NBA Grind Down: Saturday, November 9th
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
Utah at Toronto
| Utah | Toronto | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts | 187.0 |  | Vegas | 187.0 | |||||||
| Spread | 13.0 | Spread | 9.0 | |||||||||
| Pace | 96.41 | Pace | 95.89 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 3 | 19 | 22 | 27 | 2 | Season | 6 | 9 | 23 | 17 | 14 | |
| Last10 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 27 | 2 | Last10 | 6 | 9 | 23 | 17 | 14 | |
| Tinsley-Hayward-Jefferson-Favors-Kanter | Lowry-DeRozan-Gay-Johnson-Valanciunas | |||||||||||
Utah
The Jazz are a tough team to see on the schedule at this point. They have lost 4 straight games by double-digits and are looking like a team that may not win a road game for quite a while. The Jazz play at a slow pace (96) and have dropped all the way down to the lowest scoring team in the league (87 PPG). Vegas has the same thoughts about the Jazz as I do as they have them as 13 point underdogs. The hard part with these games is that starters from both teams could be sitting the bench the entire 4th quarter.
The matchup with the Raptors looks fairly promising as the Raptors have struggled to defend SG’s, SF’s, and PF’s, but Rudy Gay is an excellent defender and will likely be guarding Gordon Hayward tonight. That really hurts his fantasy value. This matchup just leaves much to be desired.
Players to Target
- Alec Burks – I’m not going to recommend spending on any of the big names in this game. There is just too much of a risk that this will be a blowout. However, I think Burks carries some value. He’s averaging over 30 minutes per game and should see minutes regardless of the score. He’s had a couple of down games but should find success against the Raptors second unit.
Toronto
The Raptors rank in the bottom ten teams in both pace of play (95) and points per game (92). They also have five starters that all contribute on offense. They have fewer possessions than most teams which means less shots to go around. There haven’t been any consistent options on the Raptors this season and the potential blowout makes this one an easy fade.
Orlando at Atlanta
| Orlando | Atlanta | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts | 189.5 |  | Vegas | 189.5 | |||||||
| Spread | -7.0 | Spread | ||||||||||
| Pace | 99.77 | Pace | 99.19 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 20 | 30 | 14 | 24 | 1 | Season | 11 | 26 | 4 | 28 | 22 | |
| Last10 | 20 | 30 | 14 | 24 | 1 | Last10 | 11 | 26 | 4 | 28 | 22 | |
| Nelson-Afflalo-Harkless-Nicholson-Vucevic | Teague-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford | |||||||||||
Orlando
The Magic are playing with a much quicker pace this season and are averaging over 100 points per game. They have a great matchup against the Hawks who have also picked up their tempo this season. The Hawks are giving up 105 points per game so this could be a nice spot for the Magic. While they did play last night, the Magic are a very young team that should have fresh legs.
The Hawks are currently ranked in the bottom half of the league against every position except for Center which is thanks to the solid defense of Al Horford. I think everyone is in play on the Magic except Nikola Vucevic for that very reason.
Players to Target
- Jameer Nelson – Jameer is one of the cheaper PG’s that you can take tonight. He’s struggled with his shot this season (36%), but he has been locked up against some very good defenders (Holiday, Paul, Hill). I think this could be the game that he snaps out of his funk and really gets his offensive game going. Look for him to push the pace and to get some open looks against a lazy Hawks defense.
Atlanta
As I mentioned above, the Hawks are playing at a quick pace (99) and are in the top 10 in points per game (105). The frontcourt combo of Paul Millsap and Al Horford has looked great early on and Josh Smith is just an afterthought at this point. All of the starters on the Hawks are in play, but they are not a very deep team so focus your attention on the starters only.
Their matchup with the Magic looks extremely favorable for both big men. The Magic rank 28th and 22nd against PF’s and Centers this season. I do think that the Magic’s 26th rank against SG’s isn’t a true indication of their defense. Afflalo, Harkless, and Oladipo are all great defenders.
Players to Target
- Al Horford – Horford is averaging over 40 FP’s per game this season and has topped 35 FP’s in every game. He has proven to be a very consistent option at a position that typically produces high variance in fantasy output. Horford will be matched up with Vucevic and he should really have a nice night offensively.
Indiana at Brooklyn
| Indiana | Brooklyn | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts | 186.5 |  | Vegas | 186.5 | |||||||
| Spread | -9.0 | Spread | -2.5 | |||||||||
| Pace | 97.55 | Pace | 97.47 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 7 | 25 | 18 | 8 | 17 | Season | 19 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 16 | |
| Last10 | 7 | 25 | 18 | 8 | 17 | Last10 | 19 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 16 | |
| Hill-Stephenson-George-West-Hibbert | Williams-Johnson-Pierce-Garnett-Lopez | |||||||||||
Indiana
The Pacers are becoming a less attractive fantasy option because their salaries are starting to catch up with their production. Paul George started the season off on fire and is now one of the most expensive forwards on the board. Lance Stephenson was everyone’s favorite value play for the first few games, but his price is up to an almost unplayable level. C.J. Watson made a few spot starts, but now that George Hill is back, he doesn’t carry any fantasy value.
