NBA Grind Down: Wednesday, December 3rd
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.
Editor’s Note: Sign up to ScoreStreak through our links and play $25 worth of games, and we will ship you a Free RotoGrinders Tee Shirt or Hat. Click here for details.
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
L.A. Lakers at Washington
- Vegas Line – Washington -9, 208 Over/Under
- L.A. Lakers Proj. Starters – Lin-Bryant-Johnson-Boozer-Hill
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal-Pierce-Humphries-Gortat
| L.A. Lakers | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 208.0 |  | Vegas Total | 208.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 9.0 | Vegas Sprd | -9.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 99.75 | Team Proj. | 108.75 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 97.37 | Team Pace | 95.10 | |||||||||
| 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 | Jeremy Lin | Kobe Bryant | Wesley Johnson | Carlos Boozer | Jordan Hill | Proj Starter | John Wall | Bradley Beal | Paul Pierce | Kris Humphries | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 2 | 5 | 22 | 7 | 3 | Opp. Season | 30 | 18 | 27 | 23 | 12 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 16 | 3 | Opp. Last 7 | 29 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 20 | |
L.A. Lakers
The Lakers picked up a win in Detroit last night, despite 10 turnovers from Kobe Bryant. They will look for their third win in a row tonight as they head to Washington to take on the Wizards. Vegas has the Lakers listed as 9-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 208 points. The Lakers are projected to score close to 100 points, but this is a fairly tough matchup. The Wizards are ranked 5th in defensive efficiency and 9th in total rebounding differential this season.
Elite Plays
Kobe Bryant (FD: $9200, DK: $9400 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 36)
Bryant had one of his worst games of the season last night. While he did have 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists, he had a whopping 10 turnovers. Bryant is one of those players that will want to bounce back strongly tonight. He rarely has bad games back-to-back. Bryant has the second highest usage rate in the NBA at 36.0 this season. He does draw a tough matchup against the Wizards, but dollar for dollar, he’s a better play than James Harden tonight.
Secondary Plays
Jordan Hill (FD: $6700, DK: $6500 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 18.9)
Hill backed up a 16 and 12 performance against the Raptors with a 22 and 13 performance against the Pistons last night. On the season, he is averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. The Wizards have been tough against opposing centers this season, but Hill should has a good chance of posting another double-double.
Washington
The Wizards are 11-5 to open the season, with a 7-2 record at home. They should be able to pick up their 12th win of the season tonight as they face the Lakers at home. In terms of the matchup, this is one of the better ones on the board. The Lakers are ranked dead last in both defensive efficiency and points allowed per game. The Wizards are projected to score 108 points tonight, which is a full 10 points higher than their season average.
Injury Note: Nene Hilario is not expected to play tonight. Kris Humphries will likely draw another start in his place.
Elite Plays
John Wall (FD: $9000, DK: $10200 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 26.7)
It’s fairly simple with Wall. You want to target him when he is playing at home. His home/road splits over the last two seasons are staggering. In nine home games this season, Wall is averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 12 assists per game. Tonight he draws a premier matchup against the Lakers, who are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to PGs per 48 minutes. His price of $9,000 on FD is just cheap to pass up.
Bradley Beal (FD: $6600, DK: $5700 / MPG: 29 / Usage Rate: 23.1)
Beal has gotten off to an extremely slow start this season. He hasn’t topped 21 fantasy points in any of his last four games. That said, do you know what the cure for an offensive slump is? It’s the Lakers with a side of Kobe Bryant’s defense. The Lakers are currently ranked 22nd in fantasy points allowed to SGs per 48 minutes. This is a great time to buy low on Beal. At $5,700 on DK, he makes a solid target in both cash games and tournaments.
Secondary Plays
Marcin Gortat (FD: $7100, DK: $7000 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 19.2)
Nene Hilario is not expected to play tonight, which gives Gortat a small fantasy boost. Gortat is only averaging 31 minutes per game this season, but he is still averaging 13 points and 9 rebounds per game. He should be a monster on the glass tonight, as the Lakers are ranked 21st in total rebounding differential.
