Welcome to the DFS Army NBA Full Court Press! You have to start your research somewhere, and often times going game by game and breaking down every matchup and its 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 advice in 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!
DFS Army is an affiliate partner of Monkey Knife Fight, click this link to take advantage of our special promotion!
Full Court Press:
Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread:
Pace: Mil -6.3
We don’t have a total here yet, I would assume we are waiting on the status of Giannis. I’m going to operate under the assumption that he will play, but keep an eye on our Breaking News Feed for updates should he end up sitting. This is a massive pace down spot for the Bucks and they should have no problem running away with this game. I will likely stay away from the Bucks unless Giannis is ruled out, there are better spots tonight. From the Cavaliers, Jordan Clarkson draws the best matchup. The Bucks have struggled against two guards all season, look for him to take advantage of this. The Research Station has Cedi Osman projected to be the best point per dollar play on this team. He may have a difficult matchup with Giannis, but if Giannis is out he is a very solid play. Overall, this game is a bit of a pass for me, but that will all change should Giannis sit.
5-star play: To Be Decided – Check the Breaking News Feed
4-star play: Jordan Clarkson, To Be Decided – Check the Breaking News Feed
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: To Be Decided – Check the Breaking News Feed
GPP Sleeper: To Be Decided – Check the Breaking News Feed
New Orleans Pelicans @ Orlando Magic
Vegas Total: 225.0
Vegas Spread: Orl -6.5
Pace:
Anthony Davis has been ruled out for tonight’s game, which shouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone. Cheick Diallo jumps out as a great value play here. He averages 1.21 fantasy points per minute and will see extended run with Davis off the court. Not only that, but he’s gone over 20 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Julius Randle will see a usage increase as well, however, his minutes may be capped around 35, as Gentry is trying to get some of the younger/bench guys some run as the season winds down. Elfrid Payton is the hottest player in basketball, he’s gone for five straight triple-doubles. Not only that, but he gets a revenge game against his old team. Yes, the price is up, but I’m fine going back to the Elf on the Shelf. The value guys should be able to get some run as well here, putting Kenrich Williams, Frank Jackson, and Darius Miller into play. From the Magic, Nikola Vucevic draws an excellent matchup. The Pelicans rank 26th in defense against opposing centers on the season and that’s even a bit skewed as the Pels will be without Davis tonight. Vucevic should be able to do whatever he wants here. As always, Evan Fournier is my cash game preference, while Terrence Ross is the better GPP option. The last guy I have any interest in is Aaron Gordon for GPPs.
5-star play: Elfrid Payton, Julius Randle, Cheick Diallo, Nikola Vucevic
4-star play: Kenrich Williams, Frank Jackson, Evan Fournier
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Cheick Diallo, Kenrich Williams, Darius Miller
GPP Sleeper: Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon
Our NBA Domination Station lineup optimizer is Powered by DFS Army proprietary projections. The Domination Station will help you create 150 of the highest projected lineups in a matter of minutes. With features that allow you to Like
Love
or Dislike
a player, you can create a fully unique pool of players to generate your lineups from every day. Combine the power of the Domination Station with our VIP Only Articles and the NBA Research Station to really take your game to the next level.
Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers
Vegas Total: 226.0
Vegas Spread: Phi -3.0
Pace: Bos +2.1
Starting with the Celtics, both Al Horford and Marcus Morris project well in the Research Station due to their given price tags. I like targeting Kyrie Irving in competitive games and this would fall under that category. He is averaging 41 Draftkings points per game in two matchups with the Sixers this season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are fine plays, but not any that I’m making a priority. From the Sixers, Joel Embiid will be back tonight so that takes away a lot of the potential value we would have with this team. With everyone healthy they are all decent plays, but not the elite plays they are when missing a piece or two. My favorite play from this team is probably Embiid, he’s gone over 50 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and should have no problem continuing that streak tonight. Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris are all secondary plays here. JJ Redick makes for a nice mid-range option as well.
