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NBA Grind Down: Sunday, November 29th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-12-02 00:01:41

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.

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Milwaukee at Charlotte – 02:00 PM

Milwaukee Charlotte
milwaukeenba Vegas Total 201 charlottenba Vegas Total 201
Vegas Sprd 6.5 Vegas Sprd -6.5
Team Proj. 97.3 Team Proj. 103.8
Team Pace 95.22 Team Pace 98.71
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 Michael Carter-Williams Khris Middleton Giannis Antetokounmpo Jabari Parker Greg Monroe Proj Starter Kemba Walker Nicolas Batum P.J. Hairston Marvin Williams Al Jefferson
Opp. Season 5 9 12 30 19 Opp. Season 10 14 27 23 14
Opp. Last 7 9 13 11 19 26 Opp. Season 21 27 26 1 22

Milwaukee (Record: 6-10, Away 2-6)

Charlotte Hornets Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.1 (14 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 100.2 (10 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -0.8 (17 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 199.2 (17 of 30)

The Hornets are an average defensive team this year. They are around league average in points allowed as well as fantasy points allowed and slightly above league average in defensive efficiency. Although this game features a high total, the Bucks are underdogs and are only projected to score 97.8 points tonight.

When you look at the game logs, it is really tough to pinpoint any of the Bucks as elite plays in an average matchup. The minutes are way too spread out among the starters and they are not priced down across the industry. With that said, Greg Monroe and Giannis Antetokounmpo are secondary plays as if you are playing the early only slate, you are going to have to find some plays from this team.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Greg Monroe
FD: $7,500 DK: 6,900
Usage: 22.9

Giannis Antetokounmpo
FD: $7,000 DK: 6,800
Usage: 21.7

Charlotte (Record: 9-7, Home 7-2)

Milwaukee Bucks Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 105.6 (25 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 109.4 (30 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -6.2 (30 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 204.3 (22 of 30)

The Bucks defense this year has been terrible. They are in the bottom third of the league in points allowed, defensive efficiency, rebounding potential and fantasy points allowed per game. The overall total is set at 202 and the Hornets have the second highest projected team total on the board at 104.3.

The first Hornet to look at these days is Nicolas Batum. He is having a stellar year as he is seeing the floor for 35+ minutes per game and is seeing a 21.4 usage rate. Kemba Walker is another solid play, yet his price has continued to rise. He is still an elite play over at DK, but a bit expensive on FD. Al Jefferson and Marvin Williams are both solid secondary plays today as well as they should feast on the boards against the worst rebounding team in the league.

Elite Plays

Nicolas Batum
FD: $7,000 DK: 7,100
Usage: 21.4

Secondary Plays

Kemba Walker
FD: $8,200 DK: 7,300
Usage: 23.5

Al Jefferson
FD: $7,000 DK: 6,200
Usage: 22.5

Minnesota at L.A. Clippers – 03:30 PM

Minnesota L.A. Clippers
minnesotanba Vegas Total 206 laclippersnba Vegas Total 206
Vegas Sprd 9.5 Vegas Sprd -9.5
Team Proj. 98.3 Team Proj. 107.8
Team Pace 99.38 Team Pace 99.26
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 Kevin Martin Andrew Wiggins Kevin Garnett Karl-Anthony Towns Proj Starter Chris Paul J.J. Redick Wesley Johnson Blake Griffin DeAndre Jordan
Opp. Season 13 11 18 13 16 Opp. Season 16 6 8 7 12
Opp. Last 7 2 4 22 5 9 Opp. Season 22 2 3 4 18

Minnesota (Record: 8-8, Away 6-2)

Los Angeles Clippers Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 103.7 (21 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 104.0 (23 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -5.3 (29 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 196.5 (13 of 30)

The Clippers have not been a great defensive squad so far this year. They are in the bottom third in points allowed and have been terrible in rebounding differential. Yet, this Minnesota squad are heavy underdogs and feature a low team total of 98.8.

Ricky Rubio is expected to be back in the lineup, which takes LaVine out of consideration as a value play. Rubio is a tough play in his first game back against Paul. Andrew Wiggins is in play today as he gets a ton of minutes and has actually played consistent basketball over the last few weeks. Karl-Anthony Towns also deserves consideration, but has struggled over his last three games and is a secondary play only.

Elite Plays

Andrew Wiggins
FD: $7,500 DK: 7,300
Usage: 27.4

Secondary Plays

Karl-Anthony Towns
FD: $6,700 DK: 7,000
Usage: 21.2

L.A. Clippers (Record: 8-8, Home 6-4)

Minnesota Timberwolves Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.7 (18 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 100.4 (12 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 1.7 (9 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 195.3 (12 of 30)

The T’wolves have been an average defensive team on the season and are actually slightly above league average in a few of the defensive categories. The Clippers are always a tough matchup for opposing defenses as they are big eight-point favorites and have the highest projected team total on the board.

