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NBA Grind Down: Sunday, January 25th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-01-28 15:11:11

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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Miami at Chicago – 1:00 pm EST

Miami Chicago
miaminba Vegas Total 186 chicagonba Vegas Total 186
Vegas Sprd 8.5 Vegas Sprd -8.5
Team Proj. 89.0 Team Proj. 97.5
Team Pace 91.59 Team Pace 95.90
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 Derrick Rose Jimmy Butler Tony Snell Pau Gasol Joakim Noah
Opp. Season 19 4 23 23 12 Opp. Season 14 7 2 2 10
Opp. Last 7 21 6 14 8 20 Opp. Last 7 19 1 22 2 6

Miami

The first game on the early slate has the struggling Heat going into Chicago for an early start. This game should be played at a pretty low tempo and Vegas has it as the lowest total by far at 184. A week ago, some of Miami’s players may have been in play due to the lack of defense by the Bulls, but recently, it looks like the effort has returned. If you are playing an early-only slate, like on DraftKings, I could see taking a flyer on Bosh, especially if Whiteside sits again. Other than him, avoid a team with a total is set at 88 points.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

None

Chicago

The Bulls have seemed to press a button and started to play some defense in the last two games. If it continues, they are possibly the best team in the East as their offense is so improved this year. This is the Bulls’ last game before a road trip and I think they are going to want to come out and put together another good home performance. They are 9-point favorites and the blowout is in play, but Thibs does not seem to care as he still seems to mix starters in until the last two minutes.

Elite Plays

Derrick Rose – Rose is playing at an elite level in the last few games and his price has not moved yet. This may be the last time we get him at a low price, so take advantage of it.

Secondary Plays

Pau Gasol – Pau’s play this year has made it a bit difficult to not recommend him regardless of the matchup. He is extremely consistent and will go out and get you around 40 fantasy points. I would actually like to see Whiteside play today as it should mean we will see more Bosh on Gasol.

Oklahoma City at Cleveland – 3:30 pm EST

Oklahoma City Cleveland
oklahomacitynba Vegas Total 211 clevelandnba Vegas Total 211
Vegas Sprd 3.5 Vegas Sprd -3.5
Team Proj. 104.0 Team Proj. 107.5
Team Pace 97.11 Team Pace 94.50
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 Russell Westbrook Andre Robertson Kevin Durant Serge Ibaka Steven Adams Proj Starter Kyrie Irving J.R. Smith LeBron James Kevin Love Timofey Mozgov
Opp. Season 11 25 27 19 14 Opp. Season 27 10 10 18 4
Opp. Last 7 6 5 25 7 29 Opp. Last 7 26 2 2 14 8

Oklahoma City

I am really looking forward to the other day game today as it comes at the perfect time as both Cleveland and the Thunder are getting healthy and playing some good basketball. Unlike the first game on the slate, this one has a very high total set at 212 and should be close throughout. If you are playing the early only slate, target this game heavily with guys like Waiters and Ibaka making decent plays.

Elite Plays

Kevin Durant – The problem lately has seemed to be small forward scarcity. That does not exist today as the top two are in play and in the same game. I agree with some of our other RotoGrinders with the statement of if Durant is under $11,000, you have to keep taking him.

Russell Westbrook – He is the highest priced point guard across the industry but for good reason. He has had one game below 44 fantasy points in his last five starts. He gets a decent match up against a defensively improved Irving, but the pace of this game should bump his value a bit. Westbrook is a great option on a day/night full of great point guards.

Secondary Plays

None

Cleveland

Cleveland has finally turned it around and it seems like it may be due to shockingly, J.R. Smith? Regardless, they are 3-point favorites at home and have a team total projected at 107. In the early game slate, I understand the need to possibly play Irving and Love, but will not be using them much in the all-day slate.

Elite Plays

LeBron James – J.R. Smith has been a help to improve the team, but really James has come back from the injury with a new mindset to take complete control of this team. He is dominating on the court and seems to be a lock to get close to that 50 bomb. For the Cavs to win this game, he is going to have to continue to control the ball and put up a huge game.

Secondary Plays

J.R. Smith – His price has began to rise a bit, but his price on DraftKings is still playable. He has been averaging around 30 points per game in his last 3 and also 30+ minutes. That allows him to reach value here today.

Timofey Mozgov – His minutes were trending way up prior to the blowout against the Hornets. He only played 21 minutes, but that is because the Cavs were up by 30. He was still able to get a double-double in that game and I think should be played 30 minutes plus today. He does have a tough match up as the Thunder allow the 4 least points to the center position, but his price cannot be ignored here and should be able to reach value.

