Full Court Press Breakdown for NBA DFS 1/6:

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 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!

The winning didn’t stop over the weekend! Congrats to VIP Member – “Fatherofthree” on his $150k NBA win!! Adding to the list of winners over the past few days!

Houston Rockets @ Indiana Pacers

Vegas Total: 227.0

Vegas Spread: Ind -2.0

We’ll start this huge slate off with the Rockets. James Harden has continued to see huge minutes but with Wall and Cousins back I don’t know that the price on him against a good Indy team is worth it on this big of a slate. That said, he has one of the largest ceilings on the slate so he’s always in play for GPPs. I’ll likely just keep getting to Christian Wood even at his current price tag, he feels really safe right now and has a nice ceiling. John Wall had at least 45 DraftKings points in his first two games before having a dud last time out, I don’t hate going back to him here but again I don’t like the matchup. DeMarcus Cousins’s minutes aren’t there right now, he’s a fade until he starts getting minutes in this rotation. Lastly, Eric Gordon has played well and is in play for cash games. From the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis continues to play well, and this is a matchup I like quite a bit. Christian Wood has been good this year for DFS, but he’s not a good defender which has caused him to bounce from team to team. Maybe he figures it out at some point, but it’s not there yet. Myles Turner is in a similar spot, but we kind of know what we’re getting with him, if he gets hot from three he’ll have a solid night. Malcolm Brogdon is on a heater right now and has at least 50 DraftKings points in two straight. It’s a great matchup for him even at an elevated price tag. Victor Oladipo looks actually pretty good this season but is taking away usage from the rest of these guys. That said, he looks to be getting back to his old self and is someone I don’t hate for tournaments. TJ Warren will be out for a while, opening up usage for these other starters, here’s how they play out:

• Domantas Sabonis – 24.7% usage rate; 1.31 fpm
• Malcolm Brogdon – 21.5% usage rate; 1.15 fpm
• Victor Oladipo – 27.0% usage rate; 1.10 fpm

All these guys are great options here, I don’t think there’s a bench guy that will come and start for him that would jump off the page to me. It will be a combination of Justin Holiday and Aaron Holiday. 

5-star play: James Harden, Domantas Sabonis

4-star play: John Wall, Christian Wood, Malcolm Brogdon, Eric Gordon

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Orlando Magic

Vegas Total: 216

Vegas Spread: Orl -6.0

We just saw this game a few days ago so we have a game to work off of here. Starting with the Cavaliers, Andre Drummond saw his minutes go back up last game but his production was still down. That said, his price is below $9k on DraftKings now, he has a massive ceiling at this price tag. Darius Garland is currently listed as questionable, so that’s news to watch. I’ll operate under the assumption that he’s in, if he’s out, check out our VIP coaching forum for updates on who the impacted players are. Larry Nance had a dud last time out but the minutes are still there for him I just don’t know how much I’ll get there on an 11 game slate. Collin Sexton is similar to Garland in that he’s playing massive minutes, if Garland is forced to miss here he becomes an even better option although he didn’t show it last game. From the Magic, I like getting some Nikola Vucevic here, Andre Drummond doesn’t really scare me on defense and actually matches up pretty poorly with Vuc. Drummond isn’t going to be able to get out quick enough on those Vuc three-pointers so he could be open all day in this one. Terrence Ross has looked good this season and in a good matchup with the Cavs, he’s worth a look. If Fournier is forced to miss again Ross would be an even better option. Aaron Gordon has back to back games with 28 minutes and has looked great in both the games, I don’t mind going back to him there’s a chance he gets 30+ minutes here. Markelle Fultz has been great this season, but his price is pretty much where it should be, I don’t see myself getting much of him here on a big slate.

