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NBA Grind Down: Sunday, March 29th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-03-31 19:24:47

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 NBA Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review.

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Houston at Washington – 12:30 PM EST

Houston Washington
Article Image Vegas Total 205 Article Image Vegas Total 205
Vegas Sprd -2.5 Vegas Sprd 2.5
Team Proj. 104.0 Team Proj. 101.5
Team Pace 99.18 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 Jason Terry James Harden Trevor Ariza Josh Smith Dwight Howard Proj Starter John Wall Bradley Beal Paul Pierce Nene Hilario Marcin Gortat
Opp. Season 17 2 7 3 3 Opp. Season 2 20 23 26 21
Opp. Last 7 27 8 28 11 26 Opp. Last 7 16 1 13 24 13

Houston

The Rockets recently clinched a playoff birth and are looking to continue with some decent momentum into the postseason. This will be a bit of a pace down game for them as they go to Washington, but Vegas still has the total set at 205 with the Rockets being small two-point favorites. This should make for some good, early fantasy goodness. The Rockets are still thin at power forward as they should be without Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas this afternoon, as well as Patrick Beverley.

Elite Plays

James Harden – There is really no position to attack the Wizards at, as they play good defense all around, but Harden continues to be matchup proof. Without Beverley, he gets a bit more of the ball than he previously did, and should put up a big performance. The problem is his price tag is getting to a point where he needs almost 60 to reach value. I think he comes pretty close to that number this afternoon.

Josh Smith – Without anyone in front of him, Smith should again see all the minutes he can handle. He played 40 minutes on Friday and put up a 40+ game. He is one of my favorite values of the early slate.

Secondary Plays

Jason Terry – He scared a lot of people off after his first performance, but came back to do what was expected and score over value. He is still close to minimum price, should get close to 30 minutes, and should at least spot us close to 20 fantasy points.

Washington

A few puzzle pieces have to fit together, but the Wizards could possibly clinch with a win today. Between this and the Vegas lines, we can expect this to be a hard-fought. late-season game. The matchup against the Rockets should lead to a few more possessions than the Wizards are used to and should add a bit to their value.

Elite Plays

John Wall – The absence of Beverley is key to Wall getting the bump to an elite play today. After a couple subpar performances, Wall has come back with two 50-point performances, including scoring 30+ real points in the process. One of those games was double overtime, but I still think Wall is looking to carry this team down the stretch. His price continues to be a bargain over at DK, and he makes a great play there.

Secondary Plays

Bradley Beal – I just wish I could look at his game log and never see sub-20 point games, but I do. He is a secondary play just because of the inconsistencies, but the matchup leads me to believe he should play well today as the Rockets are in the bottom third of the league at defending the shooting guard position, and it should drop more with Beverley out.

L.A. Lakers at Brooklyn – 3:30 PM EST

L.A. Lakers Brooklyn
Article Image Vegas Total 202.0 Article Image Vegas Total 202
Vegas Sprd 6.5 Vegas Sprd -6.5
Team Proj. 97.8 Team Proj. 104.3
Team Pace 96.54 Team Pace 94.87
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 Jeremy Lin Jordan Clarkson Wesley Johnson Ryan Kelly Tarik Black Proj Starter Deron Williams Markel Brown Joe Johnson Mason Plumlee Brook Lopez
Opp. Season 11 26 10 27 18 Opp. Season 30 23 21 12 25
Opp. Last 7 8 9 29 9 22 Opp. Last 7 15 21 21 7 12

L.A. Lakers

The Lakers will travel into Brooklyn for an afternoon performance against the playoff-hopeful Nets. This game should see some points as the Lakers allow the 28th most points per game while the Nets allow the 19th. The big news to wait on is the availability of Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis. If they continue to, “rest,” Tarik Black and Ryan Kelly become decent punt plays at the power forward position, with both being in line for close to 30 minutes.

Elite Plays

Jeremy Lin – He is an elite play until he at least gets past the 6k mark. He is under that mark at both FD and DK this afternoon and should be looked at as a premium play for the early slate at the point guard position.

Editor’s Note: Jeremy Lin is out for today’s game due to illness. Jordan Clarkson is now solidified as an excellent play for essentially the same price.

Secondary Plays

Jordan Clarkson – Clarkson carries a similar price to Lin, and has also played well since Lin’s insertion into the starting lineup. He is playing 35 minutes during this stretch and has a 53 spot in his last three. He makes a decent tournament play this afternoon.

Brooklyn

This is a pace-up game for the Brooklyn Nets, who come into this game after a huge win against Cleveland. The Vegas total has the Nets at six-point favorites with a good total of 202. They may be without Thaddeus Young this afternoon, which gives a few extra minutes to Mason Plumlee and Bojan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic looked to benefit more and would be a decent tournament play if Young sits. Deron Williams did not practice yesterday. If he is out, Jarrett Jack is an elite value play.

Elite Plays

Brook Lopez – Brook has been playing his best basketball of the season lately. He has scored over 40+ fantasy points in 3 of his last five games and has an elite match up against the Lakers this afternoon who 25th in the league at defending the center position. He is the top center for the afternoon slate.

Secondary Plays

Check above, depends on availability.

