Jonas Valanciunas | Proj Starter | Elfrid Payton | Evan Fournier | Tobias Harris | Channing Frye | Nikola Vucevic | |
| Opp. Season | 27 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 13 | Opp. Season | 5 | 5 | 29 | 29 | 9 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 27 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 13 | Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 29 | 9 | |
Toronto
The Raptors get one of the best matchups in the league right now as the Magic look like they could lose 50+ this year if they do not get things turned around here quick. The Raptors on the other hand are a surging squad coming off a great year for the franchise and won their first matchup against the Hawks. Vegas has the Raptors as a 6’ point favorite and has a moderately high over/under at 196. These Raptors should put up a good amount of points and they have a few players with quality fantasy value.
Prime Plays
DeMar DeRozan – DeRozan did not shoot well in the first game (4-16), but still managed to score 15 points, while adding 11 rebounds and 6 steals. I do not think those rebounds will continue, but the scoring will come as he showed us on a consistent basis last year. The only thing that worries me here is a potential blowout, but I think he should hit his value before that happens as the primary scorer on the court at all times.
Secondary Plays
Amir Johnson – Always a double-double threat, Amir went 16/10 in the first game and will now get to battle inside with what is a very weak and depleted Magic squad.
Kyle Lowry – John Wall showed us that even though Payton was a good defender in college, the NBA game may take him a bit to get accustomed to. Lowry may not light up the scoreboard, but he does have a legit triple double shot on any given night.
Orlando
The Orlando Magic have been awful to start the year. Not only were they beat badly by the Pelicans, but then beaten again, at home, by the Wizards. They are a big underdog tonight, but do have a few players that are getting a lot of minutes and have fantasy potential.
Prime Plays
Nikola Vucevic – Vucevic has been matchup proof so far this year as he has had two tough matchups and come out averaging 19 points and 17.5 rebounds per game. He is a double-double lock tonight and is relied on so heavily to carry the offensive load for this Magic squad. Add that to the fact that no one else on his team rebounds the ball and you have a good Center play across the board. h3. Secondary Plays
Evan Fournier – He is still cheap and came alive last game with 21 points. He is not going to get you a ton of other stats, so he is very scoring dependent, but with the minutes he is getting, should hit value.
Miami at Philadelphia
- Vegas Line – Miami -9, 197 Over/Under
- Miami Proj. Starters – Cole-Wade-Deng-McRoberts-Bosh
- Philadelphia Proj. Starters – Wroten-Johnson-Thompson-Noel-Sims
| Miami | Philadelphia | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 197 |  | Vegas Total | 197 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -9.0 | Vegas Sprd | 9.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 103.0 | Team Proj. | 94.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 92.84 | Team Pace | 97.76 | |||||||||
| 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 | Norris Cole | Dwyane Wade | Luol Deng | Josh McRoberts | Chris Bosh | Proj Starter | Tony Wroten | Chris Johnson | Hollis Thompson | Nerlens Noel | Henry Sims | |
| Opp. Season | 21 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 19 | Opp. Season | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 29 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 19 | Opp. Last 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 29 | |
Miami
The Wade/Bosh Era of the Heat began with a win over Washington in their first game with Bosh leading the way with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Wade backed him up with 21 and Cole surprised with a 23 point effort. This Heat squad looks super thin especially with a few injuries to Haslem and Granger at the moment. They now get a matchup against what should be the worst team in the league in the 76ers and should be able to take advantage of the matchup and bring home a win. Vegas expects the same as the Heat are 9 point favorites and the total is decently high at 196.
Prime Plays
Chris Bosh – It is almost like we forgot what Bosh did all those years for the Raptors as he was such a consistent player. In his last year with the Raptors he averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds and will look to be that kind of player this year for the Heat. He will be able to beat up on the inside of the 76ers as they are such a young, inexperienced squad.
Norris Cole – He is cheap and got 28 minutes of action. Couple that with the fact that he is not going to be shy to shoot without Lebron now (15 shots) and you have a great punt play at the PG position.
Secondary Plays
Dwayne Wade – Wade is a secondary play only because I feel his salary is a bit high and I have a very tough time trusting him until I see him put a few good games in a row together. The blowout is also a scare here, but he could come out and put up a great game.
Philadelphia
Philly came into the year with the worst starting lineup in the league by far. They have proven to be bad with two losses to other bad teams in the Pacers and the Bucks. What has come out of these games is Wroten who continues to carry the load for the 76ers at a mid-tier price as well as Nerlens Noel who really stepped up last night playing 35 minutes and getting a double double.
Prime Plays
Tony Wroten – His price went up only a bit from yesterday’s. The 8 turnovers he committed pretty much took him away from hitting value, but he is getting 35 minutes per game and is relied on a lot to carry the offensive load. I do not exactly expect him to get 48 fantasy points like opening night, but I think 35-40 is very obtainable with the minutes and role he has at the moment.
Secondary Plays
Nerlens Noel – He is also getting 35 minutes per game and came alive yesterday with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. He is playing his first few games at the NBA level, so inconsistency is almost expected so a GPP play would be the way I go with Noel.