Chicago at Charlotte
- Vegas Line – Chicago -4.5, 192.5 Over/Under
- Chicago Proj. Starters – Rose-Butler-Dunleavy-Gasol-Noah
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Stephenson-Henderson-Williams(Q)-Jefferson
| Chicago | Charlotte | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 192.0 |  | Vegas Total | 192.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -4.5 | Vegas Sprd | 4.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 98.5 | Team Proj. | 94.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.01 | Team Pace | 94.05 | |||||||||
| 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 | Derrick Rose | Jimmy Butler | Mike Dunleavy | Pau Gasol | Joakim Noah | Proj Starter | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | Gerald Henderson | Marvin Williams | Al Jefferson | |
| Opp. Season | 29 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 14 | Opp. Season | 23 | 4 | 26 | 8 | 25 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 24 | 16 | Opp. Last 7 | 27 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 19 | |
Chicago
The Bulls will be playing on tired legs tonight after losing to the Mavericks in double-overtime last night. Taj Gibson has already been ruled out for this game. Joakim Noah tweaked his ankle last night, but is considered probable. Derrick Rose expects to play, but says that it depends on how he is feeling. With the Bulls, you always have to be on high alert for last minute scratches. Tonight the Bulls head to Charlotte to take on the slow-paced Hornets. The total for this game is set at 192 points.
Elite Plays
Pau Gasol (FD: $8900, DK: $8200 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 25.8)
For whatever reason, Gasol had a very low level of ownership last night. Even though he logged 50 minutes, he should see all of the minutes he can handle again tonight with Taj Gibson out and Joakim Noah banged up. Gasol should be able to dominate the paint tonight against the Hornets, who are ranked 25th in fantasy points allowed to PFs per 48 minutes. Marvin Williams will not be able to defend him on the block and I fully expect another well-rounded fantasy outing from Gasol.
Jimmy Butler (FD: $8000, DK: $7300 / MPG: 39 / Usage Rate: 22.5)
I seem to have the same write-up for Butler every night. He is having a breakout season, averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His price has come up on FD, but he’s still very affordable on DK at only $7,300. Butler rarely has bad games and is a very safe target for cash games. The Hornets have been average at defending SGs this season (16th in fantasy points allowed to SGs per 48 minutes).
Secondary Plays
None
Charlotte
The Hornets have now lost nine straight games. This is not the season that Hornets fans had in mind after they made the playoffs last season. If anything, expectations were higher than ever after signing Lance Stephenson in the off-season. Tonight they face a tired Bulls team, which could be good from a fantasy perspective. The Bulls play at a relatively fast pace and no longer own a top five defense.
Elite Plays
Al Jefferson (FD: $8500, DK: $8600 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 29.4)
Jefferson is the one Hornets player that I will likely have some exposure to tonight. Despite having Noah, Gasol, and Gibson on the roster, the Bulls are only ranked 14th in rebounding differential this season. Jefferson still has an elite usage rate of 29.4. He has a favorable matchup against the Bulls, who have not defended the center position well this season. If the Hornets are going to end their losing streak, they will need a big outing from Big Al.
Secondary Plays
Kemba Walker (FD: $7000, DK: $7699 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 22.9)
Walker is not a recommended play in cash games. There are too many other options at the PG position. That said, he does make an interesting tournament option. Walker has topped 33 fantasy points in five of his last six games. He also draws a favorable matchup against the Bulls, who are ranked 23rd in fantasy points allowed to PGs per 48 minutes.
