NBA Grind Down: Sunday, April 03 - Page Three
Boston at L.A. Lakers – 09:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Boston -9.5, 208.5 Over/Under
- Boston Proj. Starters – Thomas-Bradley—Johnson-
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Russell-Clarkson—Randle-Hibbert
| Boston | L.A. Lakers | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 208 |  | Vegas Total | 208 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -9.5 | Vegas Sprd | 9.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 109.0 | Team Proj. | 99.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 101.12 | Team Pace | 97.93 | |||||||||
| 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 | Isaiah Thomas | Avery Bradley | Amir Johnson | Proj Starter | D’Angelo Russell | Jordan Clarkson | Julius Randle | Roy Hibbert | ||||
| Opp. Season | 30 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 28 | Opp. Season | 1 | 12 | 22 | 26 | 27 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 14 | 20 | 7 | 22 | 29 | Opp. Season | 22 | 16 | 24 | 30 | 25 | |
Boston
Record: 44-32 — Road 19-20 — Last 10: 5-5
- Boston Offense
Points Scored Per Game: 105.6 (5 of 30)
Implied Team Total: 109
Projected Point Differential: +3.4
- L.A. Lakers Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 106.9 (27 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 109.5 (30 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -3.5 (27 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 213.82 (30 of 30)
- Injury Watch:
None
The Celtics have to be riding high after that great performance at Golden State on Friday night. They step right into a great opportunity against a very poor Lakers defense who we have been attacking all season long. Vegas likes this game to be one of the higher scoring games on the night and it opens up several options overall.
Elite Plays
Isaiah Thomas
Thomas is clearly in play for the Celtics facing one of the worst defenses in the league and coming off of the high of taking down the Warriors. After a rough first half in Golden State he came out in the second half and was outstanding. Look for him to carry that over into this game and I expect him to put up one of the better totals from the position tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
L.A. Lakers
Record: 16-59 — Home 11-27 — Last 10: 2-8
- L.A. Lakers Offense
Points Scored Per Game: 97.7 (29 of 30)
Implied Team Total: 99.5
Projected Point Differential: +1.8
- Boston Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 102.4 (13 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 100.8 (5 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -.9 (20 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 199.38 (11 of 30)
- Injury Watch:
None
The Kobe farewell tour is almost over and with it will end one of the worst Lakers seasons of all time. Often a team that we pick on for fantasy there has not been much from the Lakers side to like lately but Julius Randle is someone we can utilize against a Celtics squad that can struggle inside.
Elite Plays
None
Seconday Plays
Julius Randle
Randle is really the only piece of the Lakers I want in this one. The Celtics struggle to guard the interior and Randle is going to log around thirty minutes for L.A. making him an easy target. As the season winds down we will likely see the Lakers guards putting up solid numbers but understand that the Celtics are very strong defending the backcourt and as such I expect them to focus on getting the ball inside to the big men. His price is pretty fair around the industry and should make for a great play tonight.