Starting 5: Using Recent DvP Statistics – Saturday, January 24th
The Starting 5 Series will provide Grinders with a quick look at the day’s top positional plays, analyzed through the lens of our Daily Research Tools.
Today we’ll take a closer look at the Defense vs. Position tool, utilizing the past three weeks option to see who can be taken advantage of using data from recent games. As we are about halfway through the NBA season, injuries are taking a toll on some teams, so using data based on the entire season may be less accurate than using recent performance.
Editor’s Note: Kemba Walker has been ruled out for tonight’s game. Brian Roberts gets a big boost as a result, as he’ll likely slide into the starting lineup. The comments below about the matchup still apply to Roberts.
Point Guard – Kemba Walker (CHA)
There is no argument that the Knicks have been the worst team over the past three weeks at limiting opposing PGs, giving up over 5 FPTS per game more than the next closest team. If you look at the season, the Knicks are eighth worst, but with recent struggles, Langston Galloway being called up, and general lack of defensive energy as a team, you can see why they are easily the best matchup over the past three weeks. Kemba has struggled over his past two games since returning from injury, but a home matchup against the worst defense in the league could put him right back on the map tonight.
Shooting Guard – Joe Johnson (BKN)
The Jazz have been the easiest matchup for opposing SGs over the past three weeks. The Jazz are the ninth easiest if you look at the season long tab, which could mean that the loss of Alec Burks has really challenged them as a team lately. Joe Ingles and Elijah Milsap simply can’t defend anyone, which leaves Joe Johnson in a great spot tonight.
Small Forward – Paul Pierce (WAS)
The Blazers are the sixth-best matchup for SFs over the past three weeks, while actually being one of the tougher matchups on the season. This correlates well with Nicholas Batum’s struggles, as he has been playing thru a nagging wrist injury. Batum may sit tonight as he aggravated the injury last game, which brings up Dorell Wright as a possible replacement to play big minutes, who is barely even a replacement player in the NBA. Pierce doesn’t typically play huge minutes, but just had one of his best games of the season vs. the Thunder, and should have a nice matchup tonight.
Power Forward – Derrick Favors or Enes Kanter (UTA)
The Jazz have the easiest PF matchup tonight, looking at the last three weeks, as the Nets have been weak against then position recently. This correlates with the season-long statistics as well, as the Nets are the fifth weakest against the position on the season. Some will avoid these guys tonight as the Jazz are loaded now up front with Gobert and Booker as well, but the matchup says a good performance is to be had, even in a few less minutes.
Center – Zaza Pachulia (MIL)
The Pistons have been the easiest matchup for opposing centers over the past three weeks, while being the seventh easiest on the season. Vucevic just had a monster game against Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, and while Zaza is not the type of force Vucevic is, he should be able to put up a double-double tonight at home.
Make sure as the season progress that you take a look at the most recent relevant data, instead of looking at the season long stats which may be misleading based on recent events! That’s all I have for you tonight, go win some money!