NBA Grind Down: Tuesday, December 16th
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: 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
Minnesota at Washington
- Vegas Line – Washington -13, 201 Over/Under
- Minnesota Proj. Starters – LaVine-Brewer-Wiggins-Young-Dieng
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Humphries-Gortat
| Minnesota | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 201.0 |  | Vegas Total | 201.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 13.0 | Vegas Sprd | -13.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.0 | Team Proj. | 107.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 98.87 | Team Pace | 95.95 | |||||||||
| 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 | Corey Brewer | Andrew Wiggins | Thaddeus Young | Gorgui Dieng | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Kris Humphries | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 3 | 4 | 20 | 2 | 9 | Opp. Season | 16 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 8 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 26 | Opp. Last 7 | 28 | 10 | 24 | 5 | 12 | |
Minnesota
The T-Wolves are the biggest underdogs on the schedule tonight, as they head to Washington to take on the Wizards. Not only does this game have the potential to turn into a blowout, but it’s also a very tough matchup for fantasy production. The Wizards are ranked 4th in defensive efficiency, 8th in rebounding differential, and they have held their opponents to an average of only 96.6 points per game.
Injury Note: Mo Williams practiced yesterday and could return tonight. He will have little fantasy impact though, as Flip Saunders said that he will likely play 10-12 minutes in his first game back.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Corey Brewer (FD: $5500, DK: $5800 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 19.5)
As a starter this season, Brewer is averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game. He has scored at least 28 fantasy points in five of his last six games and remains relatively cheap on both FD and DK. He draws an average matchup tonight against the Wizards, who are ranked 12th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing shooting guards.
Zach LaVine (FD: $5100, DK: $5200 / MPG: 26 / Usage Rate: 20.8)
Even though Mo Williams may play tonight, LaVine will still draw the start. He’ll likely still be asked to play 35+ minutes with Williams being on a 10-12 minutes restriction. As a starter this season, LaVine is averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He’s been a very serviceable value play over the last couple of weeks. He needs around 25 fantasy points to reach value, which he is more than capable of getting tonight against the Wizards.
Washington
The Wizards have won four games in a row to improve their record to 17-6 on the season. Despite having one of the better records in the NBA, their point differential per game is only at +4.0, which is pretty low considering their record. They haven’t been blowing a ton of teams out, which could bode well for their fantasy appeal tonight against the T-Wolves. Fantasy-wise, this is the best matchup on the schedule tonight. The T-Wolves are ranked 28th in defensive efficiency this season, giving up an average of 108.5 points per game to their opponents.
Elite Plays
John Wall (FD: $10000, DK: $10600 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 25.8)
Wall is playing at home. You know what that means! Wall is averaging 19 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals per game in 14 home games this season. He has a very high usage rate (25.8) and an ability to fill up all areas of the stat sheet. He also draws a favorable matchup against the T-Wolves, who are ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing point guards. Wall may be in line for a few steals tonight, as the T-Wolves are currently giving up an average of 7.7 steals per game to their opponents.
Bradley Beal (FD: $6600, DK: $6000 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 21.9)
Once again, Beal is underpriced tonight on DK. He’s also in play on FD at a price of only $6,600. Over his two games, he is averaging 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Tonight he draws an extremely favorable matchup against the T-Wolves, who are ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing shooting guards. Beal has a high usage rate in this offense and is ‘priced to move’ tonight.
Secondary Plays
Kris Humphries (FD: $4800, DK: $5300 / MPG: 22 / Usage Rate: 19.5)
Humphries minutes have been very inconsistent this season, but he’s been a serviceable value play over the last couple of weeks. As a starter this season, he is averaging 9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but he has scored at least 25 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He’s a threat for a double-double tonight against the Wolves, who are ranked 24th in rebounding differential.
Miami at Brooklyn
- Vegas Line – Brooklyn -6.5, 184 Over/Under
- Miami Proj. Starters – Cole-Wade-Deng-Williams-Hamilton
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Anderson-Johnson-Garnett-Plumlee
| Miami | Brooklyn | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 184.0 |  | Vegas Total | 184.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 6.5 | Vegas Sprd | -6.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 88.8 | Team Proj. | 95.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 91.48 | Team Pace | 94.12 | |||||||||
| 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 | Norris Cole | Dwyane Wade | Luol Deng | Shawne Williams | Justin Hamilton | Proj Starter | Deron Williams | Alan Anderson | Joe Johnson | Kevin Garnett | Mason Plumlee | |
| Opp. Season | 23 | 27 | 15 | 20 | 12 | Opp. Season | 12 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 22 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 15 | 9 | 27 | 7 | Opp. Last 7 | 10 | 17 | 6 | 19 | 17 | |
Miami
The Heat are going to be extremely short-handed tonight. Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts have already been ruled out, while Dwyane Wade is listed as questionable. They will roll with a makeshift front-court of Shawne Williams and Justin Hamilton tonight. This is a game that has very little fantasy appeal. The Heat are 6.5-point underdogs in a game that features a total of only 184 points. The Heat’s team total is set at 89 points, which is easily the lowest of the night.
