Welcome to another year of the DFS Army NBA Full Court Press! Members had a ton of success using the Full Court Press along with various articles and tools that DFS Army provides, that said, we are glad to be back with another year of the all-inclusive article. You have to start your research somewhere, and oftentimes 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!
Before I get started, make sure to check out the latest new DFS website. SuperDraft is an innovative new DFS site that does not have salaries but instead uses a multiplier system and better yet, THEY HAVE LATE SWAP! Check out more on how it works below!
-> SuperDraft FREE $10 Bonus <-
Full Court Press:
Memphis Grizzlies @ Denver Nuggets
Vegas Total: 217.5
Vegas Spread: Den -9.0
This is the only early game on the day so if you want to play this one you’ll have to play the showdown slates. Starting with the Nuggets, this is an elite spot for Nikola Jokic who is in great form as of late. This is a big pace up spot for this team and I would prefer this side of the ball over the Grizzlies. Jamal Murray has 40+ Draftkings points in three of his last five games. This is a nice matchup for him and has flashed a massive ceiling this season but is very volatile. Will Barton is a solid GPP but very similar to Murray that he is not the most consistent. From the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson is in great form as of late but I really don’t like the spot for him. This is a pace down matchup for this whole team and a tough spot for most starters due to the defense that the Nuggets play. Ja Morant feels too expensive for this spot as well. Jonas Valanciunas has proven he can put up a 50 burger on just about anybody, he is my favorite play on this team considering the matchup.
5-star play: Nikola Jokic
4-star play: Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Jonas Valanciunas
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, Jonas Valanciunas
Toronto Raptors @ Boston Celtics
Vegas Total: 216
Vegas Spread: Bos -6
We start the main slate off of with a Christmas Day rematch, this time in Boston. It sounds like Marcus Smart should return for this game and with Gordon Hayward healthy, this team should be good to go. Jayson Tatum struggled in this matchup last time out, but with Siakam and Gasol out it really isn’t too terrible, I wouldn’t be afraid of going back to the well here. Kemba Walker has not been great lately and his price reflects that, he’s more of a GPP play until he starts showing some ceiling games again. Jaylen Brown has 40+ Draftkings in four of his last five games if you want to continue to ride the hot streak, he makes a lot of sense. Gordon Hayward makes sense for GPPs, but not a guy that I’ll get a ton of today. Lastly, Enes Kanter continues to play well and seems like he’s finally free from his hunt from the Turkish government (yeah long story there) I like him for GPPs as well. From the Raptors, Kyle Lowry is probably still too cheap here. He is playing great basketball as of late and Kemba isn’t known for his defense. Pascal Siakam has been ruled out indefinitely which is a huge hit to this team. Not to mention that big man Marc Gasol is out along with Norman Powell as well. Kyle Lowry will likely be the biggest beneficiary in terms of usage, he sees a 37% usage rate and 1.65 fantasy points per minute with Siakam, Powell and Gasol off the court and is playing great basketball right now. I would expect Serge Ibaka to see a massive bump as well, he’s seeing 1.2 fantasy points per minute with those two off the court. OG Anunoby and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson should also see extended run with the big men out. Fred VanVleet isn’t in the best form but should get a ton of minutes which will put him in play.
5-star play: Jayson Tatum, Kyle Lowry
4-star play: Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jaylen Brown, Enes Kanter, Jayson Tatum
Deeper Value: Chris Boucher
GPP Sleeper: Jaylen Brown, Enes Kanter, Rondae Hollis- Jefferson
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Vegas Total: 222
Vegas Spread: Min -6.5
Starting with the Cavs, Kevin Love is in great form and has 40+ Draftkings points in four straight games, it’s tough not to like him in this matchup against a bad defensive team. Tristan Thompson isn’t in great form but gets a similarly good matchup, he’s more of a deep GPP play on a huge slate. Collin Sexton feels safer now that Jordan Clarkson is out of town, I like him for GPPs. From the Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable here so that’s a big piece of news we will need to watch for. I’ll assume he’s in for the sake of this article, he’s too cheap if he does play, however, I do worry about a lingering issue. Andrew Wiggins continues to play great basketball and finally playing consistent enough to where you can play him in all formats. Gorgui Dieng will fill in if KAT misses and makes for an elite play if so. Both Robert Covington and Jeff Teague are GPP guys for me on this big slate.
