Full Court Press Breakdown for NBA DFS 1/18:

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 last season, so 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 Steve aka @Mutt18 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!

The winning has come early and often this season! Congrats to VIP Member – “Fatherofthree” on his $150k NBA win!! Adding to the list of winners already this season!

Early Slate:

Orlando Magic @ New York Knicks

Vegas Total: 207

Vegas Spread: Orl -1.5

We kick this Monday off with a small early slate that we’ll get started with the Knicks, Julius Randle is still crushing, but the price is still very playable given the production. The Magic are vulnerable in their front court here at the 4 without Isaac. The price on RJ Barrett is a solid play, but he’s coming off a monster game and his shooting has been inconsistent to say the least. Elfrid Payton has triple-double every time he steps on the court but with Immanuel Quickley and Austin Rivers grabbing some of his minutes he’s been somewhat volatile as of late. Mitchell Robinson has been solid but the matchup against Vuc doesn’t do him any favors

For the Magic, Aaron Gordon continues to see big minutes, and his price is still pretty low on FanDuel. Nikola Vucevic is your other main target here, as he is an elite big man in the NBA and can put up 50+ on any given night. However, the low total from this game isn’t enticing if you’re playing the early slate. Other options are Cole Anthony and Terrence Ross but outside of them I’ll be targeting other games today.

5-star play: Julius Randle, Nikola Vucevic

4-star play: RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon

Deeper Value: Immanuel Quickley

GPP Sleeper: RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton, Mitchell Robinson, Terrence Ross

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Atlanta Hawks

Vegas Total: 227.5

Vegas Spread: Atl -7.5

Starting with the Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns is going to be out with Covid once again, so that will open up some minutes for Naz Reid here, he is a viable GPP option as he can be volatile. The biggest beneficiary of his absence will be D’Angelo Russell, and Malik Beasley will get more shots as well. This game has a sneaky higher total and that makes this a game we can target on the early slate as well. I like Josh Okogie here as well if he continues to start, especially on FanDuel as he gets you a ton of peripheral stats with his defensive abilities. Juancho Hernangomez will also be viable if he starts here as he is pretty cheap and he’s shown that he can pop off from time to time, especially against a bad defense like the Hawks.

For the Hawks, Trae Young is your premier play here against the Wolves, as they don’t play defense. He has been struggling with his shooting as he shot 7-23 again last game but still put up 26 actual points. He’s going to break out of this slump eventually and that is going to be a monster game and this can be the matchup for him to do it. John Collins and Clint Capela both have great matchups here as well, and neither break the bank. If Cam Reddish misses this game again, that’ll open up some opportunities for De’Andre Hunter and my favorite Kevin Huerter as he smashed last game. This is a game we can target especially in the early slate as the Hawks keep a tight rotation of 8-9 guys.

5-star play: Trae Young, D’Angelo Russell

4-star play: Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, John Collins, Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter

Deeper Value: Kevin Huerter (if Reddish misses)

GPP Sleeper: Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, Kevin Huerter

Detroit Pistons @ Miami Heat

Vegas Total: TBD

Vegas Spread: TBD

Starting with the Pistons, Jerami Grant has been on absolute fire so far this year and is coming off a 60+ FP performance. He’s a solid play here but the Heat present a difficult matchup. Blake Griffin is also in play here at his price but again the matchup isn’t the best. Delon Wright is a solid play here at his price as well, considering that he is their starting PG with Hayes out. If you’re looking to get different, Derrick Rose is a solid GPP option and even some Wayne Ellington in GPPs can be nice for MME if he starts again as he can get hot from 3.

For the Heat, Jimmy Butler is out again tonight, and if Tyler Herro misses this game as well, it’ll open up a ton of usage for both Gabe Vincent and Goran Dragic at the PG spot. If both those guys miss again, Bam Adebayo will be their primary option on offense and has a great matchup as the Pistons front court is very weak defensively. Kelly Olynyk is also in play here with all the injuries, but I’ll only play him at his price if he starts. I’ll have some interest in KZ Okpala as well if he draws the start again. Kendrick Nunn is also in play, and I’ll like him again if he starts over Okpala.

