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!
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We had a small three-game slate last night, and we follow that up with an insane 13 game slate tonight. With it being the beginning of April, some teams don’t have anything to play for and some teams are fighting for their playoff lives. Those teams with nothing to play for may rest some players and/or give some of their younger guys more playing time. The Breaking News Feed will be a key tool to be successful on tonight’s slate. When news breaks our coaches will be all over it and who it affects on the team. I cannot stress how important this tool will be for tonight’s slate, it will be wild, it will be crazy, but it will be profitable if you know how to attack it. With that said, let’s get this thing going.
Full Court Press:
Toronto Raptors @ Charlotte Hornets
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: Tor -5.0
Pace:
Toronto is locked into the number two seed in the East, while the Hornets are on the outside looking in at the eight seed. I could see the Raptors resting some guys sporadically for the rest of their three games, so really keep an eye on that Breaking News Feed for updates. Starting with the Raptors, assuming they all are active, Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol pretty good spots here. Gasol gets a DvP% of 107.8%, while Lowry gets 103.7%. Both are worth at least some consideration tonight. In two games against the Hornets this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 42 Draftkings points per game. I think we can find better spots tonight than Kawhi. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are both secondary GPP plays as well. From the Hornets, Willy Hernangomez is a frustrating roster, as the Hornets have no issue with pulling his minutes out right from under him. With that said, he is a fine GPP value play. Jeremy Lamb is a bit all over the place recently, he’s not someone I’m actively targeting here. Kemba Walker is averaging 48 Draftkings points per game against the Raptors this season, he’s a solid GPP play.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Kawhi Leonard (Borderline), Kemba Walker
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Willy Hernangomez
GPP Sleeper: Kemba Walker, Pascal Siakam
San Antonio Spurs @ Washington Wizards
Vegas Total: 227.5
Vegas Spread: SA -6.0
Pace:
This game doesn’t mean a whole lot for either team, other than 7/8 seed jocking for the Spurs. Starting with those Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge draws a pretty solid matchup. He gets a DvP% of 112.5%, in one game against the Spurs this season he scored 55.25 Draftkings points. We need to take that number with a grain of salt however, as DeMar DeRozan did not play in that game. I like DeRozan here as a mid to high range play, but I’m a little worried about the minutes of these Spurs guys. Popovich really doesn’t have any need to force them into high minutes here. Derrick White grades out as the best point per dollar play on the team, as the Domination Station projects him to 5.5x his Draftkings price tag. From the Wizards, they have a number of nice point per dollar guys. Trevor Ariza and Jabari Parker will be out for this game, which opens up a ton of wing minutes for guys like Troy Brown and Sam Dekker. Parker left at halftime of their last game, Dekker filled in and played 31 minutes while Brown played 36 minutes. They are both projected to go over 6x their Draftkings price tags and make for very nice value plays. I’m going to keep playing Thomas Bryant, as the season winds down the Wizards have committed to giving him minutes in order to see if they have anything in him. He has played at least 39 minutes in three of his last four games and has scored at least 47.5 Draftkings points in each of those games. Bradley Beal only played 22 minutes last game, this may be the start of the Wizards finally giving him some rest. For that reason, I’ll be avoiding him and labeling Jordan McRae and Chasson Randle as GPP value plays.
5-star play: LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Thomas Bryant
4-star play: Troy Brown, Sam Dekker, Derrick White
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Sam Dekker, Jordan McRae, Chasson Randle
GPP Sleeper: Jordan McRae, Chasson Randle
Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic
Vegas Total: 226.0
Vegas Spread: Orl -8.5
Pace:
Starting with the Hawks, DeAndre Bembry is projected to be the best point per dollar play here. The Domination Station has him projected for 5.94x his Draftkings price tag. With Kent Bazemore already ruled out it makes Bembry a nice play, he becomes a great play if Taurean Prince is ultimately ruled out as well. Trae Young has only averaged 32 Draftkings points per game in three games against the Magic this season, in a thirteen game slate I think he’s best served for GPPs. John Collins is priced a bit too high for me as well, but also a fine GPP play. The Magic need to win to keep winning to ensure that they get the eight seed in the Eastern Conference, so there will be no shortage of motive. From Orlando, DJ Augustin draws an incredible matchup here. He gets a DvP% of 121.7% as the Hawks are the worst team in the league against opposing point guards. He is projected to 5.9x his Draftkings price tag. In three games against the Hawks, this season Nikola Vucevic is averaging 53.5 Draftkings points per game and will look to stay hot against them here. Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, and Evan Fournier are all secondary/GPP plays for me here.
