NBA Grind Down: Sunday, May 8th
Welcome to the RotoGrinders NBA Grind Down. In this all-encompassing preview of today’s NBA action, every game will be broken down statistically, with several key elements highlighted in our charts.
Vegas lines are broken down to show projected team totals, to give you an idea of who is favored to win, and often more importantly, how many points they’re expected to score. We also provide pace numbers, so you can spot a game that might have a few extra possessions and more opportunities for fantasy points.
We also provide position-by-position matchup rankings for every team, to give you an idea of the players who will be in better situations to succeed. Using Defense versus Position data, every projected starter is listed along with his opponent’s rank in points allowed to players of his position. These color-coded charts will help you spot the best matchups of the night at a glance.
Every game is also broken down by our NBA experts, providing an overview of the game and a selection of players to consider from each contest.
Note: As always, if you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use our DraftKings promo code and FanDuel promo code to receive the best perks in the industry.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks – 3:30 PM
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -5, 203.5 Over/Under
- Cleveland Cavaliers Proj. Starters – Irving-Smith-James-Love-Thompson
- Atlanta Hawks Proj. Starters – Teague-Bazemore-Sefolosha-Millsap-Horford
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Atlanta Hawks | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203.5 |  | Vegas Total | 203.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -5.0 | Vegas Sprd | 5.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 104.3 | Team Proj. | 99.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.50 | Team Pace | 99.40 | |||||||||
| 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 | LeBron James | Kevin Love | Tristan Thompson | Proj. Starter | Jeff Teague | Kent Bazemore | Thabo Sefolosha | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | |
| Opp. Season | 8 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 22 | Opp. Season | 17 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
| Last 3 Weeks | 24 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 23 | Last 3 Weeks | 21 | 5 | 24 | 9 | 11 | |
Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 57-25 — Road: 24-17 — Last 10: 6-4
- Cleveland Cavaliers Offense
Points Scored Per Game: 104.3 (8 of 30)
Implied Team Total: 104.3 (1 of 4)
The Cavaliers are on the verge of sweeping the Hawks for the third straight season. While I know that there is a talent disparity between the two teams, at what point do the Hawks finally say enough is enough and win at least one game? The Cavaliers can move on to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win today. They are listed as 5-point favorites with an implied team total of 104.3 points.
- Injury Watch:
NO INJURIES
Elite Plays
| LeBron James | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $10,800 | Salary: | $11,100 | ||
| Position: | SF | Position: | SF | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.21 | FP/Min: | 1.25 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 35.6 | 38.9 | 3.3 | 35.9 | 0.3 |
| FPPG (FD) | 45.0 | 47.2 | 2.2 | 49.3 | 4.3 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 27.4 | 24.4 | -3.0 | 25.7 | -1.6 |
James may be expensive, but he is the top target in this two-game slate. He is averaging just under 50 fantasy points per game in this series and there are enough value plays that it’s not too hard to fit him into your lineups. James is a tough fade in cash games.
| Kevin Love | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $7,800 | Salary: | $8,200 | ||
| Position: | PF | Position: | PF | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.05 | FP/Min: | 1.06 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 31.5 | 33.8 | 2.3 | 31.1 | -0.4 |
| FPPG (FD) | 32.4 | 35.6 | 3.3 | 35.3 | 2.9 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 19.9 | 21.8 | 1.9 | 23.2 | 3.3 |
Love has really picked up his play in the postseason, averaging 35.6 fantasy points per game. His minutes and production are both up and he has actually been heavily involved in the Cavaliers’ offense. Continue targeting him against the Hawks, who do not rebound the ball well.
| Tristan Thompson | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $4,800 | Salary: | $5,100 | ||
| Position: | C | Position: | PF | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.61 | FP/Min: | 0.77 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 27.7 | 28.7 | 1.0 | 29.2 | 1.5 |
| FPPG (FD) | 21.3 | 17.7 | -3.7 | 22.5 | 1.2 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 9.9 | 8.8 | -1.2 | 12.8 | 2.9 |
Thompson has been one of my favorite value plays in this series. I always like targeting him against teams that do not rebound well. He has been a beast on the offensive glass and he has seen a nice boost in minutes (with the exception of Game 2 where it turned into a huge blowout).
