Welcome to the DFS Army NBA Full Court Press! You have to start your research somewhere, and often times going game by game thinking about matchups and key players is the first step in our process. My name is Michael aka @MadnessDFS on Twitter, make sure to give me a follow as I’ll occasionally make updates to the article. But, you’ll mostly find me in our VIP coaching forums where I provide detailed lineup maneuvers and answer all lineup questions. With that said, let’s get it started!
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Full Court Press:
Houston Rockets @ Charlotte Bobcats:
Vegas Total: 228.0
Vegas Spread: Hou -4.0
Pace: Hou +0.9
We kick things off with a pretty nice game from a fantasy perspective. Starting with the Rockets, James Harden is near a 40% usage rate on the season which is unheard of. However, he’s coming off a down game against the Hawks. I like Harden here, he’s not necessarily a lock, but certainly a good play. If you want a contrarian play, try pairing Harden with Kemba Walker on the other side, they have the potential to go together like Bo and Luke Duke given the matchup. I’m still waiting for Clint Capela to prove it to me since coming back from injury. I thought the Hawks would be a perfect spot to do so, but he only scored 24 Draftkings points, I’ll continue to wait before I hop on. Eric Gordon’s price has come up a little bit but is still too cheap on Draftkings considering the matchup. Gordon is playing 30+ minutes per night and has scored at least 24.5 Draftkings points in seven straight games. Chris Paul is playing at a high level right now, he has scored at least 42.5 Draftkings points in three straight games. His price has come up, but still a very solid play. P.J. Tucker is too expensive on Fanduel but makes for a nice value on Draftkings.
5-star play: James Harden, Eric Gordon
4-star play: Chris Paul
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: PJ Tucker
GPP Sleeper: Clint Capela
From the Hornets, Miles Bridges is going to continue to pop in the Research Station given the fact that he’s dirt cheap and getting a decent amount of run. But, to be honest, he’s never going to kill you for fading him, there will be better value on this huge slate. Nicolas Batum is playing great basketball right now and Draftkings refuses to give him a price increase. Batum has gone over 35 Draftkings points in two of his last three games and should see minutes into the mid-’30s here. All of these guys continue to be underpriced on Draftkings. Jeremy Lamb is one of them, he is coming off a big game against the Warriors where he went for over 40 fantasy points, he should get a lot of shots in this one. Kemba Walker’s price has come down a bit and I never love targeting point guards against Chris Paul, but he’s an elite GPP play here.
5-star play: Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lamb
4-star play: Kemba Walker
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
GPP Sleeper: Kemba Walker
Washington Wizards @ Brooklyn Nets
Vegas Total: 236.0
Vegas Spread: Bkn -5.0
Pace: Bkn +1.4
This game is projected to be a pretty high scoring one, I’ll start with the road team. From the Wizards, Bradley Beal is the best play on the team and is scorching hot at the moment. Beal has scored 50+ in six of his last seven games and has played 40 minutes in all of his past four games. The Wizards are clearly fine with giving him all the minutes he can handle right now. The Nets aren’t exactly elite on defense either, Beal should have no problem doing whatever he wants here. Tomas Satoransky has been playing better as of late, scoring at least 26.25 Draftkings points in three straight and draws a nice matchup against D’Angelo Russell and company. As many of you know, I love targeting big men against the Nets which puts me onto Bobby Portis. He burned me last time out and only got 17 minutes due to foul trouble and Thomas Bryant going nuclear, but this is a nice bounce-back spot for him. Finally, Trevor Ariza is still playing minutes into the upper 30’s, you could do worse at this price range.