Detroit at Boston
- Vegas Line – Boston -4, 204 Over/Under
- Detroit Proj. Starters – Jennings-Caldwell-Pope-Singler-Smith-Drummond
- Boston Proj. Starters – Rondo-Bradley-Green-Sullinger-Zeller
| Detroit | Boston | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 204 |  | Vegas Total | 204 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.0 | Team Proj. | 104.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 93.81 | Team Pace | 100.03 | |||||||||
| 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 | Brandon Jennings | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Kyle Singler | Josh Smith | Andre Drummond | Proj Starter | Rajon Rondo | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Tyler Zeller | |
| Opp. Season | 28 | 10 | 2 | 30 | 2 | Opp. Season | 6 | 29 | 6 | 16 | 24 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 17 | 16 | 3 | 30 | 6 | Opp. Last 7 | 13 | 25 | 24 | 12 | 4 | |
Detroit
The Pistons head to Boston to take on the Celtics tonight. Both teams are playing in the second half of back-to-backs and both teams are ranked in the bottom ten in defensive efficiency. This game has track meet written all over it. The Celtics have been a terrific team to target players against this season. They play at a very fast pace (100.0 possessions per 48 minutes) and are giving up 107.7 points per game, which is the third most of any team in the NBA.
Elite Plays
Josh Smith (FD: $7600, DK: $7500 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 24.6)
Smith is coming off of a monster fantasy outing against the Lakers. He finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Don’t be surprised to see him replicate that performance tonight against the Celtics. While Smith is in play either way, he does have more upside when he starts at power forward. The more he is around the basket, the better it is for his fantasy production. Smith is one of the top tournament plays of the night and can also be considered in cash games.
Secondary Plays
Andre Drummond (FD: $7200, DK: $8000 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 21)
It took him a month, but Drummond is finally rounding into form. He has scored at least 33 fantasy points in four of his last six games. His price on DK is a bit too high, but he’s very much in play on FD. Tonight he’ll match up against the likes of Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk, both of which will have a tough time keeping him off the glass.
Boston
As mentioned above, this game could easily turn into a track meet. Vegas has the total set at 204 points, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see both teams score well over 100. While the Pistons do play at a fairly slow pace, they struggle on the defensive end of the floor. On the season, they are ranked 20th in defensive efficiency, giving up an average of 98.8 points per game to their opponents.
Elite Plays
Rajon Rondo (FD: $8400, DK: $7500 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 17.7)
As I was watching the Celtics game last night, all I could think of is how great Rondo would be if he was more of a threat to score. He finished last night’s game with 2 points, 12 rebounds, and 19 assists. I prefer Kyle Lowry over Rondo on FD, but he’s one of my favorite plays on DK. Based on a 5x salary value system, Rondo only needs 37.5 fantasy points to reach value. He’s more than capable of that, as he is averaging 37.8 on the season.
Secondary Plays
Jared Sullinger (FD: $7000, DK: $7300 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 23.1)
It’s hard to argue against Sullinger as a viable fantasy option. He has been good and he has been consistent this season, averaging 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. Sullinger had 22 points and 9 rebounds in last night’s loss to the Hawks. Tonight the Celtics host the Pistons, who have been awful on the defensive end of the floor this season. Whether he matches up with Josh Smith or Greg Monroe, Sullinger should be in for another productive fantasy outing.
Atlanta at Miami
- Vegas Line – Miami -4, 199 Over/Under
- Atlanta Proj. Starters – Teague-Korver-Carroll-Millsap-Horford
- Miami Proj. Starters – Cole-Wade-Deng-Williams-Bosh
| Atlanta | Miami | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 199.0 |  | Vegas Total | 199.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 97.5 | Team Proj. | 101.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.38 | Team Pace | 91.93 | |||||||||
| 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 | Kyle Korver | DeMarre Carroll | Paul Millsap | Al Horford | Proj Starter | Norris Cole | Dwyane Wade | Luol Deng | Shawne Williams | Chris Bosh | |
| Opp. Season | 13 | 30 | 15 | 1 | 29 | Opp. Season | 17 | 22 | 12 | 21 | 7 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 18 | 4 | 21 | 3 | 27 | Opp. Last 7 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 11 | |
Atlanta
The Hawks are playing the second half of a back-to-back as they head to Miami to take on the Heat. The Hawks are 4-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 199 points. This will be a pace-down game for the Hawks, as the Heat only average 91.9 possessions per 48 minutes. The Heat aren’t great defensively, but there aren’t any options that really stand out on the Hawks tonight.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Paul Millsap (FD: $8300, DK: $8900 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 23)
Millsap has really played well recently. He has scored at least 36 fantasy points in six of his last nine games. He has a high usage rate of 23.0 this season. While the Heat have been stingy against opposing PFs this season, Millsap’s price on FD is still cheap enough to put him in play.
