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NBA Grind Down: Sunday, January 11th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-01-14 21:05:40

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: 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.

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Washington at Atlanta

Washington Atlanta
washingtonnba Vegas Total 195 atlantanba Vegas Total 195
Vegas Sprd 4.0 Vegas Sprd -4.0
Team Proj. 95.8 Team Proj. 99.8
Team Pace 95.55 Team Pace 96.36
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 John Wall Bradley Beal Paul Pierce Nene Hilario Marcin Gortat Proj Starter Jeff Teague Kyle Korver DeMarre Carroll Paul Millsap Al Horford
Opp. Season 1 26 10 10 12 Opp. Season 10 1 26 2 4
Opp. Last 7 12 16 6 9 16 Opp. Last 7 27 1 18 22 4

Washington

The Wizards have continued to impress this year and are coming off of a huge win against the Bulls. They will now have to travel to Atlanta to face another solid Eastern Conference squad. The Wizards are as healthy as they have been this year, which takes a lot of the value away from any big man in the squad. Washington is currently a middle of the road paced team and scores 99.9 points per game.

Elite Plays

Bradley Beal – Beal has been much more inconsistent than he was last year for fantasy purposes. He has 40-point upside, but his floor has actually been around 20. For his price, 20 points will not kill your lineups, and Beal has the best matchup of the Wizards today against Kyle Korver’s defense. I think Beal inches closer to that high ceiling today.

Secondary Plays

John Wall – Wall has a very difficult matchup today as Jeff Teague and the Hawks allow the second-fewest points to point guards. Wall also has a pretty substantial difference in his fantasy point output at home than in away games, scoring seven FPTs more per home contest. These two factors put Wall at a secondary play for me today, but he has shown that he can overcome such factors throughout the season and still could hit value today.

Atlanta

The Hawks come into this game as winners of a ridiculous 21 out of 23 games and are overall 28-8 on the season. They play extremely well in Atlanta as they are 15-3 on their home court. The Hawks are relying on some very good play by Teague, who has stepped up his game big time this year. The Hawks are four-point favorites with a 195 total, which has dropped a bit from the opening 199.

Elite Plays

Jeff Teague – For some reason, it is still difficult for me to take Teague at prices in the low $8,000’s like he is on FD and DK, but he is priced there for good reason. Teague is playing some of his best basketball as he has hit over 30 fantasy points in all of his last seven games and hit 40+ in five of those games. He is the focus of this offense at the moment and should continue that today.

Secondary Plays

None

Miami at L.A. Clippers

Miami L.A. Clippers
miaminba Vegas Total 201 laclippersnba Vegas Total 201
Vegas Sprd 10.0 Vegas Sprd -10.0
Team Proj. 95.5 Team Proj. 105.5
Team Pace 91.63 Team Pace 96.46
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 Mario Chalmers Dwyane Wade Luol Deng Chris Bosh Chris Andersen Proj Starter Chris Paul J.J. Redick Matt Barnes Blake Griffin DeAndre Jordan
Opp. Season 2 19 14 21 11 Opp. Season 8 30 3 1 28
Opp. Last 7 21 19 19 26 2 Opp. Last 7 18 13 1 21 12

Miami

The Heat are struggling at the moment and it will not get much easier today as they go to the home of a hot Clippers squad. The problem with the Heat seems to be that no one is supporting Wade or Bosh at all, and they cannot get it done themselves. The Heat are big underdogs today, and the high prices of Bosh and Wade are difficult to pay for.

Elite Plays

Dwyane Wade – Bosh is still $8,000 and is not putting up enough points to come close to value since returning from injury five games ago. If you need to play someone from this game, I do think Wade could have a big game. He’s more of a GPP option than a cash option thanks to his price, but Wade does have a high ceiling if this game stays close. The Clippers struggle at the shooting guard position with guys like Redick and Crawford not defending very well.

Secondary Plays

None

L.A. Clippers

There are a few hot teams in the NBA, but the Clippers might be playing the best basketball of them all. They are crushing teams recently and are being led by their big guns of Griffin and Paul. Another blowout may be in order today as the Clippers are close to 11-point favorites. The blowouts have not been terribly negative for the Clippers lately, as they are putting up such big numbers in the time that the starters are on the court, and should likely happen today as well.

Elite Plays

Blake Griffin – On the DvP rankings, the Heat are the number 1 team against the PF position. This number is going to quickly go down as Bosh plays PF more and more. In the last week, they have allowed the 9th most points to PFs and Blake should have a field day against them. Griffin has not been affected minutes-wise or points-wise by blowouts and should see 35+ minutes in this matchup. When looking at Aldridge, Love and Griffin as the top PF plays today in good match ups, I like Blake the best.

