NBA Matchups: November 2

OKC @ CLE | DET @ CHA | ATL @ IND | BKN @ NYK | WAS @ ORL | CHI @ PHI | SAC @ DAL | NOP @ MEM | MIL @ MIN | BOS @ HOU | UTA @ SAS | POR @ DEN | PHX @ GSW | TOR @ LAC | MIA @ LAL 

It’s a busy day with 15 games. Everyone is playing, and it’s going to be wild in the projection streets. I’ll be on for the DFS Show later to talk more player stuff, but I’ll only hit macro notes for today.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Totals: Thunder 112, Cavaliers 115.5

Injury Report: Alex Caruso (O, ankle), Chet Holmgren (O, knee), Thomas Sorber (O, knee), Nikola Topic (O, back), Cason Wallace (O, shoulder), Jalen Williams (O, ankle), Khalifa Diop (O, G League assignment), Nae’Qwan Tomlin (O, back), Jaylon Tyson (O, ankle), Peyton Watson (Q, hamstring)

Thunder projected starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell, Kenrich Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein (Note: Jaylin Williams started over McCain in 2H last game, was likely for matchup against Rockets)

Cavaliers projected starters: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Daigneault quotes: Said they have to focus on competing and invest in the younger players, said McCain is “an immediate threat” to score from anywhere, said the team being thin will test them and it’ll make them better.

Atkinson quotes: Said they were intentional about getting the bigs the ball, said Meleek is very mature and “has his life together,” said Hezonja’s rebounding has been important for them, said Mitchell was excellent against the Bucks, said they had better ball movement and didn’t regress to 1-on-1 basketball.

Stats and Notes:

*OKC’s defense hasn’t been there in the last two games, and they got killed in the halfcourt. They just don’t have the on-ball defense like they usually do, and they’re still getting killed on C&S stuff. OKC’s paint defense has held up OK, and teams should really try to attack them on the perimeter. They’re giving up the second-most spot-up points, and that’s been sticky for them regardless of their personnel. They aren’t forcing turnovers as much, and it’s led to them ranking 28th in transition points per game. This team just isn’t the same as we’re used to. For the Cavs, they’ve been rebounding well to start the season, and they rank seventh on offense. The Cavs have been able to accumulate interior scoring so far, but this sets up as a spot where they generate more from the outside.

Great matchups: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Good matchups: Isaiah Hartenstein, Donovan Mitchell, Ajay Mitchell

Bad matchups: Jarrett Allen

Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets

Team Totals: Pistons 107, Hornets 102.5

Injury Report: Jalen Duren (O, hamstring), Isaiah Joe (Q, hip), Kon Knueppel (O, hamstring), Grant Williams (O, hamstring)

Pistons projected starters: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Paul Reed

Hornets projected starters: Dennis Schroder, Brandon Miller, Sion James, Naz Reid, Moussa Diabate (Coby White should have a minutes limit off bench)

Bickerstaff quotes: Said Holland has shown growth and “you’re going to see more of this,” said they want Holland to take the open looks when they’re there, said Reed is great at PNR coverages and he’s been a huge part of the wins.

Lee quotes: Said it was tough to play the 76ers on a B2B and they have to make sure they’re on the same page, said they made it tough on Maxey and they just needed to be better on the margins, said he went with Royce to start 2H to get more balance and to have Sion behind Miller for foul trouble.

Stats and Notes:

*The Pistons aren’t missing Jalen Duren so far this year, ranking first in defensive rating and first in halfcourt defense. They’ve only been an average rim defense, and they’ve actually been more vulnerable on the boards so far. They’ve been one of the best on-ball defenses, and they held this Hornets team to just 89 points on Oct. 28. The Hornets are playing extremely slow with the second-slowest O pace, and they’re last in O rating. It’s going to be a grind for the Hornets to score enough points here. Their starters are playing at the slowest pace in the league by far, and their starters are last in O rating among lineups with 40+ minutes. Charlotte is also last in FTAs per game by a lot. For the Hornets’ defense, they’ve been excellent with their paint defense, allowing the fewest dunks/layups per game. 

Great matchups: Cade Cunningham

Good matchups: Duncan Robinson, John Collins, Naz Reid

Bad matchups: Brandon Miller, Paul Reed

Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers (back end)