If you are playing the early only slate, this is the team to target. These older guys should be able to feast against this young Minnesota squad and the only worry is the blowout. Blake Griffin is playing at an elite level as is DeAndre Jordan who, prior to the blowout last game, had four straight games over 32 fantasy points. Lastly, Chris Paul is in play as he has found his groove in the last two weeks after his short injury spurt. If you need value for the early slate, J.J. Redick does appear to have some potential, but is a risky play.

Elite Plays

Blake Griffin
FD: $9,100 DK: 8,900
Usage: 29.3

DeAndre Jordan
FD: $7,600 DK: 7,100
Usage: 12.8

Chris Paul
FD: $8,900 DK: 8,700
Usage: 25.2

Secondary Plays

J.J. Redick
FD: $4,600 DK: 4,200
Usage: 19.4

Philadelphia at Memphis – 06:00 PM

Philadelphia Memphis
philadelphianba Vegas Total 192 memphisnba Vegas Total 192
Vegas Sprd 11.0 Vegas Sprd -11.0
Team Proj. 90.8 Team Proj. 101.8
Team Pace 99.72 Team Pace 97.01
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 T.J. McConnell Nik Stauskas Jerami Grant Jerami Grant Jahlil Okafor Proj Starter Mike Conley Tony Allen Jeff Green Jeff Green Marc Gasol
Opp. Season 19 10 17 25 4 Opp. Season 18 7 29 28 25
Opp. Last 7 12 20 7 23 13 Opp. Season 16 22 15 21 12

Philadelphia (Record: 0-17, Away 0-7)

Memphis Grizzlies Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.4 (12 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 102.3 (19 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -3.4 (24 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 193.5 (10 of 30)

The Grizzlies have not been the elite defensive squad we are used to seeing, yet, they are still not a team we want to target as they are such a slow-paced matchup. They are still in the top ten in fantasy points allowed this year and this game features the lowest total on the slate, with the 76ers having the lowest team total by far at 91.3.

The two guys to target from the 76ers appear to be Isaiah Canaan and Robert Covington. Covington is in elite play status, even with the matchup, due to his great play over the last four games, concluding with that 57.9 points fantasy effort on Friday. Canaan, on the other hand, is a solid source of value on the slate and should get 25-30 fantasy points to reach value. Both have a bit of risk attached due to the matchup, but are relied upon and should play well enough to pay off their low prices.

Elite Plays

Robert Covington
FD: $6,300 DK: 6,000
Usage: 23.6

Secondary Plays

Isaiah Canaan
FD: $4,300 DK: 4,300
Usage: 19.9

Memphis (Record: 9-8, Home 5-3)

Philadelphia 76ers Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 102.7 (19 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 103.2 (21 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -3.9 (25 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 212.2 (27 of 30)

The Sixers are always a team we can rely upon to play very little defense and to give up big fantasy games. Even with their slow pace, the Grizzlies have the third-highest projected team total on the slate at 102.3 points, which is 6.1 points higher than their season average.

The Grizzlies are in a great spot today, especially if Zach Randolph sits again. If he sits, all the value continues to be in play with Matt Barnes getting the starting nod in a great matchup and Marc Gasol getting a nice bump in usage. Jeff Green is in play regardless of the status of Randolph today as he has made a great low-priced small forward, especially at FD, where he is still under 5k. Due to the matchup, Mike Conley is worth a mention for his price, but is a secondary play today.

Elite Plays

Marc Gasol
FD: $7,600 DK: 7,100
Usage: 21.5

Jeff Green
FD: $4,800 DK: 5,100
Usage: 17.5

Secondary Plays

Matt Barnes
FD: $4,000 DK: 3,900
Usage: 15.9

Mike Conley
FD: $6,900 DK: 6,700
Usage: 23.1

Boston at Orlando – 06:00 PM

Boston Orlando
bostonnba Vegas Total 203 orlandonba Vegas Total 203
Vegas Sprd -2.0 Vegas Sprd 2.0
Team Proj. 102.8 Team Proj. 100.8
Team Pace 101.75 Team Pace 98.50
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 Isaiah Thomas Avery Bradley Jae Crowder Amir Johnson Jared Sullinger Proj Starter Elfrid Payton Evan Fournier Tobias Harris Channing Frye Nikola Vucevic
Opp. Season 25 4 19 14 22 Opp. Season 3 16 23 16 11
Opp. Last 7 6 5 25 14 20 Opp. Season 15 15 24 17 8

Boston (Record: 9-7, Away 3-3)

Orlando Magic Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.3 (16 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 100.4 (12 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 0.0 (16 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 206.4 (23 of 30)

Orlando has not been terrible on the defensive end, but they are by no means a good defensive squad. They are 23rd in the league at fantasy points allowed per game and now face a fast-paced Celtics team. The Celtics are slight favorites in this game and do have the fourth-highest projected team total at 101.8.