5-star play: Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid
4-star play: Al Horford, Marcus Morris, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, JJ Redick
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown
Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks
Vegas Total: 212.0
Vegas Spread: Utah -12.5
Pace:
Utah draws a great matchup against the weak Knicks defense. The Research Station shows that the Knicks rank 22nd or worse in defense against every position.
My favorite play here is probably Ricky Rubio, he’s gone for 25+ Draftkings points in three straight games and draws the 24th ranked defense against point guards. Donovan Mitchell is also playable at his price, but not a priority by any means. Rudy Gobert scored 48 Draftkings points in a matchup versus the Knicks earlier this season, and I would think he’ll be right around that number again. From the Knicks, Dennis Smith Jr has been ruled out for tonight’s game, which will open up a good chunk of minutes in the backcourt. Emmanuel Mudiay jumps in as one of the best values on the slate. It’s a middle of the road matchup for Mudiay, but whenever he’s going to get minutes I like to target him. Mario Hezonja has been getting good minutes lately as well, he makes for a nice GPP value option. DeAndre Jordan will have his hands full tonight, but he’s playable at the discounted price tag. Damyean Dotson may also get some ball-handling duties with Smith out, he’s more of a GPP option though. I’m always careful with the Knicks because they can pull the rug out from under you at any time, but there are some decent plays tonight.
5-star play: Rudy Gobert, Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell, Emmanuel Mudiay
4-star play: DeAndre Jordan, Mario Hezonja, Damyean Dotson
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Mario Hezonja
GPP Sleeper: Mario Hezonja
Washington Wizards @ Chicago Bulls
Vegas Total: 233.0
Vegas Spread: Was -2.5
Pace: Chi +2.8
Starting with the Wizards, Bradley Beal is coming off an all-time dud in his last game out. However, he is still too cheap and has shown a consistent 50 point floor. In two matchups against the Bulls this season, he is averaging 50.9 Draftkings points per game. The Research Station likes Trevor Ariza and Tomas Satoransky to go over 6x on their given price tags, making them good mid-range options. This is a revenge game for Bobby Portis, but his minutes and play have been all over the place so I’ll reserve him for GPP only. Jabari Parker has been fairly consistent lately and has been crushing his price tag, I have trouble trusting him in cash, but he’s certainly playable for GPPs. From the Bulls, Otto Porter has been ruled out for tonight’s game which will open up 30ish guard/wing minutes. The Research Station has Shaq Harrison projected to 8.1x and take over his role tonight. Lauri Markkanen finally bounced back last game out and should see some extra usage with Porter off the court. The Wizards are ranked dead last in defense against opposing power forwards, so I don’t mind going back to the well here. Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine are also in play, but not anyone that I’m prioritizing.
5-star play: Bradley Beal, Lauri Markkanen
4-star play: Trevor Ariza, Tomas Satoransky, Jabari Parker, Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Shaq Harrison
GPP Sleeper: None
Houston Rockets @ Memphis Grizzlies
Vegas Total: 216.5
Vegas Spread: Hou -9.5
Pace: Mem +1.7
This will be one of the slower games on the slate and not the best matchup for the Rockets. There are really only two guys that I like from Houston; being Danuel House and Chris Paul. House has been getting consistent playing time and has scored into the 20s in five of his last six games. He makes for an excellent value play for cash games. Chris Paul just seems too cheap here, I don’t love the matchup, but his price tag is appealing to me. James Harden and Clint Capela are playable, but I don’t see myself getting there on this slate. From the Grizzlies, Avery Bradley will miss about a week of action with a shin injury. This should open up minutes for Chandler Parsons, as ugly as it sounds he could be in play for GPPs as a value tonight. Joakim Noah is playable as a safe center option, but won’t provide a whole lot of upside. Lastly, Jonas Valanciunas and Mike Conley are in play, but no something I really love.
5-star play: Danuel House, Chris Paul
4-star play: James Harden, Clint Capela, Joakim Noah, Chandler Parsons
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Chandler Parsons, Danuel House
GPP Sleeper: Mike Conley
The NBA Research Station is my #1 source for research every single day and is one of the VIP Only tools our members have access to daily. The info in the NBA ReSearch Station includes today’s
DFS Army Projection, Adjusted DVP matchups and much more. This tool will cut your daily research time in half. If you’re familiar with CeeGee and Ben you already know the time they’ve put into the “Sheets” and are extremely happy to provide them as apart of your DFS Army VIP Membership this year.