Miami
The Heat are 9-8 to start the season and currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are only a half game behind the Cavaliers, which has to make Heat fans feel good. Tonight they host the uptempo Hawks in a fantasy-friendly matchup. The Hawks are ranked 17th in defensive efficiency and 28th in total rebounding differential.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Dwyane Wade (FD: $7900, DK: $7000 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 31.3)
Wade is a DK-specific play tonight. Based on a 5x salary value system, he would only need to score 35 fantasy points to reach value. He’s certainly capable of reaching that mark and much more. On the season, Wade is averaging 35.6 fantasy points. Tonight he draws a favorable matchup against the Hawks, who are ranked 23rd in fantasy points allowed to SGs per 48 minutes. Don’t let his injury history scare you off of him tonight, he’s a highly recommended play on DK.
San Antonio at Brooklyn
- Vegas Line – San Antonio -8.5, 193 Over/Under
- San Antonio Proj. Starters – Parker-Green-Leonard-Duncan-Diaw
- Brooklyn Proj. Starters – Williams-Bogdanovic-Johnson-Garnett-Lopez
| San Antonio | Brooklyn | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 193.0 |  | Vegas Total | 193.0 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -8.5 | Vegas Sprd | 8.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.75 | Team Proj. | 92.25 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.27 | Team Pace | 95.15 | |||||||||
| 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 | Tony Parker | Danny Green | Kawhi Leonard | Tim Duncan | Boris Diaw | Proj Starter | Deron Williams | Bojan Bogdanovic | Joe Johnson | Kevin Garnett | Brook Lopez | |
| Opp. Season | 26 | 24 | 21 | 12 | 18 | Opp. Season | 7 | 1 | 25 | 22 | 4 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 4 | 24 | 2 | 28 | 13 | Opp. Last 7 | 9 | 6 | 26 | 13 | 8 | |
San Antonio
Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are both expected to play tonight. Tiago Splitter will miss yet another game. Tonight the Spurs head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets. Vegas has the Spurs listed as 8.5-point favorites in a game that features a total of 193 points. Fantasy-wise, this is a pretty average matchup. The Nets play at a slightly below average pace and are ranked 14th in defensive efficiency this season.
Elite Plays
Kawhi Leonard (FD: $7300, DK: $7600 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 22.1)
Leonard continues to play well when given big minutes. With Popovich, we can never accurately predict minutes, but there is not reason why Leonard wouldn’t see a full complement of minutes tonight. On the season, he is averaging 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. The Spurs are running more offensive plays for him this season and he should have his fingerprints all over tonight’s game against the Nets.
Secondary Plays
Tony Parker (FD: $6500, DK: $7200 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 24.9)
Parker should be well-rested after getting the night off against the Sixers. I really like his price on FD tonight, but again, he’s a tough sell with all of the other options at PG. Parker should play well against Deron Williams and the Nets, who are ranked 20th in fantasy points allowed to PGs per 48 minutes.
Brooklyn
The Spurs are always one of my least favorite teams to see on the schedule. Not only is their a threat of the Spurs players getting “Pop’d,” but their defense is one of the best in NBA, which makes it tough to target any players against them. They are currently ranked 3rd in defensive efficiency this season, holding their opponents to only 93.1 points per game. The Nets are an easy team to avoid altogether tonight.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
None