NBA Grind Down: Tuesday, April 29th
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
Washington at Chicago
- Vegas Line – Washington -3, 182.5 Over/Under
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Ariza-Hilario-Gortat
- Chicago Proj. Starters – Hinrich-Butler-Dunleavy-Boozer-Noah
Washington
The Wizards came out and dominated the Bulls in Game 4 even without Nene Hilario in the lineup. While this series is far from over, the Wizards now have a commanding 3-1 series advantage heading into Game 5 in Chicago. Nene Hilario will be back for this game and will continue to make a strong play at PF. He has averaged 32 FP’s per game in this series and his price is still affordable across the industry.
The entire Wizards’ starting 5 is in play tonight which is pretty crazy when you consider that they are playing one of the slowest paced teams in the league that also owns a top 3 defense. John Wall continues to put up 30+ FP’s in every game, Trevor Ariza continues to be a nice upside player, and Marcin Gortat has been very steady at Center.
- Bradley Beal – Beal has been arguably the best player so far in the series. He is averaging over 34 FP’s per game and has hit clutch shot after clutch shot. There are few players that play better in the postseason than they do in the regular season, but that has been the case with Beal so far against a very tough Bulls’ defense.
Chicago
The Bulls are in a win or go home situation (technically a win or stay home) and will be for the next 3 games. The Wizards have managed to keep Joakim Noah in check in this series and he should continue to be avoided for fantasy purposes. The same can be said for Carlos Boozer who has only topped 24 minutes of playing time once in the last month. That leaves us with the wing players Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy. And the bench players of D.J. Augustin and Taj Gibson. Dunleavy and Augustin both provide nice upside as GPP plays and Butler makes a nice cash game play as he continues to play 40+ minutes per game.
- Taj Gibson – Gibson is the top play here. He has been terrific for the Bulls off the bench and has been by far the most effective big man. Gibson is averaging 33 FP’s per game this series which easily exceeds value at his price point. Until his price goes up, continue to use him in all leagues.
Memphis at Oklahoma City
- Vegas Line – Oklahoma City -6, 186.5 Over/Under
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Prince-Randolph-Gasol
- Oklahoma City Proj. Starters – Westbrook-Sefolosha-Durant-Ibaka-Perkins
Memphis
The Grizzlies lost a tough Game 4 after blowing another 4th quarter lead. This time they couldn’t pull it off in overtime though and we now head back to OKC with the series tied at 2 games a piece. This series has already featured 3 overtime games and it doesn’t look like either team is going to win by a large margin anytime soon. Tony Allen and Courtney Lee have both been nice punt plays in this series. Zach Randolph has also played well, but I like the value of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol a little bit more.
- Mike Conley – Conley has scored at least 30 FP’s in every game this series and has topped 40 FP’s in 3 of the first 4. He has really played well and this is a favorable matchup that he should continue to exploit in Game 5.
- Marc Gasol – Gasol is averaging 36 FP’s per game this series and always makes a great fantasy play for cash games because he has such a high floor. He rarely has a bad game and does so many things on the floor that he doesn’t need to rely on points for his fantasy production.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder picked up a huge win after being down big in the 4th quarter once again. Even more impressive was that they picked up a win with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook shooting a combined 11/45 from the field. If the Thunder can figure out a way to get some open looks against this Grizzlies’ defense, they could easily take Game 5. That said, not many teams can find open looks against the Grizzlies. Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and Russell Westbrook have all had trouble reaching value in this series and that’s with 3 OT games. Sooner or later, one of these games will end in regulation and I think there are better options even with only 3 games on the schedule.
Golden State at L.A.Clippers
- Vegas Line – L.A.Clippers -6.5, 210.5 Over/Under
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Iguodala-Green-Lee
- L.A.Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Redick-Barnes-Griffin-Jordan
Golden State
The Warriors picked up a big win in Game 4 and will look to take back homecourt advantage tonight as they head to L.A. for Game 5. This should be another fast-paced, high scoring game with plenty of fantasy options. Stephen Curry is coming off of his best game in the series and makes a nice GPP play thanks to his high ceiling. Draymond Green was in the starting lineup in Game 4 and will likely draw another start tonight which should boost his fantasy value.
I also like both Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala. With Green in the starting lineup, he is no longer threatening the minutes of Iggy and Klay has been able to score at will in this series. I think all four of these options are in play and don’t be afraid to take 2-3 of them in your lineups.
L.A.Clippers
Amidst the Donald Sterling controversy, the Clippers understandably seemed more focused on taking a stance rather than playing basketball. After the Warriors’ Game 4 victory, the series heads back to L.A. all tied up. Everyone is wondering what the atmosphere will be like in this game and my guess is as good as any. Hopefully the Clippers can push the distractions aside and come out with a much better performance in front of their home crowd.
As far as my favorite plays in this game, I think Chris Paul bounces back nicely after getting into early foul trouble in Game 4. I’m not sure if his price warrants consideration as a cash game play though. J.J. Redick makes a nice play at SG, he is cheap and has nice upside in what should be another high scoring game.
- Blake Griffin – Griffin has been pretty boom or bust in this series, but he has topped 47 FP’s in 2 of the 4 games and the Warriors just don’t have anyone that can defend him down low. He’ll be defended by a combination of Draymond Green and David Lee and both are favorable matchups for Griffin.