Players to Target
- Roy Hibbert – The Nets have been pretty average against Centers this season ranking 17th in FPA. Hibbert on the other hand is averaging close to 30 FP’s per game and could pick up a couple of extra blocks tonight against a very unathletic Nets team. The only concern with Hibbert tonight is that he played 31 minutes last night and he doesn’t have the best endurance.
Brooklyn
The Nets could come out of the gates a bit slow in this one. They lost a tough OT game against the Wizards last night. The team hasn’t gelled as quickly as Jason Kidd was hoping and their defense hasn’t been anywhere near where it was last season. I’ve treated the Nets the same way every night this season, completely avoiding them. They have too many star players in that lineup and not enough shots to go around. Until there is either an injury or Kidd starts resting players, I don’t see any individual fantasy value here.
Philadelphia at Cleveland
| Philadelphia | Cleveland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts | 203.5 |  | Vegas | 203.5 | |||||||
| Spread | 3.5 | Spread | -3.5 | |||||||||
| Pace | 103.20 | Pace | 98.43 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 8 | 24 | 15 | 22 | 8 | Season | 28 | 17 | 25 | 12 | 24 | |
| Last10 | 8 | 24 | 15 | 22 | 8 | Last10 | 28 | 17 | 25 | 12 | 24 | |
| Carter-Williams-Anderson-Turner-Young-Hawes | Irving-Waiters-Clark-Thompson-Varejao | |||||||||||
Philadelphia
The Sixers are one of my favorite teams to see on the schedule. Not only are they loaded with fantasy options, but they are giving up 103 points per game and love to push the tempo. The hard part with the Sixers is figuring out which fantasy option you want to go with. Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes have been the most consistent fantasy options, but their prices are both increasing quickly and it may be better to take your chances on the less reliable Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young.
These two teams played last night and the Sixers ended up pulling away in the second half. The Cavs have a below average defense and everyone is in play for the Sixers. Even James Anderson makes a decent play for his price. He’s seeing all the minutes he can handle.
Players to Target
- Michael Carter-Williams – MCW really had a nice second half against the Cavs last night and should head into this game with some confidence that he can keep up with Kyrie Irving. MCW finished last night’s game with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. I love his versatility and I think he makes a solid play again tonight.
- Thaddeus Young – He has been extremely inconsistent this season and has disappeared on the offensive end of the court on more than one occasion. However, his price has been coming down to a very affordable level and he put up over 30 FP’s against this team last night.
Cleveland
The Cavs played well in the first half last night and then couldn’t hit shots in the second half. I expect tonight to be a much different story as this game will be at home. The Sixers are one of the worst defenses in the league and rank in the bottom 18 against every positions this season. Even though Kyrie Irving had an awful game shooting the ball last night, I expect him to bounce back nicely in this one. I think both of the backcourt options are in play.
Players to Target
- Dion Waiters – I have mentioned a couple of times that it was only a matter of time before Waiters came out of his slump. He’s now scored over 30 FP’s in back to back games and his price has yet to rise. Now is the time to buy low on Waiters. He usually plays well at home and should see plenty of open looks with Kyrie attacking the basket.
Boston at Miami
| Boston | Miami | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Pts | 189.5 |  | Vegas | 189.5 | |||||||
| Spread | 7.0 | Spread | ||||||||||
| Pace | 93.27 | Pace | 97.51 | |||||||||
| Opponent Defense vs. Position | Opponent Defense vs. Position | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | DvP Rks | PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 13 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 20 | Season | 4 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 26 | |
| Last10 | 13 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 20 | Last10 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 26 | |
| Bradley-Lee-Green-Bass-Faverani | Chalmers-Wade-James-Battier-Bosh | |||||||||||
Boston
The Celtics have actually played a lot better than most expected. Every single game they have played in has been decided by 10 or less points. But tonight may be a different story. The Celtics are 13.5 point underdogs and I think Vegas was a little generous with that line. The value plays that we have all come to know and love are all still in play though: Crawford, Bradley, Bass, and Olynyk. However, there are 8 other games on the schedule so I personally won’t have much exposure to this game.
Miami
This is the type of game where you should be targeting the role players of the Heat. The Heat’s supporting cast really plays well at home and when they have an easy matchup like tonight’s, Lebron and Wade usually like to defer to their teammates and only take over if needed. I don’t recommend paying up for either Lebron or Wade because they are very likely going to be sitting out the 4th quarter.
Players to Target
- Chris Bosh – The blowout factor comes into play here, but the matchup is good enough that Bosh might be worth rostering. Faverani and the C’s rank 26th against opposing Centers this season and Bosh tends to play well in these types of matchups where Lebron and Wade are deferring a bit more than usual.
- Norris Cole – Cole should see around 25-30 minutes tonight depending on how lopsided this one gets. He’s averaging 16 FP’s at home this season and makes a great GPP play because he will be one of those guys that is very lowly owned but has a good upside.