Minnesota at Atlanta – 6:00 pm EST

Minnesota Atlanta
minnesotanba Vegas Total 200 atlantanba Vegas Total 200
Vegas Sprd 17.5 Vegas Sprd -17.5
Team Proj. 91.5 Team Proj. 109.0
Team Pace 98.07 Team Pace 96.17
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 Mo Williams Andrew Wiggins Robbie Hummel Thaddeus Young Gorgui Dieng Proj Starter Jeff Teague Kyle Korver DeMarre Carroll Paul Millsap Al Horford
Opp. Season 12 13 15 12 5 Opp. Season 29 24 30 26 28
Opp. Last 7 13 8 3 28 2 Opp. Last 7 17 23 21 21 1

Minnesota

The Timberwolves have to go into possibly the toughest arena in the NBA at the moment to take on the Hawks. They are huge underdogs today and as they get back a lot of their starters, minutes are going to be hard to come by. This game is a pretty easy one to avoid and to move on due to the blowout factor.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

None

Atlanta

The Hawks are playing like the best team in the NBA right now and are on a ridiculous 15 game winning streak. It should be able to continue tonight as they are the biggest favorite on the slate at 18 points. The blowout is a major concern here tonight and the Hawks should be only used for tournament plays. Guys like Teague and Millsap are options for tournaments, but may only play 25-30 minutes.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

None

Dallas at New Orleans – 6:00 pm EST

Dallas New Orleans
dallasnba Vegas Total 201 neworleansnba Vegas Total 201
Vegas Sprd -1.0 Vegas Sprd 1.0
Team Proj. 101.3 Team Proj. 100.3
Team Pace 97.04 Team Pace 94.47
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 Rajon Rondo Monta Ellis Chandler Parsons Dirk Nowitzki Tyson Chandler Proj Starter Tyreke Evans Eric Gordon Dante Cunningham Anthony Davis Omer Asik
Opp. Season 18 16 17 9 16 Opp. Season 25 5 19 10 11
Opp. Last 7 7 16 13 6 10 Opp. Last 7 3 10 15 26 3

Dallas

Dallas goes into New Orleans as 2’ point favorites in a matchup with a total of 201’. Although it is a good match up, Dallas has been a tough team to play a lot of fantasy players from as they have so many mouths to feed on offense.

Elite Plays

Dirk Nowitzki – He is an alright play on FD, but continues to be a great play on DraftKings. At $6,400 he makes a cash game play as he should get around that 30-35 point range he needs to make value.

Secondary Plays

None

New Orleans

Holiday will be out for a while which opens up a bunch of usage for Pelicans. Unlike the Mavericks, New Orleans has a few players that take up a bunch of usage and are reliable for quality fantasy performances. The match up should allow for a fast paced game as Dallas allows the 23rd most points in the league.

Elite Plays

Anthony Davis – Davis should be able to take advantage of Dirk on the offensive end and on the glass. Griffin and Davis are 1a and 1b today and you are going to have to make a choice about which one you can afford. Both have great match ups and huge ceilings, but Davis’ is always a bit higher.

Tyreke Evans/Eric Gordon – The news about Jrue Holiday has allowed the DFS community to continue running out both Evans and Gordon routinely. That should again be true tonight as they both have a great match up. I would play whoever fits into your lineup, but it is hard to argue against what Gordon is doing and is much cheaper than Evans.

Secondary Plays

None

Indiana at Orlando – 6:00 pm EST

Indiana Orlando
indiananba Vegas Total 209 orlandonba Vegas Total 209
Vegas Sprd -2.0 Vegas Sprd 2.0
Team Proj. 105.5 Team Proj. 103.5
Team Pace 95.65 Team Pace 96.05
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 C.J. Watson Rodney Stuckey Solomon Hill David West Roy Hibbert Proj Starter Elfrid Payton Victor Oladipo Devyn Marble Channing Frye Nikola Vucevic
Opp. Season 28 3 29 25 29 Opp. Season 17 28 5 1 9
Opp. Last 7 30 15 30 29 30 Opp. Last 7 15 24 18 5 21

Indiana

This game pits two struggling teams against each other as the Pacers take on the Magic. Vegas thinks the pace will be played more at the Magics pace which bodes well for the Pacers tonight. They are small 2 point favorites with a total of 208. If Miles is out, Hill makes a viable punt play at a weak SF position.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

David West – Although it looks like a good match up, it is tough to find Pacers to play. West is the most consistent of the bunch and gets a great match up as the Magic are in the bottom third of the league in defending both the PF and C position. His ceiling is low, but should reach value today.

Rodney Stuckey – A tournament play only, he is cheap and Miles should sit tonight, which means Stuckey should see some of his minutes.

Orlando

Orlando is struggling as they are a very young squad, but does have a lot of decent players for fantasy purposes. I was surprised to see the high total for this game which makes me like the Magic a bit more.

Elite Plays

Victor Oladipo – I think he is an elite play only if Payton is out today. He has been playing great ball and should see his usage go up a lot if Payton cannot suit up. Indiana’s guard defense has been poor all season long and Oladipo should be able to take advantage of that.

Secondary Plays

Nikola Vucevic – I may not pay up for his in cash, but he has one of the highest ceilings of any of the centers tonight. He is coming off a 62-point performance and while I do not think that is going to be repeated, a 50-point game is not out of the question.

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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.