Atlanta Hawks vs Memphis Grizzlies
Spread: Grizzlies -2.5
Total: 238.5
 
We have an early start game in the NBA that we have been provided a showdown slate for between the Atlanta Hawks and the Memphis Grizzlies. This game is set to tip at 5:00 PM ET, and has a total of 238.5, and a spread of -2.5 in the favor of the home team in Memphis. The Hawks are fresh off a win in their first regular season game against the Bulls in a 124-104 result, while the Grizzlies were not so lucky in their first regular season game as they took a loss against the Spurs in a 119-131 decision. Both teams here support some top stars in the NBA in Ja Morant for Memphis and Trae Young for the Hawks, both who had monster games in their regular season debuts. Morant went off for 44 points, two boards, nine dimes, two steals, and a block, while Trae dropped 37 points of his own, with six boards, and seven assists. Let’s see who we like today for this clash between two of the fastest PACE teams in the NBA!

Player Breakdowns

Please note these players are ranked in order. If a player is not mentioned it doesn’t mean they are a fade.

MVP/CPT:

Trae Young PG, ATL ($16,200) –

This spot is great for Young here as we know Morant is a pretty mediocre defender for Memphis. Young only played 26 minutes in the first game of the season but carried a massive 33.3% usage rate to lead the team pretty widely, with only Bogdan Bogdanovic being the next highest on the team at just 24.2%. This game is going to have a very fast PACE, and Young is the main go-to for this Hawk’s team. He had 60 fantasy point upside on any give day and should be one just a couple of MVP/CPT plays in this game.

Ja Morant PG, MEM ($15,300) –

If you want to go a bit cheaper, the match up is just as good here for Morant against Young. Morant also led his team in usage rate in the first game of the season, and he actually topped Young’s usage at 37.2% in his massive game against the Spurs. Morant took 27 shots in that game as well, with the next closest in shot attempts being 14 from Dillon Brooks . Not only the scoring, but he is also a great source of assists, and the two rebounds was a little lower thank his usual out-put as well. I think Morant is a great option here if you want to be a little different than the field, who will likely jam in Trae Young at the CPT/MVP spot. Morant is a double-double threat most nights with points and assists, and his defensive stats also help majorly. 

Jonas Valanciunas C, MEM ($13,500) –

If you want to be really different, you can go with the big guy in the middle for the Grizzlies here in JoVal. Valanciunas played 29 big minutes in the loss to the Spurs, but he put up a double-double with 15 points, 13 boards, two dimes, a steal and a block. ATL will once again likely be starting John Collins at the Center spot with Clint Capela looking to miss his second-straight game to start the season with an achillies injury. This bodes very well for the match up here with JoVal and I think he has massive upside on this slate with his big double-double potential, including his defensive stats. 

Mid-Tier

Bogdan Bogdanovic SG, ATL ($6,200) –

Bogdan got a little taste with his new team in the Hawks in their opening game that saw him get 24 minutes off the bench, only players to play more bench minutes than him was Kevin Huerter , and Solomon Hill . However, Bogdan is a high-usage player, and this is evident because he took just as many shots as Trae Young at 12, and he also was the second-highest usage player on the team as mentioned above at 24.2%. He put up 15 points on just 5-for-12 shooting, but also grabbed seven rebounds, dished two dimes, and had one steal in those 24 minutes. Think is definitely in play today.

Dillon Brooks SG, MEM ($7,400) –

Brooks is always more of a cash play to me, but on showdown you need that floor. Brooks is going to play 30+ minutes just about every game he takes the floor in, and he is also a decently high-usage player. Brooks eclipsed 20% usage just about all last season, and he carried a 19.8% usage rate in the opener. Brooks played 33 minutes in the loss to the Spurs and put up 16 points to go along with four rebounds, six assists, and two steals before fouling out late in the fourth. He played the second-most minutes on the team behind only Ja Morant , and he likely may have matched Morant if he hadn’t of fouled out. This is a great match up in a high-pace environment and I expect Brooks to be very active in this one.

Kevin Huerter SG, ATL ($5,800) – 

Huerter played the most minutes off the bench for the Hawk’s and I expect that to be a continuing trend as we progress into the season. Huerter is a great source of multiple stat categories including points, boards, assists and steals. He took the third most field goal attempts on the team in the Hawk’s opener at 10, which was also tied with John Collins . He managed to record 11 points, two rebounds, four assists, and a steal against the Bulls. I expect his minutes to continue to be steady around the 28 mark. Good value on him here at the price.

Dart Throws:

Cam Reddish SG/SF, ATL ($5,000) –

Really like the price on Reddish for this game, and think he is a sneaky good play. Reddish played 23 minutes in the Hawk’s opener and put up 15 points, six boards, and two steals in that span. He also attempted the second-most field goals on the team at 11 total, only behind both Young and Bogdanovic. It is also very important to note that he carried the third highest usage rate on the team, in which he shared with fellow teammate in John Collins at 23.2%. Reddish is known for his great defense, but I am liking what I am seeing by him being more aggressive in taking shots. He is a good source of rebounds as we see, and his defensive stats also help a ton. Nice value on him here. 

Tyus Jones PG, MEM ($2,000) – 

I can see some nice value on Tyus at just a $2k price tag. De’Anthony Melton is being held out of this game due to safety and health protocols and this should open up some extra time at the PG/SG spot where he was granted 24 minutes in the opener against the Spurs. Tyus only played 13 minutes in that game, but he still managed seven points, a board, and an assist in those 13 minutes. I think Tyus could likely hit the 18-20-minute range with the Grizzlies now down a guard in Melton for the rotation. However, it is still a dart throw, but it could have a high/risk – high/reward type of outcome if he gets the extended run. 
 

**Rajon Rondo was just made available to play and is very cheap! He has nice value in this game as well!!