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NBA Grind Down: Wednesday, November 30th

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2016-12-01 04:03:13

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Welcome to the RotoGrinders NBA Grind Down. In this all-encompassing preview of today’s NBA action, every game will be broken down statistically, with several key elements highlighted in our charts.

Vegas lines are broken down to show projected team totals, to give you an idea of who is favored to win, and often more importantly, how many points they’re expected to score. We also provide pace numbers, so you can spot a game that might have a few extra possessions and more opportunities for fantasy points.

We also provide position-by-position matchup rankings for every team, to give you an idea of the players who will be in better situations to succeed. Using Defense versus Position data, every projected starter is listed along with his opponent’s rank in points allowed to players of his position. These color-coded charts will help you spot the best matchups of the night at a glance.

If you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use promo code “GRINDERS” to receive the best perks in the industry.

Editor’s Note: Don’t yet have a Rosters account? Click here to create one. You’ll receive free access to our premium Rosters strategy content, which will build upon the guide below. Create your Rosters account now!

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Sacramento Kings Philadelphia 76ers
sacramentonba Vegas Total 208.0 philadelphianba Vegas Total 208.0
Vegas Spread -5.0 Vegas Spread 5.0
Team Total 106.5 Team Total 101.5
Pace +/- 0.5 Pace +/- -1.9
Proj. Starter Darren Collison Arron Afflalo Rudy Gay DeMarcus Cousins Kosta Koufos Proj. Starter Sergio Rodriguez Gerald Henderson Robert Covington Ersan Ilyasova Joel Embiid
Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C
2016-17 26 12 29 12 20 2016-17 13 24 14 28 4

Sacramento Kings

The Kings are 7-11 on the season and after John Wall said that he has talked about playing with DeMarcus Cousins in the future, the trade rumors are already swirling. It’s hard for a franchise to trade their best player, but if Cousins doesn’t plan on staying, they might as well try to get something out of him. The Kings head to Philadelphia tonight to take on the Sixers in what should be one of the fastest-paced games in the slate. The Kings have picked up their pace recently and the Sixers like to push the pace as well. This is an exploitable matchup in DFS, as the Sixers are ranked 24th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential this season. The Kings have an implied total of 105.5 points, which is the sixth highest in the slate and 2.3 points above their season average.

Darren Collison has played well as the starting point guard for the Kings, but he is only averaging 30 minutes per game and he has a low usage rate in the offense. He hasn’t shown that high ceiling that we are looking for in tournaments. Collison does deserve consideration on DraftKings ($5,300), as he is shooting guard eligible. Matt Barnes has come off the bench in the last two games, but has scored at least 20 fantasy points in four of his last nine games. He is a decent punt at small forward on FanDuel ($3,800). Rudy Gay has struggled with consistently, but provides a high floor and a high ceiling against a Sixers’ defense that is ranked 29th against small forwards. The top play here is obviously DeMarcus Cousins, who has scored at least 50 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. He has also scored at least 32 actual points in four straight outings. I can’t wait to watch him and Joel Embiid go toe-to-toe for 24 minutes.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Darren Collison $5,800 $5,300 $8,500 0.79 30.0 -1.3 23.6 -2.6 22.2% -3.6% 26
Arron Afflalo $3,500 $3,100 $7,900 0.52 26.8 -7.6 13.9 -4.4 14.0% -0.5% 12
Rudy Gay $7,200 $6,900 $11,000 0.98 34.7 0.9 33.9 -1.3 25.2% -1.7% 29
DeMarcus Cousins $10,900 $10,800 $14,800 1.41 34.0 1.4 47.8 11.9 36.0% 5.1% 12
Kosta Koufos $3,500 $3,000 $7,200 0.72 20.1 2.9 14.4 -2.1 13.9% -2.7% 20
Matt Barnes $3,800 $4,300 $7,800 0.66 25.7 0.7 17.0 -0.8 17.3% -1.0% 29

Elite Plays – DeMarcus Cousins

Secondary Plays – Rudy Gay, Darren Collison (DK), Matt Barnes (FD)

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers may not have the worst record in the NBA, but they only hold a one-game lead over the Mavericks for that cherished title. All four of their wins have come at home this season and there is a decent chance that they could pick up win number five tonight against the Kings. The Sixers are listed as 5-point underdogs with an implied total just over 100 points. The team total may not seem high, but this is a favorable matchup. On the season, the Kings are ranked 20th or worse in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential.