Injury Note: As mentioned above, Dwyane Wade is questionable for tonight’s game (missed shoot-around). If he can’t suit up, Mario Chalmers would draw the start and make for an interesting plug-and-play tonight.
Elite Plays
Shawne Williams (FD: $3600, DK: $3500 / MPG: 24 / Usage Rate: 13.8)
Williams will likely draw the start at power forward tonight. Udonis Haslem drew the start the other night, but ended up only playing three minutes. Williams has played well when given the chance this season. In 17 starts, he is averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He should be able to build on those numbers tonight as his minutes and usage rate should go up with Chris Bosh out of the lineup. He’s close to min-salary and offers some great salary cap relief.
Secondary Plays
Justin Hamilton (FD: $3600, DK: $3000 / MPG: 15 / Usage Rate: 13.1)
Hamilton is listed as questionable for tonight’s game, but he made it through shoot-around and is expected to be in the lineup. He is in the same boat as Shawne Williams. He’s going to see a boost in both minutes and production with both Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts out of the lineup. Hamtilon scored 18 fantasy points in 33 minutes the other night and should be able to replicate that performance tonight against the Nets.
Brooklyn
The Nets are currently 6.5-point favorites, but that number could go up if Dwyane Wade is ruled out. This game does have the feeling of a potential blowout, but the Nets will also be short-handed. Brook Lopez has already been ruled out, while Mirza Teletovic is listed as questionable. On paper, this isn’t a great matchup. The Heat are one of the slowest-paced teams in the league and this game has the lowest total on the board.
Elite Plays
Mason Plumlee (FD: $4900, DK: $5400 / MPG: 16 / Usage Rate: 21)
Plumlee should draw another start at center tonight with Brook Lopez out. Keep your eye on the status of Mirza Teletovic throughout the day, as Plumlee would see a boost in his absence as well. In his last three starts, Plumlee is averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. He needs around 25 fantasy points to reach value tonight, a feat that he has easily accomplished in back-to-back games. He also gets a nice matchup against the short-handed front-court of the Heat.
Secondary Plays
Joe Johnson (FD: $6400, DK: $6300 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 22.7)
Johnson is one of those players that I am always on the wrong side of. He always seems to play poorly in good matchups and play great in tough matchups. His price is more than reasonable on both FD and DK. He’ll likely lock horns with Luol Deng, which is a tough matchup on paper. But as I mentioned, he seems to play well in tough matchups. Johnson is a terrific tournament play and an interesting cash game option.
Utah at New Orleans
- Vegas Line – New Orleans -9, Over/Under 197.5
- Utah Proj. Starters – Burke-Burks-Hayward-Kanter-Gobert
- New Orleans Proj. Starters – Holiday-Evans-Babbitt-Davis-Asik
| Utah | New Orleans | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 197.5 |  | Vegas Total | 197.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 9.0 | Vegas Sprd | -9.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 94.3 | Team Proj. | 103.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 92.84 | Team Pace | 95.11 | |||||||||
| 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 | Trey Burke | Alec Burks | Gordon Hayward | Enes Kanter | Rudy Gobert | Proj Starter | Jrue Holiday | Tyreke Evans | Luke Babbitt | Anthony Davis | Omer Asik | |
| Opp. Season | 21 | 9 | 30 | 8 | 11 | Opp. Season | 19 | 10 | 13 | 28 | 2 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 18 | 30 | 6 | 2 | Opp. Last 7 | 7 | 22 | 16 | 26 | 19 | |
Utah
The Jazz have lost nine of their last ten games and have fallen to 6-17 on the season. They are only 2-9 on the road, which does not bode well for their chances against the Pelicans tonight. The Jazz are listed as 9-point underdogs with a team total of only 94 points. The good news is that the Pelicans are ranked 27th in defensive efficiency this season, giving up an average of 102.3 points per game to their opponents.
Injury Note: Derrick Favors is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. If he is forced to sit out, Enes Kanter and Rudy Gobert would both see an uptick in production.