5-star play: Bradley Beal
4-star play: Bobby Portis, Tomas Satoransky, Trevor Ariza
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Jabari Parker
From Brooklyn, just like the Nets, I love targeting big men against the Wizards. Jarrett Allen is still underpriced and draws a fantastic matchup against an undersized Wizards front-court. Joe Harris is poorly priced on Draftkings plain and simple. He’s scored at least 20 fantasy points in eight of his last ten games and shouldn’t have a problem doing so here. In two matchups against the Wizards this season, he is averaging 26.9 Draftkings points per game. D’Angelo Russell has struggled in three games against the Wizards this season but is playing great basketball right now. Russell has scored at least 48.75 Draftkings points in four of his last five games, he’s a borderline cash option and an elite GPP option. DeMarre Carroll, Ed Davis, and Allen Crabbe all make for decent value plays as well.
5-star play: Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris
4-star play: D’Angelo Russell
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: DeMarre Carroll, Ed Davis, Allen Crabbe
GPP Sleeper: D’Angelo Russell
Golden State Warriors @ Miami Heat
Vegas Total: 224.0
Vegas Spread: GS -9.0
Pace: Mia +2.6
Starting with the Warriors, DeMarcus Cousins finally hit the 30-minute mark in his last game out. In that game, he was able to over 50 fantasy points and his price hasn’t budged. The matchup is a little tougher, but he’s scoring an elite 1.43 fantasy points per minute this season, so he’s certainly in play. Many of you know I don’t have a strong opinion on who to pick between Kevin Durant and Steph Curry on a nightly basis, and that doesn’t change tonight. Play whoever fits your lineup better if you want exposure to them. Draymond Green feels way too cheap on Draftkings at under $6k, he’s coming off a 46 point fantasy game the last time out and is a very solid mid-range option. Klay Thompson is also a fine piece as the last guy into your lineup, but not a core play. Andre Iguodala is viable as a value on Draftkings as well.
***BREAKING NEWS: DeMarcus Cousins has been ruled out for rest purposes tonight. Here is how the rest of the team shakes out with him off the floor…
- Kevin Durant – 32.7% usage rate; 1.4 fantasy points per minute
- Steph Curry – 33.8% usage rate; 1.44 fantasy points per minute
- Klay Thompson – 28.1% usage rate; 1.02 fantasy points per minute ***
5-star play: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green
4-star play: Klay Thompson
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Andre Iguodala
GPP Sleeper: None
From the Heat, we will have to see who is all available, as a lot of the team was out in their last game. Kelly Olynyk is coming off probably his best game of the season but has seen a massive price increase. Derrick Jones Jr. isn’t on the injury report so he will cut into Olynyk’s minutes, I don’t see a reason to go there on this slate. My favorite play from the Heat is Dion Waiters who score 39.25 Draftkings points against the Warriors earlier this season and should get plenty of shots here in a pace up game. Hassan Whiteside has had back-to-back 40 point fantasy games and makes for a strong GPP option, I will never go there in cash games however given his minutes volatility. Josh Richardson had a monster first half in his last game but didn’t do much in the second half. He’s going to play near 40 minutes tonight and scored 50 fantasy points in this matchup earlier this season, he makes for a very solid play.
5-star play: Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson
4-star play: Hassan Whiteside, Dwyane Wade
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Hassan Whiteside
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Minnesota Timberwolves @ Atlanta Hawks
Vegas Total: 236.0
Vegas Spread: Min -4.0
Pace: Min +3.9
I’ll continue to say it… stack against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are the fastest team in the league which leads to fantasy production on both ends of the ball. If Jeff Teague plays here, he is far too cheap on Draftkings at $5600. Trae Young is not a great defender and Teague should have plenty of assist opportunities. Karl-Anthony Towns is coming off a monster 70 point fantasy game and will look to stay hot here, as the Hawks rank 26th in defensive efficiency against opposing centers. Andrew Wiggins won’t have any issue getting to the rim here and makes for a decent mid-range option. If Teague is out again, Tyus Jones and Derrick Rose would both become elite options.
