NBA Grind Down: Saturday, October 31st
Welcome to the RotoGrinders NBA Grind Down. In this all-encompassing preview of today’s NBA action, every game will be broken down statistically, with several key elements highlighted in our charts.
Vegas lines are broken down to show projected team totals, to give you an idea of who is favored to win, and often more importantly, how many points they’re expected to score. We also provide pace numbers, so you can spot a game that might have a few extra possessions and more opportunities for fantasy points.
We also provide position-by-position matchup rankings for every team, to give you an idea of the players who will be in better situations to succeed. Using Defense versus Position data, every projected starter is listed along with his opponent’s rank in points allowed to players of his position. These color-coded charts will help you spot the best matchups of the night at a glance.
Every game is also broken down by our NBA experts, providing an overview of the game and a selection of players to consider from each contest.
Note: As always, if you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use our DraftKings promo code and FanDuel promo code to receive the best perks in the industry.
New York at Washington – 07:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Washington -7, 204 Over/Under
- New York Proj. Starters – Calderon-Vujacic-Anthony-Porzingis-Lopez
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Porter-Humphries-Gortat
| New York | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 204 |  | Vegas Total | 204 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 7.0 | Vegas Sprd | -7.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98.5 | Team Proj. | 105.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 102.68 | Team Pace | 101.74 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jose Calderon | Sasha Vujacic | Carmelo Anthony | Kristaps Porzingis | Robin Lopez | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Otto Porter | Kris Humphries | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 13 | 20 | 26 | 17 | 11 | Opp. Season | 26 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 17 | |
New York
The Knicks draw a difficult matchup tonight against the Wizards, who boast an above-average defense. The numbers don’t exactly bare that out yet, but we are very early into the season. The Wizards were tough on all five positions on the floor last season and Vegas has the Knicks installed with a low implied team total of 98.5 points.
Washington Wizards Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.0 (12 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 95.9 (13 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -1.0 (14 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 203.6 (19 of 32)
This would typically be a good spot to fade a team, but there are only six games on the schedule tonight. Carmelo Anthony is a strong play at a rather weak small forward position. Kristaps Porzingis has scored 25 and 23 fantasy points in his first two NBA games. His minutes are still in the mid to upper 20’s, but he is worth a look if you need a cheap power forward. Sasha Vujacic and Langston Galloway should continue to soak up minutes with Arron Afflalo out.
Elite Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Carmelo Anthony
FD: $9,300 — DK: $8,700
Min/Game: 31.0 — Usage: 29.4
FP/Game: 35.3 — FP/Min: 1.14
Kristaps Porzingis
FD: $4,900 — DK: $4,500
Min/Game: 25.0 — Usage: 25.3
FP/Game: 24.6 — FP/Min: 0.98
Langston Galloway
FD: $4,600 — DK: $4,200
Min/Game: 25.0 — Usage: 13.2
FP/Game: 22.3 — FP/Min: 0.89
Sasha Vujacic
FD: $3,700 — DK: $3,500
Min/Game: 27.0 — Usage: 11.5
FP/Game: 21.1 — FP/Min: 0.78
Washington
The Wizards are looking to start their season off with a perfect 3-0 record, as the host the visiting Knicks tonight. This is a favorable matchup for fantasy purposes any way that we slice it. The Knicks are ranked below the league average in both points allowed per game and defensive efficiency this season. The Wizards have an implied team total of 105.5 points, which is the fourth highest on the schedule tonight.
New York Knicks Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 104.5 (19 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 102.9 (18 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: 5.5 (9 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 197.9 (13 of 32)
Bradley Beal has been the focal point of the Wizards’ offense in the first two games of the season, with a usage rate of 31.2 and 35 shot attempts. He won’t be priced this affordably much longer and he draws a favorable matchup tonight against Sasha Vujacic. John Wall hasn’t been as involved offensively but he is not far behind with a 26.8 usage rate. Wall also offers more in terms of peripheral stats, as he can fill up all areas of the stat sheet. Otto Porter is a decent value at small forward. I will be avoiding the Wizards’ bigs though, as they have all been seeing limited minutes.