5-star play: Nikola Vucevic
4-star play: Trae Young, DeAndre Bembry, DJ Augustin, Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, Evan Fournier
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Trae Young, John Collins, Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross
Miami Heat @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Vegas Total: 217.5
Vegas Spread: Mia -2.0
Pace:
This game doesn’t matter for the Wolves, but the Heat need to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. Starting with the Heat, Bam Adebayo draws the best matchup, as he gets a DvP% of 122.4%. He’s not the best play on the slate, but he’s certainly worth a look. Goran Dragic grades out as the best point per dollar play, as he is projected to go for 5.3x his Draftkings price tag. Dwyane Wade has gone over 30 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, and his time in the league is quickly coming to a close. I don’t have an issue rostering Wade any night as the Heat season comes to an end, Wade will look to go out on top. From the Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns dropped an insane 86.5 Draftkings points against the Heat earlier this season. Expecting a game like that again is a little over-ambitious, but he’s still a solid play here. Tyus Jones and Andrew Wiggins are really the only other guys on this team that I have interest in, as their minutes are pretty safe.
5-star play: Karl-Anthony Towns
4-star play: Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Tyus Jones, Andrew Wiggins
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Hassan Whiteside
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Boston Celtics @ Indiana Pacers
Vegas Total: 214.5
Vegas Spread: Ind -1.5
Pace:
These two teams are tied for the four and five seed in the Eastern Conference, so there is plenty of motive here. Starting with the Celtics, Al Horford is grading out as a great play in the Domination Station. It has him projected to go for 5.6x his Draftkings price tag. Kyrie Irving has struggled in three matchups with the Pacers this season, averaging less than 35 Draftkings points per game. I think he can be avoided here. Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum both make sense as secondary plays. From the Pacers, both Darren Collison and Wesley Matthews are game-time-decisions for this game, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for that news. If they are out, we can expect Cory Joseph and Tyreke Evans to draw the start again and become good value plays. Thad Young has scored at least 34.75 Draftkings points in three of his last four games, you can do worse than him tonight. Myles Turner has gone for at least 36.25 Draftkings points in five of his last six games, he’ll look to stay hot as well. Domantas Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic are GPP plays only, given the tough matchup.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Al Horford, Myles Turner, Thad Young, Pacers frontcourt depending on news
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Domantas Sabonis, Bojan Bogdanovic
New York Knicks @ Houston Rockets
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: Hou -16.5
Pace:
We all know what the Knicks are playing for (Zion)… while the Rockets need to win this game to keep their seed in the Western Conference. Winning this game will be no issue for the Rockets, and this game could get ugly quickly, we need to keep a blowout in mind when analyzing this one. Starting with the Knicks, whoever starts between Mario Hezonja and Luke Kornet will be a great value play. Fizdale has proven that he’ll give the starter the most minutes, and both have been great when given the playing time. Mitchell Robinson should continue to start and playing minutes into the thirties, he’s a very solid play here. I never love targeting point guards against Chris Paul defense, and on this big of a slate, I’ll stay away from Emmanuel Mudiay. From the Rockets, Eric Gordon and James Harden draw the best matchups here, as they get a DvP% of 115.3%. I’m very hesitant in playing James Harden here given the likely blowout, but it’s hard to ignore the 97 point fantasy game he dropped on the Knicks earlier this season with no Chris Paul. Speaking of Paul, he is projected to be the best point per dollar play on this team at 5.4x, I don’t love him, but I don’t hate him. Clint Capela has gone over 40 fantasy points in four of his last five games, he’s in the same boat as the other guys where the blowout is scary but makes sense as a play if you fall on him.
