NBA Grind Down Wednesday, November 19th
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
San Antonio at Cleveland
- Vegas Line – Cleveland -2.5, 203 Over/Under
- San Antonio Proj. Starters – Parker-Green-Leonard-Duncan-Bonner
- Cleveland Proj. Starters – Irving-Marion-James-Love-Varejao
| San Antonio | Cleveland | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 203 |  | Vegas Total | 203 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | 2.5 | Vegas Sprd | -2.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 100.3 | Team Proj. | 102.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.84 | Team Pace | 95.66 | |||||||||
| 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 | Tiago Splitter | Proj Starter | Kyrie Irving | Shawn Marion | LeBron James | Kevin Love | Anderson Varejao | |
| Opp. Season | 20 | 14 | 18 | 28 | 17 | Opp. Season | 10 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 7 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 25 | 6 | 16 | 21 | 25 | Opp. Last 7 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 4 | |
San Antonio
While this isn’t technically a finals re-match, it’s as close to one as we are going to get. The Spurs come into tonight’s game as 2.5-point underdogs with the total set at 203 points. While the Cavaliers offense has been rolling over the last few games, their defense has still been a liability. On the season, the Cavaliers are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency, allowing opponents to score an average of 104.3 points per game. This is one of the few instances where we don’t have to worry about getting “Pop’ed” as the Spurs don’t play again until Friday.
Elite Plays
Kawhi Leonard (FD: $6700, DK: $7300 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 20.6)
Leonard is one of the top plays at SF tonight. He has had a great track record against LeBron James and he’s more involved in the Spurs offense than he ever has been. Leonard is averaging 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists in only 30 minutes per game. We can safely expect his playing time to top 35+ minutes tonight barring foul trouble. He’s going to be hard to pass up on FanDuel at only $6,700.
Secondary Plays
Tim Duncan (FD: $7700, DK: $8200 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 22.6)
The ‘Big Fundamental’ is having another terrific season. He is averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. He draws a favorable matchup against Kevin Love and the Cavaliers, who are ranked 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing PFs this season.
Tony Parker (FD: $6700, DK: $6800 / MPG: 32 / Usage Rate: 24.1)
Parker has the highest usage rate of any player on the Spurs. That bodes well for his fantasy value as well tonight against the Cavs in what should be a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Kyrie Irving has been one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league over the last few years, and it shows in the Cavaliers’ DvP rankings.
Cleveland
Right when the Cavaliers started to gain some momentum, they lose to the Nuggets in game where they were close to double-digit favorites. They will look to get back on track tonight against the defending-champion Spurs. The total of 203 points is encouraging, but this is a fairly tough matchup on paper. The Spurs play at a slightly below average pace (95.8 possessions per 48 minutes), are they are ranked third in defensive efficiency. If you look at the Spurs’ DvP rankings, they are ranked in the top ten against four of the five positions on the floor.
Elite Plays
Kyrie Irving (FD: $8000, DK: $8000 / MPG: 38 / Usage Rate: 23.8)
Over his last four games, Irving is averaging 25 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. His usage rate has also gone up during that stretch which is promising for his fantasy value moving forward. Tonight he squares off against Tony Parker who is not an elite defender at this point in his career. While I also think LeBron James is in play, if you want some exposure to the Cavaliers, take the discount and go with Irving.
Secondary Plays
LeBron James (FD: $10600, DK: $10800 / MPG: 39 / Usage Rate: 31.1)
LeBron has been terrific over his last six games. He has scored 43, 48, 59, 55, 49, and 40 fantasy points (FD scoring) during that stretch. His usage rate of 31.1 is one of the highest in the NBA. That said, he draws a tough matchup against Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs. He may not be worth his hefty price tag tonight.