Elite Plays
John Wall
FD: $9,600 — DK: $9,200
Min/Game: 37.0 — Usage: 26.8
FP/Game: 49.4 — FP/Min: 1.34
Brad Beal
FD: $7,200 — DK: $6,200
Min/Game: 34.0 — Usage: 31.2
FP/Game: 29.2 — FP/Min: 0.86
Secondary Plays
Otto Porter
FD: $5,400 — DK: $4,800
Min/Game: 34.0 — Usage: 12.4
FP/Game: 27.1 — FP/Min: 0.80
Utah at Indiana – 07:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Indiana -3, 190 Over/Under
- Utah Proj. Starters – Neto-Hood-Hayward-Favors-Gobert
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Hill-Ellis-Miles-George-Mahinmi
| Utah | Indiana | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 190 |  | Vegas Total | 190 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 3.0 | Vegas Sprd | -3.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 93.5 | Team Proj. | 96.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 92.37 | Team Pace | 102.28 | |||||||||
| 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 | Raul Neto | Rodney Hood | Gordon Hayward | Derrick Favors | Rudy Gobert | Proj Starter | George Hill | Monta Ellis | C.J. Miles | Paul George | Ian Mahinmi | |
| Opp. Season | 18 | 29 | 21 | 4 | 24 | Opp. Season | 4 | 7 | 15 | 2 | 3 | |
Utah
The Jazz picked up an easy win against the Sixers last night in Philadelphia. We don’t need to worry about the potential effects of a back-to-back though, as it is early in the season and the Jazz starters all played limited minutes in last night’s game. The Jazz draw a fairly difficult matchup against the Pacers. While the numbers may not show it early this season, Indiana has always had a strong defense under Frank Vogel. The Jazz have an implied team total of 93.5 points, which is the second lowest on the schedule tonight.
Indiana Pacers Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 109.0 (24 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 105.9 (23 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -7.0 (25 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 208.0 (23 of 32)
Even though this may not be an ideal matchup for the Jazz, there are three players that deserve consideration tonight. Rodney Hood is still underpriced as a starter that is going to see around 30 minutes per game. He is a good scorer and can contribute in the other areas of the stat sheet as well. Derrick Favors is off to a quick start this season, but we have to wonder if he will have enough opportunity to pay off his salary in what should be a slow paced game. And finally, we have Rudy Gobert. He doesn’t rely on points for the majority of his fantasy production and he’s yet to have that breakout game that we are all waiting for.
Elite Plays
Rodney Hood
FD: $4,300 — DK: $3,900
Min/Game: 26.0 — Usage: 28.8
FP/Game: 24.8 — FP/Min: 0.95
Secondary Plays
Derrick Favors
FD: $7,400 — DK: $7,200
Min/Game: 32.0 — Usage: 30.5
FP/Game: 36.7 — FP/Min: 1.15
Rudy Gobert
FD: $8,100 — DK: $7,100
Min/Game: 35.0 — Usage: 11.8
FP/Game: 26.9 — FP/Min: 0.77
Indiana
The Pacers may be small favorites tonight, but they draw the worst matchup on the board. The Jazz are ranked first in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game this season. They are also the slowest paced team through the first two games.
Utah Jazz Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 81.5 (1 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 89.0 (1 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: 3.5 (11 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 155.0 (1 of 32)
There is really only one fantasy option on my radar from the Pacers tonight. Paul George has played well through the first two games and on a night where the small forward position is thin, he deserves consideration. He has a high usage rate of 27.8 and he has averaged over 40 fantasy points per game this season.
Elite Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Paul George
FD: $8,600 — DK: $8,100
Min/Game: 36.0 — Usage: 27.8
FP/Game: 40.8 — FP/Min: 1.13
Golden State at New Orleans – 07:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Golden State -4, 213.5 Over/Under
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green-Ezeli
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Gordon-Cunningham-Davis-Perkins
| Golden State | New Orleans | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 213 |  | Vegas Total | 213 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 108.8 | Team Proj. | 104.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 103.60 | Team Pace | 103.91 | |||||||||
| 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 | Stephen Curry | Klay Thompson | Harrison Barnes | Draymond Green | Festus Ezeli | Proj Starter | Jrue Holiday | Eric Gordon | Dante Cunningham | Anthony Davis | Kendrick Perkins | |
| Opp. Season | 29 | 17 | 13 | 23 | 27 | Opp. Season | 5 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 12 | |
Golden State
The Warriors are already in midseason form after two big wins in their first two games of the season. They already made quick work of the Pelicans once this season, although this time they have to face them in New Orleans. This is a favorable matchup, as the Pelicans are ranked 25th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game. With an implied team total of 108.8, this is a team littered with fantasy options.
New Orleans Pelicans Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 111.5 (25 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 108.9 (28 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -17.5 (30 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 224.0 (28 of 32)
Stephen Curry has basically been unstoppable in the first two games of the season. The Pelicans didn’t have an answer for him the first time around and they are unlikely to have an answer for him tonight. Andrew Bogut missed last night’s game dealing with symptoms from a concussion and it would be surprising to see him in the lineup tonight. Festus Ezeli remains a nice value play in his absence. Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes are both in play on the wing, although they are both secondary options at their respective positions. Draymond Green has yet to have that all around dominant game this season and with a matchup against Anthony Davis, he is a secondary option at best.