Secondary Plays
| Kyrie Irving | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $7,900 | Salary: | $8,300 | ||
| Position: | PG | Position: | PG | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.04 | FP/Min: | 0.95 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 31.5 | 35.5 | 4.0 | 32.4 | 0.9 |
| FPPG (FD) | 30.8 | 36.8 | 6.1 | 34.5 | 3.8 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 25.7 | 25.8 | 0.1 | 23.6 | -2.1 |
Irving is a borderline elite play. Once again, I plan to target four Cavaliers in cash games, so it really just comes down to whether I want to use Irving or Smith as my fourth Cavalier. Irving hasn’t been bad in this series, but a little underwhelming at 34.5 fantasy points per game.
| J.R. Smith | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $5,100 | Salary: | $5,400 | ||
| Position: | SG | Position: | SG | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.66 | FP/Min: | 0.64 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 30.7 | 34.9 | 4.2 | 34.0 | 3.3 |
| FPPG (FD) | 20.3 | 23.0 | 2.6 | 23.0 | 2.7 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 16.0 | 12.0 | -4.0 | 11.7 | -4.3 |
As I mentioned before Game 3, Smith was just as likely to score less than 20 points as he was to score more than 25 fantasy points. He is a streaky shooter that is going to give you big outings at times, but that is also going to put up a dud every now and then. He’s the top shooting guard in this slate, but that’s not saying a whole lot.
Atlanta Hawks
Record: 48-34 — Home: 27-14 — Last 10: 6-4
- Atlanta Hawks Offense
Points Scored Per Game: 102.8 (12 of 30)
Implied Team Total: 99.3 (3 of 4)
The Hawks are down 0-3 and are one game away from being eliminated. While I have no dog in the fight, I would really like to see them pick up at least one win in the series. They don’t necessarily match up poorly with the Cavaliers, but seem to have a mental block when they face them. Atlanta is listed as a 5-point underdog in Game 4 with an implied team total of 99.3 points. Thabo Sefolosha will draw another start at shooting guard with Kyle Korver coming off the bench. At this point, I’m not sure what to do with Dennis Schroder. He has played well in this series, but has barely seen the floor in the last two games. I will probably use him strictly as a GPP play today.
- Injury Watch:
Thabo Sefolosha (Probable)
Elite Plays
| Paul Millsap | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $8,500 | Salary: | $8,500 | ||
| Position: | PF | Position: | PF | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.02 | FP/Min: | 1.12 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 32.7 | 36.0 | 3.3 | 35.2 | 2.5 |
| FPPG (FD) | 37.5 | 36.6 | -0.8 | 38.1 | 0.6 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 19.9 | 18.6 | -1.3 | 20.6 | 0.7 |
| Jeff Teague | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $6,500 | Salary: | $6,400 | ||
| Position: | PG | Position: | PG | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.95 | FP/Min: | 1.06 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 28.5 | 28.5 | 0.0 | 26.9 | -1.6 |
| FPPG (FD) | 28.0 | 27.1 | -0.9 | 27.1 | -0.9 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 22.4 | 24.5 | 2.1 | 25.2 | 2.8 |
Millsap has played well in this series, averaging 38 fantasy points per contest. With their backs against the wall, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play around 40 minutes today. I have him slightly ranked ahead of LaMarcus Aldridge as my favorite power forward target.
| Thabo Sefolosha | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $3,600 | Salary: | $2,600 | ||
| Position: | SF | Position: | SF | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.74 | FP/Min: | 0.90 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 23.4 | 18.9 | -4.5 | 19.5 | -3.9 |
| FPPG (FD) | 16.2 | 14.1 | -2.1 | 12.3 | -3.9 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 10.2 | 10.3 | 0.1 | 9.2 | -0.9 |
Sefolosha played well in his start in Game 3, finishing with 18 fantasy points in 29 minutes of action. He did injure his elbow, but he was able to return to the game shortly after. As long as he draws another start today, he is worth a look in all league formats.
Secondary Plays
| Kyle Korver | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $3,900 | Salary: | $4,500 | ||
| Position: | SG | Position: | SG | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.64 | FP/Min: | 0.60 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 30.0 | 32.4 | 2.4 | 29.5 | -0.5 |
| FPPG (FD) | 17.7 | 20.6 | 2.9 | 13.2 | -4.5 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 11.4 | 10.6 | -0.9 | 9.2 | -2.3 |
I ended up using Korver in Game 3 and didn’t see that he was coming off the bench until it was too late to swap him out. It ended up being a nice move by Mike Budenholzer, as Korver was a bigger part of the offense playing with the second unit. Korver is a viable punt play again tonight.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder – 6:00 PM
- Vegas Line – San Antonio -1, 198 Over/Under
- San Antonio Spurs Proj. Starters – Parker-Green-Leonard-Aldridge-Duncan
- Oklahoma City Thunder Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Roberson-Durant-Ibaka-Adams
| San Antonio Spurs | Oklahoma City Thunder | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 198.0 |  | Vegas Total | 198.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.0 | Vegas Sprd | 1.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 99.5 | Team Proj. | 98.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.70 | Team Pace | 99.40 | |||||||||
| 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 | Tony Parker | Danny Green | Kawhi Leonard | LaMarcus Aldridge | Tim Duncan | Proj. Starter | Russell Westbrook | Andre Roberson | Kevin Durant | Serge Ibaka | Steven Adams | |
| Opp. Season | 16 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 4 | Opp. Season | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | |
| Last 3 Weeks | 6 | 20 | 26 | 5 | 5 | Last 3 Weeks | 19 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 3 | |
San Antonio Spurs
Record: 67-15 — Road: 27-14 — Last 10: 6-4
- San Antonio Spurs Offense
Points Scored Per Game: 103.5 (10 of 30)
Implied Team Total: 99.5 (2 of 4)
The Spurs picked up a huge win in Game 3 to steal back homecourt advantage from the Thunder. They now have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead if they can find a way to win Game 4. The Spurs are listed as 1-point favorites with an implied team total of 99.5 points. Danny Green and Manu Ginobili are both viable punt plays at shooting guard, but neither stands out as a must play.
