NBA Grind Down: Wednesday, December 17th
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
Atlanta at Cleveland
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -5.5, 201 Over/Under
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Schroder-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Marion-James-Love-Varejao
| Atlanta | Cleveland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 201.0 |  | Vegas Total | 201.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 5.5 | Vegas Sprd | -5.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 97.8 | Team Proj. | 103.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.03 | Team Pace | 94.77 | |||||||||
| 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 | Dennis Schroder | Kyle Korver | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | Proj Starter | Kyrie Irving | Shawn Marion | LeBron James | Kevin Love | Anderson Varejao | |
| Opp. Season | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | Opp. Season | 7 | 23 | 13 | 11 | 7 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 26 | 9 | 20 | 1 | 26 | Opp. Last 7 | 1 | 28 | 12 | 22 | 7 | |
Atlanta
There are a generous amount of games on tap for tonight, so we will try to get through the team analysis as quick as possible and focus on the recommended plays instead. The Hawks travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. The Hawks are getting a lot of love from Vegas as only 5-point underdogs in this one. This is a decent fantasy matchup, as the Cavaliers are ranked 20th in defensive efficiency this season, giving up 103.3 points per game to their opponents.
Injury Note: Jeff Teague is doubtful for tonight’s game. Dennis Schroder will likely start in his place.
Elite Plays
Dennis Schroder (FD: $4000, DK: $3000 / MPG: 17 / Usage Rate: 25.5)
Schroder has played extremely well off the bench this season and will now get a chance to start (assuming Jeff Teague sits). He is averaging 17 fantasy points in only 17 minutes per game this season. You have to think that he’ll likely see 30+ minutes of action tonight, making him the top value play on the board. He draws a nice matchup tonight against Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers, who have been average at defending opposing point guards this season.
Secondary Plays
Paul Millsap (FD: $8100, DK: $8800 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 23.2)
Millsap has only topped 40 fantasy points one time in his last ten games, but has a great chance to break out of his funk tonight against the Cavaliers. He’s a player that does everything on the floor well, which gives him the ability to contribute in all facets of the game. He is averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game this season. Tonight he draws a favorable matchup against Kevin Love and the Cavaliers, who are ranked 24th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing power forwards.
Cleveland
The Cavaliers host the Hawks in what is expected to be a close, high-scoring game. This is a decent fantasy matchup, as the Hawks are ranked 8th in defensive efficiency and 25th in rebounding differential.
Injury Note: Kevin Love is a game-time decision for tonight’s game. If he is forced to sit, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao would both see a major uptick in minutes and production.
Elite Plays
LeBron James (FD: $10900, DK: $11600 / MPG: 38 / Usage Rate: 30.6)
It’s hard to argue against LeBron as an elite play anytime that he steps on the floor. He has been absolutely locked in over his last five games, averaging 29 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks per game. While DeMarre Carroll is a good defender, the Hawks have been pretty average against opposing small forwards, ranking 16th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes. James is a better play on FD than he is on DK, but is certainly worth a look on both sites.
Secondary Plays
Kyrie Irving (FD: $8200, DK: $9100 / MPG: 38 / Usage Rate: 23.1)
Irving is an FD-specific play tonight. His price on DK takes him out of consideration, unless you want to target him as a contrarian tournament play. On the season, he is averaging 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Plus, he may have to shoulder more of the load offensively if Kevin Love is not able to suit up.
Phoenix at Charlotte
- Vegas Line – Phoenix -1, 200.5 Over/Under
- Phoenix Proj. Starters – Dragic-Bledsoe-Tucker-Morris-Len
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Stephenson-Kidd-Gilchrist-Zeller-Jefferson
| Phoenix | Charlotte | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 200.5 |  | Vegas Total | 200.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -1.0 | Vegas Sprd | 1.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.8 | Team Proj. | 99.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 98.90 | Team Pace | 94.18 | |||||||||
| 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 | Goran Dragic | Eric Bledsoe | P.J. Tucker | Markieff Morris | Alex Len | Proj Starter | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Cody Zeller | Al Jefferson | |
| Opp. Season | 29 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 16 | Opp. Season | 10 | 25 | 6 | 14 | 23 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 17 | Opp. Last 7 | 10 | 18 | 21 | 5 | 20 | |
Phoenix
The Suns travel to Charlotte to take on the struggling Hornets. Vegas is expecting this to be a very competitive game, as the Suns are listed as 1-point favorites in a game that features a total of 200.5 points. Fantasy-wise, this is a very favorable matchup. The Hornets are ranked 24th in defensive efficiency, 23rd in rebounding differential, and they have given up an average of 101.5 points per game to their opponents.
