NBA Grind Down: Sunday, May 4th
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 NBA 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
Brooklyn at Toronto
- Vegas Line – Toronto -3, 188 Over/Under
- Toronto Proj. Starters – Lowry-Derozan-Ross-Johnson-Valanciunas
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Livingston-Johnson-Pierce-Garnett
Brooklyn
After a trio of Game 7’s on Saturday, we get another two today. This first round has been one of the best in recent memory and hopefully we will cap it off with some great games today. The Raptors and Nets are two very similar teams in terms of talent and style of play. The Nets are 3 point underdogs here, but I expect this one to come down to the wire.
There are two players that I will be heavily targeting here and two others that are in play as well. Paul Pierce has only had one bad game in this series and is one of the most clutch players on this Nets team. I expect him to come prepared for Game 7. Joe Johnson is my favorite play and is listed below. Deron Williams and Shaun Livingston are also in play, but neither really stand out to me as must plays.
- Joe Johnson – Johnson has been as inconsistent as any player in this series having his fantasy production range from 12 FP’s to 44 FP’s. While you typically want to avoid these type of players in cash games, Johnson is the Nets best offensive weapon and I think he will put up 20+ shots in this one. I’m expecting a 30+ FP effort out of him.
Toronto
The Raptors are one win away from winning a playoff series and really proving everyone wrong after the thought was that they were going to tank this season. In terms of fantasy options, there have been quite a few viable players on the Raptors in this series. The bigs of Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson have both been inconsistent, but both have played well at times. Of the two, I think Johnson makes the better play as he is cheaper and has similar upside as Valanciunas.
My favorite three plays here are the three guards of DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and Greivis Vasquez. Lowry has scored over 30 FP’s in 4 of the first 6 games of the series. He makes a nice option at PG if you don’t trust Tony Parker or Deron Williams. Greivis Vasquez has scored at least 19 FP’s in 5 of the first 6 games and makes a great punt option off the bench.
- DeMar DeRozan – This series has been a big test for DeRozan who had never been in the playoffs. He has really responded well and has gotten stronger throughout the series. He has scored 44 FP’s in back to back games and should be in for another big outing in Game 7.
Dallas at San Antonio
- Vegas Line – San Antonio -6.5, 198 Over/Under
- San Antonio Proj. Starters – Parker-Green-Leonard-Duncan-Splitter
- Dallas Proj. Starters – Calderon-Ellis-Marion-Nowitzki-Dalembert
Dallas
Just when you think the Mavs are out of it, they come right back and win Game 6 on their home floor to face a Game 7. The Mavs played some great team basketball in that game to pull out the win, but if they are going to take a Game 7 in San Antonio, I have a feeling that it’s going to be on the shoulders of Dirk Nowitzki who has played at a subpar level throughout most of this series.
In addition to Dirk, I also think Monta Ellis and Shawn Marion are in play. Ellis has scored over 30 FP’s in 4 games already in this series and is a great option at SG. Marion has been quiet over the last 3 games, but he has a ton of playoff experience and has 30 FP upside which is great at his price point. I will be avoiding both Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert here.
- Dirk Nowitzki – Dirk has only topped 40 FP’s one time in this series, but something tells me that he will find a way to get it done today. Dirk has as much playoff experience as anyone and I expect him to put up close to 25 shot attempts in this one. If he can convert on half of those, he should be in for a big day.
San Antonio
The Spurs are 6.5 point favorites tonight and I have a hard time seeing them losing a Game 7 at home. While I do have the Spurs winning this game, I think the Mavs will put up a fight. The players to target here are the 3 veterans and the young Splitter. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are both very much in play today and with only two games on the schedule, I wouldn’t hesitate to use 3-4 Spurs players, even in cash games.
- Many Ginobili – Manu finally fell off of his 27+ FP streak, but should bounce back in Game 7. He only played 23 minutes in Game 6, but that number should easily get above 30 today. For a player that averages nearly a FP per minute, he should be targeted in all leagues today.
- Tiago Splitter – Over the last 4 games in this series, Splitter is averaging close to 33 FP’s per game. He has been the most consistent fantasy player on the Spurs and continues to put up solid all around efforts. His price has gone up across the industry, but he’s the best option at Center today when you factor in price.