NBA Matchup Breakdown: Tuesday 2/12

by RotoGrinders Last Updated 2013-02-12 16:56:01

The RotoGrinders NBA Matchup article will be available on the busier days of NBA action to supplement our daily research tools with match up notes and analysis. The focus is on the defense vs. position rankings and noting when to exploit or ignore those defensive rankings, as well as provide player notes regarding who is red hot right now and other intangible factors.

NOTES:

1) Defense vs. Position rankings are shown for the given team they are listed under. They are NOT opponent rankings.

2) Rankings shown against each position are from each team’s last 10 games played, not the entire season so they may differ from results shown on our cheat sheet or other tools.

Nuggets vs. Raptors

• Rudy Gay has gone over 37 FP in each of his past 4 games and draws a Nuggets team 2nd-to-last against SFs over their past 10 games. I don’t think I need to connect the dots for you on that one.
• The Nuggets ranking #1 against opposing PFs??? And #19 against Centers? The former laughing stock of interior defense has stepped it up lately. While I wouldn’t say avoid Jonas Valanciunas or Amir Johnson, I would say don’t expect the same porous Nuggets defense that we saw early in the season.

Trailblazers vs. Heat

• The Blazers playing surprisingly well against opposing backcourts lately, but the Heat are as well. I’d say it’s safe to just avoid Chalmers and Lillard and find PG value elsewhere.
• LeBron on an epic shooting tear and now gets to host the 26th ranked defense vs. SFs over the past 10 games. If you can afford him, make sure he’s on your squad.
• The Heat’s #2 ranking against PFs over the last 10 games is more in part to who they’ve played than anything else. In the last 10 games the best PFs they have faced are a hobbled Blake Griffin and David West, who went for 30, 7 and 5. Aldridge is still a great option on Tuesday.

Kings vs. Grizzlies

• The Kings are still a bad defensive team across the board so no one specific comes to mind with a great match-up here. Jerryd Bayless might be a nice value though.
• DeMarcus Cousins is playing well but the Grizzlies interior defense is too good for me to recommend him at an upper-tier price tag.

Thunder vs. Jazz

• The Thunder absolutely smoking people of late, making Kevin Durant much-less fantasy relevant. But the Jazz are a very good team at home and should keep this one close. Also, ignore the #4 ranking on the Jazz at SF. Gordon Hayward is likely to return and Kevin Durant is matchup proof.
• Thunder ranking #29 vs. SGs over their past 10 games? Interesting but makes sense with Kevin Martin getting the majority of minutes. If Kmart plays Tuesday, feel comfortable putting a Randy Foye or Alec Burks bargain bin guy into your lineup. If Kmart is out, Sefolosha plays much better defense.

Rockets vs. Warriors

• Don’t save on a struggling Klay Thompson tonight, his recent stats are frightening and Harden’s defense is improving. I don’t care if a guy is in a shooting slump, but he only has 9 REBOUNDS AND 4 ASSISTS in his last 4 games. Damn Klay, do something else on the court if you’re gonna shoot 28%.
• The Warriors rank in the bottom 10 against almost every position in their last 10 games. James Harden has a golden match-up and he is red hot. There’s no reason not to take him right now. If you can afford him, make sure he’s in your lineup.

Suns vs. Lakers

• No surprise Steve Nash still doesn’t play defense. Dragic posted 11 points and 8 assists the last time these two met and should be even better than that on Tuesday.
• The Suns are #24 against Power Forwards and Earl Clark has been one of my go-to plays every time the Lakers play. He’s played at least 30 minutes in 8 of his last 10.