5-star play: Luke Kornet or Mario Hezonja (Whoever starts), James Harden
4-star play: Mitchell Robinson, Chris Paul, Clint Capela
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Chris Paul, Clint Capela, James Harden, Eric Gordon
Detroit Pistons @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: OKC -10.5
Pace:
Both of these teams are jockeying for playoff seeding in their respective conferences, so there is plenty to play for here. Starting with the Pistons, there’s honestly not a ton I love. However, if Blake Griffin plays, this game sets up well for him. He is a guy I like targeting in fast-paced games where he can use his athleticism. If he is out, Andre Drummond jumps in as a great play. This is a case where we will again need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed. Luke Kennard is also a fine value option if you want exposure to this game/team. From the Thunder, these guys all seem to be priced where they should be. However, I will never talk you off of playing Russell Westbrook or Paul George given their MVP level talent. Steven Adams draws a tough matchup here, so I’ll likely go elsewhere. Jerami Grant and Dennis Schroder are GPP plays.
5-star play: Blake Griffin (If active with no minutes restriction), Andre Drummond (If Griffin is out), Russell Westbrook, Paul George
4-star play: Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroder
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Luke Kennard
GPP Sleeper: Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroder
Memphis Grizzlies @ Dallas Mavericks
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: Dal -4.0
Pace:
This game doesn’t mean much to either of these teams, as they are both eliminated from playoff contention. Starting with the Grizzlies, I’ll go right back to the Ivan Rabb well as long as Joakim Noah is still out. Right now Rabb is projected to 5.8x his Draftkings price tag in the Domination Station. Mike Conley is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game, meaning we can go right back to Delon Wright as well. Tyler Dorsey has been a little inconsistent as of late, so I’ll make him a GPP play. Justin Holiday is never a fun play, but if you fall on him go for it, he’ll get the minutes, just don’t watch the game it won’t be fun. From the Mavs, both Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic are listed as questionable here. It’s tough breaking down this team without knowing the news on these guys, again keep that Breaking News Feed open. Justin Jackson has gotten over 30 minutes in three of his last four games and will certainly get there again if those two end up missing. He is a solid value option if you fall in that range. Dwight Powell won’t have much competition down low, he’s a fine mid-tier center option. Trey Burke would become one of the better value plays on the slate if both Brunson and Doncic sit. Other than those guys, there isn’t much else I like from this team.
5-star play: Ivan Rabb (If Noah is out), Delon Wright, Trey Burke (If Doncic and Brunson are out)
4-star play: Justin Jackson, Dwight Powell
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Ivan Rabb, Trey Burke
GPP Sleeper: None
Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz
Vegas Total: 224.0
Vegas Spread: Utah -10.5
Pace:
The only thing this game may have an impact on is the seeding for the Jazz, they will want to win this game. Starting with the Kings, Willie Cauley-Stein has surprisingly performed well in this matchup this season, averaging 32.2 Draftkings points per game in three games. De’Aaron Fox draws the best matchup on the team, as he gets a DvP% of 104.9%, he’s a fine play as well. Other than that, I don’t love targeting this Jazz defense, it is elite. From Utah, Rudy Gobert is averaging 44 Draftkings points per game against the Kings this season. Donovan Mitchell has been playing well and has gone for at least 45 fantasy points in three straight games, he will look to stay hot here. Joe Ingles is also playing great, scoring more than 40 fantasy points in three of his last four, and will look to continue with Derrick Favors already ruled out for this game.