Injury Note: Goran Dragic is probable for tonight’s game. This likely hurts the minutes/production of Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, and Isaiah Thomas.
Elite Plays
Markieff Morris (FD: $6800, DK: $6700 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 22.7)
Morris has been inconsistent this season, but those bad fantasy outings have kept his price at a very affordable level. Morris has 40 fantasy point upside, yet he’s price under $7,000 on both FD and DK tonight. Morris can score in the post, as well as knock down open jumpers. He should get plenty of open looks tonight against the Hornets, who are ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing power forwards. Dollar for dollar, Morris is one of my favorite plays tonight for both cash games and for GPPs.
Secondary Plays
Eric Bledsoe (FD: $8000, DK: $8900 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 23.4)
Bledsoe is still in play tonight, but he’s no longer an elite fantasy option with both Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas back in the lineup. At least not at his current price point. That said, he does make an interesting tournament play, as he has incredible upside. He also draws a decent matchup against the Hornets, who as mentioned above, have really struggled defensively this season.
Charlotte
The Hornets are an absolute mess right now. They are 6-18 on the season and they are already trying to shop newly acquired Lance Stephenson. This team has little chemistry and it has shown on both ends of the floor. The good news is that they face an up-tempo Suns team tonight that is giving up an average of 103.9 points per game to their opponents. This could finally be the game where their offense gets back on track.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Al Jefferson (FD: $8300, DK: $8300 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 28)
Jefferson’s price has come down on both FD and DK, making him a very appealing fantasy option tonight against the Suns. Not only is his price down, but the Suns are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing centers. Jefferson still has an elite usage rate in this offense and should be in for a very productive fantasy outing. The only thing holding him back from being an elite play is Chris Kaman and his extremely cheap price tag. It’s going to be hard to fade Kaman tonight with Robin Lopez out.
Kemba Walker (FD: $7400, DK: $7900 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 23.5)
Walker has a very appealing price tag on FD tonight and he is finally starting to play more like the Walker from last season. He has scored at least 37 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He should excel in an up-tempo game against the Suns, who are ranked 11th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing point guards this season.
Orlando at Boston
- Vegas Line – Boston -4, 199.5 Over/Under
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Oladipo-Fournier-Harris-Frye-Vucevic
- Boston Proj. Starters – Rondo-Bradley-Green-Sullinger-Zeller
| Orlando | Boston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 199.5 |  | Vegas Total | 199.5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 97.8 | Team Proj. | 101.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.71 | Team Pace | 100.77 | |||||||||
| 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 | Victor Oladipo | Evan Fournier | Tobias Harris | Channing Frye | Nikola Vucevic | Proj Starter | Rajon Rondo | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Tyler Zeller | |
| Opp. Season | 26 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 26 | Opp. Season | 25 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 29 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 13 | 8 | 14 | 3 | 28 | Opp. Last 7 | 29 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 24 | |
Orlando
The Magic head to Boston to take on the Celtics in one of the more fantasy-friendly matchups on the board. The Celtics are the fastest-paced team in the NBA. They are also a below-average team defensively, ranking 16th in defensive efficiency and giving up 101.9 points per game. The Magic’s projected team total tonight is 98 points, which is a full five points higher than their season average.
Elite Plays
Nikola Vucevic (FD: $8400, DK: $9200 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 25.3)
This is a game where Vucevic should be able to dominate the paint. His price on DK looks about right, but he’s grossly underpriced on FD at only $8,400. Vucevic has been a double-double machine this season and should have no problems adding another one tonight against the Celtics, who are ranked 19th in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers this season.
Tobias Harris (FD: $7100, DK: $7200 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 24.1)
Harris is one of my favorite plays at small forward tonight. He has a high ceiling, which puts him in play for tournaments. He also has a high floor, which puts him in play for cash games. He also draws a terrific matchup against the fast-paced Celtics, who love to get out in transition and run. Harris is a player that is at his best in transition, as he is extremely tough to stop in the open floor.