5-star play: Andre Drummond, Nikola Vucevic

4-star play: Collin Sexton, Aaron Gordon

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Larry Nance, Collin Sexton, Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz

Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers

Vegas Total: 231

Vegas Spread: Phi -6.5

Starting with the Wizards, Russell Westbrook has scored at least 50 DraftKings points in each game this season and is a guy I’m going to continue to target until his price comes up, I think he’s an $11k player at some point in the near future. Bradley Beal’s production hasn’t slowed even with Westbrook in the lineup now, I don’t love the price on him but it’s hard to ignore the numbers he’s putting up. Thomas Bryant had a big game last time out and is going to have those games every now and then which will keep his price up. That said, he’s a GPP only guy due to this, he won’t consistently put up 45 DraftKings points. Lastly, Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans both saw at least 30 minutes last game and sent Deni Avdija to the bench which is a good sign for those two. From the Sixers, Joel Embiid was one of my core plays on Saturday night and ended up doing alright. This is a matchup that I love targeting him in, the Wizards have nobody that can guard him on defense. At a price under $10k, I’ll be all over him. Ben Simmons came back down to Earth last game but I like getting right back to him here in a fast-paced game against the Wizards, Westbrook will want to run and gun here so I look forward to Simmons trying to keep up and push this Sixers offense. Tobias Harris continues to play well but his price is about the highest I want to go on him without minimizing your GPP ceiling. Seth Curry has at least 30 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, he fits well on this team but probably needs to shoot well to get there each night.

5-star play: Russell Westbrook, Joel Embiid

4-star play: Bradley Beal, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans, Seth Curry, Thomas Bryant

Charlotte Hornets @ Atlanta Hawks

Vegas Total: 232.0

Vegas Spread: Atl -6.5

Starting with the Hornets, I was a day too early on Gordon Hayward, he has back to back games with at least 35 DraftKings points and in an up-tempo matchup with the Hawks is someone I’ll get back to here. Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham continue to look like similar plays in my eyes, neither has been all that good as of late so I probably won’t get a whole lot of him here. PJ Washington looked okay last time out but has been pretty volatile, he’s more GPP than anything. LaMelo Ball now has at least 27 minutes in four straight games, mostly due to blowouts but I don’t think the Hornets can ignore the production he’s been giving them for much longer. In a fast-paced game, I like him here. Lastly, Bismack Biyombo had a bit of a dud last time out, but his minutes were down due to the blowout, I like getting back to him in cash games. From the Hawks, Clint Capela has at least 30 minutes in three straight games, and in a matchup against a weak frontcourt, he should be able to rack up fantasy points in a hurry. John Collins is really volatile right now, he’s hard to trust in cash games but we know he has a massive ceiling which puts him firmly in play for GPPs. Trae Young should be able to do whatever he wants here, he had a bounce-back game last time out and will look to keep things going here. Bogdan Bogdanovic has had his minutes cut lately and hasn’t looked great, he’s not in play right now. Lastly, De’Andre Hunter is underpriced for the production he is putting up, he’s not the safest play ever, but the game logs are really enticing at the very least.

5-star play: Trae Young, Clint Capela

4-star play: Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, John Collins, De’Andre Hunter

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Cam Reddish, LaMelo Ball, PJ Washington

Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat

Vegas Total: 218

Vegas Spread: Mia -2.5

Starting with the Celtics, Jayson Tatum has back to back games with at least 55 DraftKings points and is just $9k on DraftKings. It’s not a great matchup but I do expect this one to be one of the more competitive games on the slate. Jaylen Brown continues to look like a stud, but, he’s nearly at the price of Tatum and that doesn’t sit well with me. We know his upside so I don’t hate a sprinkle in GPP, but the price is hard to swallow. Marcus Smart is questionable again here, if he needs to miss we can fire up Payton Pritchard who saw a price bump to $4.6k. Tristan Thompson isn’t consistent enough for me to want to get to him on an 11-game slate. From the Heat, I like targeting big men against the Celtics, it’s their weakest position defensively on the court meaning Bam Adebayo should be able to do what he pleases here. Thompson isn’t a horrible defender but Adebayo is too athletic for him to hand around all game. Jimmy Butler bounced back last game with an alright performance, I don’t hate the idea of going back to him, I think he sees 30+ minutes in a big game for them. I’m off Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic until their prices come down with Butler now back. Although… Herro did look pretty good last game, I would just prefer him to be a few hundred less especially on a huge slate. Lastly, Duncan Robinson is always in play for GPPs due to his ability to get hot from beyond the arc.

