NBA Grind Down: Sunday, February 23rd
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
L.A.Clippers at Oklahoma City
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -4.5, 210.5 Over/Under
- L.A.Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Crawford-Barnes-Griffin-Jordan
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Sefolosha-Durant-Ibaka-Perkins
L.A.Clippers
The Clippers and Thunder are both fast paced teams that are two of the most efficient offenses in the NBA. Today’s game has one of the highest totals today and if you are playing in early leagues, this is a great game to target. If you look at the DvP rankings, there are two matchups that really stand out. The Thunder have struggled to defend PG’s and PF’s which just so happen to be the positions of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Additionally, I think DeAndre Jordan is in play. The Thunder have really defended the Center position well this season, but they are going to be without Perkins tonight and Adams is going to be able to play 40 minutes. Jordan should have another big game on the glass. Jamal Crawford is also in play with J.J. Redick back, but his price is a little too high for me to use in cash games now that Chris Paul is back.
- Chris Paul – CP3 is back to full strength and a full strength CP3 in a fast paced game against a defense that struggles against PG’s is never a bad route to take. Paul is still only $8,600 on FD and should be taken in all early morning leagues. He’s also in play on all sites across the industry. Look for him to easily top 40 FP’s.
- Blake Griffin – In two games this season against the Thunder, Griffin is averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Those are solid numbers that he should be able to replicate tonight. He’s playing at an extremely high level and should be able to use his athleticism in transition tonight.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder are also in a favorable position tonight. With Russell Westbrook back in the lineup, the Thunder looked off in their last game against the Heat. It’s going to take a little time to get that chemistry back, but they should play much better today. I think I am going to avoid taking Westbroook one more game. I’m worried about his minutes and he has an extremely tough matchup against Chris Paul.
Kendrick Perkins is going to miss today’s game which means Steven Adams will get the start at Center. This also gives a small boost to Serge Ibaka because he will likely pick up a few extra minutes with no Perk in the lineup. Both of these big men are in play today. The Clippers are ranked 24th and 25th against the two positions this season.
- Kevin Durant – Even though Westbrook is back in the lineup, Durant is still going to be Durant. He was still putting up MVP type numbers earlier in the season when Westbrook was healthy. I love his matchup tonight against Barnes and the Clippers. In two meetings this season, Durant is averaging 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. I have him ranked as my 2nd overall option next to Love.
Chicago at Miami
- Vegas Line – Miami -6, 186.5 Over/Under
- Chicago Proj. Starters – Augustin-Butler-Dunleavy-Boozer-Noah
- Miami Proj. Starters – Chalmers-Wade-James-Battier-Bosh
Chicago
The Bulls always seem to play the Heat tough, even when Derrick Rose isn’t in the lineup. I fully expect them to be competitive in today’s game. The only problem is that it’s not a great matchup in terms of fantasy potential. The Heat are holding their opponents to 98 points per game and are ranked 7th or better against PG’s, SG’s, and SF’s.
The two positions that the Heat have struggled to defend are PF’s and Centers. The Heat are extremely under-sized down low and talented bigs have had their way with the Heat this season. Carlos Boozer makes a decent play, but it’s always tough to take him when he has Taj Gibson hot on his heels stealing most of his 4th quarter minutes.
- Joakim Noah – Noah has topped 41 fantasy points in 4 of his last 5 games and has a terrific matchup against Chris Bosh who isn’t going to be able to keep him off of the glass. Noah has really improved his all-around game this season. He can knock down open jumpers and he’s become one of the best passing big men in the league. I expect him to have another all-around solid game.
Miami
The Heat have a very tough matchup against the Bulls. I’m not too concerned about the slow pace of play of the Bulls, but I am concerned about their DvP rankings. The Bulls are ranked 10th or better against every position in terms of fantasy points allowed. They are also holding their opponents to 92 points per game which is 2nd in the league. LeBron James is hoping to play through a broken nose today, while he has been playing at an extremely high level, I don’t think the combination of a tough matchup and an expensive price tag is the recipe for success today. Avoid the Heat and watch this game for purely entertainment purposes.
Washington at Cleveland
- Vegas Line – Washington -1, 196 Over/Under
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Ariza-Hilario-Gortat
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Jack-Deng-Thompson-Hawes
Washington
The Wizards are playing in a back to back situation after picking up a very tough win against the Pelicans last night. Neither of these teams are great defensively and the total of 196 points that is set for this game suggests that it will be a fairly high scoring game. The Cavs have really struggled defensively without their anchor Anderson Varejao in the lineup. Over the last 15 days, they are ranked 19th or worse in terms of fantasy points allowed to PG’s, SF’s, and Centers.
Bradley Beal and Nene Hilario are both in play here as well. Beal has a terrific matchup against the much smaller Jack who will have to play a ton of minutes with Miles and Waiters both out. Hilario has a tough matchup against Thompson, but he’s cheap across the industry and coming off of a big game last night against the Pelicans.