Minnesota at New Orleans – 4:00 PM EST

Minnesota New Orleans
Article Image Vegas Total 196 Article Image Vegas Total 196
Vegas Sprd 12.0 Vegas Sprd -12.0
Team Proj. 92.0 Team Proj. 104.0
Team Pace 97.12 Team Pace 93.92
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 Zach LaVine Lorenzo Brown Andrew Wiggins Adreian Payne Gorgui Dieng Proj Starter Tyreke Evans Eric Gordon Quincy Pondexter Anthony Davis Omer Asik
Opp. Season 18 18 8 6 13 Opp. Season 29 27 26 23 28
Opp. Last 7 12 10 11 12 27 Opp. Last 7 19 28 12 19 23

Minnesota

Minnesota limps into this game with continued injuries across the board. I hope we get a bit of early news on this game, because the statuses of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Garnett are doubtful at the moment. This would put Zach LaVine and Lorenzo Brown into play as great plays especially if Kevin Martin does not suit up. Gary Neal and Nikola Pekovic are already ruled out.

Elite Plays

Gorgui Dieng – If you want to go contrarian from Brook Lopez this afternoon, Dieng could produce today as he will play a ton of minutes against the Pelicans, who allow the 25th most points to centers in the last three weeks.

Andrew Wiggins – Wiggins will play a ton of minutes regardless of who plays tonight. He has finally broken out of that slump he was in and has had three straight games of 30 fantasy points. His price has come down a bit and makes a fine play this afternoon.

Secondary Plays

Chase Budinger – I don’t love his rising price, which is why he is a low-end secondary play. I think you could look else where for your value, but his production is hard to argue with. If most of the players previously named are out, he should get 30 minutes and has been over 29+ fantasy points in each of his last three.

New Orleans

The Pelicans get the Timberwolves at the right time, as they are still fighting for a playoff spot. This reason is why the 12-point spread doesn’t completely scare me off the Pelicans, as they should be playing their starters enough minutes to make sure they come out with the victory. Minnesota is in the bottom-third of the league against all positions.

Elite Plays

Anthony Davis – If you are deciding between Harden and Davis, I give the slight edge to Davis for the afternoon slate. While the blowout makes it close, Davis should play close to 40 minutes and should have an easy time against Minnesota, who rank 23rd against the power forward position.

Tyreke Evans – After missing a game last week, Evans came back on fire playing 33+ minutes in each and scoring 40+ fantasy points as well. He is under 8k this afternoon and makes a great mid-priced point guard.

Secondary Plays

Quincy Pondexter – He has played 30+ minutes in each of his last three, and has had two 20+-point fantasy performances during that span. He makes a decent tournament play.

Philadelphia at Cleveland – 4:30 PM EST

Philadelphia Cleveland
Article Image Vegas Total 200 Article Image Vegas Total 200
Vegas Sprd 16.5 Vegas Sprd -16.5
Team Proj. 92.0 Team Proj. 108.5
Team Pace 98.35 Team Pace 94.76
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 Ish Smith Jakarr Sampson Robert Covington Jerami Grant Nerlens Noel Proj Starter Kyrie Irving J.R. Smith LeBron James Kevin Love Timofey Mozgov
Opp. Season 14 21 20 11 12 Opp. Season 24 29 15 25 30
Opp. Last 7 20 16 10 5 11 Opp. Last 7 29 7 20 15 30

Philadelphia

Unlike the Pelicans, Philadelphia is on the opposite end of a good time to play a team. The Cavs come home after a rough loss to the Nets and will be looking to destroy the lowly 76ers. They are 17-point underdogs and it could get ugly quickly.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Nerlens Noel – I can see a possible tournament play this afternoon as he has been absolutely on fire lately. He has scored 40+ fantasy points in each of his last three, and although his price is rising, I think could again reach that point.

Cleveland

The Cavaliers are going to come into this game looking to blow the 76ers out of the gym. They are 17-point favorites in a game with a 200 total. This results in LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving as all decent tournament plays, but would mostly avoid this game all together.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

None

L.A. Clippers at Boston – 6:00 PM EST

L.A. Clippers Boston
Article Image Vegas Total 207 Article Image Vegas Total 207.0
Vegas Sprd -5.5 Vegas Sprd 5.5
Team Proj. 106.3 Team Proj. 100.8
Team Pace 96.83 Team Pace 98.39
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 Chris Paul J.J. Redick Matt Barnes Blake Griffin DeAndre Jordan Proj Starter Marcus Smart Avery Bradley Evan Turner Brandon Bass Tyler Zeller
Opp. Season 20 3 18 22 26 Opp. Season 3 16 27 14 14
Opp. Last 7 13 3 5 18 29 Opp. Last 7 1 13 3 6 25

L.A. Clippers

The Clippers are still fighting for home-court advantage for the playoffs, which means they will be taking this game against the Celtics very seriously. I was surprised to see the Clippers as only five-point favorites in a game with a total of 207. This should be a solid pace game for the Clippers as the Celtics allow the seventh-most points per game.

Elite Plays

Chris Paul – Although the Clippers should play well today, the addition of Blake Griffin to this lineup really takes a good amount away from the rest of the Clippers, while they are still priced like Blake is not in the lineup. I can see taking Paul tonight, as he has a good matchup against Boston, who have been in the bottom third against the point guard position all year long.

Secondary Plays

DeAndre Jordan – He should dominate inside, and if he gets a full compliment of minutes, he should exceed 40 fantasy points tonight.

Boston

Boston is fighting for a playoff spot, which continues to show the sad state of the Eastern Conference. This game should result in a very fast-paced matchup and the close spread creates a bit of fantasy goodness for us. The problem with the Celtics is now that Isaiah Thomas is back, it is really difficult to feed all the different guards that were decent plays prior.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Avery Bradley – He is still moderately cheap, and he should get 30+ minutes even with a fully healthy backcourt around him. I am not sure I fully trust him for cash, but do like him for GPPs.

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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.