NBA Grind Down Saturday, November 8th
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 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
Washington at Indiana
- Vegas Line – Washington -3.5, 185.5 Over/Under
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Temple-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Sloan-Hill-Copeland-Scola-Hibbert
| Washington | Indiana | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 185 |  | Vegas Total | 185 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -3.5 | Vegas Sprd | 3.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.5 | Team Proj. | 91.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 97.29 | Team Pace | 93.87 | |||||||||
| 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 | Garrett Temple | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | Proj Starter | Donald Sloan | Solomon Hill | Chris Copeland | Luis Scola | Roy Hibbert | |
| Opp. Season | 28 | 26 | 8 | 3 | 27 | Opp. Season | 3 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 18 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 29 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 28 | Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 8 | |
Washington
Washington is coming off their worst performance of the season by far after getting blown up at Toronto. All of the Wizards starters played horribly in the game, but should be able to have a nice bounce back game against the Pacers tonight. The starters should have some rested legs as well due to all playing less than 30 minutes last night. These teams played this week and the Wizards were able to squeak out a 96-94 overtime victory. The Wizards are road favorites at -3’ and the total is very low at 183’.
Prime Plays
John Wall – Wall have been great for the Wizards all season. He is currently averaging 19.2 points and 9.5 assists per game on the season. He torched Sloan in their first meeting, putting up 31 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. I don’t know if we can expect that great of a game, but I like for him to bounce back tonight.
Secondary Plays
Garrett Temple – He is getting 30+ minutes and shooting at will. He is a value play across the industry.
Indiana
The Pacers are trucking along as one of the worst teams in the league due to that decimated starting lineup. They continue to be fantasy worthy though, as many of their player’s prices are low for the production they are putting up. Chris Copeland was slotted into the starting lineup since Miles and Stuckey sat last night. Keep an eye on the injury front, as it impacts players like Sloan and Copeland.
Prime Plays
Donald Sloan – It may be the last time we can play him at such a discounted price (FD -5800) and taking advantage of that may not be a bad idea as Sloan, like Wall, had a great performance last time these two teams met (31 pts, 6 reb, 7 assists). He is a great cash game option tonight for his price and gets an increase in value if Stuckey continues to be out.
Chris Copeland – Copeland may be starting tonight regardless if Miles comes back tonight, as he has played so much better than Miles so far this season. He is a great value play, and will be even better if he can get 35+ minutes tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
New York at Atlanta
- Vegas Line – No Lines Set for This Game Yet
- New York Proj. Starters – Shumpert-Hardaway-Anthony-Smith-Dalembert
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Teague-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
| New York | Atlanta | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total |  | Vegas Total | 193 | ||||||||
| Vegas Sprd | Vegas Sprd | -6.5 | ||||||||||
| Team Proj. | Team Proj. | 100.0 | ||||||||||
| Team Pace | 88.61 | 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 | Iman Shumpert | Tim Hardaway | Carmelo Anthony | Jason Smith | Samuel Dalembert | Proj Starter | Jeff Teague | Kyle Korver | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | |
| Opp. Season | 24 | 25 | 7 | 26 | 23 | Opp. Season | 19 | 8 | 4 | 28 | 6 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 26 | Opp. Last 7 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 22 | 15 | |
New York
New York has had a very poor first six games of the season, starting out with getting embarrassed on opening night. They look like they will struggle adapting to the offense for a good portion of this season if they can’t get it turned around soon. Melo has not played well at all, as he is only averaging a ridiculously low 16.7 points per game. The problem with the Knicks from a fantasy perspective is they really have not had any consistency from anyone on the court, and Fisher is not tweaking the lineup trying to find what works. Until they figure it out, taking Knicks players is a risky strategy, unless you are taking a GPP risk with a value play.
Prime Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Iman Shumpert – Shumpert is a possible value play tonight for the Knicks, as he is getting the second-most minutes on the team. He has the ball in his hands a lot more now after switching to point and came out of last nights game with five assists. His price is low and should be able to reach value tonight.
Atlanta
This game is really a matchup between two struggling teams, as the Hawks come in tonight’s game with a 1-3 record. They played into overtime last night against the Hornets only to lose in a very high scoring matchup. Horford looked great last night as he had 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Teague continued his strong play with a 22 point, 15 assist effort. The Hawks are favored tonight by 6’ with a total of 194’.
Prime Plays
Jeff Teague – He has had one dud of a game, but in the other three Teague has scored over 35 fantasy points (FD scoring) in each. Teague makes for a great start tonight, especially if Hardaway starts again for the Knicks.
Secondary Plays
Al Horford – His price is still low across the industry and he is coming off his best game of the season by far. He may have shaken off the early season rust after sitting out most of last season.