Jerryd Bayless has already been ruled out of tonight’s game, which means Sergio Rodriguez will draw another start at point guard. Rodriguez doesn’t have elite minute upside, but he should see minutes in the upper-20s in a decent matchup against the Kings. He is viable punt option in all formats. I’ve been going to CA (Covingtons Anonymous) for a couple of weeks now. I’m trying to resist the urge, but it is tough every time he drops 30+ fantasy points. I may take the plunge in a tournament lineup or two, although I do prefer to use him when Joel Embiid is out. Speaking of Embiid, he is averaging 41 fantasy points in his last three games and is ranked fourth in the NBA in true usage this season. He draws a difficult matchup against DeMarcus Cousins, but that hasn’t stopped him in the past.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Jerryd Bayless $3,700 $4,100 $8,100 0.81 23.8 1.9 19.4 -2.6 29.8% -6.7% 13
Gerald Henderson $3,800 $3,500 $8,500 0.66 24.6 -2.2 16.3 -4.0 18.1% 1.4% 24
Robert Covington $4,500 $4,600 $8,000 0.72 27.7 -3.6 19.9 -1.7 17.0% 0.6% 14
Ersan Ilyasova $4,600 $4,700 $7,000 0.80 25.1 0.6 20.2 1.4 19.5% 0.7% 28
Joel Embiid $6,200 $6,500 $8,900 1.38 22.8 2.4 31.5 10.3 35.8% 4.5% 4
Jahlil Okafor $4,400 $4,900 $8,600 0.88 21.1 3.6 18.5 4.5 23.9% 0.1% 4
Sergio Rodriguez $4,400 $4,300 $8,000 0.79 27.0 -3.7 21.2 -2.2 23.1% 1.4% 13

Elite Plays – Sergio Rodriguez, Joel Embiid

Secondary Plays – Robert Covington, Jahlil Okafor

Memphis Grizzlies at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM ET

Memphis Grizzlies Toronto Raptors
memphisnba Vegas Total 195.5 torontonba Vegas Total 195.5
Vegas Spread 11.5 Vegas Spread -11.5
Team Total 92.0 Team Total 103.5
Pace +/- -1.4 Pace +/- -3.8
Proj. Starter Andrew Harrison Tony Allen Troy Williams JaMychal Green Marc Gasol Proj. Starter Kyle Lowry DeMar DeRozan DeMarre Carroll Pascal Siakam Jonas Valanciunas
Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C
2016-17 18 2 15 15 11 2016-17 4 11 2 6 1

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies got some awful news on Monday night, as Mike Conley suffered a small fracture in his vertebrate and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. They are currently fourth in the Western Conference standings, but there are a number of teams right on their heels. They draw a tough matchup tonight against the Raptors and they have to face them on the road in Toronto. The Grizzlies have an implied total of only 92 points, which is the second lowest in the slate and 4.9 points below their season average. It also doesn’t help that they are listed as 11.5-point underdogs.

With Mike Conley out, the Grizzlies will turn to two rookies in Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin. Harrison was undrafted last year and spent the season playing in the D-League. He has been a serviceable option for the Grizzlies this season, averaging over 15 fantasy points in 25 minutes per game. Baldwin could end up being better than Harrison, but for now it looks like the starting gig will be Harrison’s to lose. I don’t love the matchup, but I rarely pass on a starting point guard at this price, especially one that should play 30+ minutes. As strange as it is to say, the Grizzlies may be forced to get Tony Allen more involved on the offensive end of the floor and we already know what he brings to the table in terms of blocks and steals. I expect the Grizzlies to run a lot of their offense through Marc Gasol and if they have any hopes of keeping this game close, they will need a big game from their starting center. There are better options in cash games, but Gasol is certainly worth a look in tournaments.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Andrew Harrison $3,700 $4,000 $7,400 0.61 25.8 1.9 15.6 -0.9 17.7% 0.7% 18
Tony Allen $4,000 $4,200 $6,800 0.70 23.5 2.7 16.5 1.8 17.6% -0.2% 2
Troy Williams $3,700 $4,000 $6,000 0.63 12.8 16.2 8.1 12.3 17.8% 1.9% 15
JaMychal Green $4,400 $4,700 $7,200 0.66 29.0 2.0 19.1 -0.1 14.0% -2.5% 15
Marc Gasol $7,000 $7,100 $10,700 1.00 33.1 -2.0 33.1 -1.4 27.5% -2.5% 11

