NBA Grind Down: Sunday, March 20th - Page Two
Sacramento at New York – 07:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Sacramento -2.5, 212.5 Over/Under
- Sacramento Proj. Starters – Rondo-McLemore-Gay-Acy-Gay
- New York Proj. Starters – Calderon-Afflalo-Anthony-Porzingis-Lopez
| Sacramento | New York | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 212 |  | Vegas Total | 212 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -2.5 | Vegas Sprd | 2.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 107.5 | Team Proj. | 105.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 102.34 | Team Pace | 95.92 | |||||||||
| 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 | Ben McLemore | Rudy Gay | Quincy Acy | Rudy Gay | Proj Starter | Jose Calderon | Arron Afflalo | Carmelo Anthony | Kristaps Porzingis | Robin Lopez | |
| Opp. Season | 21 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 18 | Opp. Season | 25 | 29 | 23 | 30 | 15 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 22 | 25 | 5 | 16 | 13 | Opp. Season | 19 | 14 | 7 | 29 | 9 | |
Sacramento
New York Knicks Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.4 (12 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 104.8 (19 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 0.0 (13 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 197.0 (10 of 30)
The Knicks are an average defensive squad this year and are ranked between 10th and 19th in all the above defensive categories. This is a pretty big pace down matchup for the Kings, who are slight one point underdogs today and have a projected team today of 106.3, which is half a point lower than their season average. Ben Mclemore is doubtful, while Omri Casspi and Willie Cauley-Stein are both questionable.
Elite Plays
Cousins does not have the greatest matchup along with his price, but he is by far the highest upside center (FD) going today as there is a pretty large drop off between him and the next highest priced option in Jordan. He is expensive, but DMC has been over 44+ fantasy points in each of his last ten games, making him a great option regardless of the matchup.
FD — $11,000 — C
DK — $10,400 — PF
Usage – 33.4
Min/Game — Season: 34.7
Secondary Plays
Rondo has been playing some solid basketball recently and has triple double upside in this matchup against possibly Calderon or whoever else the Knicks try to send out there against him. He should be lower owned with all the other solid options today, making him a great point guard option.
FD — $8,100 — PG
DK — $7,900 — PG
Usage – 21.4
Min/Game — Season: 35.5
New York
Sacramento Kings Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 109.5 (30 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 106.5 (24 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -0.2 (12 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 212.9 (29 of 30)
The Kings are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and are ranked 30th and 29th in points allowed and fantasy points allowed respectively. The Knicks have a projected team total of 107.3, which is 8.3 points higher than their season average. Lance Thomas is out, while Jose Calderon is currently questionable after spraining his ankle in their last game.
Elite Plays
Small forward is a bit thin today, especially on the night slate. Melo and Giannis are the two top options and the price and the matchup put Melo slightly above Giannis for the top high priced option. Melo gets a great pace up game against the Kings in what should be a high scoring close game and ranked 23rd at defending the small forward position, along with a huge savings over Giannis who is playing in a game with a much lower total/pace.
FD — $8,800 — SF
DK — $8,500 — SF
Usage – 28.3
Min/Game — Season: 35.4
Secondary Plays
The lack of options at the center position pushes Robin Lopez into consideration as a cheap option at the position. Other than the Golden State game, Lopez has played 30+ minutes in four of his last five games, while being over 26 fantasy points in each of those four. There is risk attached, since he will have to battle against Cousins inside, but there is risk any time you play Robin.
FD — $5,600 — C
DK — $5,400 — C
Usage – 16.4
Min/Game — Season: 26.4
The other option in this game would be Langston Galloway assuming Calderon sits. If he does, he makes a great punt option at the shooting guard position, so keep an eye on Calderon’s status.