Kyle Korver – Another value at shooting guard, Korver actually has not been points dependent in the first four games. If he is able to get a few assists and rebounds and has a good scoring game, Korver makes for a decent value play.
Minnesota at Miami
- Vegas Line – Miami -6, 203 Over/Under
- Minnesota Proj. Starters – Williams-Martin-Wiggins-Young-Pekovic
- Miami Proj. Starters – Cole-Wade-Deng-Williams-Bosh
| Minnesota | Miami | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203 |  | Vegas Total | 203 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 6.0 | Vegas Sprd | -6.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98.5 | Team Proj. | 104.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.37 | Team Pace | 96.29 | |||||||||
| 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 | Mo Williams | Kevin Martin | Andrew Wiggins | Thaddeus Young | Nikola Pekovic | Proj Starter | Norris Cole | Dwyane Wade | Luol Deng | Shawne Williams | Chris Bosh | |
| Opp. Season | 10 | 29 | 25 | 1 | 20 | Opp. Season | 7 | 14 | 5 | 20 | 10 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 13 | 28 | 20 | 4 | 22 | Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 24 | 2 | |
Minnesota
Minnesota’s OT loss to the Magic has dropped their season record to 2-3. The great play of Kevin Martin continued last night, as he seems to be the focal point of this offense after a 20-shot performance last night. Rubio was injured last night and will be out for some time, which opens up minutes for Mo Williams. The Timberwolves have a decent matchup tonight against the Heat in one of the highest totals of the slate.
Prime Plays
Kevin Martin – Martin will be heavily owned tonight, as his salary is low and the offense will be even more heavily be dependent on Martin taking shots. For his price, he makes a great cash and GPP play tonight.
Mo Williams – Williams is just an example of minutes equally production in the NBA. He is a great value play and hopefully will be better than 1-for-7 tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
Miami
Miami is looking to get back into the win column after losing two straight games. This Miami team is being led by a motivated Chris Bosh, who has looked tremendous so far this year. It may be a matter of time before Wade starts missing games, but he is playing well, averaging 18.6 points and 6 assists so far this year. The Heat are decent favorites tonight at -7’ in a game that’s total is up to 205.
Prime Plays
Chris Bosh – The offense runs through him and he is crushing it. He is expensive, but is averaging 42.2 fantasy points (FD) this year and he plays over 35 minutes per game. I expect another big game out of Bosh, who is on a mission to prove he is elite.
Secondary Plays
Shawne Williams – Williams has been a popular value pick early in the season, as he is getting consistent minutes and is averaging 23 fantasy points. His minutes do not look like they are going to decrease now, as Justin Hamilton is out and reports say Williams will be asked to play some center tonight as well.
Boston at Chicago
- Vegas Line – No Lines Set for This Game Yet
- Boston Proj. Starters – Pressey-Bradley-Green-Sullinger-Olynyk
- Chicago Proj. Starters – Hinrich-Butler-Dunleavy-Gasol-Noah
| Boston | Chicago | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total |  | Vegas Total | |||||||||
| Vegas Sprd | Vegas Sprd | |||||||||||
| Team Proj. | Team Proj. | |||||||||||
| Team Pace | 102.82 | Team Pace | 95.34 | |||||||||
| 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 | Phil Pressey | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Kelly Olynyk | Proj Starter | Kirk Hinrich | Jimmy Butler | Mike Dunleavy | Pau Gasol | Joakim Noah | |
| Opp. Season | 5 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 16 | Opp. Season | 21 | 22 | 15 | 29 | 1 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 22 | 29 | 22 | 5 | 21 | Opp. Last 7 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 27 | 5 | |
Boston
Boston is 2-3 on the season with their best player Rondo playing great. They will now have to face one of the best teams in the NBA without their star Rondo, as he had his screw taken out of his hand today. Rondo will only miss tonight’s game, but it does take away a huge part of the offense in a tough matchup. This has led to the Celtics being the biggest underdog on the slate at +10.
Prime Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Avery Bradley – He will be asked to do a whole lot more tonight with Rondo out. I like him at sites where he is cheap (DK), but the matchup is tough.
Chicago
Chicago keeps rolling along with or without its best players. They are now 5-1 on the season and are getting a gift wrapped Celtics squad without Rondo tonight. I expect Chicago to win big, but the plays on the Bulls tonight are very dependent on who will be suiting up. Keep your eyes on the news about Rose, as it will impact the rest of the squad.
Prime Plays
Jimmy Butler – Butler is in play regardless, as his price is just to low to ignore at certain sites (DK). He makes for a top play if Derrick Rose sits again tonight, as he controls a lot of the offense when he’s on the floor.
Secondary Plays
Pau Gasol – Gasol will be able to control the paint easily against the likes of Sully and Olynyk. Gasol has also been the best of the Bulls big men from a fantasy perspective, averaging 36.8 fantasy points per game.