5-star play: Jeff Teague (Draftkings if he plays), Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyus Jones and Derrick Rose (If Teague is OUT)
4-star play: Andrew Wiggins, Derrick Rose (If Teague plays)
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Derrick Rose
From the Hawks, John Collins has played better over his past two games and will look to stay hot against Taj Gibson and company. His price has come down and shouldn’t have any problem hitting value here. Trae Young destroyed Chris Paul and the Rockets last game out after I said not to play him. Truth is, this kid can score and is priced pretty reasonably. I would try to find the extra money to get to Bradley Beal, but if you land on Trae Young I wouldn’t be upset about it. Taurean Prince also played very well last game, he’s a little too volatile for cash games but is a nice GPP option on both sites. Kevin Huerter is also a decent value on Draftkings if you fall in that range.
5-star play: John Collins, Trae Young
4-star play: None
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Kevin Huerter, Taurean Prince
GPP Sleeper: Taurean Prince
Chicago Bulls @ Memphis Grizzlies
Vegas Total: 215.0
Vegas Spread: Mem -3.0
Pace: Mem +2.9
We go from a pretty nice game to this ugly one. Starting with the Bulls, we will need to keep an eye on Kris Dunn and Otto Porter Jr. who both missed the last game and are currently listed as questionable. If those two play, Porter would probably be my favorite play on the Bulls. He had gone for at least 34.25 in three straight games before leaving the Boston game early with an injury. Lauri Markkanen is only in play in cash if Dunn and Porter sit in my opinion. His price has come way up, but for good reason. Markkanen has averaged 50.6 Draftkings points per game in his last five games, but it’s not an easy matchup against Jonas Valanciunas and company. Zach LaVine is a fine play as the last guy into your lineup regardless of the Dunn and Porter news. I obviously like him more with Dunn and Porter out. Finally, Robin Lopez has been playing very well, he has gone over 30 fantasy points in four straight games and is a solid value play.
5-star play: Lauri Markkanen
4-star play: Zach LaVine, Otto Porter Jr., Robin Lopez
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Robin Lopez
GPP Sleeper: None
From the Grizzlies, Jonas Valanciunas is far and away my favorite play from this team. He has scored 40+ fantasy points in his last two games and should see around 30 minutes against Robin Lopez and company. Justin Holiday makes for a great punt play on Fanduel, whereas Delon Wright makes for a better value on Draftkings. The Bulls rank 24th against opposing point guards on the season, according to the Research Station, which puts Mike Conley into play. Conley is a GPP play only for me given the size of the slate. Ivan Rabb is currently listed as doubtful, which puts Bruno Caboclo in play as a value and a drop on Fanduel.
5-star play: Jonas Valanciunas
4-star play: Mike Conley, Delon Wright
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Bruno Caboclo, Justin Holiday, Delon Wright
GPP Sleeper: Mike Conley
Portland Trail Blazers @ Boston Celtics
Vegas Total: 227.0
Vegas Spread: Bos -2.5
Pace: Bos +0.1
Starting with Portland, this team feels pretty appropriately priced against a difficult matchup against the Celtics. I won’t have much of anyone from Portland from cash, but you can target them for GPPs for sure. Damian Lillard has an elite 30.5% usage rate on the season and could get into a shootout with Kyrie Irving, who seems as if he has checked out. Jusuf Nurkic has scored 1.35 fantasy points per minute this season and has the size advantage on Al Horford and Marcus Morris down low. If Enes Kanter was cheaper I would have some interest in him coming off the bench, but at almost $6k there isn’t a whole lot of upside on that price tag on Draftkings. Al-Farouq Aminu is fine as the last guy into your lineup, but nowhere near a priority.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Al-Farouq Aminu
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic
The Celtics are a priced a little better to where we can target a few of them. Kyrie Irving burned me last night as he was part of my core, but ended up doing alright even with him. I don’t know what to think of Irving right now, he seemed completely checked out last night and seems like he is done with this team. For now, I’m going to leave him as a strong GPP play. I seem to never get Gordon Hayward right, he draws a tough matchup but is also priced way down. I don’t mind him as a mid-range value. Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris are both priced at a point to where you can go there and be okay. The Research Station likes a lot of these guys to exceed their 5x point per dollar prediction, so there is some room to work with here.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Kyrie Irving
Indiana Pacers @ Dallas Mavericks
Vegas Total: 216.0
Vegas Spread: Ind -1.0
Pace: Ind +1.2
From the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis has been ruled out for tonight. With Sabonis off the court this season, Bojan Bogdanovic sees the biggest bump in usage, all the way up to 26% and scores an average of 0.93 fantasy points per minute. Kyle O’Quinn may draw some of Sabonis’s minutes, I like him more on Fanduel where you can drop him though. Myles Turner is back and draws a nice matchup here against Dwight Powell, he’s a 4-star play for me. Finally, Darren Collison draws the best matchup on the team, the Mavericks rank 25th in defense against opposing point guards on the season.
