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NBA Grind Down: Sunday, November 8th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-11-10 20:42:45

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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L.A. Lakers at New York – 03:30 PM

L.A. Lakers New York
lalakersnba Vegas Total 209 newyorknba Vegas Total 209
Vegas Sprd 4.5 Vegas Sprd -4.5
Team Proj. 102.3 Team Proj. 106.8
Team Pace 104.56 Team Pace 101.27
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 D’Angelo Russell Jordan Clarkson Kobe Bryant Julius Randle Roy Hibbert Proj Starter Jose Calderon Sasha Vujacic Carmelo Anthony Kristaps Porzingis Robin Lopez
Opp. Season 26 6 10 16 5 Opp. Season 29 2 25 26 28
Opp. Last 7 26 6 10 16 5 Opp. Season 29 2 25 26 28

L.A. Lakers

New York Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.8 (18 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 100.0 (19 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 0.8 (12 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 194.1 (13 of 30)

The Knicks are an average matchup across the board. This game, however, does feature the second-highest overall total of the day at 209, as both teams feature team totals over 100 points (102.3 Knicks team total).

Julius Randle is the clear play for the Lakers so far this year. He has shown to have 50+ fantasy potential and is still cheap enough that the 28.2 fantasy points he is averaging should pay off his salary. Louis Williams makes a decent tournament play off the bench, while Kobe Bryant deserves a mention, which may be one of the last of the season if he can’t produce today. He is probably not worth paying up for today, unless his price has been reduced at your site, or to be contrarian in tournaments.

Elite Plays

Julius Randle

FD: $5,900 DK: $6,700
Usage: 22.8%

Secondary Plays

Louis Williams

FD: $5,100 DK: $5,000
Usage: 23.2%

Kobe Bryant

FD: $7,300 DK: $6,200
Usage: 27.3%

New York

L.A. Lakers Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 116.8 (30 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 113.0 (30 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -6.3 (26 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 223.9 (30 of 30)

The Knicks have a great matchup today against the Lakers who are ranked last in the league in points allowed, defensive efficiency and fantasy points allowed per game. This gives a big time bump to the Knicks today, who are four and a half point favorites with the second-highest team total of the slate at 106.8.

Kristaps Porzingis is in a great spot today against the Lakers. He is cheap across the sites today and although he is getting minutes in the mid- 20s, he has been able to average 26.2 fantasy points (FD) so far this season. While the matchup is ideal for the Knicks, they really do not have any players getting solid production other than Porzingis and of course Carmelo Anthony. Anthony has yet to have one of his 35+ point games since opening night, which should keep his ownership down a bit in comparison to the other high priced small forwards today. This could open the door for a solid tournament play as he does have a great matchup against the Lakers.

Elite Plays

Kristaps Porzingis

FD: $5,200 DK: $5,600
Usage: 24.2%

Secondary Plays

Carmelo Anthony

FD: $9,200 DK: $8,700
Usage: 29.4%

Indiana at Cleveland – 03:30 PM

Indiana Cleveland
indiananba Vegas Total 198 clevelandnba Vegas Total 198
Vegas Sprd 7.0 Vegas Sprd -7.0
Team Proj. 95.8 Team Proj. 102.8
Team Pace 99.15 Team Pace 98.03
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 George Hill Monta Ellis C.J. Miles Paul George Ian Mahinmi Proj Starter Mo Williams Matthew Dellavedova LeBron James Kevin Love Timofey Mozgov
Opp. Season 9 14 4 4 10 Opp. Season 12 20 23 5 25
Opp. Last 7 9 14 4 4 10 Opp. Season 12 20 23 5 25

Indiana

Cleveland Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 90.2 (2 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 92.4 (2 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 8.4 (4 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 177.0 (2 of 30)

The Pacers have a very tough matchup against the Cavs in this afternoon game. They face a Cleveland squad that is in the top-five in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game this season. Indiana is a seven-point underdog with a team total set very low at 95.8 points.

Paul George has to be mentioned at the moment for the Pacers. He has been contributing in all categories so far this year and is coming off a 36-point effort. His price is still reduced in terms of star prices and he can put up 50+ point fantasy efforts against anyone. As the rest of this Pacers team is healthy now, it is hard to play anyone else in a tough matchup.

Elite Plays

Paul George

FD: $8,900 DK: $ 8,600
Usage: 29.3%

Secondary Plays

None

Cleveland

Indiana Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.0 (12 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 99.4 (17 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -6.2 (25 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 192.9 (11 of 30)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a decent spot today, because as seven-point favorites, the blowout should not be a major concern. It is not the greatest matchup against the Pacers, yet, the Cavs have the third-highest team total on the day at 102.8.