5-star play: Kevin Love, Karl-Anthony Towns, Gorgui Dieng (if KAT misses), Andrew Wiggins
4-star play: Collin Sexton, Robert Covington, Jeff Teague
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Robert Covington, Jeff Teague, Tristan Thompson
Brooklyn Nets @ Houston Rockets
Vegas Total: 232.5
Vegas Spread: Hou -9.0
This is one of my favorite games on the slate due to the high spread and very little defense in its future. Starting with the Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie has 45+ Draftkings points in three of his last four games and gets a pretty good matchup here. I’ll go right back to the well with him. Jarrett Allen should be able to do whatever he wants down low with Clint Capela ruled doubtful. Taurean Prince is coming off a straight dud game but scored 51 Draftkings points in this matchup earlier this season, that’s enough to get me back on board. Lastly, Joe Harris makes for a fine GPP option in hopes that he can get from three. From the Rockets, James Harden and Russell Westbrook should be able to do whatever they want against this Nets defense, both are elite plays at their respective price tags. With Clint Capela out they may run more small-ball lineups meaning we could see some PJ Tucker at the five, making him a solid value option. Ben McLemore and Danuel House both make sense as lineup filling value plays as well, McLemore and House are the more blowout proof of the three if that sways your opinion.
5-star play: Spencer Dinwiddie, James Harden, Russell Westbrook
4-star play: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, Joe Harris, Danuel House, PJ Tucker
Deeper Value: Ben McLemore
GPP Sleeper: Taurean Prince, Ben McLemore, Joe Harris
New York Knicks @ Washinton Wizards
Vegas Total: 228.0
Vegas Spread: Nyk -1.0
Welcome to the battle of bottom feeders! Starting with the Knicks, Julius Randle has scored 47+ Draftkings points in two straight games and should be able to do whatever he wants against this depleted frontcourt of the Wizards. Elfrid Payton seems to have taken that starting point guard role by the horns, I like him here as a GPP option. Mitchell Robinson scored 34 Draftkings points in this matchup earlier this season, similar to Randle he should do what he pleases here. Both Marcus Morris and RJ Barrett are solid GPP options here in a great matchup. From the Wizards, they have nobody healthy… plain and simple. Bradley Beal is currently questionable for the sake of this article I’ll assume he’s in. If he plays he is an elite play here and may take 35 shots. The Wizards have no choice but to play Troy Brown big minutes, I don’t love his price tag but he did drop 52 on this team two games ago. Gary Payton is playing good basketball for this team right now and should continue to see good minutes, he makes sense for GPPs. Lastly, Isaiah Thomas is a GPP flyer in case he scores at will as he should.
5-star play: Julius Randle, Bradley Beal
4-star play: Elfrid Payton, Mitchell Robinson, Marcus Morris, RJ Barrett, Gary Payton, Troy Brown
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Mitchell Robinson, Gary Payton, Isaiah Thomas
Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks
Vegas Total: 217.5
Vegas Spread: Mil -11.5
Starting with the Bucks, I would expect Giannis to play tonight after missing last night. Giannis Antetokounmpo has a 39.4% usage rate on the season and 1.91 fantasy points per minute. The only issue with him is he doesn’t usually see his max minutes because the Bucks blow everyone out. It’s tough to predict blowouts, so either way, he is an elite play here. Khris Middleton draws a middle of the pack matchup, but is not priced out of range for me, he’s a fade unless Giannis gets ruled out. Donte DiVincenzo’s price keeps climbing but he has been performing very well, he’s a nice GPP option with Eric Bledsoe still out. Both Brook Lopez and George Hill are GPP options as well, Lopez is in pretty good form over his past week or so. From the Magic, Nikola Vucevic is priced where I want to play him. The Bucks haven’t been showstoppers against opposing big men and he can shoot the three as well which is something the Bucks will give you. Aaron Gordon will likely see Giannis defense but has been in good form, he’s a deep GPP play for me. The rest of this team are GPP flyers for me or lineup fillers.