Elite Plays – Andrew Harrison

Secondary Plays – Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, Troy Williams

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have been a fairly easy team to predict this season, which has been nice from a DFS perspective. They are huge favorites tonight against the Grizzlies in what projects to be one of the slowest-paced games in the slate. Both teams are ranked in the bottom ten in pace of play. To make matters worse, they are facing a defense that is ranked third in points allowed per game, fourth in defensive efficiency, and eighth in rebounding differential. When you add in the fact that they are 11.5-point favorites in a potential blowout, they become an easy team to fade in cash games.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are still among the lead leaders in minutes per game, but we have seen a small dip in their playing time recently. I have a hard time paying a premium for either play in this low scoring game. DeMarre Carroll has scored at least 25 fantasy points in three of his last five games and is still affordable across the industry. The fact that Carroll is my favorite play from the Raptors says a lot about this matchup. Jonas Valanciunas is an easy fade against Marc Gasol, who is one of the best low post defenders in the NBA.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Kyle Lowry $8,300 $7,900 $12,100 1.00 38.0 -3.2 37.9 -2.4 27.0% -2.6% 4
DeMar DeRozan $9,000 $8,000 $13,000 1.16 36.4 -2.5 42.2 -4.4 35.2% -4.6% 11
DeMarre Carroll $4,300 $4,500 $8,500 0.72 25.5 -0.8 18.3 9.2 15.0% 3.2% 2
Pascal Siakam $3,500 $3,200 $7,200 0.66 19.1 3.4 12.6 -0.9 12.4% -0.5% 6
Jonas Valanciunas $6,100 $5,800 $10,300 0.97 29.3 -1.3 28.5 -0.9 19.0% 1.7% 1
Patrick Patterson $4,200 $4,000 $7,600 0.64 29.5 -5.7 18.8 0.4 11.9% -1.4% 6

Elite Plays – NONE

Secondary Plays – DeMarre Carroll

Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics – 7:30 PM ET

Detroit Pistons Boston Celtics
detroitnba Vegas Total 197.5 bostonnba Vegas Total 197.5
Vegas Spread 8.0 Vegas Spread -8.0
Team Total 94.8 Team Total 102.8
Pace +/- -0.2 Pace +/- -2.7
Proj. Starter Ish Smith Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Marcus Morris Tobias Harris Andre Drummond Proj. Starter Isaiah Thomas Avery Bradley Jae Crowder Amir Johnson Al Horford
Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C
2016-17 8 8 27 21 27 2016-17 21 14 1 5 18

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are playing in the second half of back-to-back road games, after an impressive win against the Hornets in Charlotte last night. Andre Drummond was issued a flagrant two and was automatically ejected. We’ll have to wait and see if the league decides to take any further action against him. Detroit heads to Boston tonight to take on the Celtics in a game that features a low over/under of 197.5 points. The Celtics’ defense seems to be improving every game and the Pistons have the third lowest implied total in the slate at 94.8 points.

Ish Smith has been a decent cash game option this season, but he hasn’t flashed the same upside that he had last year with the Pelicans and the Sixers. He may give us 25 fantasy points tonight, but that’s not exactly what we are looking for in tournaments for a player at his price point. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is always under-owned, but he’ll draw the defense of Avery Bradley. I’ll politely decline my invitation to play him tonight. Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris are decent plugs if you are in need of a forward at their respective price points, but they are far from building blocks. The most intriguing play here is Andre Drummond, who only played 13 minutes last night. The Celtics are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA and they are ranked 27th against centers this season. If Drummond isn’t suspended, he will make for a tremendous tournament play.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Ish Smith $5,200 $4,900 $8,100 0.81 29.6 -1.9 23.8 -3.0 23.4% -3.0% 8
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $5,000 $5,000 $7,900 0.69 33.2 -0.6 22.9 2.9 20.1% 1.5% 8
Marcus Morris $4,700 $4,600 $8,100 0.73 31.5 -3.6 22.9 -4.5 20.6% 2.7% 27
Tobias Harris $5,300 $5,700 $9,300 0.78 32.8 1.0 25.6 1.7 22.0% 0.3% 21
Andre Drummond $8,100 $7,400 $12,600 1.20 30.1 -0.6 36.2 2.1 22.8% -4.6% 27
Jon Leuer $4,400 $4,400 $7,100 0.80 26.6 0.9 21.4 -1.9 17.2% -1.3% 21