Kevin Love (FD: $8600, DK: $8700 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 20.6)
Love has been tough to predict this season. While I’d like to see more consistency out of him, he is in a great spot tonight against the Spurs, who are ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing PFs this season. Love is coming off a nice outing against the Nuggets in which he put up 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Charlotte at Indiana
- Vegas Line – Charlotte -2.5, 181.5 Over/Under
- Charlotte Proj. Starters – Walker-Stephenson-Henderson-Williams-Jefferson
- Indiana Proj. Starters – Sloan-Hill-Copeland-Scola-Hibbert
| Charlotte | Indiana | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 181 |  | Vegas Total | 181 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -2.5 | Vegas Sprd | 2.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 92.0 | Team Proj. | 89.5 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 94.20 | Team Pace | 92.80 | |||||||||
| 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 | Kemba Walker | Lance Stephenson | Gerald Henderson | Marvin Williams | Al Jefferson | Proj Starter | Donald Sloan | Solomon Hill | Chris Copeland | Luis Scola | Roy Hibbert | |
| Opp. Season | 22 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 30 | Opp. Season | 27 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 16 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 3 | 27 | 15 | 4 | 11 | Opp. Last 7 | 29 | 5 | 13 | 16 | 20 | |
Charlotte
The Hornets are plagued with injuries right now. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Gary Neal, and P.J. Hairston are all out for tonight’s game against the Pacers. Gerald Henderson will draw another start at SF. Lance Stephenson should also see a boost. Tonight, the Hornets are 2.5-point favorites against the Pacers in a game that features a low total of only 181 points. This is a bad matchup for DFS, as the Pacers are a slow paced team that is ranked in the top ten in defensive efficiency.
Elite Plays
Lance Stephenson (FD: $6900, DK: $6700 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 18.3)
Stephenson has gotten off to a slow start offensively, but he is still averaging 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. With Gary Neal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and P.J. Hairson all out for tonight’s game, Stephenson could see close to 40 minutes of action. He draws a favorable matchup against the Pacers who are ranked 25th in fantasy points allowed to opposing SGs this season. It also doesn’t hurt that this is a revenge game for Stephenson, as he will be facing his former team for the first time in his career.
Secondary Plays
Al Jefferson (FD: $8600, DK: $7500 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 30)
Roy Hibbert has been known as an elite defender all throughout his career, but that hasn’t been the case this season. The Pacers are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing centers. Jefferson’s numbers are down this season, but the good news is that his usage rate is increasing each game. He’s a safe cash game option tonight against the Pacers.
Indiana
The Pacers are close to getting a few guys back from injury. Rodney Stuckey is expected to play tonight, but David West, C.J. Watson, and George Hill have all been ruled out. They draw a very tough matchup tonight against the Hornets. Not only do the Hornets play at a slow pace (94.2 possessions per 48 minutes), but they are a good defensive team. With the total set at only 181 points, it may not be a bad idea to avoid the Pacers altogether tonight.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Roy Hibbert (FD: $6700, DK: $7000 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 21.3)
Hibbert has been a consistent fantasy option this season. He is averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks per game. He’s been much more involved in the offense this season, primarily out of necessity. He’s a serviceable cash game option tonight against the Hornets, who are ranked 16th against centers this season.
Solomon Hill (FD: $5400, DK: $5300 / MPG: 34 / Usage Rate: 19.3)
The return of Rodney Stuckey will likely cut into Hill’s minutes, but it sounds like Stuckey will be on a minute-restriction, so Hill should continue to see 35+ minutes of action in the near future. Hill has topped 20 fantasy points (FD scoring) in each of his last five games.
L.A. Clippers at Orlando
- Vegas Line – L.A. Clippers -4.5, 202.5 Over/Under
- L.A. Clippers Proj. Starters – Paul-Redick-Barnes-Griffin-Jordan
- Orlando Proj. Starters – Oladipo-Fournier-Harris-Frye-Vucevic
| L.A. Clippers | Orlando | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 202 |  | Vegas Total | 202 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -4.5 | Vegas Sprd | 4.5 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 103.5 | Team Proj. | 99.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 96.97 | Team Pace | 95.84 | |||||||||
| 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 | Chris Paul | J.J. Redick | Matt Barnes | Blake Griffin | DeAndre Jordan | Proj Starter | Victor Oladipo | Evan Fournier | Tobias Harris | Channing Frye | Nikola Vucevic | |
| Opp. Season | 7 | 28 | 10 | 18 | 26 | Opp. Season | 13 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 18 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 5 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 24 | Opp. Last 7 | 22 | 28 | 3 | 15 | 27 | |
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers head to Orlando to try to right the ship. They are 5-4 to open the season and have had some horrific outings this season. They come into tonight’s game as 4.5-point underdogs in a game that features a total of 202 points. The Magic are an average-paced team (95.8 possessions per 48 minutes), that is ranked 12th in defensive efficiency and 11th in rebounding differential. The matchup screams mediocre, but both of the Clippers’ bigs are in play.