LeBron James is in play today as the game should stay close enough for him to get his full allotment of minutes. He is priced similarly to Kevin Durant across the industry and Durant has a better matchup. For cash games, Durant may be the better option, but LeBron is an elite play as well. Kevin Love is a secondary play today as he has not scored over 30 fantasy points in any of the last three games. Lastly, Mo Williams is in play for a discount price. Williams has exceeded value in his last two games and is the best, cheap option at the point guard position.

Elite Plays

LeBron James

FD: $10,300 DK: 10,200
Usage: 32.3%

Secondary Plays

Kevin Love

FD: $7,600 DK: $7,700
Usage: 24.6%

Mo Williams

FD: $5,800 DK: $5,900
Usage: 22.4%

Toronto at Miami – 06:00 PM

Toronto Miami
torontonba Vegas Total 190 miaminba Vegas Total 190
Vegas Sprd 2.5 Vegas Sprd -2.5
Team Proj. 94.0 Team Proj. 96.5
Team Pace 101.64 Team Pace 97.05
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 Kyle Lowry DeMar DeRozan DeMarre Carroll Luis Scola Jonas Valanciunas Proj Starter Goran Dragic Dwyane Wade Luol Deng Chris Bosh Hassan Whiteside
Opp. Season 3 13 12 19 9 Opp. Season 17 17 11 3 24
Opp. Last 7 3 13 12 19 9 Opp. Season 17 17 11 3 24

Toronto

Miami Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 93.4 (5 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 95.4 (7 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: -0.6 (15 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 183.2 (4 of 30)

The Heat are one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. To start the season, they are in the top seven in fantasy points allowed, points allowed and defensive efficiency to start the season. This has resulted in the Raptors having the lowest team total of the day at 94 points.

With such a low total, going light on Raptors players today is a wise option. With that said, Kyle Lowry’s price is still reduced for the potential that he can give you and DeMar DeRozan is playing close to 40 minutes a game and is usually good for at least 20 points per contest. Both make secondary plays in this matchup.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Kyle Lowry

FD: $7,800 DK: $8,000
Usage: 25.5%

DeMar DeRozan

FD: $8,000 DK: $7,400
Usage: 26.1%

Miami

Toronto Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 95.6 (7 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 95.0 (6 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 9.0 (2 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 189.7 (8 of 30)

This game should be one of the more defensive of the slate. Both teams play solid defense and are both ranked in the top ten in some of the major categories. The overall total is the lowest of the slate by far at 190 and Miami is just a slight two and half point favorite. The Raptors do play at a decently fast pace so far this year (100.3), which does add some value to the Heat.

This is not exactly the game to target in terms of fantasy production, yet the Heat feature Hassan Whiteside this year who can rack up points in a defensive battle due to his rebounds and blocks. He has had four blocks in each of his last three games. If he can convert a little bit more offensively, one of his 45+ fantasy efforts should happen sooner than later. The only other Heat player to target is Dwyane Wade. He has started the season with a 31.1% usage rate for the Heat and his price is playable across the industry, and is at the shooting guard position that lacks a lot of depth today. Chris Bosh is the highest priced power forward in play today, but it is a position that does have some solid mid-tiered players. He is in play and could be the highest scoring power forward of the slate, but is pricey.

Elite Plays

Hassan Whiteside

FD: $7,900 DK: $7,600
Usage: 18.4%

Secondary Plays

Dwyane Wade

FD: $7,000 DK: $6,700
Usage: 31.1%

Phoenix at Oklahoma City – 07:00 PM

Phoenix Oklahoma City
phoenixnba Vegas Total 212 oklahomacitynba Vegas Total 212
Vegas Sprd 8.0 Vegas Sprd -8.0
Team Proj. 102.0 Team Proj. 110.0
Team Pace 102.97 Team Pace 100.99
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 Eric Bledsoe Brandon Knight P.J. Tucker Markieff Morris Tyson Chandler Proj Starter Russell Westbrook Andre Roberson Kevin Durant Serge Ibaka Steven Adams
Opp. Season 6 16 28 23 13 Opp. Season 20 9 17 18 2
Opp. Last 7 6 16 28 23 13 Opp. Season 20 9 17 18 2

Phoenix

Oklahoma City Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 109.6 (27 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 102.1 (21 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 10.8 (1 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 211.3 (26 of 30)

This game appears to be one of the better games to target from both sides. Both teams feature team totals of 100+ (102 for the Suns) and both teams play at a Pace of 101+ as well.

