NBA First Look: Monday, January 12th
What’s up Grinders! The MLB First Look and NFL First Look were both big hits during their respective seasons, so we decided to bring you an NBA version. Each night, I will give a brief overview of each upcoming matchup in the NBA, as well as my thoughts on the possible fantasy options from each team. This is a great place to start your daily fantasy basketball research. As always, if there is anything that you would like to see added, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Without further ado, let’s get to the debut edition of the NBA First Look.
NBA Schedule
| HOME | AWAY | VEGAS LINE | VEGAS TOTAL | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans (18-18) | Boston (12-23) | NO -4.5 | 204.5 | 7:30 pm EST |
| Houston (26-11) | Brooklyn (16-21) | HOU -6 | 193.5 | 7:30 pm EST |
| Detroit (13-24) | Toronto (25-11) | DET 6 | 208.5 | 7:30 pm EST |
| Orlando (13-27) | Chicago (26-12) | TBD | TBD | 8:00 pm EST |
New Orleans Pelicans
Matchup Preview (Boston):
Pace of Play: 99.8
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.2
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 20
Rebounding Differential Rank: 23
Targets:
Anthony Davis (FD: $10900, DK: $11000 / DvP: 30) – Davis not only has a terrific matchup against the Celtics, but is playing on a short slate without many other superstar options. The Celtics do not defend power forwards well and are ranked in the bottom ten in rebounding differential.
Jrue Holiday (FD: $8000, DK: $7700 / DvP: 21) – It will be interesting to see if Avery Bradley defends Holiday or Gordon. He’s one of the better on-ball defenders in the NBA. Either way, Holiday is playing his best basketball of the season and the Celtics have struggled against point guards.
Eric Gordon (FD: $4700, DK: $4500 / DvP: 8) – Gordon is cheap and could draw a fantasy-friendly matchup against Evan Turner. Gordon has played well since coming back from injury and offers good value at shooting guard.
Boston Celtics
Matchup Preview (New Orleans):
Pace of Play: 94.9
Points Allowed Per Game: 100.8
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 23
Rebounding Differential Rank: 11
Targets:
Avery Bradley (FD: $5500, DK: $4600 / DvP: 14) – Bradley has played well without Jeff Green in the lineup. After scoring 31 fantasy points against the Pacers, he backed it up with another quality outing against the Raptors. He should see 30+ minutes of action again against the Pelicans.
Jae Crowder (FD: $3900, DK: $4100 / DvP: 7) – Crowder has also made the most of the Jeff Green trade. He has drawn the start at small forward in each of the last two games and he’s played fairly well, averaging 21 fantasy points per game.
Houston Rockets
Matchup Preview (Brooklyn):
Pace of Play: 94.3
Points Allowed Per Game: 97.7
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 11
Rebounding Differential Rank: 21
Targets:
James Harden (FD: $10700, DK: $10500 / DvP: 10) – This may not be the best matchup on the board, but Harden is certainly an option on a short slate against an average Nets defense. He has great upside every time he takes the floor.
Trevor Ariza (FD: $5600, DK: $5600 / DvP: 21) – This pick is all about value. Ariza is generously priced at $5,600 on both FanDuel and DraftKings. At this price point, he only needs to score 28 fantasy points to reach value.
Brooklyn Nets
Matchup Preview (Houston):
Pace of Play: 97.8
Points Allowed Per Game: 96.8
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 2
Rebounding Differential Rank: 7
Targets:
Joe Johnson (FD: $6700, DK: $6400 / DvP: 9) – Johnson has played well in Deron Williams’ absence and is still affordable across the industry. His biggest issue is his matchup against Trevor Ariza.
Jarrett Jack (FD: $6600, DK: $6600 / DvP: 4) – Jack will continue to see all of the minutes he can handle with Deron Williams out. He’ll have to deal with the feisty Patrick Beverley, but he’s still in play given his increased role in the offense.
Detroit Pistons
Matchup Preview (Toronto):
Pace of Play: 96
Points Allowed Per Game: 101.5
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 22
Rebounding Differential Rank: 17
Targets:
Andre Drummond (FD: $8600, DK: $9100 / DvP: 9) – Drummond has had a two-game slide, but should be able to bounce back against a Raptors team that is below average in rebounding differential. He may be better suited as a GPP play though.
Greg Monroe (FD: $8200, DK: $8100 / DvP: 9) – Monroe has forced SVG to play him more minutes recently, which means he is no longer a risky fantasy option. His price is up, but he doesn’t appear to be cooling off anytime soon.
Toronto Raptors
Matchup Preview (Detroit):
Pace of Play: 95.7
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.5
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 17
Rebounding Differential Rank: 13
Targets:
Kyle Lowry (FD: $9700, DK: $10300 / DvP: 9) – DeMar DeRozan is still out, which means Lowry’s usage in the Raptors’ offense will continue to be off the charts. The Pistons have been stingy against point guards, but I’m not scared of his matchup against Brandon Jennings.
James Johnson (FD: $4900, DK: $4600 / DvP: 6) – Johnson was inserted back into the starting lineup the other night and he responded with a huge 35 fantasy point outing. As long as he remains in the starting lineup, he will offer great upside for the price.
Orlando Magic
Matchup Preview (Chicago):
Pace of Play: 96
Points Allowed Per Game: 98.5
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 9
Rebounding Differential Rank: 4
Targets:
Nikola Vucevic (FD: $8900, DK: $8500 / DvP: 29) – Tobias Harris is questionable (at best) for this game, which means Vucevic may have to carry the load offensively. He had 34 points and 16 rebounds without Harris in the lineup the other night. Plus, the Bulls have not fared well against centers this season.
Victor Oladipo (FD: $6600, DK: $6300 / DvP: 3) – Tobias Harris and Evan Fournier could both be forced to sit out this game. Oladipo should see all of the minutes that he can handle. A matchup against Jimmy Butler isn’t ideal, but a possible uptick in minutes and usage may offset the poor matchup.
Chicago Bulls
Matchup Preview (Orlando):
Pace of Play: 95
Points Allowed Per Game: 99.3
Defensive Efficiency Rank: 20
Rebounding Differential Rank: 26
Targets:
Pau Gasol (FD: $9400, DK: $9700 / DvP: 20) – How about the game Pau had the other night? He exploded for 46 points and 18 rebounds against the Bucks. It will be tough to put on an encore, but he has the matchup to do it.
Jimmy Butler (FD: $9000, DK: $8800 / DvP: 7) – Butler will see a small fantasy boost if Derrick Rose is forced to sit out this game. Either way, he’s in play against the Magic. Victor Oladipo is not big enough to defend him in the post.
Aaron Brooks (FD: $4100, DK: $3800 / DvP: 28) – This pick hinges on the health of Derrick Rose. If he’s out again, Brooks offers terrific value across the industry. He has more upside than Kirk Hinrich, although both would be viable options if Rose sits.