NBA Grind Down: Sunday, December 15th
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
Click ‘Stat Chart’ Buttons Below for Pop-Ups of Essential Game-Specific Statistics including Defense vs. Position and Pace
Houston at Sacramento
- Vegas Line – Houston -6, 213.5 Over/Under
- Houston Proj. Starters – Beverley-Harden-Parsons-Jones-Howard
- Sacramento Proj. Starters – Thomas-McLemore-Gay-Williams-Cousins
Houston
This is expected to be a very high scoring game. Both teams like to push the pace and there are solid options from both teams. The Kings struggle to defend every position, so target the players that have the best value on the Rockets.
- Dwight Howard – Howard is finally being more aggressive. He’s had monster double-doubles in five straight games and should really play well tonight against Cousins who doesn’t love to play defense. Look for Dwight to be the top scoring Center of the night.
- James Harden – Gay may be on Harden tonight, but I don’t really think it matters all that much. The Kings do not have a good scheme defensively and Harden should be able to attack the rim at will. The best part about Harden is his ability to fill up the stat sheet and he should have a nice game today.
Sacramento
The Kings are still in experimental mode right now with Rudy Gay and Derrick Williams new to the team. It will probably take a couple of weeks to get the rotation set and until then, I will be staying away from both of these players. However, I do like both Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins in this one.
- Isaiah Thomas – Now that Vasquez is gone, there really isn’t anyone to challenge him for minutes. He has played great lately and should have a big game tonight against the Rockets who are below average at defending PG’s.
- DeMarcus Cousins – Cousins always seems to play well against Dwight and Dwight’s defense has really taken a turn for the worse this season. Cousins has scored over 45 FP’s in three of his last four games and has a great chance of reaching that mark tonight.
Minnesota at Memphis
- Vegas Line – Minnesota -2.5, 196.5 Over/Under
- Minnesota Proj. Starters – Rubio-Martin-Brewer-Love-Pekovic
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Bayless-Prince-Randolph-Koufos
Minnesota
I typically like to fade teams that face the Grizzlies, but the Grizzlies have actually picked up their pace a little bit with Gasol out. This is expected to be a close, fairly high scoring game which is always good to see from a fantasy perspective. I think Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic are both in play, but my favorite play here is Mr. Double-Double.
- Kevin Love – I tried to tell you that Love was matchup proof the other night when he faced the Spurs. His game is just so solid all around that he has an advantage regardless of who is defending him. Randolph is not nearly quick enough to keep up with Love and I’m expecting another big game tonight.
Memphis
The Grizzlies have a great matchup tonight against the uptempo Wolves. It was interesting to see Kosta Koufos minutes take such a big hit last game, but I’m guessing that he will get back to 30+ minutes tonight against this big front court of the Wolves. He makes a solid play if the price is right.
- Mike Conley – Conley doesn’t have the same upside as some of the other PG’s in his price range, but he is always solid and always puts up consistent fantasy numbers. I think he should be able to top 30 FP’s tonight against the Wolves who are ranked 22nd against PG’s this season.
Portland at Detroit
- Vegas Line – Portland -4, 206.5 Over/Under
- Portland Proj. Starters – Lillard-Matthews-Batum-Aldridge-Lopez
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Jennings-Stuckey-Smith-Monroe-Drummond
Portland
The Blazers continue to pave their way through the NBA schedule. They have made quick work of their last few opponents, but are expected to be in a tight one against the Pistons tonight. Both of these teams have a good number of All-Star caliber players and I expect this one to have some fireworks.
- Damian Lillard – Even with the huge game from the Blazers last night, Lillard had an off night. That’s two down games in a row for Lillard. This is the perfect spot for him to bounce back. He has a favorable matchup against Jennings.
- Nicolas Batum – I like Aldridge as well, but he’s just too expensive to take at this point. Instead, take Batum for a discount. He has really been playing well and should be able to top 30 FP’s tonight. The Pistons rank dead last against SF’s this season.
Detroit
The Pistons are usually a team that I like to avoid thanks to their inconsistent play on an individual level, but on a short slate and with this game expected to be high scoring, I may have to change it up. The Blazers have not defended PG’s and Centers well this season and those are the two positions to target here.
- Brandon Jennings – Before his dud in his last game, Jennings has 7 straight games with over 30 fantasy points. He’s playing well lately and both of these PG’s care a lot more about their offense than they do their defense. They should go at each other all night.
- Andre Drummond – Drummond’s value varies by site, but he is in play on most sites. He has a solid matchup against Lopez and has as much upside as any Center tonight, even Dwight.
Orlando at Oklahoma City
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -13.5, 205.5 Over/Under
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Nelson-Oladipo-Afflalo-Davis-Vucevic
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Sefolosha-Durant-Ibaka-Perkins
Orlando/Oklahoma City
This game is expected to be a blowout. The Magic haven’t been a great road team and the Thunder have been a great home team. Even with a short slate of games, I am fading this game completely. I don’t think any of the starters will see a full complement of minutes.
New Orleans at Denver
- Vegas Line – Denver -6.5, 204.5 Over/Under
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Gordon-Aminu-Anderson-Smith
- Denver Proj. Starters – Lawson-Foye-Chandler-Faried-Hickson
New Orleans
The Pelicans have had quite a few different fantasy options this season. With Anthony Davis out, Aminu, Anderson, and Smith have all stepped up and played well. The guards have also been playing well. It’s important to note that Tyreke Evans will not play tonight, so give a slight bump to both Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu.
- Ryan Anderson – Anderson is a scorer so when you take him, there is always a risk that he has an off night shooting the ball, but I’m willing to take that risk tonight. This is expected to be an uptempo game and I expect Anderson to get plenty of shots up.
- Jason Smith – Smith has a great matchup tonight. The Nuggets are ranked dead last in the league against Centers this season and Smith has posted some solid games with Davis out. He offers great value tonight and has good upside too.
Denver
The Nuggets are 6.5 point favorites in what should be a high scoring game. The Pelicans have defended SF’s well this season, but I still really like Wilson Chandler in this one. He has been given the green light to shoot the ball and he is starting to play more like the Chandler that we’ve seen in year’s past. The big men situation in Denver is a bit too tricky for me. Hickson, Faried, and Mozgov all see under 30 minutes per game. Ty Lawson is also a big risky, he really struggled the other night and is still a bit hobbled.