NBA Grind Down: Tuesday/Wednesday
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 averages listed FanDuel scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NBA scoring system, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel review.
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Atlanta at Cleveland – Tuesday, 8:30 PM ET
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -8.5, 193.5 Over/Under
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Teague-Bazemore-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Dellavedova-Shumpert-James-Thompson-Mozgov
| Atlanta | Cleveland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 193.5 |  | Vegas Total | 193.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 8.5 | Vegas Sprd | -8.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 92.5 | Team Proj. | 101.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.87 | Team Pace | 92.75 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jeff Teague | Kent Bazemore | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | Proj Starter | Matthew Dellavedova | Iman Shumpert | LeBron James | Tristan Thompson | Timofey Mozgov | |
| Opp. Season | 10 | 20 | 17 | 7 | 7 | Opp. Season | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 5 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Opp. Last 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
Atlanta
Unfortunately, this could be the final NBA Grind Down of the season if the Cavaliers complete the sweep tonight. If that’s the case, we’ll see you again in October. Big thanks to all of my loyal readers!
The Hawks had their chance to pick up a win in Game 3, but they eventually fell short and now find themselves down 3-0. They are facing elimination in Game 4 in Cleveland and at this point, it would be surprising to see the Hawks keep this game close. The Hawks will have Al Horford back in the lineup, but they will again be without Kyle Korver.
Opponent Breakdown (Cleveland)
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.5 (Rank: 12)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 20
Rebounding Differential Rank: 8
Elite Plays
Jeff Teague (FD: $7500, DK: $7400 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 24.9)
Teague almost willed his team to victory in Game 3, but in the end, LeBron James was just too much. Teague has scored at least 30 fantasy points in every game so far this series and he has topped the 38 fantasy point mark twice. With Stephen Curry banged up, Teague may be the safe route at point guard in the Tuesday/Wednesday slate of games.
Kent Bazemore (FD: $2700, DK: $3500 / MPG: 18 / Usage Rate: 15.5)
Bazemore is as close to a must play as you are going to find in this two-game slate. With Kyle Korver out, he will draw another start at shooting guard. He scored 33 fantasy points in Game 3 and he should see close to 40 minutes of action in Game 4. There is no reason to fade Bazemore, even in tournaments.
Mike Scott (FD: $2000, DK: $2700 / MPG: 16 / Usage Rate: 22.2)
Scott is another strong punt play on the Hawks. He has seen a bump in minutes in this series, playing 26 and 32 minutes in Games 2 and 3. He basically needs 10-13 fantasy points to reach value, a feat that shouldn’t be too difficult if he plays 25+ minutes again in Game 4.
Secondary Plays
Paul Millsap (FD: $8500, DK: $7600 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 23.6)
Al Horford (FD: $7300, DK: $7500 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 22.3)
Shelvin Mack (FD: $2000, DK: $2100 / MPG: 15 / Usage Rate: 19.6)
Cleveland
The Cavaliers have been hobbled throughout the playoffs, but they’ve found a way to win. They have no reason to rush Kyrie Irving back at this point and I’d be shocked if he was in the lineup in Game 4. LeBron James has also been hurt, but he should be ready to go for this closeout game against the Hawks.
Opponent Breakdown (Atlanta)
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.2 (Rank: 5)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 7
Rebounding Differential Rank: 27
Elite Plays
LeBron James (FD: $12000, DK: $11700 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 32.5)
James was in full video game mode in Game 3. He finished with 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists. Are you kidding me LeBron? That’s a MONSTER triple-double. He’s a tough fade at this point, even with his injury. The Hawks have not been able to stop him in this series and James knows the importance of closing out a series when you have the chance.
Matthew Dellavedova (FD: $3700, DK: $3900 / MPG: 20 / Usage Rate: 12.3)
Dellavedova will likely draw another start at point guard, as the Cavaliers have no reason to rush Kyrie Irving back with a 3-0 cushion. If that’s the case, he is close to a must start in this two-game slate. He has scored 23 and 20 fantasy points in his last two starts and he should be able to post a similar fantasy outing in Game 4.