Elite Plays
Stephen Curry
FD: $10,400 — DK: $9,900
Min/Game: 32.0 — Usage: 31.5
FP/Game: 59.7 — FP/Min: 1.87
Festus Ezeli
FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,100
Min/Game: 21.0 — Usage: 23.8
FP/Game: 22.3 — FP/Min: 1.06
Secondary Plays
Draymond Green
FD: $7,800 — DK: $6,900
Min/Game: 30.0 — Usage: 16.2
FP/Game: 23.6 — FP/Min: 0.79
Klay Thompson
FD: $7,100 — DK: $7,000
Min/Game: 25.0 — Usage: 23.8
FP/Game: 15.3 — FP/Min: 0.61
Harrison Barnes
FD: $4,600 — DK: $4,800
Min/Game: 30.0 — Usage: 17.5
FP/Game: 24.3 — FP/Min: 0.81
New Orleans
The Pelicans have been awful in their first two games of the season. They didn’t put up much of a fight on opening night against the Warriors and they were dominated by the Blazers in Portland. While that’s obviously a concern, they had their best half of play in the second half of the Blazers’ game. Hopefully, they can carry that over to tonight. They are only 4-point underdogs in this matchup with their team total set at 104.8 points. They are a sneaky team to target tonight.
Golden State Warriors Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 93.5 (5 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 89.6 (2 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: 10.5 (5 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 179.7 (4 of 32)
If you have read any of my Grind Downs this season, then you know how high I am on Anthony Davis this season. He has not gotten off to the start that we all expected, but don’t fret. He is still the top fantasy option in the NBA and with the Pelicans playing in their home opener tonight, I’m expecting big things. I’m not sure if the Pelicans have the same scorekeeper as they have in years past, but he was awfully generous to players from his home team. Eric Gordon is also an elite play here. He will see all of the minutes that he can handle and he has had a high usage rate in the first two games of the season.
Elite Plays
Anthony Davis
FD: $11,100 — DK: $10,400
Min/Game: 38.0 — Usage: 30.5
FP/Game: 36.1 — FP/Min: 0.95
Eric Gordon
FD: $5,300 — DK: $5,300
Min/Game: 37.0 — Usage: 23.0
FP/Game: 25.4 — FP/Min: 0.69
Secondary Plays
Ishmael Smith
FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,500
Min/Game: 33.0 — Usage: 21.7
FP/Game: 30.9 — FP/Min: 0.94
Brooklyn at Memphis – 08:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Memphis -12, 191.5 Over/Under
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Jack-Ellington-Johnson-Young-Lopez
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Green-Randolph-Gasol
| Brooklyn | Memphis | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 191 |  | Vegas Total | 191 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 12.0 | Vegas Sprd | -12.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 89.8 | Team Proj. | 101.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 99.61 | Team Pace | 97.62 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jarrett Jack | Wayne Ellington | Joe Johnson | Thaddeus Young | Brook Lopez | Proj Starter | Mike Conley | Courtney Lee | Jeff Green | Zach Randolph | Marc Gasol | |
| Opp. Season | 7 | 23 | 27 | 12 | 6 | Opp. Season | 15 | 25 | 23 | 10 | 30 | |
Brooklyn
This team has looked more like the Sixers than the Nets this season. They have lost their first two games by a combined 42 points. It’s not likely going to get any better tonight, as they square off against a Grizzlies’ defense that has been ranked inside the top five in points allowed in each of the last few seasons. The Nets have an implied team total of 89.8 points, which is by far the lowest on the schedule tonight.
Memphis Grizzlies Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 104.5 (19 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 106.1 (24 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -5.0 (22 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 199.2 (14 of 32)
As the season progresses, you will quickly realize that there are certain teams that you always try to avoid targeting players against. One of those teams is the Grizzlies. Not only are they stout defensively, but they play at a very slow pace. Even with tonight being a short slate, I will likely be avoiding the Nets completely. Jarrett Jack is worth a look, but there are better options at point guard for cash games.
Elite Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Jarrett Jack
FD: $6,200 — DK: $6,000
Min/Game: 27.0 — Usage: 27.0
FP/Game: 22.4 — FP/Min: 0.83
Memphis
The Grizzlies bounced back after an embarrassing loss to the Cavaliers in their season opener. In their second game of the season, they picked up a quality win over the Pacers in Indiana. They should be able to improve their record to 2-1 tonight, as they host the struggling Nets. The Grizzlies are 12-point favorites in this matchup with an implied team total of 101.8 points. The major concern here is that this game will turn into a blowout and that the starters will be on the bench in the fourth quarter.
Brooklyn Nets Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 108.5 (22 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 108.8 (27 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -9.0 (27 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 202.3 (18 of 32)
While this appears to be a favorable matchup, we have to account for the large spread in this game. If this game goes as expected, the starters could see limited minutes. For that reason, I see the Grizzlies as secondary options tonight. Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Courtney Lee are the preferred targets, but they are not must plays in what should be a slow-paced game.