Elite Plays
Enes Kanter (FD: $5800, DK: $6600 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 24.8)
Kanter has had a nice six game stretch where he has averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds per game. He will see a nice boost if Derrick Favors is out tonight. Not only would he see some extended playing time, but he’d also become the go-to big man in the Jazz offense. Kanter’s price on DK may be a bit too high, but his price on FD is more than reasonable. Check the injury news throughout the day and bump up Kanter if Derrick Favors is ruled out.
Rudy Gobert (FD: $4400, DK: $5000 / MPG: 17 / Usage Rate: 14.3)
This pick hinges on the health of Derrick Favors. If Favors is ruled out, Gobert would make for a very interesting value play. In his first career start the other night, Gobert had 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. He is an extremely long player that is a threat to post a double-double tonight, even against the tough front-court duo of Anthony Davis and Omer Asik.
Secondary Plays
Gordon Hayward (FD: $7600, DK: $7300 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 24.7)
There aren’t many options at small forward tonight, which helps Hayward’s cause. It also doesn’t hurt that his price has come down on both FD and DK. He has 40+ fantasy point upside every time he takes the floor and he draws a favorable matchup against the Pelicans, who are ranked 24th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing small forwards.
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 9-point favorites tonight at home against the Jazz. While the Jazz do play at a very slow pace, they more than make up for it with their lack of play on the defensive end of the floor. The Jazz are ranked 29th in defensive efficiency this season, giving up an average of 101.6 points per game to their opponents. The Pelicans also see a nice boost at home, thanks to one of the most generous statisticians in the NBA (you have to think the Pelicans’ players will chip in and get him something real nice for Christmas).
Injury Note: Anthony Davis is expected to be back in the lineup tonight. Ryan Anderson will head back to the bench.
Elite Plays
Anthony Davis (FD: $11200, DK: $11400 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 26.5)
People may be scared to take Davis tonight after he missed the last game with a chest contusion, but not me. He should pick up right where he left off and he is not expected to be on a minutes-restriction. In his meeting against the Jazz earlier this season, Davis put up a career-high 43 points. He also added 14 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. There should be a decent number of value plays tonight, which makes it easy to fit Davis into your lineups on both FD and DK.
Secondary Plays
Tyreke Evans (FD: $7500, DK: $8600 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 26)
Davis would have been a terrific play if Anthony Davis was forced to sit out again tonight. Instead, he is more of an FD-specific play, as his $8,600 price tag on DK is too high for my liking. Evans does have terrific numbers at home this season though, averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, which equates to more than 40 fantasy points per game. He has a very high usage rate in this offense and favorable matchup against the Jazz.
Dallas at New York
- Vegas Line – Dallas -7, 202.5 Over/Under
- Dallas Proj. Starters – Nelson-Ellis-Parsons-Nowitzki-Chandler
- New York Proj. Starters – Calderon-Hardaway-Anthony-Acy-Stoudemire
| Dallas | New York | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 202.5 |  | Vegas Total | 202.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -7.0 | Vegas Sprd | 7.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 104.8 | Team Proj. | 97.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.23 | Team Pace | 92.04 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jameer Nelson | Monta Ellis | Chandler Parsons | Dirk Nowitkzi | Tyson Chandler | Proj Starter | Jose Calderon | Tim Hardaway | Carmelo Anthony | Quincy Acy | Amare Stoudemire | |
| Opp. Season | 2 | 25 | 9 | 18 | 15 | Opp. Season | 24 | 21 | 18 | 7 | 6 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 21 | 20 | Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 4 | 23 | 11 | 8 | |
Dallas
The Mavericks head to New York to take on the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Vegas has the Mavericks listed as 7-point favorites in a game that features a total of 202.5 points. The Knicks have been atrocious on both ends of the floor this season. They are ranked 26th in defensive efficiency, 25th in rebounding differential, and they have given up an average of 99.3 points per game to their opponents.
Elite Plays
Tyson Chandler (FD: $6700, DK: $7300 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 13.6)
Revenge game! When Chandler met up with his former team the first time this season, he absolutely dominated the game. He had 17 points, 25 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He will have a huge size advantage over the Knicks small front-court again tonight and he should dominate the glass once again.
Secondary Plays
Dirk Nowitzki (FD: $7300, DK: $6300 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 27.2)
Nowitzki is a DK-specific play tonight. His price is sitting at a very tempting $6,300. Using a 5x salary value system, Nowitkzi only needs to score 31.5 fantasy points to reach value. He is obviously capable of that, as he is averaging 31.7 fantasy points per game this season. The Knicks have done a good job of defending opposing power forwards this season, but there aren’t many that can stretch the floor as well as Nowitzki can.
New York
It’s sad that we aren’t even to Christmas and the Knicks have all but given up on their season. They are 5-21 on the year and have now lost nine of their last ten games. Tonight’s matchup against the Mavericks is a favorable one though. The Mavericks are a fast-paced team that is ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency.