5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Vucevic
4-star play: Donte DiVincenzo, Brook Lopez, Aaron Gordon, George Hill
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Donte DiVincenzo, Brook Lopez, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, Markelle Fultz
Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors
Vegas Total: 219.5
Vegas Spread: Dal -11.0
Starting with the Mavericks, this is an elite spot for Luka Doncic who scored 77 Draftkings points in three-quarters last time these two teams met. Kristaps Porzingis is too expensive for my liking with Doncic now back. Tim Hardaway makes sense for a deep GPP dart, but other than Luka I really don’t have much interest in this team. From the Warriors, Damion Lee followed up his career game very nicely last night, he’s proven consistency in this Warriors offense. D’Angelo Russell isn’t quite doing what I thought he would with this whole team injured but I love his upside in this matchup and the form that he is in. Draymond Green is in good form as well and is a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court. Alec Burks had an off game last time out and it almost feels like one of either him or Lee is going to have a good game, so don’t pair them together. Finally, Willie Cauley-Stein feels too cheap and is in great form, I like him quite a bit.
5-star play: Luka Doncic, D’Angelo Russell
4-star play: Damion Lee, Alec Burks, Draymond Green, Willie Cauley-Stein
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Tim Hardaway, Kristaps Porzingis
Detroit Pistons @ San Antonio Spurs
Vegas Total: 222.5
Vegas Spread: Sas -4.5
Starting with the Pistons, Andre Drummond is probable here and feels very underpriced. The Spurs have been pretty tough on bigs, but I just can’t get past that price. Blake Griffin had a good game out last time, but I still need to see more consistency out of him before I pay this price for him. The Spurs struggle with opposing point guards making Derrick Rose a very nice GPP option and owns usage in whatever unit he plays with. From the Spurs, this is a tough matchup for LaMarcus Aldridge but has shown a ceiling game or two as of late, I like the price on him making him a secondary play. You know what you’re going to get from DeMar DeRozan, he’s not going to go out there and drop a 60 spot for you, he’s a fine secondary piece that I rarely get to especially on a massive slate. Lastly, Dejounte Murray has shown some volatility as of late, he’s a GPP only play for me.
5-star play: Andre Drummond
4-star play: Derrick Rose, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Blake Griffin, Dejounte Murray
Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
Vegas Total: 217.5
Vegas Spread: Chi -9.0
Starting with the Hawks, we’ve got some digging into to do with Trae Young out here. Here is how the top dogs rank with him off the court this season…
- John Collins – 20.6% usage rate; 1.03 fpm
- DeAndre Bembry – 19.1% usage rate; 1.22 fpm
- Jabari Parker – 20% usage rate; 1.00 fpm (missed last nights game and currently questionable)
John Collins and DeAndre Bembry would be my favorite plays from this team. Bembry is basically the minimum and should be one of the more chalky value options. Kevin Huerter now becomes their main three-point threat, I like him a good amount as well. De’Andre Hunter is playing big minutes and makes sense for GPPs although coming off a terrible game last night. From the Bulls, Lauri Markkanen is currently questionable so we will have to keep an eye on him, he would be a deep GPP guy for me if he does play. Zach LaVine is averaging 40.8 Draftkings points per game against this team on the season, I don’t hate him as a secondary option. Wendell Carter hasn’t flashed any sort of upside that warrants this price tag so he’s a fade for me. Lastly, Tomas Satoransky has scored 35+ Draftkings points in four straight games and gets a cakewalk of a matchup here.
5-star play: John Collins, DeAndre Bembry
4-star play: Zach LaVine, Tomas Satoransky, Kevin Huerter
Deeper Value: DeAndre Bembry
GPP Sleeper: De’Andre Hunter, Lauri Markkanen
Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat
Vegas Total: 213
Vegas Spread: Mia -1.0
Starting with the Sixers, Joel Embiid is playing great basketball right now and feels far too cheap here, I like him in a rougher matchup against Adebayo. That said, he’s averaging 53.5 Draftkings points per game in two matchups with the Heat this season. Ben Simmons has 55+ Draftkings points in two of his last three and it seems like Brett Brown has finally realized he needs to stagger his minutes with Embiid, if you think he stays hot here I like it. Tobias Harris is always kind of blah for me, I like him as a filler piece if you fall in that price range. Both Josh Richardson and Al Horford aren’t in play for me on a large slate. From the Heat, Jimmy Butler gets a revenge game here but has really struggled in two games against the Sixers this season, I’ll use this spot as a wait-and-see. Bam Adebayo is too cheap here, I don’t really care about the matchup with Embiid, he’s been crushing everyone in his tracks. The rest of this team is GPP plays on a 13 game slate.
