It is still very early on in the 2015-16 NBA season and while we expect a lot to change over the next few months in terms of team performances, we’re starting to see some clear trends. Whether you’re playing daily fantasy or the long-term version, it’s important to know who you’re up against. These are the top five defenses in fantasy basketball that you’re probably going to want to avoid when possible.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs reloaded in the offseason with the additions of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, and while their offense still hasn’t clicked at its highest potential level, they have been outstanding at the defensive end of the floor early on. San Antonio has allowed a league-best average of 91.3 points per game. They’re also third in opponent field goal percentage at 41.7%. Considering they owned the second-best defense in the NBA last season on a per-possession basis, there is every reason to think they can sustain this high level of play. Kawhi Leonard is one of the best perimeter defender in the league and the entire Spurs’ roster has bought in to the idea of playing at a high level as a unit at their own end of the floor. For fantasy purposes, you’ll likely want to avoid the Spurs in all DFS formats.
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Utah Jazz
One of the biggest reasons for Utah’s strong finish to last season was its high level of defensive play towards the end of the season. They have picked up from where they left off last year with the second-best points allowed per game mark in the NBA at 91.5. Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors have been beasts on the interior and their reliability in the paint has freed defenders on the perimeter. The Jazz are tied for fifth in the NBA with 6.3 blocks per game. They have the talent to be one of the top defensive teams and that is the biggest reason to avoid facing them in fantasy.
Miami Heat
Miami’s extremely slow pace has undoubtedly contributed to its defensive numbers but they are tied with the Jazz for the second-best points allowed per game mark at 91.5 through the first couple of weeks. While history tells us they may not sustain this level of play, they deserve credit for how they have performed so far. A big part of their turnaround from last season is the presence of both Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside, who have dominated on the interior. That’s why the Heat lead the NBA in blocked shots at 7.8 per game and are also first in opponent field goal percentage (40.5%). Rookie Justise Winslow has proven to be a quality defensive stopper on the perimeter and that’s helped the Heat look like a completely different team at the defensive. Keep an eye on the trends to see if this lasts but for now, this is the East’s best defense.
Indiana Pacers
There is a bit of a drop of following the Spurs, Jazz and Heat, but Indiana has turned things around a bit following a slow start. They have held opponents to 95.2 points per game this season and have done a reasonable job of defending the three (seventh in the NBA). The Pacers have long been identified as a quality defensive team but we weren’t sure what they would look like with Roy Hibbert gone and a new up-tempo offense implemented. So far, they’ve still managed to maintain their defensive quality.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers are talked about a lot because of LeBron James and his offensive potential, but it seems like they never get enough credit for their play at the defensive end of the floor. Cleveland has held opponents to an average of just 96.4 points per game so far this season, which is good for fifth in the NBA. That has them slightly ahead of the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors so this season.