Elite Plays – Andre Drummond (GPP)

Secondary Plays – Andre Drummond (Cash), Ish Smith (Cash)

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have won seven of their last ten games and are finally starting to get healthy. Al Horford practiced yesterday and is tentatively expected to play tonight against the Pistons. This is far from an ideal game environment though, as the Pistons play at the fifth slowest pace and are ranked second in points allowed per game this season. The Celtics have a decent implied total of 102.8 points, but it is slightly lower than their average on the season. The other issue here is a potential blowout, as the Pistons are playing in the second half of a back-to-back.

With everyone healthy, we may see the entire starting lineup see a small decline in their usage. Brad Stevens wants them to be balanced offensively and he typically has a pretty deep rotation. I’m not thrilled about their matchup against the Pistons, but Isaiah Thomas draws the best matchup of the five starters. On the season, Detroit is ranked 21st in fantasy points allowed to point guards. Thomas has been tremendous all season, averaging 38.4 fantasy points per game with the seventh highest true usage rate in the NBA. Jae Crowder played 32 minutes the other night against the Heat and should see a full complement of minutes moving forward. He is a viable play tonight at his slightly depressed salary. Al Horford is an interesting GPP play here, as he has scored at least 39 fantasy points in three of his last four games.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Isaiah Thomas $8,200 $7,600 $11,500 1.16 33.2 0.8 38.4 -2.0 35.1% -1.0% 21
Avery Bradley $6,600 $6,200 $10,900 0.91 36.0 1.1 32.7 0.8 22.4% -0.1% 14
Jae Crowder $5,200 $5,500 $8,700 0.89 27.1 0.1 24.2 3.4 18.4% 1.7% 1
Amir Johnson $3,500 $3,400 $7,700 0.73 21.2 -4.9 15.4 -6.3 14.3% -2.7% 5
Al Horford $7,500 $6,600 $11,200 1.12 32.0 0.9 35.7 0.3 21.3% 1.2% 18
Marcus Smart $5,100 $5,100 $8,100 0.74 31.6 -1.5 23.5 3.0 19.9% 1.0% 14

Elite Plays – Jae Crowder (FD)

Secondary Plays – Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder (DK), Al Horford

Washington Wizards at Oklahoma City Thunder – 8:00 PM ET

Washington Wizards Oklahoma City Thunder
washingtonnba Vegas Total 212.0 oklahomacitynba Vegas Total 212.0
Vegas Spread 6.0 Vegas Spread -6.0
Team Total 103.0 Team Total 109.0
Pace +/- 2.5 Pace +/- -0.4
Proj. Starter John Wall Bradley Beal Otto Porter Markieff Morris Marcin Gortat Proj. Starter Russell Westbrook Victor Oladipo Andre Roberson Domantas Sabonis Steven Adams
Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C
2016-17 28 4 20 10 3 2016-17 6 16 17 20 10

Washington Wizards

The Wizards are 6-10 overall, but have been playing better recently, winning five of their last ten games. Tonight they head to Oklahoma City for a pace-up game against the Thunder. Washington is listed as a 6-point underdog, but they have an implied total of 103 points. Their matchup against the Thunder is a slightly favorable one, as Oklahoma City is ranked 21st in points allowed per game and 16th in fantasy points allowed per game. We don’t have to worry about anyone’s minutes being monitored here, as the Wizards don’t play again until Friday.