5-star play: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Bam Adebayo
4-star play: Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic, Al Horford
Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Pelicans
Vegas Total: 219.5
Vegas Spread: Ind -1.5
Starting with the Pacers, this is a pretty big pace up game for them at +4.3, we should expect to see higher production from them than normal. Malcolm Brogdon missed last night’s game so I would keep an eye on him here, even if he plays he just doesn’t seem right right now, I’ll wait until he gets back to where he should be. Domantas Sabonis is coming off of a bit of a dud last time out but this is an elite spot for him, I love him especially if Brogdon is ruled out. Both TJ Warren and Myles Turner are GPP plays due to their recent form with some nice upside. I like the price on Jeremy Lamb while Aaron Holiday is only in play if Brogdon is out. From the Heat, Bam Adebayo is now the most expensive guy on this team and is crushing teams right now. From the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram has been all sorts of consistent this season, that said, this is an extreme pace down game for this Pelicans team, however, he has scored 45+ Draftkings points in three of his last four games. I’m proceeding with caution on these guys. Jrue Holiday has 39+ Draftkings in five of his last six games however, I would rather find the extra salary and get up to Ingram. Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick wrapped up this team as GPP plays for me.
5-star play: Domantas Sabonis
4-star play: TJ Warren, Myles Turner, Jeremy Lamb, Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: TJ Warren, Myles Turner, Jeremy Lamb, Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick, Jrue Holiday
Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings
Vegas Total: 219
Vegas Spread: Sac -2.0
Starting with the Suns, seeing Devin Booker proved that his price was way too low last night, he did see a price bump for this one making him a secondary option for me but elite for GPPs. Ricky Rubio is coming off a dud game last night, I don’t hate going right back to the well on him here. Kelly Oubre is a GPP play only as his play has seemed to take a dip as of late and has really shown his volatility. DeAndre Ayton is questionable again but this frontcourt is a bit of a mess right now, I might be most likely to go with Frank Kaminsky simply because he’s the cheapest of the three if he is out. From the Kings, both De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley are out for this game, here’s who benefits most…
- Buddy Hield – 28.2% usage rate; 1.02 fpm
- Bogdan Bogdanovic – 27.2% usage rate; 1.05 fpm
- Nemanja Bejelica – 21.9% usage rate; 1.11 fpm
Those guys are all solid plays here with Harrison Barnes being a secondary option.
5-star play: Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nemanja Bjelica, Richaun Holmes
4-star play: Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio, Harrison Barnes
Deeper Value: Frank Kaminsky
GPP Sleeper: Frank Kaminsky, Kelly Oubre
Our NBA Domination Stationlineup 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 Stationwith our VIP Only Articles and the NBA Research Stationto really take your game to the next level.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trailblazers
Vegas Total: 224
Vegas Spread: Lal -4.0
Starting with the Lakers, it’s the LeBron James and Anthony Davis show, LeBron is questionable while AD is expected to play. Both are elite plays as well, that said, I will not be pairing the two, you need to pick one here. If I’m picking one it is Anthony Davis, simply because he feels less injured and gets a matchup with Carmelo Anthony and Hassan Whiteside. Rajon Rondo makes sense for GPPs, but nothing else I really love from this team. From the Blazers, Damian Lillard scored 48 Draftkings points in this matchup last time out, I like him again here. Hassan Whiteside is coming off of one of his worst games over the past couple of weeks. He gets a tough matchup here against AD but they’ll need his size, I like him for GPPs. CJ McCollum is a fine secondary option but I’m not forcing him in. Lastly, Carmelo Anthony is a deeper GPP play as he matches up with his good but LeBron.
5-star play: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard
4-star play: Hassan Whiteside, CJ McCollum
Deeper Value: Rajon Rondo
GPP Sleeper: Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony
Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers
Vegas Total: 221.5
Vegas Spread: Lac -8.5
Starting with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard would be my preferred option between him and Paul George, Leonard has scored 55+ Draftkings points in two straight while George has been a bit on and off lately. Lou Williams feels too cheap here but I don’t necessarily love the matchup against this good defensive team. The Clips will need Montrezl Harrell’s size in this one so I could see him getting extended run and making a lot of sense here (he played 38 minutes in the first game against these guys). From the Jazz, the Clippers have struggled with big men all season but Rudy Gobert can’t seem to get them figured out as he is averaging 29 Draftkings points per game in two matchups against them. Donovan Mitchell, on the other hand, is averaging 45 Draftkings points per game in those two games, he’s a nice GPP option. Both Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Ingels make for nice GPP options as well to round out this massive slate.
5-star play: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George
4-star play: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles
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.