Elite Plays
NONE
Secondary Plays
Marc Gasol
FD: $8,000 — DK: $8,200
Min/Game: 31.0 — Usage: 21.2
FP/Game: 26.6 — FP/Min: 0.86
Mike Conley
FD: $6,400 — DK: $6,800
Min/Game: 30.0 — Usage: 20.4
FP/Game: 26.8 — FP/Min: 0.89
Courtney Lee
FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,200
Min/Game: 30.0 — Usage: 15.6
FP/Game: 16.7 — FP/Min: 0.56
Phoenix at Portland – 10:00 PM
- Vegas Line – Portland -3, 204.5 Over/Under
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Bledsoe-Knight-Tucker-Morris-Chandler
- Portland Proj. Starters – Lillard-McCollum-Aminu-Leonard-Plumlee
| Phoenix | Portland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 204 |  | Vegas Total | 204 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 3.0 | Vegas Sprd | -3.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.8 | Team Proj. | 103.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 106.00 | Team Pace | 105.48 | |||||||||
| 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 | Eric Bledsoe | Brandon Knight | P.J. Tucker | Markieff Morris | Tyson Chandler | Proj Starter | Damian Lillard | C.J. McCollum | Al-Farouq Aminu | Meyers Leonard | Mason Plumlee | |
| Opp. Season | 22 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 29 | Opp. Season | 16 | 9 | 17 | 22 | 7 | |
Phoenix
These two teams squared off last night in Phoenix and they will try it again tonight in Portland. The Suns got the better of the Blazers last night in a 110-92 victory. The Blazers present a great matchup for fantasy purposes, as they have had the sixth fastest pace of any team in the first two games of the season. Meanwhile, the Suns have had the fifth fastest pace, so if this game stays close, it will be a goldmine of fantasy options.
Portland Trail Blazers Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 102.0 (17 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 94.7 (11 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: -0.5 (13 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 199.4 (15 of 32)
Eric Bledsoe had a nice game last night against the Blazers and deserves consideration as an elite play again tonight. The Blazers were one of the worst teams at defending point guards last season and that will likely be the case again this season. Brandon Knight and Markieff Morris are the only other players on this team that we can count on seeing 30+ minutes per game. They are both viable secondary plays tonight in Portland.
Elite Plays
Eric Bledsoe
FD: $7,100 — DK: $7,300
Min/Game: 32.0 — Usage: 24.1
FP/Game: 21.8 — FP/Min: 0.68
Secondary Plays
Brandon Knight
FD: $6,400 — DK: $6,500
Min/Game: 34.0 — Usage: 21.3
FP/Game: 22.7 — FP/Min: 0.67
Markieff Morris
FD: $5,800 — DK: $6,200
Min/Game: 23.0 — Usage: 22.3
FP/Game: 7.2 — FP/Min: 0.31
Portland
The Blazers did not play well last night, but there is something about playing in front of their home crowd that gets them going. The Blazers had one of the best home records in the NBA last season and I expect a much better effort from them tonight against the Suns. This is a favorable matchup that is expected to turn into a shootout. The Blazers have an implied team total of 103.8 points, which is the fifth highest of the 12 teams playing tonight.
Phoenix Suns Defense (2014-15)
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.5 (16 of 32)
Defensive Efficiency: 98.1 (16 of 32)
Rebounding Differential: 9.0 (7 of 32)
Fantasy Points Allowed per Game: 194.8 (9 of 32)
I am going back to the well with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum tonight. They have had usage rates of 33.1 and 28.8, respectively. They are the top two options in this offense and there will be plenty of shot attempts to go around in a fast-paced game against the Suns. Meyers Leonard was nowhere to be found last night, but he is a nice bounce-back candidate tonight at home. Mason Plumlee and Al-Farouq Aminu round out the viable fantasy options here.
Elite Plays
Damian Lillard
FD: $9,100 — DK: $9,100
Min/Game: 36.0 — Usage: 33.1
FP/Game: 43.5 — FP/Min: 1.21
C.J. McCollum
FD: $6,000 — DK: $6,600
Min/Game: 35.0 — Usage: 28.8
FP/Game: 47.7 — FP/Min: 1.36
Secondary Plays
Al-Farouq Aminu
FD: $5,200 — DK: $4,600
Min/Game: 31.0 — Usage: 18.9
FP/Game: 21.6 — FP/Min: 0.70
Mason Plumlee
FD: $5,000 — DK: $5,400
Min/Game: 22.0 — Usage: 19.7
FP/Game: 23.2 — FP/Min: 1.05
Meyers Leonard
FD: $5,000 — DK: $4,500
Min/Game: 26.0 — Usage: 17.8
FP/Game: 28.1 — FP/Min: 1.08