5-star play: Jerami Grant, Bam Adebayo

4-star play: Blake Griffin, Goran Dragic, Derrick Rose

Deeper Value: KZ Okpala, Kendrick Nunn, Gabe Vincent, Delon Wright

GPP Sleeper: Delon Wright, KZ Okpala, Goran Dragic, Wayne Ellington

San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trailblazers

Vegas Total: 224

Vegas Spread: Sa -1.5

For the Trailblazers, CJ McCollum is out again after getting hurt last game, which means Damian Lillard will have a ton of usage here, and he’ll be my lock of the day as the Spurs really struggle against PGs. Enes Kanter will also see an increased role with Nurkic out for the foreseeable future. Derrick Jones Jr., and Robert Covington are also pretty cheap and should see some more usage with McCollum and Nurkic out. I love Carmelo Anthony coming off the bench as well, as he may start for CJ, but if he comes off the bench its even better for him since he’ll dominate usage with that 2nd unit.

For the Spurs, Demar Derozan is going to be your premier play here, as LaMarcus Aldridge has really been struggling this year and he’s been taking over. Keldon Johnson is also a great play here, as he’s really come on this year and looks to be a bright spot for them to build around. Dejounte Murray also gets a great matchup against Dame here, who doesn’t play defense so this can be a game to attack as well as it has underrated shootout potential. For deeper value, Lonnie Walker drew the start last time out, and Patty Mills can get hot off the bench and is a great GPP play here tonight.

5-star play: Damian Lillard, Demar Derozan

4-star play: Enes Kanter, Carmelo Anthony, Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson

Deeper Value: Robert Covington, Lonnie Walker, Patty Mills

GPP Sleeper: Patty Mills

Phoenix Suns @ Memphis Grizzlies

Vegas Total: 223

Vegas Spread: Phx -3.5

Starting with the Suns, they’ve been out of commission for about a week, so the minutes may be up in the air here. But if I’m starting with a Sun, it’ll be DeAndre Ayton against JoVal. Devin Booker has a sky high ceiling, but with Chris Paul in town he’s taken a bit of a back seat with the ball handling. Other options for GPPs on the Suns are Mikal Bridges, and even some Dario Saric if he starts. This won’t be a team I’m heavily targeting because of the fact that they haven’t played for about a week. Keep an eye on our VIP Coaching forums for updates.

For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant played 31 minutes in his return, so they may bump that up a bit here, but its hard to love him against CP3 who is still one of the better defenders in the league. Jonas Valanciunas is also in play here against Ayton, as that should be a battle down low. I still really like Brandon Clarke as long as he continues to start as well and play around 30 minutes. He’s still a bit underpriced on FanDuel. Xavier Tillman is still getting minutes as well, and he makes for a solid deeper GPP MME type play with his ability to rack up steals.

5-star play: None

4-star play: DeAndre Ayton, Jonas Valanciunas, Brandon Clarke, Ja Morant, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges

Deeper Value: Xavier Tillman

GPP Sleeper: Mikal Bridges

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Main Slate:

Dallas Mavericks @ Toronto Raptors

Vegas Total: TBD

Vegas Spread: TBD

Starting with the Mavericks, Kristaps Porzingis is back here and he’s been playing well, but without him getting full run I don’t really want to pay that price tag. Luka Doncic is also coming off of a monster triple-double last game, and being the 2nd half of a B2B for them I don’t see him putting up that type of game twice in a row, but both those guys are in play. If Dorian Finney-Smith is out that makes Wes Iwundu playable again as long as he starts for value. Willie Cauley-Stein is also in play, but he’ll become a great play if KP misses this game with it being a B2B. Trey Burke would also be a solid value play if Tim Hardaway misses this game again tonight.

For the Raptors, Fred VanVleet is going to be my favorite play from this team, as they refuse to raise his price and he’s consistently in that 40-50 FP range. From there, Pascal Siakam is my 2nd favorite play followed by Kyle Lowry. Chris Boucher has also been crushing but he’ll be GPP only for me as long as he comes off the bench and consistency hasn’t been his thing. OG Anunoby is also in play here as he’s been pretty consistent and if you need a deeper GPP play, Norman Powell is in play again.