Secondary Plays
Victor Oladipo (FD: $6400, DK: $6600 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 24.2)
Oladipo is still listed as a shooting guard on both FD and DK, even though every start that he has started at point guard all season. This is a bonus because it allows you to take up to three point guards on FD and up to four point guards on DK. Oladipo has been playing well recently and draws one of the best fantasy matchups on the board. Not only are the Celtics the fastest-paced team in the league, but they are ranked 27th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing point guards. He is a borderline elite play tonight.
Boston
The Celtics are clinging onto hope in the Eastern Conference. They are 8-14 on the season, but are only a game and a half out of the 8th seed. Tonight they host the Magic in a game that should be full of fantasy goodness. The Magic are ranked 18th in defensive efficiency and 19th in rebounding differential this season.
Injury Note: Marcus Smart and Marcus Thornton are both expected to miss tonight’s game. Avery Bradley sees a small boost in their absence.
Elite Plays
Rajon Rondo (FD: $8400, DK: $8500 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 17.4)
Rondo has incredible upside thanks to his ability to contribute in multiple statistical categories. He’s one of the only players in the NBA that can truly take over a game without scoring. He is averaging 8 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals per game this season. His playing time of 32 minutes per game is a bit concerning, but that should be more than enough time for him to rack up the stats tonight. He draws a prime matchup against the Magic, who are ranked 29th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing point guards.
Secondary Plays
Jeff Green (FD: $6600, DK: $6600 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 24.5)
Green is one of those players that can put fantasy points up in a hurry. He’s a good scorer, a good rebounder, and a good defender. His ability to fill up all areas of the stat sheet give him a very high ceiling. Tonight he matches up against Tobias Harris and the Magic, who are ranked 18th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing small forwards. Harris is the safer option of the two for cash games, but Green’s upside makes him a terrific target for tournaments.
Avery Bradley (FD: $4600, DK: $4200 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 20.1)
With Marcus Thornton and Marcus Smart both expected to miss tonight’s game, Bradley should see some extended playing time. He’s very affordable on both FD and DK and offers some nice salary cap relief at shooting guard. Using a 5x salary value system, he only needs to score around 22 fantasy points in order to reach value, which he is more than capable of.
Dallas at Detroit
- Vegas Line – Dallas -6, 204 Over/Under
- Dallas Proj. Starters – Nelson-Ellis-Parsons-Nowitzki-Chandler
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Jennings-Caldwell-Pope-Singler-Smith-Drummond
| Dallas | Detroit | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 204.0 |  | Vegas Total | 204.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -6.0 | Vegas Sprd | 6.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 105.0 | Team Proj. | 99.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.23 | Team Pace | 94.68 | |||||||||
| 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 Nowitzki | Tyson Chandler | Proj Starter | Brandon Jennings | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Kyle Singler | Josh Smith | Andre Drummond | |
| Opp. Season | 15 | 20 | 10 | 27 | 25 | Opp. Season | 24 | 19 | 19 | 6 | 6 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 22 | 7 | 10 | 25 | 9 | Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 3 | 23 | 11 | 1 | |
Dallas
The Mavericks are playing in the second half of back-to-back tonight. Nothing has been announced, but make sure to check the injury news closer to tip-off, as the Mavericks have rested Dirk Nowitzki on the second half of back-to-backs a couple of times this season. The Mavericks take on the Pistons tonight, who have been awful on both ends of the floor this season. They are ranked 21st in defensive efficiency this season, giving up an average of 99.8 points per game to their opponents.
Elite Plays
Dirk Nowitzki (FD: $7300, DK: $6100 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 27.2)
Nowitzki is grossly underpriced on DK tonight. He’s a strong play on FD at $7,300 and close to a must-play on DK at $6,100. As long as he gets the green light to play tonight (second half of a back-to-back), he should be targeted in all league formats. He only needs 30.5 fantasy points to reach value and he is averaging 31.7 per game this season (DK scoring). Plus, he draws a favorable matchup against the Pistons, who are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing power forwards.