5-star play: Bojan Bogdanovic
4-star play: Myles Turner, Darren Collison
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Kyle O’Quinn
GPP Sleeper: None
The Mavericks are coming off a game where Dwight Powell and Luka Doncic went nuts. Powell scored 49 fantasy points against the Clippers and is still priced way down on Draftkings. He is one of the best value plays on the slate right now. Luka Doncic is a walking triple-double so he is always firmly in play. Dorian Finney-Smith continues to be under $4k on Draftkings and makes for another good value on this team. Tim Hardaway is a GPP only play for me as he scores in bunches or does nothing.
5-star play: Dwight Powell (Draftkings), Luka Doncic
4-star play: Dorian Finney-Smith (Draftkings)
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Dwight Powell and Dorian Finney-Smith (Both for Draftkings)
GPP Sleeper: Tim Hardaway Jr.
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Detroit Pistons @ San Antonio Spurs
Vegas Total: 220.0
Vegas Spread: SA -4.5
Pace: Even
The Pistons go on the road to play the Spurs and as you know I love targeting point guards against the Spurs. This puts Reggie Jackson immediately into play. The Spurs rank dead last in defense against opposing point guards. Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin are the real producers on this team. Of the two I would prefer Drummond, as Blake Griffin always seems overpriced for his production. Wayne Ellington makes for a decent punt on both sites as well.
5-star play: Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond
4-star play: Blake Griffin
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Wayne Ellington
GPP Sleeper: None
From the Spurs, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are priced where they should be for this matchup. DeRozan played well earlier in this matchup and was able to score 55 fantasy points in 34 minutes. The matchup for Aldridge is much more difficult, I likely won’t have much of him tonight. Derrick White has returned from injury and actually played well, it seems like he’s being capped at 25 minutes, but it’s a nice matchup against a below average defender in Reggie Jackson. As always, Marco Belinelli makes for a decent value play.
5-star play: DeMar DeRozan
4-star play: Derrick White
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Marco Belinelli
GPP Sleeper: LaMarcus Aldridge
Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz
Vegas Total: 227.0
Vegas Spread: Utah -9.5
Pace: Utah +1.4
The Clippers had a nice showing against the Mavericks last time out in terms of fantasy production. Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams all scored over 45 fantasy points. I wouldn’t expect that to continue, but Patrick Beverley is still under $5k on Draftkings and $6k on Fanduel. He’s more than capable of racking up those peripheral stats which makes him very much in play, the Jazz also ranks 27th against opposing point guards on the season. Lou Williams leads the team with a 33.5% usage rate and is a fine play here. I normally don’t target big men against the Jazz because of the force that Rudy Gobert presents, so I’ll leave Harrell out of my player pool tonight. Danilo Gallinari has been a bit inconsistent as of late but is a nice point per dollar play tonight. Landry Shamet is in play as a nice value and drop score as he is under $4k on both sites and should see minutes into the ’20s.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Landry Shamet
GPP Sleeper: None
From the Jazz, Rudy Gobert stands out as a nice play here. The Clippers rank 26th in defense against centers on the season and just don’t have the size to keep up with Gobert on both ends of the court. The Research Station loves Derrick Favors as a point per dollar play, and I tend to agree. He is way underpriced and has gone over 25 fantasy points in five straight games. Ricky Rubio draws a tough Patrick Beverley defense which makes me hesitant to use him. Finally, Donavon Mitchell leads this team with a 31% usage rate and is a fine option if you want to get exposure to this game.