Secondary Plays

Chris Paul – It may be a night where I avoid the top tier at PG in my cash games due to the high volume of guys like Teague and Irving. That is not to say Paul is not a bad play, though. Unlike Blake, Paul has played less minutes in these big blowout games and has actually seen his minutes drop to about 30 per game in his last 5. He has put up some big performances even with the lowered minutes, but I would pay up for him in GPPs only today.

Matt Barnes – He is getting a mention due to the lack of quality small forwards tonight. Barnes should get about 30 minutes tonight and has put up 25+ in his last two games. This will give us value if he comes close to that again.

Phoenix at Memphis

Phoenix Memphis
phoenixnba Vegas Total 207 memphisnba Vegas Total 207
Vegas Sprd 5.0 Vegas Sprd -5.0
Team Proj. 101.0 Team Proj. 106.0
Team Pace 99.12 Team Pace 93.99
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 Goran Dragic P.J. Tucker Markieff Morris Alex Len Proj Starter Mike Conley Courtney Lee Tony Allen Zach Randolph Marc Gasol
Opp. Season 4 24 11 14 2 Opp. Season 13 20 15 7 27
Opp. Last 7 23 3 24 16 11 Opp. Last 7 6 29 22 4 15

Phoenix

This will be the first game that the Suns will be playing with Brandan Wright, which should impact the rotation a bit with a new big man to take time away from Plumlee, Len and possibly Markieff. I am going to wait to see what the rotation looks like before playing any of these guys. The matchup tonight would have likely had me avoiding the big men, anyway, as Memphis looks to have their frontcourt healthy again. Although Memphis has been much more offensive this year, they are still a great defensive team as they allow the eighth fewest points per game at 97.8, but Vegas does see a lot of points scored as the total is set at 206.

Elite Plays

Eric Bledsoe – The shooting guard position is where to attack this Grizzlies squad, as they are 24th in the league in fantasy points allowed. Bledsoe is getting all the minutes he can handle and is proving his contract lately. His floor has become around 30 points in the last few weeks with a ceiling of 50. He is expensive, but is a top option at the position.

Secondary Plays

None

Memphis

Memphis just got Randolph back game on Friday against the Pelicans, which will be a needed body as the Griz have really struggled without him. Randolph did play 31 minutes in his first game back, but I think I may wait another game or two before inserting him into my lineups. He does have a great match up and could be used as a tournament play as I think he may be a bit low owned tonight. Memphis has a great matchup tonight as they will play up in pace to the Suns with a big total and as small four-point favorites.

Elite Plays

Marc Gasol – It seems that part of the struggles of the team may be connected to a bit of a down streak of Gasol. He is coming off one of his worst performances in a difficult match up against the Pelicans, but now gets a great matchup against the Suns. The addition of Wright will help a bit defensively, but if he is coming off the bench, that will give Gasol enough time to abuse Len in the paint. His price has dropped a bit, making him a bit more affordable and a great cash game play today.

Mike Conley – Conley has quietly been playing very well recently. Other than a dud against Denver, Conley has put up 35+ fantasy points in 5 of his last 6 games. He has a great matchup today against the Suns who will help the Grizzlies play up in pace which should lead to a few more opportunities today.

Secondary Plays

None

Cleveland at Sacramento

Cleveland Sacramento
clevelandnba Vegas Total 204 sacramentonba Vegas Total 204
Vegas Sprd 3.5 Vegas Sprd -3.5
Team Proj. 100.3 Team Proj. 103.8
Team Pace 94.52 Team Pace 97.08
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 Kyrie Irving J.R. Smith Mike Miller Kevin Love Timofey Mozgov Proj Starter Darren Collison Ben McLemore Rudy Gay Jason Thompson DeMarcus Cousins
Opp. Season 19 25 12 29 9 Opp. Season 7 28 20 16 7
Opp. Last 7 28 9 17 20 21 Opp. Last 7 15 18 30 10 8

Cleveland

I think we could have predicted that the Cavs would struggle a bit this season, but I don’t think I would have predicted a just above .500 record this late in the season. LeBron cannot return soon enough, as I watched J.R. Smith launch shot after shot in the game against Golden State. Irving and Love need to take control of this team while LeBron is out, and the match up today may provide an opportunity to get on track, as the Kings give up the 27th-most points in the league at 104.2.

