NBA Grind Down: Thursday, December 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.
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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 NFL 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
Cleveland at New York
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -7, 197 Over/Under
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Marion-James-Love-Varejao
- New York Proj. Starters – Calderon-Shumpert-Anthony-Stoudemire-Dalembert
| Cleveland | New York | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 197.0 |  | Vegas Total | 197.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -7.0 | Vegas Sprd | 7.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 102.0 | Team Proj. | 95.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.52 | Team Pace | 91.91 | |||||||||
| 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 | Shawn Marion | LeBron James | Kevin Love | Anderson Varejao | Proj Starter | Jose Calderon | Iman Shumpert | Carmelo Anthony | Amar’e Stoudemire | Samuel Dalembert | |
| Opp. Season | 4 | 26 | 4 | 24 | 9 | Opp. Season | 10 | 25 | 14 | 25 | 18 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 15 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 21 | Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 30 | 24 | 17 | 8 | |
Cleveland
Per Thursday tradition, we have a small slate of games on tap for tonight. The small slates lead to a lot of overlap and really stress the importance of nailing every pick. The first game of the night is between the Cavaliers and the Knicks. The Cavaliers have won four straight games, with an average margin of victory of 18.25 points. Vegas has the Cavaliers listed as 7.5-point favorites tonight in a game that features a total of 198 points. In terms of the fantasy matchup, this is a favorable one. What the Knicks lack in pace of play, they make up for in poor defense. The Knicks are ranked 27th in defensive efficiency, allowing opponents to score an average of 99.1 points per game.
Elite Plays
LeBron James (FD: $10700, DK: $11700 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 30.6)
I was tempted to put Kevin Love back in the category of being an elite fantasy option, but he has not played well when featured here in the past. Instead, we will go the safer route with LeBron James. During this four game winning streak, LeBron has averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals per game. Tonight he’ll match up against Carmelo Anthony in a battle of two elite scorers. I’ll give the edge to LeBron, even though both make good fantasy options tonight. LeBron, like many other players, loves to play in Madison Square Garden. He has averaged 52.7 fantasy points per game (FD scoring) in his last four at MSG.
Secondary Plays
Kevin Love (FD: $8600, DK: $8900 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 21.1)
Love has been much more involved in the Cavaliers’ offense in the last couple of games. He has put up 29 shots in the last two games. It’s no surprise that those two games were two of his best fantasy outings of the season. His usage rate is slowly climbing up, while his price has remains relatively stable. He draws a favorable matchup against the Knicks, who are ranked 27th in rebounding differential this season.
Kyrie Irving (FD: $8300, DK: $9300 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 23.6)
Irving has really picked up his play over the last few weeks. Over his last ten games, he is averaging 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals per game. During that stretch, he has scored at least 36 fantasy points in six of those outings. Tonight he’ll match up against a much slower Jose Calderon. Irving is a better play on FD than he is on DK though, as his price is drastically different on the two sites.
Anderson Varejao (FD: $5100, DK: $5500 / MPG: 26 / Usage Rate: 18.2)
Varejao returned from injury and picked up right where he left off with 23.1 fantasy points (FD scoring) against the Bucks. While he doesn’t have a very high ceiling, he does have a high floor. Varejao has scored at least 23 fantasy points in six of his last nine games. He’s a safe cash game play tonight against the Knicks.
New York
The Knicks need something to jump-start their season. A big win at home over the Cavaliers could offer just that. The Knicks are only 4-15 on the season, but three of their four wins have come on their home floor. They will likely be pumped up for this game and they should be able to keep it competitive. In terms of the matchup, this is a decent one. The Cavaliers play at a relatively quick pace (95.5 possessions per 48 minutes) and are ranked 18th in defensive efficiency.
Elite Plays
Carmelo Anthony (FD: $9000, DK: $9900 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 31.3)
Anthony has looked great in his two games since returning from injury. After scoring 48 fantasy points against the Heat, he backed it up with 40 fantasy points against the Nets. While a matchup against LeBron James is one that we typically want to avoid, Anthony has played well against LeBron throughout his career. Anthony has a very high usage rate of 31.3 and you know he’s going to get his shots up tonight. With small forward being such a thin position, it may not hurt to pay up for Anthony and/or Lebron tonight.
Amar’e Stoudemire (FD: $5500, DK: $5500 / MPG: 24 / Usage Rate: 22.9)
This pick comes with a caveat, which is that Stoudemire is in the starting lineup. If he comes off the bench, he will still be in play, but I’d likely drop him down to a secondary play. In Stoudemire’s start the other night, he had 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists. He has now scored at least 28 fantasy points in three straight games. He’ll likely lock horns with Kevin Love for most of the game. While Love is an elite rebounder, he is not an elite defender. The Cavaliers are ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed to PFs per 48 minutes.