With the Marcus Smart injury, Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas have really stepped up to play big minutes and are both in play again in a solid matchup today. Jared Sullinger is coming off a monster game where he was able to put up 42.5 fantasy points in just 24 minutes. If the minutes continue around that range, he is a secondary play only, but the matchup is there for him to put up another solid line. Lastly, Jae Crowder is a low-priced small forward that should get you 20-25 fantasy points. His ceiling is low, but is a consistent play at a position that is hard to fill at times.

Elite Plays

Isaiah Thomas
FD: $7,300 DK: 7,500
Usage: 30.4

Avery Bradley
FD: $6,200 DK: 6,400
Usage: 21.0

Jared Sullinger
FD: $6,100 DK: 6,400
Usage: 20.0

Secondary Plays

Jae Crowder
FD: $5,000 DK: 5,700
Usage: 16.6

Orlando (Record: 8-8, Home 6-3)

Boston Celtics Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.1 (9 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 96.7 (5 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -0.8 (17 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 194.4 (11 of 30)

Boston has been a decent defensive team this year. They are ranked in the top 11 in points/fantasy points allowed as well as defensive efficiency coming into this game. This should be a fast-paced game though with both teams playing at a 100+ pace this year. Orlando is projected to score over 100 points in this game and it should be solid for fantasy purposes.

The biggest problem going for this Magic team in terms of fantasy plays is the rotation of Orlando’s starters. They have a lot of talent and a few guys that can produce solid fantasy outings, but when they are only given 25 minutes to do it, it is hard to spend roster spots on them. The news to check is that of Evan Fournier though. He is currently questionable and if he sits out, Victor Oladipo immediately becomes a great play as his price has come down a bit and will eat up a lot of Fournier’s minutes. Both Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic are decent secondary plays, but with a bit of risk with their minutes in flux recently.

Elite Plays

Victor Oladipo (If Fournier is out)
FD: $7,300 DK: 6,500
Usage: 22.9

Secondary Plays

Tobias Harris
FD: $6,600 DK: 6,100
Usage: 19.4

Nikola Vucevic
FD: $7,100 DK: 6,600
Usage: 23.3

Detroit at Brooklyn – 06:00 PM

Detroit Brooklyn
detroitnba Vegas Total 193 brooklynnba Vegas Total 193
Vegas Sprd -4.5 Vegas Sprd 4.5
Team Proj. 99.0 Team Proj. 94.5
Team Pace 96.86 Team Pace 98.47
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 Reggie Jackson Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Marcus Morris Ersan Ilyasova Andre Drummond Proj Starter Jarrett Jack Joe Johnson Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Thaddeus Young Brook Lopez
Opp. Season 26 23 25 5 21 Opp. Season 6 12 6 21 7
Opp. Last 7 26 11 27 8 3 Opp. Season 14 10 30 2 25

Detroit (Record: 8-8, Away 4-6)

Brooklyn Nets Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 104.7 (23 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 105.9 (26 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: +1.7 (10 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 223.10 (24 of 30)

The Nets have been a below average defensive team this year. They are allowed 104.7 points per game for 23rd in the league. With that said, the Pistons are slight favorites and have an average team total of 99.3.

Andre Drummond is going to be in play in any game this year. He has figured out how to stay on the floor for longer periods this year and has 55-point upside. Marcus Morris has a solid matchup as well as the Nets are ranked 25th in the league against the small forward position. More importantly, he plays huge minutes and is at a solid mid-level price.

Elite Plays

Andre Drummond
FD: $9,300 DK: 8,900
Usage: 22.9

Secondary Plays

Marcus Morris
FD: $5,900 DK: 5,700
Usage: 18.8

Brooklyn (Record: 3-13, Home 2-3)

Detroit Pistons Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.3 (5 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 99.1 (7 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 4.8 (4 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 187.8 (5 of 30)

The Pistons are one of the best defensive squads going in the NBA this year. They are ranked fifth in the league in both points allowed and fantasy points allowed this year. This game features one of the lowest totals on the board and Brooklyn has a projected team total of just 94.1 for second lowest on the slate.

Although this should be one of the lower scoring games of the slate, the Nets do feature Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who has been a solid source of production at a value price. He is still cheap and has put up 30+ fantasy points in three of his last four games. Thaddeus Young is a secondary play today due to the matchup, but is a mid-priced power forward who has been very consistent recently.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
FD: $4,100 DK: 4,700
Usage: 12.0

Thaddeus Young
FD: $6,400 DK: 6,900
Usage: 21.0

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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.