Secondary Plays
Monta Ellis (FD: $7800, DK: $7900 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 28.9)
Ellis has really been playing well over the last couple of weeks. He has scored at least 38 fantasy points in five of his last ten games. He has one of the highest usage rates in the NBA (28.9), especially when you consider the fact that he’s a shooting guard. The Mavericks are playing in the second half of a back-to-back, but Ellis shouldn’t be limited as he only played 32 minutes last night.
Detroit
The Pistons are a dumpster fire right now. Sure, they have won two out of their last three games, but those have been their only two wins in their last ten games. Tonight they host the Mavericks in what is expected to be a fast-paced game. The total is set at 204 points and the Mavericks haven’t been great defensively this season. Even in a favorable matchup, the Pistons are best suited as tournament-only plays tonight.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Josh Smith (FD: $8100, DK: $7700 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 25.2)
Unless he is facing a team like the Lakers or Sixers, I do not touch Josh Smith in cash games. He’s a risky cash option because he’s an inconsistent player that plays on an inconsistent team. That said, I can’t argue with his upside. He has legitimate 50 fantasy point upside, which makes him a strong tournament play. Tonight he draws a favorable matchup against the Mavericks, who are ranked 23rd in fantasy points allowed to opposing small forwards.
Utah at Miami
- Vegas Line – Miami -4, 188 Over/Under
- Utah Proj. Starters – Burke-Burks-Hayward-Kanter-Gobert
- Miami Proj. Starters – Cole-Wade-Deng-Haslem-Hamilton
| Utah | Miami | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 188.0 |  | Vegas Total | 188.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 92.0 | Team Proj. | 96.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 92.84 | Team Pace | 91.48 | |||||||||
| 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 | Norris Cole | Dwyane Wade | Luol Deng | Udonis Haslem | Justin Hamilton | |
| Opp. Season | 12 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 22 | Opp. Season | 20 | 11 | 14 | 28 | 2 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 12 | 15 | 5 | 16 | 21 | Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 23 | 17 | 24 | 29 | |
Utah
The Jazz almost picked up a big win over the Pelicans last night, but some awful defense in the fourth quarter allowed the Pelicans to get the come from behind win. The Jazz now have to travel to Miami to take on the Heat. The good news for the Jazz is that they are facing a very short-handed Miami team. This game is expected to be played at a snail’s pace though, as the total of 188 points is easily the lowest on the board.
Injury Note: Derrick Favors is questionable for tonight’s game. If he is forced to sit, 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)
Both Kanter and Gobert are in play tonight if Derrick Favors is out. If Favors sits, Kanter will be the feature big man in the Jazz offense. In his last three games without Favors (including the game Favors got hurt), Kanter has averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds per game. He should be able to dominate the short-handed front-court of the Heat.
Rudy Gobert (FD: $4400, DK: $5000 / MPG: 17 / Usage Rate: 14.3)
In the last three games without Favors, Gobert is averaging 7 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks per game. His offensive game still needs some work, but he is extremely long which allows him to rack up the rebounds and blocks. Check the injury news throughout the day and plug Gobert in if he draws another start tonight.
Secondary Plays
None
Miami
The Heat will try to keep the ship afloat while Chris Bosh is out with his injury. Dwyane Wade is going to have to take over offensively, although the Heat have sat him out on the second half of back-to-backs quite a few times over the last couple of seasons. I don’t think they can afford to rest him tonight, but make sure to keep your eye on it just in case. The Heat draw a favorable matchup tonight against the Jazz, who are ranked 29th in defensive efficiency this season.
Injury Note: Chris Bosh will not play tonight. Justin Hamilton, Udonis Haslem, and Shawne Williams will all see a boost in his absence.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Dwyane Wade (FD: $7600, DK: $8100 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 33.3)
Wade is going to have to take over while Chris Bosh is out. He played well in last night’s win over the Nets, as he finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. As long as he is in the lineup tonight, he will make for a very interesting fantasy option against the Jazz, who are ranked 20th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing shooting guards.
Luol Deng (FD: $6100, DK: $6300 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 20.4)
With Bosh out, Deng becomes the number two option offensively. He played well in last night’s win with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. His price is a little higher than I’d like to pay for him, but he does have a very high floor considering his increased usage rate with Bosh out. Deng is a safe cash game play tonight against the Jazz, who are ranked 13th in fantasy points allowed per 48 minutes to opposing small forwards.