Injury Note: Iman Shumpert is out for tonight’s game. J.R. Smith is questionable. Tim Hardaway figures to benefit the most from these injuries.
Elite Plays
Tim Hardaway Jr. (FD: $4000, DK: $4700 / MPG: 19 / Usage Rate: 24.3)
Hardaway may be my favorite value play on the board tonight. Even though he requested a trade, the Knicks did not punish him as he played 35 minutes the other night against the Raptors. He has played at least 29 minutes and has scored at least 23 fantasy points in each of his last three games. Hardaway should be locked and loaded in all of your lineups tonight if J.R. Smith is ruled out. Even if Smith plays, he should still see extended playing time off the bench.
Secondary Plays
Carmelo Anthony (FD: $9400, DK: $10200 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 30.8)
Anthony is an FD-specific play tonight. His price tag of $10,200 is too expensive on DK. Anthony has been playing well recently, averaging 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game over his last five. He draws a favorable matchup against the Mavericks, who are ranked 23rd in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing small forwards.
Golden State at Memphis
- Vegas Line – Memphis -2.5, 203 Over/Under
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green-Ezeli
- Memphis Proj. Starters – Conley-Lee-Allen-Randolph-Gasol
| Golden State | Memphis | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203.0 |  | Vegas Total | 203.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 2.5 | Vegas Sprd | -2.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.3 | Team Proj. | 102.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 100.43 | Team Pace | 94.20 | |||||||||
| 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 | Stephen Curry | Klay Thompson | Harrison Barnes | Draymond Green | Festus Ezeli | Proj Starter | Mike Conley | Courtney Lee | Tony Allen | Zach Randolph | Marc Gasol | |
| Opp. Season | 6 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 3 | Opp. Season | 22 | 23 | 12 | 21 | 1 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 19 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 25 | Opp. Last 7 | 13 | 21 | 29 | 14 | 11 | |
Golden State
A matchup against the Grizzlies is typically something that I try to avoid in daily fantasy basketball, but with a short slate and a talented Warriors team, that’s not the case tonight. While the Grizzlies are ranked 7th in defensive efficiency this season, they play at a decent pace, averaging 94 possessions per 48 minutes. Vegas expects this game to be fairly high scoring. The Warriors team total is set at 100 points.
Injury Note: David Lee and Andrew Bogut are both out tonight. Draymond Green should see all of the minutes he can handle, while Marreese Speights and Festus Ezeli will also see an uptick in production.
Elite Plays
Draymond Green (FD: $7500, DK: $6500 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 17.9)
Green continues to have a relatively low level of ownership and I can’t figure it out. In his last five games, he is averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals per game. He’s an under-sized power forward, but he does everything on the floor well. He should see upwards of 40 minutes tonight against the Grizzlies (assuming he can stay out of foul trouble). He’s easily my favorite small forward on DK, and is in the mix as my favorite on FD as well.
Secondary Plays
Klay Thompson (FD: $8000, DK: $7000 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 27.2)
Thompson is a DK-specific play tonight, as he is a bargain at only $7,000. The Grizzlies will likely stick Tony Allen on Thompson, but that doesn’t concern me all that much, as good offense beats good defense. Thompson is averaging 35.6 fantasy points per game this season and is a frequent visitor of the three-point bonus. In four meetings against the Grizzlies last season, Thompson averaged 19 points per game, which was actually a little higher than his season average.
Memphis
The Grizzlies often get credit as one of the best defensive teams in the league, but they actually face the best defensive team in the NBA tonight. The Warriors are ranked 1st in defensive efficiency and have held their opponents to an average of 96.8 points per game, despite being one of the fastest-paced teams around. The matchup isn’t great, but again, Vegas is expecting this one to be fairly high scoring.
Elite Plays
Marc Gasol (FD: $8600, DK: $8700 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 25.4)
The good news for Gasol is that Andrew Bogut will not play tonight. Bogut is one of the best low-post defenders in the NBA. Instead, he’ll match up against the likes of Festus Ezeli and Marreese Speights. Gasol has been terrific for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks per game. He is the premier play at center tonight with DeMarcus Cousins and Chris Bosh both out.
Secondary Plays
Mike Conley (FD: $7300, DK: $7600 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 23.6)
Conley is coming off of a monster fantasy outing the other night against the Sixers. He has scored at least 32 fantasy points in three straight games and draws a decent matchup against Stephen Curry, whose defense has never been a strong suit. Conley has a high usage rate in this offense and is a solid mid-range option at point guard tonight.