NBA Grind Down: Saturday, October 31 - Page Two
Sacramento at L.A. Clippers – 10:30 PM
- Vegas Line – L.A. Clippers -11.5, 214.5 Over/Under
- Sacramento Proj. Starters – Rondo-McLemore-Gay-Cousins-Cauley-Stein
- L.A. Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Redick-Stephenson-Griffin-Jordan
| Sacramento | L.A. Clippers | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 214 |  | Vegas Total | 214 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 11.5 | Vegas Sprd | -11.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.5 | Team Proj. | 113.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 105.28 | Team Pace | 103.67 | |||||||||
| 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 | Rajon Rondo | Ben McLemore | Rudy Gay | DeMarcus Cousins | Willie Cauley-Stein | Proj Starter | Chris Paul | J.J. Redick | Lance Stephenson | Blake Griffin | DeAndre Jordan | |
| Opp. Season | 12 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 26 | Opp. Season | 24 | 19 | 11 | 7 | 23 | |
Sacramento
The Kings lost to the Clippers in their home opener and now they have to face them again tonight in Los Angeles. This is a favorable matchup for fantasy production, but there is some concern that this game could turn into a blowout. The Kings are playing in a back-to-back, they are playing on the road, and they are 11.5-point underdogs. There are some viable fantasy options here, but keep in mind that they do come with a decent amount of risk in a potential blowout.
Los Angeles Clippers Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.0 (8 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 91.2 (6 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -4.5 (21 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 195.9 (10 of 32)
If you ask DeMarcus Cousins, he will flat out tell you how much he hates the Clippers. That seems to be a common theme among players in the Western Conference these days. Cousins has been dominant in the first two games of the season and as long as the Kings can keep this within striking distance, he should have another big fantasy outing. Willie Cauley-Stein makes a terrific value play on DraftKings tonight, but obviously some of that hinges on whether or not he will stay in the starting lineup. Rudy Gay is always an intriguing option at small forward. Rajon Rondo is coming off of a strong game against the Lakers and makes for an interesting tournament play.
Elite Plays
DeMarcus Cousins
FD: $10,900 — DK: $10,000
Min/Game: 32.0 — Usage: 34.5
FP/Game: 46.1 — FP/Min: 1.44
Willie Cauley-Stein
FD: $5,000 — DK: $3,000
Min/Game: 19.0 — Usage: 14.2
FP/Game: 4.4 — FP/Min: 0.23
Secondary Plays
Rudy Gay
FD: $7,900 — DK: $7,500
Min/Game: 31.0 — Usage: 20.0
FP/Game: 25.7 — FP/Min: 0.83
Rajon Rondo
FD: $5,100 — DK: $5,600
Min/Game: 25.0 — Usage: 22.4
FP/Game: 18.4 — FP/Min: 0.74
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers draw a terrific matchup against the Kings, who are ranked 22nd or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game this season. The Clippers have an implied team total of 113.0 points, which is the highest on the board tonight. The major concern here is the potential blowout.
Sacramento Kings Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 112.5 (26 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 104.9 (22 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: 13.0 (1 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 205.9 (22 of 32)
Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan are all elite plays at their respective positions tonight. It’s a short slate and all three players stand out as viable plays tonight against the Kings. I do not recommend using all three in the same lineup – especially in cash games, but I don’t mind using Paul paired with either Griffin or Jordan. The rest of the Clippers have been underwhelming at this point. Paul Pierce is a decent punt option at small forward.
Elite Plays
Blake Griffin
FD: $10,000 — DK: $9,500
Min/Game: 33.0 — Usage: 32.5
FP/Game: 44.3 — FP/Min: 1.34
Chris Paul
FD: $9,400 — DK: $9,600
Min/Game: 31.0 — Usage: 19.7
FP/Game: 32.3 — FP/Min: 1.04
DeAndre Jordan
FD: $7,700 — DK: $7,700
Min/Game: 27.0 — Usage: 12.3
FP/Game: 32.5 — FP/Min: 1.20
Secondary Plays
Paul Pierce
FD: $4,400 — DK: $4,000
Min/Game: 22.0 — Usage: 18.7
FP/Game: 18.6 — FP/Min: 0.85