Secondary Plays
Jose Calderon (FD: $5800, DK: $5600 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 16.5)
Calderon is only a secondary play because his price is a little higher than what I’d like to pay for him. He has been playing well recently, scoring over 25 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Kyrie Irving has never been an elite defender. The DvP ranking in the chart listed above is a bit mis-leading. The Cavaliers are actually ranked 17th against PGs on a per-48 minute basis.
Indiana at Portland
- Vegas Line – Portland -8.5, 195 Over/Under
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Sloan-Stuckey-Hill-West-Hibbert
- Portland Proj. Starters – Lillard-Matthews-Batum-Aldridge-Lopez
| Indiana | Portland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 195.0 |  | Vegas Total | 195.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 8.5 | Vegas Sprd | -8.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 93.25 | Team Proj. | 101.75 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.56 | Team Pace | 96.68 | |||||||||
| 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 | Donald Sloan | Rodney Stuckey | Solomon Hill | David West | Roy Hibbert | Proj Starter | Damian Lillard | Wesley Matthews | Nicolas Batum | LaMarcus Aldridge | Robin Lopez | |
| Opp. Season | 21 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 28 | Opp. Season | 26 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 27 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 21 | 7 | 27 | 4 | 25 | Opp. Last 7 | 29 | 8 | 11 | 21 | 3 | |
Indiana
The Pacers are finally starting to get some of their players back. Their last game was the first time this season where David West and Roy Hibbert were both in the lineup. Tonight the Pacers head to Portland to take on the Blazers. The Pacers are currently listed as 8.5-point underdogs. They are only projected to score 93.5 points, which is easily the lowest team total on the board. The Blazers are very solid defensively, ranking 6th in defensive efficiency and 3rd in rebounding differential. Even on a short slate, tread lightly with the Pacers tonight.
Elite Plays
C.J. Watson (FD: $3800, DK: $3000 / MPG: 19 / Usage Rate: 14.5)
Watson is slowly seeing more and more minutes each game as he works his way back from injury. He is coming off of a season-high 25 minutes. He finished the game with 14 points and 7 assists, which easily paid off his near-minimum salary. Watson is still dirt cheap on both FD and DK. The best part is that he will see his minutes regardless of the game’s outcome. He’s a great source of salary cap relief, that allows you to afford a superstar or two.
Secondary Plays
Roy Hibbert (FD: $6700, DK: $7100 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 22)
Hibbert has really played well this season. He is averaging 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. He looked good in his return from injury, putting up 15 and 10 against the Suns. He draws a decent matchup against the Blazers tonight, who are ranked 14th in fantasy points allowed to centers per 48 minutes.
Portland
The Blazers are off to an impressive 14-4 start. They will look to improve their record at home to 10-2 tonight with a win over the Pacers. Fantasy-wise, this isn’t the best matchup. The Pacers have one of the better defensive front-courts in the NBA. The Pacers also play at a very slow pace (93.6 possessions per 48 minutes) and are an above average team defensively.
Elite Plays
Damian Lillard (FD: $8400, DK: $8700 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 23.8)
Lillard is having another terrific season. He is averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Tonight he matches up against a Pacers defense that has not fared well against opposing PGs. Lillard has a high usage rate of 23.8 and remains the motor of this offense. His price on FD and DK is very affordable. Lillard has arguably as much upside as Stephen Curry tonight, yet he can be taken at a big discount. He’s the one Blazers player that I feel confident rostering tonight.
Secondary Plays
LaMarcus Aldridge (FD: $9800, DK: $9600 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 27.3)
Aldridge has been on an absolute tear recently. Over his last six games, he is averaging 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He has one of the highest usage rates of available players tonight. The only issue that I have with Aldridge tonight is his matchup against David West, who is one of the more physical low post defenders in the NBA. He won’t allow Aldridge to get prime post position like he has in his last few games.
Wesley Matthews (FD: $6100, DK: $6100 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 20.6)
Matthews is a solid option at shooting guard tonight. With such a small slate of games, there really aren’t many options at each position. Matthews has scored at least 20 fantasy points in each of his last ten games and has topped 26 fantasy points in five games during that stretch. He’s a safe option tonight in all leagues.