- John Wall – If you are worried about Wall in a back to back situation, worry no more. Wall is averaging 21 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds on the second half of back to back games. These numbers are actually slightly better than his season averages. While Wall doesn’t have great road splits, the matchup against Kyrie more than makes up for it.
- Marcin Gortat – The Cavs are ranked 25th against opposing Centers over the last 15 days. Without Varejao, the Cavs are using a mix of Zeller, Hawes, and Bennett. Gortat should be in for a nice game offensively and be able to add double-digit rebounds to his stat total. He’s a nice play at Center today.
Cleveland
The Cavaliers will be without Anderson Varejao, Dion Waiters, and C.J. Miles tonight. Spencer Hawes will likely get the start at Center after playing more minutes in his debut than Zeller. Even if he does come off the bench, he is a better fantasy option that Zeller at this point. Waiters and Miles out of the lineup means big minutes for Luol Deng and Jarrett Jack. Both of which are solid options if their price is affordable on the site that you are playing on.
- Kyrie Irving – Irving’s price is depressed across the industry. Irving has been two different players this season. At home, he is averaging close to 38 FP’s per game compared to his road average of only 30 FP’s per game. He has a solid matchup against Wall and the Wizards who have been pretty average at defending the PG position.
Orlando at Toronto
- Vegas Line – Toronto -11, 193 Over/Under
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Nelson-Afflalo-Harris-Davis-Vucevic
- Toronto Proj. Starters – Lowry-Derozan-Ross-Patterson-Valanciunas
Orlando
The entire Magic team looked good in their last game. It was their first game without Glen Davis which opened up big minutes for both Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris. It’s hard to count on production like that going forward though because they were facing a bad Knicks team and the game went into double-OT. Tonight’s matchup against the Raptors is a much tougher one.
The Magic are 3-25 on the road this season and have been in plenty of blowouts. This game does have blowout potential and I’m not sure I can trust any of the Magic players in cash games. I like Victor Oladipo as a high ceiling GPP play, but I’ll be avoiding the rest of the Magic players tonight.
Toronto
The Raptors have a solid matchup tonight against the Magic who are giving up 102 points per game to their opponents this season. Not only that, but the Magic are ranked 16th or worse against every position in terms of fantasy points allowed. Once again, it’s hard to trust any of the Raptors’ big men, but both guards look like solid plays tonight.
- DeMar DeRozan – DeRozan makes a terrific cash game play tonight. He’s affordable on basically every site with the exception of FanDuel. DeRozan has been rock steady this season and has been a reliable option to give you 30+ FP’s per night. Look for him to have a big game offensively against Oladipo and the Magic.
- Kyle Lowry – Lowry is one of those players that can be having a bad game and then turn it on and pile up 10 FP’s in less than a couple of minutes. He can score, pass, rebound, and is one of the better on ball defenders in the league.
Sacramento at Denver
- Vegas Line – Denver -3.5, 210.5 Over/Under
- Sacramento Proj. Starters – Thomas-McLemore-Gay-Thompson-Gray
- Denver Proj. Starters – Foye-Fournier-Chandler-Faried-Hickson
Sacramento
The Kings are 3.5 point underdogs tonight against the Nuggets in Denver. This game has one injury situation from each team that you need to monitor. DeMarcus Cousins played last night, but he was clearly not at 100% and the Kings’ beat writers say that they wouldn’t be surprised to see the Kings hold him out of tonight’s game. Make sure to check the player news closer to tip-off for an update on his status. Cousins’ absence would give Jason Thompson a nice fantasy boost, but he is very unreliable.
- Isaiah Thomas – Thomas continues to play some incredible basketball. He has been a lock for 30+ FP’s almost every single night he takes the floor. He has a great matchup tonight against the uptempo Nuggets. Look for him to post another solid double-double.
- Rudy Gay – Gay has scored at least 30 FP’s in 5 straight outings. While you expect a little more out of 30 FP’s out of him, it’s at least nice to see him post some kind of consistency. He has a nice matchup against the Nuggets and should see a nice fantasy boost offensively if Cousins has to sit.
Denver
The Nuggets also have a terrific matchup tonight. The Kings are giving up 103 points per game and are ranked 22nd or worse against PG’s, SG’s, SF’s, and PF’s. The injury situation to monitor here is Ty Lawson. He has missed the past few games and we haven’t heard any update on his status since their last game. If he sits out, give a nice fantasy boost to Randy Foye, Aaron Brooks, and Evan Fournier. J.J. Hickson is also in play tonight, but he is a much better fantasy if Cousins has to sit.
- Wilson Chandler – Chandler had an awful game the other night and a couple of sites have him listed at an extremely cheap price. Chandler is under $9k on both DS and SS. He makes a solid play on both of those sites. Look for him to get back to posting 25+ FP’s tonight.
- Kenneth Faried – Faried has one of the biggest differences in the league when you compare his home/road splits. He’s averaging less than 20 FP’s on the road, but that goes all the way up to 28 FP’s per game at home. Tonight he has a solid matchup and is luckily playing at home.