NBA Grind Down Tuesday, December 23rd - Page Three
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Golden State at L.A. Lakers
- Vegas Line – Golden State -10, 214 Over/Under
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green-Ezeli
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Price-Bryant-Johnson-Davis-Hill
| Golden State | L.A. Lakers | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 214 |  | Vegas Total | 214 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -10.0 | Vegas Sprd | 10.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 112.00 | Team Proj. | 102.00 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 100.51 | Team Pace | 97.65 | |||||||||
| 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 | Ronnie Price | Kobe Bryant | Wesley Johnson | Ed Davis | Jordan Hill | |
| Opp. Season | 30 | 11 | 25 | 23 | 18 | Opp. Season | 23 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 1 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 21 | 16 | Opp. Last 7 | 27 | 7 | 29 | 6 | 19 | |
Golden State
The Warriors picked up an easy win over the Kings last night. The starters all played limited minutes, which should help keep their legs fresh for tonight’s game against the Lakers. The Warriors are listed as 10-point favorites in a game that features a total of 214 points. The Warriors’ team total is set at 112 points, which is the highest of any team on tonight’s schedule. This is a dream matchup, as the Lakers are ranked dead last in both defensive efficiency and points allowed per game.
Elite Plays
Stephen Curry (FD: $10500, DK: $10900 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 28.4)
Even with the potential blowout, Curry is an elite fantasy option tonight. On the season, he is averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. He has scored at least 40 fantasy points in six of his last ten games and draws a dream matchup against the Lakers. As mentioned earlier, the Lakers have the worst defense in the NBA. They have also allowed more fantasy points to point guards than any other team.
Klay Thompson (FD: $7900, DK: $7800 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 26.5)
As mentioned in Page 2 of the Grind Down, I will take Klay Thompson over Monta Ellis tonight. Not only is he a tad bit cheaper, but he has a better matchup and a more defined role in the offense. Thompson has scored at least 32 fantasy points in eight of his last ten games and should get a ton of open looks against this awful Lakers squad. If this game stays relatively close, Thompson could easily put up 40+ fantasy points tonight.
Draymond Green (FD: $7800, DK: $7400 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 17.6)
Green is one of those players that can reach value without scoring a lot of actual points. He fills up all areas of the stat sheet. He’s one of the few players in the NBA that regularly reaches double-digit fantasy points and blocks and steals alone. This is the type of game that Green should have his fingerprints all over. I expect him to be aggressive on both ends of the floor and I have him ranked as one of my top small forwards tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
L.A. Lakers
The Lakers are 8-19 on the season. They continue to disappoint L.A. fans with their play. Tonight they are 10-point underdogs at home against the Warriors. While the Warriors do play at a fast-pace, they have an elite defense. The Warriors are ranked first in defensive efficiency and third in rebounding differential. They have also held their opponents to an average of 98.0 points per game. Kobe Bryant is worth a look as a tournament play, but the rest of the Lakers can be avoided tonight.
Injury Note: Kobe Bryant missed shoot-around this morning and Coach Byron Scott is unsure if he is going to play tonight.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
None