Miami Heat @ San Antonio Spurs
Vegas Total: 209.0
Vegas Spread: SA -6.5
Pace:
We go from one slow game to another in this barn burner between the Heat and Spurs. Really the only guy I have any interest here is Dwyane Wade, who seems a bit underpriced. He’s coming off a nice 41 fantasy point outing and will look to stay hot in this matchup. From the Spurs, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are the only guys I have interest in. I like Derrick White, but the Heat have been tough on point guards all season long. DeRozan scored 54 Draftkings points in a previous matchup against the Heat, while Aldridge was only able to muster up 30. Overall, not a game I love because of the low scoring, but there are a few options.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Dwyane Wade, DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Derrick White
Toronto Raptors @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread:
Pace: Tor +3.0
Kyle Lowry will miss tonight’s game, here is how the rest of the team shakes out with him off the court this season…
- Kawhi Leonard – 31.9% usage rate; 1.32 fpm
- Jeremy Lin – 24.5% usage rate; 0.84 fpm
- Pascal Siakam – 23.8% usage rate; 1.08 fpm
- Fred VanVleet – 19.7% usage rate; 0.95 fpm
My favorite play from a value standpoint would be Fred VanVleet who will likely draw the start for Lowry. He is coming off of a very nice 40 point fantasy game last time out. Kawhi Leonard is one of the best plays on the slate with Lowry out, he’ll draw a tough matchup with Paul George, but Kawhi is close to matchup proof. Pascal Siakam is also a decent play, but I’ll likely fade the duo of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. From the Thunder, Russell Westbrook is simply too cheap. Not only this, but the Raptors rank 20th in defense against opposing point guards. Paul George is also in play, but I would rather get my exposure from Westbrook. Steven Adams, Jerami Grant, and Dennis Schroeder are all decent plays, should you land on them.
5-star play: Kawhi Leonard, Fred VanVleet, Russel Westbrook
4-star play: Pascal Siakam, Paul George, Steven Adams, Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroeder
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Jeremy Lin
GPP Sleeper: None
Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers
Vegas Total: 218.0
Vegas Spread: Por -10.0
Pace:
The last game on the slate is between the Mavs and the Blazers. Starting with the Mavericks, Maxi Kleber has been ruled out tonight which gives a small boost to Dwight Powell. He’s priced up, but he makes for a decent play. I’ll never talk someone off of Luka Doncic because of his ability to fill the stat sheet, but I would rather play guys like Westbrook and Kawhi over him. From the Blazers, Damian Lillard is a great play, as the Mavs have struggled with opposing point guards all year long. Their DvP says first, but it is very misleading. Elfrid Payton just put up a triple-double on them, and Derrick White just went for 40 fantasy points. I would be overweight on Damian Lillard tonight. Jusuf Nurkic is too cheap on Draftkings, but I’m a little hesitant to go there on Fanduel. With CJ McCollum still out, Seth Curry and Rodney Hood will fill in. I’m not very high on either but would like to target Maurice Harkless who will likely see a few more minutes.
5-star play: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic (DK)
4-star play: Luka Doncic, Maurice Harkless, Dwight Powell
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Seth Curry, Rodney Hood, Maurice Harkless
GPP Sleeper: None
As always I appreciate everyone who gave the article a read! Feel free to mix it up with me in our coaching forums as news breaks and lock approaches. If you don’t know about them, our two newest pages contain Breaking News and our exclusive Coaches’ Picks……both invaluable for late-breaking news and pivots in NBA.
The only thing you are missing at this point is the key to unlock the next level of your game. Come inside and check us out!! We have the experts sharing their secrets and experience on a daily basis. Combine that with the actual ability to ask them questions and get quick answers in return, and you have a recipe for success that puts our army hats on leaderboards all over the face of DFS.