Milwaukee at Washington
- Vegas Line – Washington -9, 197 Over/Under
- Milwaukee Proj. Starters – Knight-Dudley-Middleton-Parker-Sanders
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Temple-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
| Milwaukee | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 197 |  | Vegas Total | 197 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 9.0 | Vegas Sprd | -9.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.0 | Team Proj. | 103.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 97.05 | Team Pace | 95.17 | |||||||||
| 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 | Brandon Knight | Jared Dudley | Khris Middleton | Jabari Parker | Larry Sanders | Proj Starter | John Wall | Garrett Temple | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 20 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Opp. Season | 19 | 19 | 12 | 12 | 8 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Opp. Last 7 | 19 | 19 | 12 | 12 | 8 | |
Milwaukee
The Bucks were able to pull out an easy win against the 76ers last night and now have a back to back against the Washington Wizards. The Bucks come into this game with a 1-1 record and have been lead by Brandon Knight’s play. Although he didn’t score a ton last night, he added 7 boards and 8 assists. I expect him to shoot a bit more than 8 shots that he did last night and he will be needed to run the team more as the opponent is a lot tougher tonight.
Prime Plays
Brandon Knight – He disappointed some of us last night with that low scoring effort, but he should be able to do well against Washington. I expect similar assist stats, but a lot more points tonight.
Secondary Plays
O.J. Mayo – Mayo has gotten 24 and 28 minutes in his first two games and looks like be relied upon as the primary scorer for the second unit. He had 17 points in the first game and came back last night with 25 points, 5 assists and 3 boards. Don’t expect this line every night, but he is cheap and makes a great GPP play.
Khris Middleton – Another guy that did not put up the performance many of us hoped for last night, Middleton still got close to 30 minutes and scored 12 points. Again, he is cheap and should provide more of the 17 point 6 rebound performances than the one he gave us last night.
Washington
The Wizards come into this matchup with the Bucks with a 1-1 record. This will be the home opener for a Wizards squad that has some lofty expectations after doing well last year and making it to the second round of the playoffs. The Wizards are battling a few injuries to some key players, but still have a good base with Wall, Nene and Gortat all healthy. Vegas expects the Wizards to handle the Bucks easily as Milwaukee plays a back to back. The Wizards are favored by 9 points and the total is set at 197.
Prime Plays
John Wall – Wall does it all for the Wizards and had a great 30 point, 12 assist game against the Magic last night. He now gets a decent matchup against the lowly Bucks. Knight is a decent defender, but I expect Wall to have a big game in the home opener.
Marcin Gortat – He is very low priced (DK) and should be able to bang down low with the Bucks undersized big men. A double-double should be a lock for Gortat and I expect him to pay off his salary easily tonight.
Secondary Plays
Nene – The starters get a lot of minutes for the Wizards as their bench in not very deep. Nene stepped right in after the suspension to play 33 minutes and put up a decent game. Against this poor defensive Bucks squad, I expect him and Gortat to both crash the boards and have a lot of easy opportunities around the basket.
Memphis at Charlotte
- Vegas Line – Charlotte -3.5, 186 Over/Under
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Allen-Prince-Randolph-Gasol
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Stephenson-Kidd-Gilchrist-Williams-Jefferson
| Memphis | Charlotte | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 186 |  | Vegas Total | 186 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 3.5 | Vegas Sprd | -3.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 91.3 | Team Proj. | 94.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 98.96 | Team Pace | 97.05 | |||||||||
| 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 | Mike Conley | Tony Allen | Tayshaun Prince | Zach Randolph | Marc Gasol | Proj Starter | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Marvin Williams | Al Jefferson | |
| Opp. Season | 24 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | Opp. Season | 9 | 9 | 18 | 18 | 28 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 | Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 18 | 28 | |
Memphis
The Grizzlies will play their third game of the season tonight and have been able to coast by two of the worst teams in the NBA. The competition will heat up a bit tonight as they will take on the Charlotte Bobcats. Memphis has gotten good production from all their starters in the early going as Gasol had a big game opening night and Randolph carried the team last night. Memphis also got good minutes out of Courtney Lee, but was concussed in the second quarter yesterday. The injury does not look to open up much fantasy value from the bench, but keep an eye on who gets the start tonight.
Prime Plays
Mike Conley – Kemba has never been known for his defense and with the injury to Lee, Conley may get a few extra minutes tonight. This should lead to a very high floor for Conley and makes a great cash game play.
Marc Gasol – The guy just looks like a consistent machine in the first two games. He will be banging with big Al for the majority of this game and should be able to win that battle down low. 32 points may not happen, but he fills up the stat sheet enough to make a great play tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
Charlotte
The Hornets are coming off a very nice win at home against the lowly Bucks. It took a last second three by Kemba and OT in order to do it, but a win is a win in the NBA. They will now have to take on the Grizzlies who have won both of their first two games. Vegas has this as a very low scoring game as the total is at 186’ with Charlotte being slight 2’ point favorites.
Prime Plays
Kemba Walker – With big Al having to deal with Gasol on the inside, Kemba becomes a top play for the Hornets tonight. He put up a ridiculous 26 shots in 39 minutes in their first game and looks to be taking on the role of primary scorer for Charlotte. He draws a bit of a tough matchup against Conley, but his price is low for his production level and should pay it off tonight.
Secondary Plays
It is always hard to play guys against the Grizzlies who always slow the pace down and take away a lot of possessions.