Secondary Plays
Tristan Thompson (FD: $5600, DK: $6600 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 13.9)
J.R. Smith (FD: $5400, DK: $5200 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 19.1)
Iman Shumpert (FD: $4700, DK: $5200 / MPG: 25 / Usage Rate: 17.2)
Houston at Golden State – Wednesday, 9:00 PM ET
- Vegas Line – Golden State -10.5, 215.5 Over/Under
- Houston Proj. Starters – Terry-Harden-Ariza-Smith-Howard
- Golden State Proj. Starters – Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green-Bogut
| Houston | Golden State | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 215 |  | Vegas Total | 215 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 10.5 | Vegas Sprd | -10.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 102.5 | Team Proj. | 113.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 103.57 | Team Pace | 95.25 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jason Terry | James Harden | Trevor Ariza | Josh Smith | Dwight Howard | Proj Starter | Stephen Curry | Klay Thompson | Harrison Barnes | Draymond Green | Andrew Bogut | |
| Opp. Season | 5 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 19 | Opp. Season | 6 | 21 | 18 | 29 | 26 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | |
Houston
Opponent Breakdown (Golden State)
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.5 (Rank: 14)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 1
Rebounding Differential Rank: 12
The Rockets picked up a win in Game 4 to give us at least one more night of daily fantasy basketball before the NBA Finals begin. With the exception of Game 3, they have been very competitive in this series and hopefully we will see some fight out of them here in Game 5. Vegas has the Rockets listed as 10.5-point underdogs, but the starters should see their usual complement of minutes as long as the game stays within 15 points or so.
Elite Plays
James Harden (FD: $10200, DK: $10900 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 31.3)
After Curry’s MVP performance in Game 3, Harden came out and gave an equally impressive performance in Game 4, finishing with 45 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Outside of Game 3, he has had a tremendous series against the Warriors. The Rockets will need another big outing from him if they are going to have any chance of stealing Game 5 in Golden State.
Dwight Howard (FD: $8800, DK: $8800 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 23.3)
Howard is a borderline elite play in Game 5. Every center on the board has been inconsistent in this round of the playoffs, so at this point it’s really just picking your poison. Howard has played well when he’s played a full complement of minutes, so if he can stay out of foul trouble, he could post a monster fantasy outing in this game.
Josh Smith (FD: $5800, DK: $5900 / MPG: 28 / Usage Rate: 24.2)
Smith is a better tournament play than a cash game play, but he may have earned some extra minutes after his impressive outing in Game 4. He finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 28 minutes of action. He has great upside at his price point and he has a chance to reach the 30-minute mark here in a win-or-go-home Game 5.
Secondary Plays
Trevor Ariza (FD: $6000, DK: $6900 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 16.8)
Terrence Jones (FD: $4400, DK: $5000 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 19.2)
Jason Terry (FD: $3200, DK: $3600 / MPG: 21 / Usage Rate: 14.1)
Golden State
The Warriors had a huge scare in Game 4, after Stephen Curry took a hard fall and was down for several minutes. He was able to return to the game, but it could play a role in his performance in Game 5. The Warriors are listed as 10.5-point favorites at home with their team total set at 113 points. If this game stays close, the Warriors should have another big night offensively.
Opponent Breakdown (Houston)
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.6 (Rank: 17)
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 6
Rebounding Differential Rank: 15
Elite Plays
Draymond Green (FD: $8200, DK: $8300 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 17.2)
Green has been outstanding in this series. His ability to fill up the stat sheet makes him the premier play at power forward. He contributes on both ends of the floor and his price is still at a very playable level on both FanDuel and DraftKings. He should have another big outing in what could be the game that sends the Warriors to the NBA Finals.
Andrew Bogut (FD: $5400, DK: $5000 / MPG: 24 / Usage Rate: 13.3)
Bogut’s production has been all over the map in this series. He struggled in Game 1, had big outings in Game 2 and 3, and then disappeared again last night. Foul trouble was the main reason that he saw limited action in Game 4. Assuming he can stay out of foul trouble, he should see upwards of 30 minutes here in Game 5.
Andre Iguodala (FD: $4200, DK: $4600 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 13.6)
Iguodala has now scored at least 21 fantasy points in six of his last seven games. He had 34 fantasy points in Game 4 and he’ll look to build on that performance here in Game 5. He’s still at a very playable price point on both FanDuel and DraftKings and he gets the nod over Harrison Barnes as the top value play at small forward.
Secondary Plays
Stephen Curry (FD: $10600, DK: $10400 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 28.4)
Klay Thompson (FD: $6900, DK: $7100 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 27.3)
Harrison Barnes (FD: $4200, DK: $4900 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 14.8)