Elite Plays
DeAndre Jordan (FD: $7500, DK: $7700 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 10.1)
It took him a while for him to get going, but Jordan looks to be in mid-season form now. Over his last five games, he is averaging 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game. During that stretch, he topped 34 fantasy points (FD scoring) in every single game. His price will likely go up soon, so this may be your last chance to take him at this price. He has a great matchup against the Magic, who are ranked 26th against opposing centers this season.
Blake Griffin (FD: $9400, DK: $9500 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 31.1)
Griffin has only topped 40 fantasy points (FD scoring) once in his last five games. That’s not exactly a promising statistic, but his usage rate of 31.1 stands out like a sore thumb. To compare, his usage rate is a full 10 points higher than Chris Paul’s. Griffin’s price is still reasonable on both FD and DK and he draws a favorable matchup against Channing Frye.
Secondary Plays
Chris Paul (FD: $10100, DK: $10000 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 20.9)
Paul is a secondary play tonight for two reasons. First, is his price. He’s over $10,000 on both FD and DK. Second, is the fact that he is a PG. There are a ton of viable options at the position. While Paul is in a decent spot tonight, he’ll likely have a low level of ownership thanks to his hefty price tag.
Orlando
The Magic have been a DFS favorite here in the early going. They are full of viable fantasy options. Tonight they square off against the Clippers who are ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency, allowing opponents to score 102.7 points per game.
Elite Plays
Victor Oladipo (FD: $7100, DK: $6600 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 26.5)
Oladipo has had mixed results in his first three games of the season, but the most promising stat is his high usage rate of 26.4. Oladipo is an electric player that can fill up the stat sheet on both ends of the floor. The best part about Oladipo is that he is still listed as a SG on both FD and DK. This allows you to take as many as three PGs on FD and four PGs on DK. The matchup against Chris Paul isn’t idea, but he’s one of my favorite tournament plays on the board.
Secondary Plays
Tobias Harris (FD: $7200, DK: $7300 / MPG: 37 / Usage Rate: 23.8)
If you are a fan of Harris tonight, it’s going to be hard to talk you off of him. On the season, he is averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. His price is still reasonable on both FD and DK. I prefer Kawhi Leonard over Harris at SF, but it’s pretty close.
Boston at Philadelphia
- Vegas Line – Boston -4, 210 Over/Under
- Boston Proj. Starters – Rondo-Bradley-Green-Sullinger-Olynyk
- Philadelphia Proj. Starters – Wroten-Thompson-Mbah a Moute-Davies-Sims
| Boston | Philadelphia | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 210 |  | Vegas Total | 210 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -4.0 | Vegas Sprd | 4.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 107.0 | Team Proj. | 103.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 99.98 | Team Pace | 100.79 | |||||||||
| 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 | Rajon Rondo | Avery Bradley | Jeff Green | Jared Sullinger | Kelly Olynyk | Proj Starter | Tony Wroten | Hollis Thompson | Mbah a Moute | Brandon Davies | Henry Sims | |
| Opp. Season | 3 | 30 | 28 | 14 | 15 | Opp. Season | 25 | 13 | 13 | 30 | 1 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 30 | 8 | Opp. Last 7 | 30 | 3 | 18 | 28 | 5 | |
Boston
The Celtics continue to be a personal favorite of mine to see on the schedule. The reasoning is simple: they love to push the pace (99.9 possessions per 48 minutes), and they don’t bother playing a ton of defense (ranked 28th in defensive efficiency). Tonight they square off against a Sixers team that plays a very similar style of basketball. I expect this to be the fastest-paced game of the night. I wouldn’t hesitate to target as many as three Celtics in your lineups tonight.
Elite Plays
Rajon Rondo (FD: $8900, DK: $8800 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 19)
Rondo should be one of the most popular plays tonight. He is a threat to post a triple-double every time he steps onto the floor, and he draws a dream matchup against the Sixers. Not only are the Sixers one of the fastest-paced teams in the league, but they are also one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Rondo is averaging 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists per game and should be able to produce a similar stat line tonight.
Jared Sullinger (FD: $6800, DK: $7300 / MPG: 30 / Usage Rate: 21.8)
Sullinger has been one of my favorite fantasy plays over the last two weeks. Even though his price has come up a bit, he seems a little too cheap on both FD and DK. On the season, he is averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. There are few better matchups than the one Sullinger has tonight. The Sixers are ranked dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing PFs over the last seven days. They are also ranked dead last in rebounding differential. It’s double-double time for Sully.