Elite Plays

Kyrie Irving – He is a great play with LeBron out and makes an even better one today where he is the fourth or fifth highest priced PG. His usage has been incredible with no LeBron and has played 41 minutes in the last two games. Sacramento is a middle of the road defensive team against the point guard position and Irving should be in line for a big game.

J.R. Smith – You cannot ignore two things from his last game: 23 shots and 42 minutes for J.R. Smith. If he truly has the green light right now, plug him in your lineups at a huge discount across the industry. He should be highly owned tonight, so it should be alright if he goes 2-20.

Timofey Mozgov – He is cheap and should get close to 30 minutes tonight. He will not win you a tournament himself, but should hit value. It was also announced that he is a starter which locks him into those minutes. He is the best, cheap play at center.

Secondary Plays

Kevin Love – He cannot be ignored even though he is expensive, since he’s playing 37+ minutes and putting up around 40 fantasy points without LeBron. I like Love a bit more than Aldridge tonight, but less than Griffin.

Sacramento

The Kings have struggled all year, as they have been able to score a lot of points, but have not been able to stop anyone. This game should be on of the highest scoring of the slate at a 205’ total with the Kings as a slight favorite. Early news shows that Casspi and Sessions will continue to be out.

Elite Plays

DeMarcus Cousins – Of course Cousins is in play today. Anytime he is on a slate he is most likely the top center option. The problem is his price has put him at almost $800 more than anyone on FD and $700 more than anyone at DK. He has 60-point upside and if you can fit him in your lineup, do it.

Rudy Gay – This week puts us in a similar position as last week with very few plays at the SF spot, which makes Gay easily the top play. He screwed us big time last week so you have to decide whether to go back to well. I think it is safe here in what should be a high scoring game and could be matched up with J.R. Smith. I think he makes a safe play today.

Secondary Plays

Darren Collison – If you want a safe 30 points in your lineup, Collison is your guy. He is getting extra minutes with Sessions out and makes a decent play, as his price is a low-mid priced across the industry.

Portland at L.A. Lakers

Portland L.A. Lakers
portlandnba Vegas Total lalakersnba Vegas Total 205
Vegas Sprd Vegas Sprd 5.5
Team Proj. Team Proj. 100.0
Team Pace 96.58 Team Pace 97.58
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 Damian Lillard Wesley Matthews Nicolas Batum LaMarcus Aldridge Chris Kaman Proj Starter Ronnie Price Kobe Bryant Wayne Ellington Ed Davis Jordan Hill
Opp. Season 30 6 13 23 23 Opp. Season 11 5 23 4 20
Opp. Last 7 16 10 3 19 22 Opp. Last 7 8 12 20 13 20

Portland

The last game on the slate comes with a lot of questions. With the weird set up of the games today, we may not know the news we need to know prior to roster locks. The news is very Kobe-dependent, as I think in order for this game to have a chance to stay close, Kobe needs to play. Hopefully, the Lakers will let us know soon. With the uncertainty, the line has Portland at six-point favorites with a 204 total.

Elite Plays

Wes Matthews – The Lakers allow the most points to opposing teams in the NBA. Matthews may be my favorite play against the Lakers today as his price is mid-ranged and he is a lock for his 30-35 points regardless of what happens during the game.

Secondary Plays

LaMarcus Aldridge – Aldridge has not hit 40 fantasy points in any of his last three games, which is a bit worrisome, but he has put up 20+ actual points in each of them. The biggest problem here again, is the blowout factor, but Aldridge has a premium matchup against the 22nd-ranked defense against the power forward position.

Damian Lillard – If he didn’t have a back issue, and if I knew Kobe was playing, I would love Lillard tonight. The factors here put him into the secondary role as I think if they get up big, he will be the first to have his minutes cut down a bit. If both teams are fully healthy though, he has the best matchup on the board.

L.A. Lakers

This game is very dependent on the Kobe news. If he sits, that opens up Ellington and gives everyone on the Lakers a nice boost in production. The Lakers have also begun to be a little front-court heavy with Kelly back and the addition of Black to the lineup. This makes it difficult to trust anyone from this squad tonight. With rotations all over the place, I would avoid the Lakers unless Kobe is out and then Ellington makes a fine punt play.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

None

About the Author

Ryan138
Ryan138

Ryan (Ryan138) is from Chicago and has been playing fantasy sports for over 10 years. He has been playing daily fantasy sports for over 2 years since he was introduced to Daily Joust in late 2010. In the last year, Ryan has risen into the Top 100 of the RotoGrinders leaderboards by playing at DraftDay, DraftKings and FanDuel in all the major sports.