On Monday, I mentioned that Derrick Rose was one of my favorite plays in the entire slate (finished with 43 fantasy points). The main reason was his matchup against the Thunder. They have a mediocre defense as a whole, but really struggle to defend point guards. On the season, they have allowed the third most fantasy points to the position. John Wall is one of my favorite plays on the board tonight. He has scored at least 42 fantasy points in five of his last six games and he has the third highest true usage rate in the entire NBA. Bradley Beal has played as many minutes as anyone in the last couple of weeks and should see minutes in the upper 30s again tonight. The issue is that his matchup is subpar and that his price is at an all-time high. Otto Porter is a decent tournament play, although I will likely be looking elsewhere at small forward in cash games. I’m done chasing a big game from Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat has one of the worst possible matchups for a center.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
John Wall $9,200 $9,300 $13,100 1.21 34.8 4.7 42.2 -1.1 36.1% -3.2% 28
Bradley Beal $7,000 $7,300 $11,000 0.90 34.2 4.6 30.8 7.1 26.3% 0.3% 4
Otto Porter $6,100 $6,500 $9,600 0.90 34.2 -0.6 30.9 0.7 16.6% -2.0% 20
Markieff Morris $4,600 $5,100 $9,100 0.75 30.8 0.6 23.1 -4.7 20.9% -0.6% 10
Marcin Gortat $6,000 $5,800 $9,700 0.85 34.9 -0.5 29.5 -5.3 13.4% -2.2% 3

Elite Plays – John Wall

Secondary Plays – Bradley Beal, Otto Porter

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have won three games in a row, but eventually the Russell Westbrook bot is going to break down. Who am I kidding, he’s not a robot, he is from another planet entirely. Do me a favor and quickly look up his stats on the season. Yeah, he is averaging a triple-double while scoring over 30 actual points per game. The Thunder draw a favorable matchup tonight against the Wizards, who are ranked below the league average in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential this season. Oklahoma City has an implied total of 109 points, which is the third highest in the slate.

I have very specific criteria that Russell Westbrook must meet in order to roster him in DFS. Is he playing? If so, use Westbrook. That strict rule has served me well so far this season and I don’t plan to change my approach anytime soon. It always seems easier to fit Westbrook on FanDuel than it does on DraftKings, but he’s an elite play on both sites. His true usage rate is nearly 6% higher than the next closest player in the NBA (James Harden). This is a nice bounce-back spot for Victor Oladipo, who put up a dud against the Knicks on Monday. Targeting wing players against the Wizards is always something that I am fond of doing. Outside of the two guards, there really isn’t anyone else that stands out from the Thunder.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Russell Westbrook $12,400 $12,600 $16,300 1.64 35.4 2.9 58.2 5.4 44.9% -3.0% 6
Victor Oladipo $6,200 $6,600 $10,400 0.79 34.6 0.6 27.2 5.5 21.1% -1.5% 16
Andre Roberson $3,900 $4,100 $7,000 0.60 30.0 2.2 18.0 -3.6 10.7% -1.9% 17
Domantas Sabonis $3,500 $3,200 $7,800 0.61 21.8 1.0 13.4 -1.2 14.9% -2.2% 20
Steven Adams $4,800 $5,000 $8,700 0.76 31.5 -1.0 23.9 -0.4 14.6% 0.8% 10
Enes Kanter $5,000 $4,500 $9,300 1.15 19.2 2.6 22.0 4.0 24.7% 0.5% 20

Elite Plays – Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo (FD)

Secondary Plays – Victor Oladipo (DK)

Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls – 8:00 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers Chicago Bulls
lalakersnba Vegas Total 212.0 chicagonba Vegas Total 212.0
Vegas Spread 10.0 Vegas Spread -10.0
Team Total 101.0 Team Total 111.0
Pace +/- -1.3 Pace +/- 3.3
Proj. Starter Jose Calderon Nick Young Luol Deng Julius Randle Timofey Mozgov Proj. Starter Rajon Rondo Dwyane Wade Jimmy Butler Taj Gibson Robin Lopez
Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C Opponent DvP Rank PG SG SF PF C
2016-17 3 8 13 24 25 2016-17 24 24 27 21 20

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have been a nice surprise this season, but are coming off of a bad loss against the Pelicans last night. They now have a quick turnaround, as they have to face the Bulls in Chicago tonight. The Lakers’ offense has been one of the best in the NBA this season, but it faces a stout Bulls’ defense in this one. On the season, Chicago is ranked ninth or better in points allowed per game, defensive efficiency, and rebounding differential. The Lakers implied total of 101 points is the seventh lowest in the slate and 7.2 points below their season average.