New Orleans at Golden State
- Vegas Line – Golden State -8, 206 Over/Under
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Evans-Babbitt-Davis-Asik
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green(Q)-Bogut
| New Orleans | Golden State | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 206.0 |  | Vegas Total | 206.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 8.0 | Vegas Sprd | -8.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 99.0 | Team Proj. | 107.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.94 | Team Pace | 100.50 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jrue Holiday | Tyreke Evans | Luke Babbitt | Anthony Davis | Omer Asik | Proj Starter | Stephen Curry | Klay Thompson | Harrison Barnes | Draymond Green | Andrew Bogut | |
| Opp. Season | 23 | 23 | 6 | 18 | 1 | Opp. Season | 15 | 7 | 29 | 6 | 23 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 12 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 14 | Opp. Last 7 | 27 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 29 | |
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 8-8 to start the season. They have played well at home, but are only 3-6 on the road. They have a tall task ahead of them tonight as they face the Warriors, who are one of the best home teams in the NBA. The Pelicans are 8-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 206 points. The good news is that this game is expected to be played at a very fast pace. The bad news is that the Warriors are an elite defensive team. On the season, the Warriors are ranked 1st in defensive efficiency and 7th in rebounding differential.
Elite Plays
Anthony Davis (FD: $11700, DK: $11600 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 26.7)
Davis is coming off of another HUGE fantasy outing. He scored 20 fantasy points in blocks and steals alone on his way to a 62 fantasy point outing against the Thunder. Davis remains the top overall fantasy option tonight as he squares off against the Warriors. The Warriors have been decent against PFs this season, but I love this matchup for Davis. Not only is he tall for a PF, but he’ll match up against Draymond Green, who is extremely short for a PF. Davis should be own the glass on both ends of the floor. With such a short slate, Davis is a fade at your own risk tonight.
Tyreke Evans (FD: $7500, DK: $7300 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 24.6)
Whenever I’m debating between Evans and Holiday, I always come back to the same deciding factor: usage rate. Evans’ usage rate is much higher than Holiday’s. Evans also averages 12 rebounds/assists per game compared to Holiday’s 10. Evans also draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Warriors, who are ranked 19th in fantasy points allowed to SGs per 48 minutes. Evans will be a staple in my cash game and GPP lineups tonight.
Secondary Plays
Jrue Holiday (FD: $7400, DK: $7400 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 21.4)
Even though I favor Evans over Holiday, that doesn’t mean that Holiday is a bad play. He has arguably the best matchup of the Pelicans’ starters, as the Warriors have struggled to defend PGs this season. Holiday is coming off of one of his best games of the season, where he scored 45 fantasy points.
Omer Asik (FD: $5200, DK: $4300 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 13.3)
Asik is a much better play on DK than he is on FD. Not only is he considerably cheaper, but he’s also a frequent visitor of the double-double bonus on DK. Asik has a somewhat limited upside, but he should play big minutes tonight as he’s the best match for Andrew Bogut down low. Asik is a low-risk option tonight that should top 20 fantasy points.
Golden State
The Warriors are projected to score 107 points tonight, which is the highest of any team on the board. They draw a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Pelicans who play at a fair pace and have a below average defense. The Pelicans are currently ranked 19th in defensive efficiency, allowing opponents to score an average of 99.1 points per game. There is one injury that we need to keep our eye on. Draymond Green hurt his thumb the other night against the Magic, he is currently questionable for tonight’s game.
Elite Plays
Stephen Curry (FD: $9900, DK: $10200 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 28.8)
Curry is the top overall point guard available tonight, but you are going to have to pay a pretty penny to roster him. While Curry is one of my favorite players to watch and one of my favorite players to target in tournaments, he’s not my favorite player to use in cash games. If you look at his game logs, he is extremely inconsistent. Over his last ten games, he has two games in the 20’s, four games in the 30’s, two games in the 40’s, one game in the 50’s, and one game in the 60’s.
Klay Thompson (FD: $7600, DK: $7300 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 27)
Thompson played through an injury the other night against the Magic on his way to a big fantasy outing. He is having a terrific season, averaging 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His usage rate of 27.0 is almost as high as Curry’s. I currently have Thompson and Evans locked in as my top two shooting guard options of the night.
Harrison Barnes (FD: $5100, DK: $5200 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 14.7)
Target Barnes at home. Avoid him on the road. I could end the write-up there, but that’s not like me. On the season, Barnes is averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game at home. He’s averaging nearly nine more fantasy points per game at home than he is on the road.
Secondary Plays
Draymond Green (FD: $6500, DK: $5600 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 17.8)
As mentioned above, Green is questionable for tonight’s game. Hopefully we will get an update on his status before the first game tips off. As long as he is in the lineup, he’s one of the better options at small forward, especially on DK where he is listed at $5,600. He does draw a tough matchup against Anthony Davis though as he could easily find himself in foul trouble.
Andrew Bogut (FD: $7000, DK: $6500 / MPG: 26 / Usage Rate: 14.7)
I always like to target Bogut in games where he matches up against another slow center and tonight’s matchup against Omer Asik fits the mold beatifully. You don’t have to worry about the Warriors going small and can chalk in Bogut for around 30 minutes of playing time. Bogut has scored at least 28 fantasy points in each of his last five games and should keep the streak alive tonight.