Eric Bledsoe is a great target in a up tempo game such as this. He has averaged 36.7 fantasy points per game so far this year and is the highest priced shooting guard of the day as well as the highest projected one. Markieff Morris is a solid source of production for a cheap price at the power forward position. He has a 27% usage rate when on the floor and is getting around 30 minutes per game this year. Lastly, Brandon Knight is in play. He has been consistently around the 30-35 fantasy point mark this year, which is around the points he needs for value. He is getting big time minutes this year and should reach or exceed that 35 fantasy mark in a decent matchup tonight.

Elite Plays

Eric BledsoeFD: $8,000 DK: $7,800 Usage: 29.1%

Secondary Plays

Markieff Morris

FD: $5,800 DK: $6,000
Usage: 27%

Brandon Knight

FD: $7,000 DK: $7,300
Usage: 24.4%

Oklahoma City

Phoenix Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.4 (10 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 97.5 (11 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 7.4 (5 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 190.0 (9 of 30)

The Suns come into this game ranked in or near the top ten in some of the major defensive categories this season. Tyson Chandler has really improved this teams make up defensively, but will have to do a lot in order to stop this Thunder squad that is scoring in bunches tonight. This game is the highest projected of the day at 212 and the Thunder are eight and half point favorites and feature the highest team total at 110.

When you talk about the Thunder is begins with their two studs, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. They feature high usage rates and take over games themselves down the stretch. They both have solid matchups today and are elite options at their positions. Serge Ibaka is also in play tonight as he is getting about 35 minutes per game this year and has put up some solid fantasy efforts. He is a secondary and tournament play in this game tonight.

Elite Plays

Russell Westbrook

FD: $10,800 DK: $10,800
Usage: 35.9%

Kevin Durant

FD: $10,100 DK: $9,600
Usage: 28.6%

Secondary Plays

Serge Ibaka

FD: $7,000 DK: $6,600
Usage: 16.5

Detroit at Portland – 09:00 PM

Detroit Portland
detroitnba Vegas Total 197 portlandnba Vegas Total 197
Vegas Sprd 1.5 Vegas Sprd -1.5
Team Proj. 98.0 Team Proj. 99.5
Team Pace 96.82 Team Pace 102.08
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 Damian Lillard C.J. McCollum Al-Farouq Aminu Meyers Leonard Mason Plumlee
Opp. Season 24 23 2 9 18 Opp. Season 2 7 6 22 6
Opp. Last 7 24 23 2 9 18 Opp. Season 2 7 6 22 6

Detroit

Portland Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.6 (13 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 96.3 (9 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 1.8 (11 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 196.6 (14 of 30)

The Trail Blazers have began the year with a high tempo of play at a 100.1 Pace. Both of these teams have been solid defensively, which has resulted in the second lowest total of the slate. This Pistons squad has a team total of just 97.5 tonight.

Andre Drummond is the clear top option at the center position. He is getting major minutes this year and has actually stayed out of foul trouble for a small stretch so far this season. He has huge upside and 20-20 potential tonight. The other Piston to give a look is Marcus Morris. He is getting huge minutes as well and has had 39+ minutes in each game so far this year. With those minutes and his salary, he makes a great small forward play today.

Elite Plays

Andre Drummond

FD: $9,200 DK: $9,000
Usage: 22.5%

Marcus Morris

FD: $6,000 DK: $6,200
Usage: 19.8%

Secondary Plays

Reggie Jackson

FD: $8,100 DK: $7,500
Usage: 31.9%

Portland

Detroit Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 92.3 (4 of 30)
Defensive Efficiency: 93.8 (5 of 30)
Rebounding Differential: 10.8 (1 of 30)
Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game: 185.5 (6 of 30)

The Detroit defense has been stout this year as they are in the top six in the league in points allowed, defensive efficiency and fantasy points allowed per game. They are an elite rebounding team with Drummond taking down every board in sight and are first in the league at rebounding differential. They are a slow paced team this year, which drops the value of the Trail Blazers a bit. This game features a 197 total with the Blazers having a team total of 99.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum do deserve mentions today even with the tough matchup. Paying up for Westbrook in a much better matchup looks to be the option tonight, but Lillard has started the year at a great pace. He is averaging just over 40 fantasy points per game and has a very high usage rate at 32%. McCollum is also an option today as the shooting guard position appears pretty rough across the board. He is mid-priced and the 30 fantasy points he has hit in his last three games straight would be close enough to pay off his salary. Both are not in the greatest spots, but are playable.

Elite Plays

None

Secondary Plays

Damian Lillard

FD: $8,900 DK: $8,600
Usage: 32.0%

C.J. McCollum

FD: $6,500 DK: $6,400
Usage: 25.9%

Al-Farouq Aminu

FD: $5,700 DK: $6,100
Usage: 18.4%

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.