D’Angelo Russell has already been ruled out of tonight’s game and it looks like Nick Young could join him on the sidelines. Young strained his Achilles last night and had to be helped back to the locker room. It would be a shock to see him back in the lineup tonight. With these two expected out, Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams should both log heavy minutes and should both have a high usage rate. Their matchup against the Bulls’ backcourt isn’t great, but they are both playable in this spot. Larry Nance has played well off the bench, but it’s hard to justify playing him in such a full slate.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Jose Calderon $3,500 $3,700 $6,000 0.82 13.7 6.5 11.2 6.8 19.7% 2.0% 3
Nick Young $4,000 $4,600 $7,700 0.75 26.3 -5.3 19.7 -4.3 18.7% 1.1% 8
Luol Deng $3,700 $3,800 $7,500 0.67 23.9 -1.7 16.0 -1.4 15.3% 2.0% 13
Julius Randle $6,500 $6,600 $10,500 1.03 27.7 28.6 23.3% 24
Timofey Mozgov $3,500 $3,300 $8,300 0.76 21.6 -2.5 16.4 -1.7 15.7% 2.0% 25
Jordan Clarkson $5,700 $6,400 $9,000 0.87 27.7 5.6 24.2 5.1 25.0% -1.0% 8
Lou Williams $5,000 $5,700 $8,200 1.05 23.6 1.4 24.9 -3.0 28.8% 0.2% 8
Larry Nance $4,000 $4,800 $7,700 0.85 21.8 1.8 18.5 2.0 12.9% 2.6% 24

Elite Plays – Lou Williams (FD)

Secondary Plays – Lou Williams (DK), Jordan Clarkson

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have played at a slow pace this season (21st), but are ranked 12th in points scored per game and eighth in points allowed per game. They have won seven of their last ten games and should be able to pick up another win tonight at home. They draw a favorable matchup against the uptempo Lakers, who are ranked 27th in points allowed per game and 28th in defensive efficiency. The Bulls have an implied total of 111 points, which is the second highest in the slate and 5.7 points above their season average. The Hawks are the only team in the slate with a higher projected point differential.

Rajon Rondo has scored at least 32 fantasy points in each of his last four games and his minutes appear to be trending upward. Before the blowout against the Sixers, he saw at least 33 minutes in each of the previous three games. People are always hesitant to play Rondo, but I love this spot against the Lakers. At $5,800 on FanDuel, he is an elite play in all formats. Dwyane Wade is listed as questionable tonight and is probably an easy fade even if he is active. Jimmy Butler is averaging 50 fantasy points in his last three games, but is priced at $9,000 on both FanDuel and DraftKings. He is still in play, but far from a must start at that price. Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez should both see minutes in the high 20s tonight against a Lakers’ defense that has really struggled to defend the paint. If you don’t believe me, just go look at what Anthony Davis did to them last night.

Notable Fantasy Players

Player FD Salary DK Salary Rosters Sal. FP/Min Minutes L3 +/- FP/Game L3 +/- True Usage L3 +/- DvP
Rajon Rondo $5,800 $6,500 $10,100 0.90 30.3 1.4 27.4 7.2 22.3% -1.3% 24
Dwyane Wade $6,900 $6,700 $10,600 1.01 30.5 1.3 30.9 6.4 28.7% 1.7% 24
Jimmy Butler $9,000 $9,000 $12,800 1.18 35.2 1.4 41.4 9.0 29.0% 1.7% 27
Taj Gibson $5,600 $5,500 $9,100 0.89 28.3 1.6 25.1 0.9 19.1% 0.9% 21
Robin Lopez $5,000 $5,500 $8,300 0.83 27.8 0.8 23.2 5.6 16.9% 1.8% 20
Nikola Mirotic $4,200 $4,400 $8,300 0.82 23.0 5.3 19.0 3.5 19.2% -0.4% 21

Elite Plays – Rajon Rondo (FD)

Secondary Plays – Rajon Rondo (DK), Jimmy Butler, Robin Lopez, Taj Gibson, Dwyane Wade

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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 X – @RG_Notorious