5-star play: Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors
4-star play: Donavon Mitchell, Joe Ingles
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Ricky Rubio
Milwaukee Bucks @ Sacramento Kings
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread:
Pace: Mil +1.9
We still don’t have a total for this game which is odd, as Giannis is already ruled as probable. We can assume the total will be relatively high as these two teams are pretty face paced. However, the spread will likely be pretty big, so the blowout risk is in play here. With Giannis back on the court and the blowout risk, there isn’t a whole lot that I like from this team for cash games. Eric Bledsoe normally doesn’t see a full allotment of minutes in high spread games, the same goes for Giannis although he’s been playing more as the season goes on. My favorite play from the Bucks is probably Malcolm Brogdon who is just a consistency machine. He has scored 30+ fantasy points in nine of his last ten games and is below $6k on Draftkings. Brook Lopez is also underpriced if you need a value center. Giannis is a good GPP play if the Kings can somehow stay in this game, it’s a nice matchup where he should be able to do whatever he wants.
5-star play: Malcolm Brogdon (Draftkings)
4-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Brook Lopez
GPP Sleeper: Eric Bledsoe, Giannis Antetokounmpo
From the Kings, we need to start with Marvin Bagley who is one of the hotter big men in the league. Bagley has scored 45+ fantasy points in four of his last five games. The matchup isn’t great, but I tend to believe in hot streaks so I’ll put him as a 4-star tonight. Bogdan Bogdanovic is always underpriced it feels like, the Bucks struggle defending the 3-point line and that is represented in their 26th ranking against opposing shooting guards on the season. Harrison Barnes continues to be frustrating, he’s going to play minutes in the ’30s, but he can’t seem to do anything with them. With Giannis likely guarding him tonight, I’ll be avoiding him. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield will be needed tonight to keep this game close, I don’t mind either of them as the last player in your lineup. Willie Cauley-Stein also feels underpriced, if you fall on him I don’t mind it.
5-star play: Bogdan Bogdanovic
4-star play: Marvin Bagley, De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Willie Cauley-Stein
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: None
New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers
Vegas Total: 239.0
Vegas Spread: LAL -5.5
Pace: NO +0.9
The last game on the slate should be an entertaining one. It sounds like Anthony Davis will play in this game, likely on a minutes limit, however. My favorite play from the Pelicans is Julius Randle who will be returning to his old arena. Randle has minutes into the upper 30’s in his last two games. The Lakers rank 29th against opposing power forwards on the season. I’m still not willing to go with Anthony Davis here though, the price is still too high given the situation. Elfrid Payton is beginning to play a good chunk of minutes and has scored 38+ fantasy points in two straight games. I like giving him a look here in the highest total on the slate. Jrue Holiday is playing well right now as well, I’m willing to go there in a high paced game with Anthony Davis soaking up less usage. I’ll avoid the ancillary pieces with Davis on the court for tonight.
5-star play: Julius Randle, Jrue Holiday, Elfrid Payton
4-star play: None
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Jahlil Okafor
LeBron James is probably the favorite to score the most fantasy points on the slate. If I’m paying up for a superstar tonight, it will likely be him. These two teams just played and LeBron scored 64.75 fantasy points and has scored in three of his last four games. James is doing whatever he needs to do to try and get this team to the playoffs. Reggie Bullock is a great value option as he will likely get a ton of shots here and will play minutes into the mid-’30s. Kyle Kuzma continues to play well, he has scored over 30 fantasy points in four of his last five games. The Pelicans rank 23rd in defense against opposing power forwards. JaVale McGee pretty much got ran off the court the last time these two played, so I won’t be going with him tonight. Brandon Ingram is worth a shot in a total as high as this one, but not a priority for me.
5-star play: LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma
4-star play: Brandon Ingram, Reggie Bullock
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Reggie Bullock
GPP Sleeper: None
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