Secondary Plays
Jeff Green (FD: $6900, DK: $6900 / MPG: 35 / Usage Rate: 23.8)
Green has shown that he has 50-fantasy point upside, but what impresses me most is that he has finally developed a level of consistency in his game. Green has scored at least 22 fantasy points (FD scoring) in every game but one this season. The Sixers are ranked 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing SFs this season.
Kelly Olynyk (FD: $5600, DK: $6300 / MPG: 27 / Usage Rate: 18.3)
We all got “Olynyked” the other night against the Suns. Olynyk picked up foul after foul, and eventually, Brad Stevens just sat him down and let Tyler Zeller take his minutes. Olynyk’s ownership level will take a huge hit thanks to recency bias, but I’m hopping back on the bandwagon as the Sixers are the worst rebounding team in the NBA.
Philadelphia
The Sixers have yet to pick up a win this season, but have a great chance to do just that tonight against the Celtics. They are only 4-point underdogs which should be a nice change of pace from their past few games where they were double-digit underdogs. Brett Brown has not said anything about a change to starting lineup, which means Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel will likely be coming off of the bench once again.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Tony Wroten (FD: $6700, DK: $5700 / MPG: 33 / Usage Rate: 30.5)
Wroten’s production has obviously taken a hit with Michael Carter-Williams back, but he’s still shown an ability to put up 35 fantasy points playing next to him. Wroten’s price has come way down, especially on DK where he is only $5,700. Wroten is at his best in transition which bodes well for his matchup against the uptempo Celtics. I’ll label him as an ‘elite play’ on DK and a ‘secondary play’ on FD tonight.
Dallas at Washington
- Vegas Line – Dallas -2, 200.5 Over/Under
- Dallas Proj. Starters – Nelson-Ellis-Parsons-Nowitzki-Chandler
- Washington Proj. Starters – Wall-Beal (?)-Pierce-Hilario-Gortat
| Dallas | Washington | |||||||||||
 | Vegas Total | 200 |  | Vegas Total | 200 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -2.0 | Vegas Sprd | 2.0 | |||||||||
| Team Proj. | 101.3 | Team Proj. | 99.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 95.36 | Team Pace | 95.47 | |||||||||
| 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 | John Wall | Bradley Beal (?) | Paul Pierce | Nene Hilario | Marcin Gortat | |
| Opp. Season | 1 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 6 | Opp. Season | 16 | 8 | 24 | 7 | 8 | |
| Opp. Last 7 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 22 | 1 | Opp. Last 7 | 2 | 13 | 29 | 2 | 13 | |
Dallas
The Mavericks continue to play well, but they continue to be a team that I fade in daily fantasy basketball. They are such a well-balanced team, that there are few instances where we can predict breakout games from individual players. Their matchup tonight against the Wizards is mediocre at best. The Wizards play at an average pace, and are ranked 6th in defensive efficiency this season.
Elite Plays
None
Secondary Plays
Chandler Parsons (FD: $6500, DK: $6500 / MPG: 31 / Usage Rate: 21.1)
Parsons got off to a slow start this season, but has been much more productive in recent outings. Over his last four games, he is averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He’s probably my favorite Mavericks’ player to target tonight as his price is very reasonable on both FD and DK.
Washington
Bradley Beal was expected to make his season debut tonight, but is now being listed as a game-time decision. Either way, he won’t be a recommended fantasy option until he starts to see a full complement of minutes. Beal’s presence will likely end the run for Garrett Temple as a value play and it may cut into Paul Pierce’s production as well. The Wizards matchup tonight against the Mavericks leaves much to be desired. The Mavericks play at a below average pace (95.4 possessions per 48 minutes), and are ranked 13th in defensive efficiency.
Elite Plays
John Wall (FD: $9100, DK: $9500 / MPG: 36 / Usage Rate: 28.1)
Wall has as much upside as any player on the board tonight, but he’s considerably cheaper than the likes of Chris Paul, James Harden, and LeBron James. For whatever reason, Wall has had terrific home splits over the last few seasons. He is averaging 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists at home this season. Tonight he draws a good matchup against Jameer Nelson and the Mavericks, who are ranked 16th against opposing PGs this season.
Secondary Plays
None