NBA Grind Down: Tuesday, January 27th - Page Two
Washington at L.A. Lakers – 10:30 PM EST
- Vegas Line – Washington -8, 196.5 Over/Under
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Clarkson-Ellington-Kelly-Hill-Sacre
| Washington | L.A. Lakers | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 196.5 |  | Vegas Total | 196.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -8.0 | Vegas Sprd | 8.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 102.25 | Team Proj. | 94.25 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.73 | Team Pace | 97.22 | |||||||||
| 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 | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | Proj Starter | Jordan Clarkson | Wayne Ellington | Ryan Kelly | Jordan Hill | Robert Sacre | |
| Opp. Season | 30 | 22 | 15 | 13 | 26 | Opp. Season | 6 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 28 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 6 | Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 3 | 26 | 4 | 13 | |
Washington
Editor’s Note: John Wall (Achilles) and Paul Pierce (toe) are considered questionable for tonight’s game.
The Wizards head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers in the most favorable matchup in Tuesday night’s slate of games. The Lakers are ranked 29th in defensive efficiency, 29th in points allowed per game, and 22nd in rebounding differential. There is the potential for this game to turn into a blowout, but luckily the game is being played in L.A. If the Lakers are able to keep this one within striking distance, the Wizards will be a great source of fantasy production.
Opponent Breakdown (L.A. Lakers)
Record: 12-33
Points Allowed Per Game: 106.1 (Rank: 29)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 29
Rebounding Differential Rank: 22
Elite Plays
John Wall (FD: $9100, DK: $9200 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 24.9)
Editor’s Note: John Wall (Achilles) is considered questionable for tonight’s game.
Wall has better splits at home than he does on the road, but that gap is closing. He is still averaging 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 10 assists per game on the road this season. He draws an outstanding matchup against the Lakers, who have allowed more fantasy points to point guards than any other team in the NBA this season.
Marcin Gortat (FD: $5700, DK: $5500 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 18.3)
Gortat hasn’t had the best three-week stretch, but he is starting to come out of his slump. Over his last five games, he has averaged 25 fantasy points in 31 minutes of action per game. He should reach that mark again tonight against the Lakers, who don’t defend the paint well. The Lakers also struggle on the glass. Take advantage of the depressed price and use Gortat in all league formats.
Secondary Plays
Bradley Beal (FD: $6000, DK: $6200 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 21.9)
Beal has struggled with consistency this season, but he is one of the top plays at shooting guard tonight. Not only does he have a favorable matchup against the Lakers, but shooting guard is a thin position in this six-game slate.
Nene Hilario (FD: $5700, DK: $5400 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 21.6)
Hilario’s minutes have been difficult to predict on a nightly basis, but the good news is that they are trending upward. Over his last ten games, he has averaged 27 fantasy points in 27 minutes of action per game. If he can replicate his recent level of play tonight against the Lakers, he will meet value expectations.
L.A. Lakers
The Lakers starting lineup is almost comical. They only have one of the same starters as they did in their opening game of the season. Tonight they face a very stout defensive team in the Wizards. On the season, the Wizards are ranked 7th in defensive efficiency and 4th in rebounding differential. Jordan Clarkson is worth a look for some salary cap relief at point guard, but the rest of the Lakers can safely be avoided tonight.
Opponent Breakdown (Washington)
Record: 30-15
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.6 (Rank: 9)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
None