5-star play: Joe Ingles, Rudy Gobert
4-star play: Willie Cauley-Stein, De’Aaron Fox, Donovan Mitchell
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: None
New Orleans Pelicans @ Phoenix Suns
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: NO -1.0
Pace:
These are two of the worst teams in the league, the playoffs are nowhere in reach here. Starting with the Pelicans, I wish they would just sit Anthony Davis for the rest of the season and save us the headache. He is currently probable, but he was on Wednesday as well before being a late scratch, so take it for what it’s worth. The Pels will want to get Christian Wood minutes regardless, as they want to see what they have in him. He’s been playing well and gets a DvP% of 112.6%, he’s a solid play here. Julius Randle hasn’t seen his minutes come down and has been playing great, I’m willing to go with him in GPP. Ian Clark, Elfrid Payton, and Kenrich Williams are all deep GPP flyers. From the Suns, there is going to be tons of value here, as Devin Booker is out for the rest of the season and owned a good chunk of this offenses usage.
Most of this team is projected to go for at least 5x their Draftkings price tag, simply because they are cheap and will see the minutes. Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, and Troy Daniels are my favorite plays, closely followed by Jamal Crawford. However, for some reason we didn’t get news that Crawford wasn’t active until the second quarter of the last game, which was infuriating, so just keep an eye on that.
5-star play: Christian Wood, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, Troy Daniels
4-star play: Jamal Crawford, Richaun Holmes, Jimmer Fredette
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Jamal Crawford, Troy Daniels, Jimmer Fredette (yes these are guys that are playable in 2019)
GPP Sleeper: This whole game to be honest
Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: Lac -9.5
Pace:
The Clippers are still playing for seeding in the Western Conference, but the Lakers are far out of it. Starting with the Lakers, JaVale McGee draws the best matchup as the Clippers have a DvP% of 117.6% against opposing centers. Kyle Kuzma also grades out well as a point per dollar play, projecting him to go for 5.8x his Draftkings price tag. Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are both secondary plays. From the Clippers, Lou Williams is my favorite play here, he is averaging 42 Draftkings points versus the Lakers this season. Montrezl Harrell and Danilo Gallinari are both secondary plays, with Gallinari being an elite GPP play given his upside. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing very well and I love him if Patrick Beverley is ruled out here. He’s gone for at least 34 Draftkings points in three of his last four and is pretty blowout proof if this game gets to that point.
5-star play: JaVale McGee, Kyle Kuzma, Lou Williams
4-star play: Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Danilo Gallinari
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Danilo Gallinari
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Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets
Vegas Total: 216.0
Vegas Spread: Den -6.5
Pace:
This game is a pretty big game in terms of seeding, I expect both teams to go all out here. Starting with the Blazers, Damian Lillard has struggled in this matchup this season, averaging less than 40 fantasy points per game. That number will likely go up with CJ McCollum still off the court, but still not a great matchup for Lillard. Enes Kanter has scored at least 40 fantasy points in three straight games and draws the best DvP% on the team at 107.5%. Other than those two I don’t have much interest in this team. From Denver, Jamal Murray grades out very well and is projected to go for 5.7x his Draftkings price tag, he’s also been playing very well. Nikola Jokic is one of my favorite spend up options here, Enes Kanter won’t be able to stop him. Will Barton and Gary Harris are deep GPP flyers at best.
5-star play: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Enes Kanter
4-star play: Damian Lillard
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: None
GPP Sleeper: Will Barton, Gary Harris
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors
Vegas Total:
Vegas Spread: GS -16.0
Pace:
DeMarcus Cousins is planning to be rested here for the Warriors, I don’t see how the Warriors don’t rest somebody else here, keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed on this one. There really isn’t a way that the Cavs keep this thing close, but Ante Zizic is a very solid value play if Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are both out again. Cedi Osman is a fine GPP play as well, other than that not a lot of interest on this team. I’ll operate under the assumption that everyone is active for the Warriors. Klay Thompson draws the best matchup here as the Cavaliers have a DvP% of 119% against opposing shooting guards. Draymond Green grades out as the best point per dollar play, projecting to go for 5.6x his Draftkings price tag. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry are both fine GPP plays, but there is no way they get fourth-quarter run here.
5-star play: Ante Zizic (If Love and Thompson are out), Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
4-star play: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry
Deeper Value/FD Drop Candidate: Ante Zizic
GPP Sleeper: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry
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