NBA Grind Down: Wednesday, November 25th - Page Three

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New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns – 9:00 PM

New Orleans Pelicans Phoenix Suns
Article Image Vegas Total 212.0 Article Image Vegas Total 212.0
Vegas Sprd 4.5 Vegas Sprd -4.5
Team Proj. 103.8 Team Proj. 108.3
Team Pace 100.40 Team Pace 102.40
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 Jrue Holiday Eric Gordon Alonzo Gee Anthony Davis Omer Asik Proj. Starter Eric Bledsoe Brandon Knight P.J. Tucker Markieff Morris Tyson Chandler
Opp. Season 16 18 28 3 5 Opp. Season 29 21 19 19 28
Opp. Last 7 18 23 29 20 1 Opp. Last 7 28 26 8 8 11


New Orleans Pelicans (Record: 3-11, Road: 0-7)

The Pelicans have yet to win on the road this season, but they will look to change that tonight in Phoenix. Vegas is expecting a close game between these two teams, as the Pelicans are 4.5-point underdogs on the road.

The Suns have improved defensively, but they are not a team that we need to go out of our way to avoid players against. On the season, they are ranked between 13th and 19th in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and fantasy points allowed per game. The Pelicans have an implied team total of 103.8 points, which is markedly higher than their average on the season.

Anthony Davis has been more frustrating than any other player in daily fantasy basketball this season. He has been hurt and he has had a number of fantasy duds. Even though his injuries are concerning, he is a strong play tonight against the Suns in what is expected to be a high-scoring game. Davis has averaged 57 fantasy points per game in his last two. Assuming he can stay in the game, he should have another big fantasy outing tonight. Eric Gordon is also worth a look at shooting guard.

Elite Plays

Anthony Davis

FD — $11,100
DK — $10,800
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 25.4 | Last Five Games: 26.8
Min/Game — Season: 33.9 | Last Five Games: 31.2
FP/Game — Season: 43.5 | Last Five Games: 44.0

Secondary Plays

Eric Gordon

FD — $6,100
DK — $6,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 20.1 | Last Five Games: 18.1
Min/Game — Season: 36.2 | Last Five Games: 37.6
FP/Game — Season: 27.7 | Last Five Games: 26.3

Phoenix Suns (Record: 7-7, Home: 5-3)

The Suns have been mediocre this season, posting a 7-7 record. They draw a favorable matchup tonight at home against the Pelicans. This should be one of the fastest-paced games on the schedule, as both teams have averaged at least 100 possessions per game.

The Pelicans have arguably been the worst defense in the NBA this season. They are ranked 25th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game. The Suns have an implied team total of 108.3 points, which is the second highest on the schedule tonight.

Eric Bledsoe is questionable for tonight’s game. If he is unable to play, give a sizable boost to Brandon Knight, who would take over as the primary playmaker in this offense. Even if Bledsoe plays, Knight is still a borderline elite play in such a favorable matchup. Markieff Morris has scored at least 34 fantasy points in back-to-back games. It’s a great time to buy low on him before his salary goes up across the industry.

Elite Plays

Brandon Knight

FD — $7,900
DK — $8,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 23.0 | Last Five Games: 25.2
Min/Game — Season: 35.3 | Last Five Games: 38.2
FP/Game — Season: 35.0 | Last Five Games: 44.4

Markieff Morris

FD — $5,800
DK — $5,400
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 22.1 | Last Five Games: 18.4
Min/Game — Season: 26.6 | Last Five Games: 29.9
FP/Game — Season: 23.3 | Last Five Games: 27.1

Secondary Plays

Eric Bledsoe

If he is able to play tonight.
FD — $8,500
DK — $8,400
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 24.5 | Last Five Games: 24.4
Min/Game — Season: 34.2 | Last Five Games: 34.7
FP/Game — Season: 38.3 | Last Five Games: 35.4

P.J. Tucker

FD — $4,200
DK — $3,900
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 10.1 | Last Five Games: 12.4
Min/Game — Season: 26.7 | Last Five Games: 30.5
FP/Game — Season: 15.7 | Last Five Games: 19.5


Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 PM

Utah Jazz Los Angeles Clippers
Article Image Vegas Total 196.5 Article Image Vegas Total 196.5
Vegas Sprd 5.0 Vegas Sprd -5.0
Team Proj. 95.8 Team Proj. 100.8
Team Pace 94.90 Team Pace 99.50
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 Raul Neto Rodney Hood Gordon Hayward Derrick Favors Rudy Gobert Proj. Starter Chris Paul J.J. Redick Lance Stephenson Blake Griffin DeAndre Jordan
Opp. Season 12 14 16 14 16 Opp. Season 7 4 15 2 2
Opp. Last 7 17 2 24 16 9 Opp. Last 7 21 14 16 13 3


Utah Jazz (Record: 6-7, Road: 4-5)

The Jazz were embarrassed on their home floor the other night by the Clippers. They are now 6-7 on the season. The road doesn’t get any easier for Utah tonight, as they have to face the Clippers in Los Angeles.

The Clippers have struggled on the defensive end of the floor this season, ranking 20th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential. This should be a pace-up game for the Jazz, but they are still only projected to score 95.8 points. Gordon Hayward is the top target here. He has finally shown some consistency in game log and he draws a favorable matchup against the wing players of the Clippers. Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, and Rodney Hood are secondary options.

Elite Plays

Gordon Hayward

FD — $6,600
DK — $6,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 20.5 | Last Five Games: 19.2
Min/Game — Season: 34.3 | Last Five Games: 34.3
FP/Game — Season: 26.5 | Last Five Games: 27.1

Secondary Plays

Derrick Favors

FD — $8,000
DK — $7,400
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 20.0 | Last Five Games: 18.6
Min/Game — Season: 30.6 | Last Five Games: 29.7
FP/Game — Season: 33.9 | Last Five Games: 29.7

Alec Burks

FD — $5,200
DK — $5,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 22.5 | Last Five Games: 23.1
Min/Game — Season: 27.9 | Last Five Games: 27.0
FP/Game — Season: 23.0 | Last Five Games: 20.5

Rodney Hood

FD — $4,700
DK — $5,200
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 18.8 | Last Five Games: 18.6
Min/Game — Season: 29.4 | Last Five Games: 32.0
FP/Game — Season: 21.5 | Last Five Games: 22.4

Los Angeles Clippers (Record: 7-7, Home: 5-3)

The Clippers have not played up to expectations this season, but they are still 7-7 with a 5-3 record at home. While they are 5-point favorites tonight against the Jazz, this will be a pace-down game for the Clippers. On the season, the Jazz have only averaged 94.9 possessions per game.

Thanks to their slow pace of play and their efficiency on the defensive end of the floor, the Jazz are one of the worst teams to target players against in daily fantasy basketball. Utah is ranked seventh or better in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, rebounding differential, and fantasy points allowed per game this season. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan are all secondary options in this difficult matchup.

Elite Plays

NONE

Secondary Plays

Blake Griffin

FD — $9,200
DK — $9,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 26.6 | Last Five Games: 26.0
Min/Game — Season: 33.9 | Last Five Games: 35.0
FP/Game — Season: 41.9 | Last Five Games: 40.0

Chris Paul

FD — $8,900
DK — $8,500
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 22.4 | Last Five Games: 24.7
Min/Game — Season: 31.8 | Last Five Games: 30.4
FP/Game — Season: 34.4 | Last Five Games: 39.3

DeAndre Jordan

FD — $7,600
DK — $7,300
TO-Adjusted Usage — Season: 11.3 | Last Five Games: 11.6
Min/Game — Season: 32.6 | Last Five Games: 35.5
FP/Game — Season: 33.6 | Last Five Games: 36.5


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About the Author

Notorious
Derek Farnsworth (Notorious)

Derek Farnsworth (aka Notorious) is a lead RotoGrinders Expert and one of the most recognizable names and faces in all of DFS. Before joining the RotoGrinders team, Derek received a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. When he’s not busy providing content, he’s dominating the DFS industry as evidenced by his consistent top rankings in several sports and multiple Live Final appearances. Noto provides expert NBA, NFL, MLB, and PGA analysis for RotoGrinders Premium members on a daily basis and has also been nominated for five different Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association (FSWA) awards. Follow Noto on Twitter – @RG_Notorious