5-star play: Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, Fred VanVleet

4-star play: Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Chris Boucher

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Serge Ibaka, Justin Holiday

Milwaukee Bucks @ Brooklyn Nets

Vegas Total: 237.5

Vegas Spread: Mil -2.0

This is going to be the game to target here on the main slate, with a likely future playoff matchup for these two teams. Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely going to be core for me here today, as he should handle the ball a ton in this offense and he always shows up for big games. The only thing that will prevent him from smashing is him getting into foul trouble by being too aggressive driving to the hole. Khris Middleton is also firmly in play here, as he’s a bit underpriced on FanDuel especially given the matchup. Jrue Holiday is also a nice play here tonight given how high scoring this game should be. Donte DiVincenzo is also in play for a decent value along with Bobby Portis coming off the bench, but if you’re playing Portis you’re likely fading Giannis with the though process that he gets into foul trouble and Portis will have to come in for him.

For the Nets, the usage hinges on Kyrie Irving, as he is a GTD tonight after missing the last 6 games, I’ll write this as if he is out tonight doing whatever it is Kyrie does.  Kevin Durant is going to be my main target, as he is still the #1 guy in this offense as he put up 42 actual points and he’ll likely do something similar here tonight. James Harden will be another target obviously, after triple-doubling with his new team in his first game. Sky high ceiling for both guys, but if Kyrie does play, its a knock down to both of them. For value, Bruce Brown played 24 minutes off the bench and had foul trouble, he’s a solid value only if Kyrie is out. Joe Harris is also in play as well for a decent value, but again I’ll like him more if Kyrie is out.

5-star play: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo

4-star play: Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez,

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper:

Houston Rockets @ Chicago Bulls

Vegas Total: TBD

Vegas Spread: TBD

For the Rockets, John Wall is out again here so we’ll likely get another Mason Jones start, and I’ll have some shares of Ben McLemore as well. Christian Wood will likely be a core play for me on all sites here as he was destroying with Harden there and now we have no Harden and Wall out, so he’ll see all the usage he can handle, especially if Cousins misses here as well. This is where your value is, Jae’Sean Tate, Rodions Kurucs and David Nwaba all played 20+ minutes as the Rockets will have a tight rotation here.

From the Bulls, Lauri Markkanen has looked solid in his return and is playing heavy minutes, I do like this price tag for him in this matchup. With him back you can expect to see fewer minutes for guys like Otto Porter, Thad Young, and rookie Patrick Williams. Zach LaVine’s is a usage hog for this team, and he’ll play close to 40 minutes again here today and take all the shots that he wants. Coby White is a guy I like for GPPs, he’s been somewhat volatile but in a decent matchup, I think he’s worth a look on a short slate. Lastly, Wendell Carter has a decent matchup and can rack up FPs in a hurry.

5-star play: Christian Wood, Zach LaVine

4-star play: Coby White, Ben McLemore

Deeper Value: Mason Jones, Jae’Sean Tate, Rodions Kurucs, David Nwaba

GPP Sleeper: Ben McLemore, DeMarcus Cousins (if he plays)

Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers

Vegas Total: 224.5

Vegas Spread: Lal -9.0

This spread total is pretty generous for the Warriors as they haven’t shown the ability to keep up in games like these yet this year. Stephen Curry is going to be viable as he’ll need to crush here if they’re going to be able to keep up in this game. Kelly Oubre, and Draymond Green would be the only other guys I really consider on Golden State.

For the Lakers, looks like LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both questionable again, but they’re both in play here as they have that tag every game. Dennis Schroder is also viable, and he’ll become a premier play at his price on both sites if either of those guys were to miss this game. Don’t feel like you need to force guys in this hammer game in tonight, as the game we want to target is BKN vs MIL.

5-star play: Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

4-star play: Kelly Oubre, Draymond Green, Dennis Schroder

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Dennis Schroder (if one of AD or LeBron sits)

NBA Lock of the Day: 

Damian Lillard (DK: $9,900 FD: $10,100)

This game has sneaky shootout potential, and with no CJ or Nurkic here to take his touches away, Dame is going to absolute hog all the usage on this 1st team offense for the Blazers. He will see an even bigger boost if the Blazers keep Carmelo Anthony on the bench and playing with the 2nd unit. If that is the case he won’t have any competition for touches and if they keep it going this way, pairing the two of them makes a lot of sense in your lineups as Melo then won’t have any competition for touches on their 2nd unit and both can flourish.

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