- Injury Watch:
NO INJURIES
Elite Plays
| Kawhi Leonard | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $9,400 | Salary: | $9,200 | ||
| Position: | SF | Position: | SF | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.25 | FP/Min: | 1.25 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 33.1 | 31.7 | -1.4 | 32.2 | -0.9 |
| FPPG (FD) | 37.5 | 39.7 | 2.2 | 40.2 | 2.7 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 22.3 | 23.1 | 0.8 | 25.7 | 3.4 |
Dollar for dollar, Leonard may be my favorite play in the slate. That’s pretty crazy to think, since usually the best dollar for dollar plays are cheap value guys. He has such a high floor and such a high ceiling that I don’t see how you can fade him tonight. He is coming off of a 50 fantasy point outing in Game 3.
| Tony Parker | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $5,000 | Salary: | $5,000 | ||
| Position: | PG | Position: | PG | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.82 | FP/Min: | 0.94 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 27.5 | 25.3 | -2.2 | 29.3 | 1.8 |
| FPPG (FD) | 23.0 | 20.8 | -2.3 | 26.0 | 3.0 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 18.9 | 19.0 | 0.0 | 16.3 | -2.6 |
Parker has played well in this series, averaging 26 fantasy points in 29 minutes of action. At his price point, we would gladly take 26 fantasy points again tonight. If you are looking to save some cap space at point guard, I prefer Parker over Schroder solely thanks to the fact that his minutes are safer.
Secondary Plays
| LaMarcus Aldridge | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $8,900 | Salary: | $8,800 | ||
| Position: | PF | Position: | PF | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.11 | FP/Min: | 1.05 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 30.6 | 32.7 | 2.1 | 38.7 | 8.1 |
| FPPG (FD) | 32.3 | 36.3 | 4.0 | 48.1 | 15.9 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 22.0 | 22.9 | 0.9 | 26.7 | 4.7 |
Aldridge has been a beast in this series, averaging 48 fantasy points per contest. He is shooting at an incredibly high level though and that’s not sustainable over the course of the entire series. I slightly prefer Millsap over Aldridge today, although I certainly don’t mind using both.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 55-27 — Home: 32-9 — Last 10: 5-5
- Oklahoma City Thunder Offense
Points Scored Per Game: 110.2 (2 of 30)
Implied Team Total: 98.5 (4 of 4)
The Thunder came close to a Game 3 victory, but now find themselves in what is essentially a must win Game 4. They can’t afford to head back to San Antonio being down 3-1. They are listed as 1-point underdogs tonight with an implied team total of 98.5 points. Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams are both viable options down low, but neither stands out as a must play.
- Injury Watch:
NO INJURIES
Elite Plays
| Russell Westbrook | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $11,000 | Salary: | $11,000 | ||
| Position: | PG | Position: | PG | ||
| FP/Min: | 1.38 | FP/Min: | 1.50 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 34.4 | 35.7 | 1.3 | 35.3 | 0.9 |
| FPPG (FD) | 48.8 | 49.4 | 0.6 | 46.1 | -2.7 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 28.3 | 31.0 | 2.7 | 34.6 | 6.2 |
After the first game in the series, the Thunder have really played the Spurs tough. In the last two games, Westbrook has scored 55 and 51 fantasy points. While I consider James and Leonard to be more important building blocks when it comes to roster construction, Westbrook certainly deserves to be considered an elite play.
Secondary Plays
| Kevin Durant | |||||
 | FanDuel | DraftKings | |||
| Salary: | $9,900 | Salary: | $9,300 | ||
| Position: | SF | Position: | SF | ||
| FP/Min: | 0.96 | FP/Min: | 1.28 | ||
| Statistics | Season Average | Playoffs | Playoffs +/- | Last 3 Games | Last 3 +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 35.8 | 38.5 | 2.7 | 38.9 | 3.1 |
| FPPG (FD) | 46.4 | 36.8 | -9.6 | 36.2 | -10.3 |
| TO-Adj. Usage | 26.3 | 25.9 | -0.4 | 21.2 | -5.1 |
If this game wasn’t paired with the Hawks/Cavaliers game, Durant would be an elite play on both sites. However, I prefer both James and Leonard over Durant. The one place where you can use Durant with confidence is on DraftKings. His $9,300 price tag makes him very playable in all league formats.