5-star play: Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo

4-star play: Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson

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Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks

Vegas Total: 214.5

Vegas Spread: Utah -5.5

Starting with the Jazz, it looks like they took their foot off the gas last night and didn’t play the Nets all that hard. That being said, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell come into this one looking like pretty solid options. They’re both in play against a bad defense. Mike Conley’s price seems a bit high for me in this one, he would need around 32.5 DraftKings points just to hit 5x value. Bojan Bogdanovic went back to struggling from the field again yesterday going for just 9 DraftKings points. Maybe this is just who he’s going to be this season, he’s GPP only until he finds his stroke. Lastly, the trio of Jordan Clarkson, Royce O’Neale, and Joe Ingles are all deep GPP guys for me, nobody that I’ll really get to much. From the Knicks, the pricing on Julius Randle continues to rise but so does his production, he put up 62 DraftKings points last time out against the Hawks. That being said, the Hawks defense is much different than the one he’ll see here. I’m going to have a tough time paying $9.5k for him in this spot. I don’t love the price on RJ Barrett, but he had his best game of the season last time out dropping a 50 burger on the Hawks. Similar to Randle, the matchup is tough but he’s going to see around 40 minutes. Alec Burks is questionable here, if he’s out again I’ll go right back to Elfrid Payton who has triple-double upside when he gets the minutes.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett

Deeper Value: Reggie Bullock

GPP Sleeper: RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton, Mike Conley, Mitchell Robinson

Detroit Pistons @ Milwaukee Bucks

Vegas Total: 225.5

Vegas Spread: Mil -12.0

We saw this game last time out for these two squads, so we have something to work off here. We’ll start with the Pistons, it sounds like Blake Griffin should be back here in this is actually a matchup I like for him… the only hesitation I have is the blowout risk. If they can keep this close I like his chances of hitting value so he’s a GPP guy for me. Jerami Grant has proved me wrong this season, he’s playing massive minutes and playing well in them. He’s now the highest price Piston, as he should be. I would expect him to see another 35+ minutes here. Mason Plumlee only played 20 minutes in this spot last time out, but the price is nice on him so I don’t hate going back to him. Lastly, Derrick Rose is a usage monster, and he saw a big day last time out, he’s a nice option again here. From the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo has at least 60 DraftKings points in three straight games and saw 36 minutes last game in a blowout. I think Budenholzer is honestly listening to him in that he wants to play more minutes this season, he’s an elite option. Khris Middleton has started the season on fire, and he honestly looks like one of the better scorers in the league outside of the paint. I like him in GPPs, it’s tough for him just because of the usage that Giannis demands. Jrue Holiday’s price went down and is around a 25% usage rate on the season, I don’t mind him in all formats, he can stuff the stat sheet. He’s looked great over his past couple of games. Lastly Brook Lopez and Donte DiVincenzo make sense for GPPs, DiVincenzo looks like the real deal but has been volatile as well. You can make a case for Bobby Portis who is going to see backup center minutes along with a lot of usage in that second unit, he’s also blowout proof which helps in this matchup.

5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo

4-star play: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Blake Griffin, Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee

Deeper Value: Sekou Doumbouya

GPP Sleeper: Sekou Doumbouya, Derrick Rose, Bobby Portis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donte DiVincenzo, Brook Lopez

Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: 213.5

Vegas Spread: Nop -8.5

Starting with the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is someone I’m going to get a lot of this season, however, he hasn’t been all that great as of late. He’s GPP only due to the volatility we’ve seen from him this season. The only other guys I would have interest in here are Al Horford and Darius Bazley, both are GPP guys for me. Bazley has looked great the past few games, but again, it’s a tough matchup. You can also make a case for guys like George Hill and Luguentz Dort, but again, deeper GPP plays at best. The Pelicans are a team I just don’t get to that much, it’s so hard to determine who is going to have the big night among Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, and Eric Bledsoe that I think we can just go elsewhere on a big slate. These guys are all GPPs for me. I don’t hate that price tag for Zion, however.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Al Horford, Darius Bazley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Al Horford, Darius Bazley, Luguentz Dort, George Hill, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe

Toronto Raptors @ Phoenix Suns

Vegas Total: 218.5

Vegas Spread: Pho -2.5

Starting with the Raptors, Pascal Siakam has seen his price come way down to $7.5k on DraftKings which is much more reasonable than his previous price tag. He still doesn’t look like the Siakam we saw at the beginning of last season, so he’s GPP only for me. Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet are pretty similar plays here, they’re both getting big minutes and they’re priced very similarly. VanVleet has shown the higher ceiling as of late, but both are solid plays. OG Anunoby has played well this season and seeing at least 35 minutes in all his games except for the last time out where he saw 30 minutes. The only issue with him at this price is he really needs to shoot well to hit value. He does rack up some peripherals on defense though that do give you an out and some upside. Lastly, Chris Boucher appears to have grabbed the center minutes for this team, he’s a nice point per minute player and someone I don’t hate getting to in a good matchup against a bad defensive Suns frontcourt. From the Suns, sound the alarms!!!! Devin Booker finally went over 40 DraftKings points… it took him getting 45 minutes to do it, but hey, he did it! He’s just not been himself this year, I won’t be getting much of him in this spot. DeAndre Ayton has been pretty solid as of late and get’s a pretty decent matchup with Ibaka and Gasol out of town for the Raps. Chris Paul doesn’t have a bad price tag and is someone I think you can get to as a secondary option here. Lastly, Mikal Bridges is viable in all formats if you need a guy in that price range given how tough forward can be on a daily basis.

5-star play: Fred VanVleet

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

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Devin Booker

Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors

Vegas Total: 231

Vegas Spread: Lac -2.0

With the Clippers favored by just two, I think this is a spot we’re going to have to keep an eye on. Some reckless speculation on my part.. Paul George sat last night on the front-end of the back-to-back which makes me think he plays tonight while Kawhi Leonard sits. It’s news we’ll have to monitor, so for up to date news and who is impacted, come jump in the VIP coaching forum! From the Warriors, Steph Curry continued his heater last time out, he’s still under $10k which means I’ll go right back to him here even in a tougher matchup (becomes less tough if Kawhi is out thought). Andrew Wiggins came down to Eart last game, he’s an average play here I don’t think we need him on this huge slate, the same can be said for Kelly Oubre who just doesn’t look like a good fit for this team. Draymond Green’s minutes came back down last time out, he’s just not a guy I’m going to get to until he’s over 30 minutes per night again. James Wiseman has been all over the place in his first few games. He’s a young raw kid so he’s going to be volatile but he’s in play for GPPs.

5-star play: Steph Curry, TBD

4-star play: Andrew Wiggins, TBD

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: TBD

Chicago Bulls @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: 229.5

Vegas Spread: Sac -7.5

Starting with the Bulls, Lauri Markkanen and Tomas Satoransky are out tonight due to Covid protocols. Otto Porter continues to be the biggest beneficiary and is play again here in a fast-paced game with no defense. Zach LaVine came down to Earth last night but was still able to hit that 40 point fantasy threshold. Coby White looked good as well last game. He’s a good option as well in a fast-paced game. Lastly, Wendell Carter is a guy I can never get right but he’s in play for me against a middle-of-the-road frontcourt. From the Kings, De’Aaron Fox has seen his price come way up due to some early season success. It’s high enough where I probably won’t get here in cash, but you can play him in GPP for sure. Buddy Hield is always in play in GPPs for me due to his upside but the price tag just is too high for me here. That said, it is nice seeing him get consistent minutes this season. Harrison Barnes, Nemanja Bjelica, and Marvin Bagley feel really similar here, they’re more of secondary GPP options here than anything. Lastly, Tyrese Haliburton is going to be out for a few days which will open up minutes for guys like Cory Joseph if you need a cheaper option.

5-star play: Zach LaVine

4-star play: Coby White, Otto Porter, De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Richaun Holmes

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Wendell Carter, Marvin Bagley, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes

NBA Lock of the Day: Andre Drummond (DK – $8.6k; FD – $9.5k)

I will say, this is more of a first look lock than anything. I expect some things to open up as the day goes on. But at the moment the price just looks too low on Drummond, particularly on DraftKings. Yes, he’s had a few bad games recently but he has legit 70 point upside at a sub $9k price tag. He’s one of the slate leaders with 1.5 fantasy points per minute and the Research Station below currently has him as the second-highest point per dollar play on the slate to go along with his 80 point DFSA Grade. Tweet me (@MadnessDFS) your lock predictions and if your player gets over 5x tonight I’ll give you a shoutout on Twitter, let’s have some fun with this!

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