Full Court Press Breakdown for NBA DFS 1/8:

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!

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Phoenix Suns @ Detroit Pistons

Vegas Total: 218

Vegas Spread: Pho -6.5

Starting with the Suns, Devin Booker has consistently been in that 30-40 point DraftKings range which is far lower than you need from his price range so he’s GPP only due to the nice matchup. DeAndre Ayton has been pretty solid as of late and get’s a pretty decent matchup with the Pistons frontcourt. 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. From the Pistons, it sounds like Blake Griffin should be back here in this is actually a matchup I like for him, Ayton isn’t someone I’m afraid of in the paint. Jerami Grant has proved me wrong this season, he’s playing massive minutes and playing well in them. He has back to back 42+ DraftKings points per game in two straight. Mason Plumlee has had his minutes come down over the past two games, you can get to him in GPPs but the minutes are too volatile right now for me to love in cash games. Lastly, Derrick Rose is a usage monster, and he saw a big day last time out, he’s a nice option again here if he plays.

5-star play: None

4-star play: DeAndre Ayton, Chris Paul, Jerami Grant

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Devin Booker, Blake Griffin, Mikal Bridges, Mason Plumlee, Derrick Rose

Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics

Vegas Total: 234.5

Vegas Spread: Bos -5.5

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. He’s uncertain here so you’ll need to keep an eye on his status, but for now, I’m assuming he plays. Bradley Beal is coming off a huge game last time out and has been incredible this season even with Westbrook on the team. I’m good with going right back to him here. Thomas Bryant is overpriced here but you can attack the Celtics with big men, still only a GPP guy for me. Lastly, Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans both saw at least 30 minutes two games ago and Bertans kept that going last game, he’s not a bad option here in hopes he gets hot from three. Rui’s minutes came down again so I don’t have interest on a huge slate. From the Celtics, Jayson Tatum came back down to Earth last time out but this is an elite spot for him, I love him here. 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 him and in this matchup, he’s pretty hard to ignore. Marcus Smart came back last game and played 30 minutes so we don’t have to worry about him being eased back, in a good matchup he’s in play. Tristan Thompson isn’t consistent enough for me to want to get to him on a 10-game slate.

5-star play: Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum

4-star play: Jaylen Brown, Davis Bertans, Marcus Smart

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Davis Bertans

Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: 217.5

Vegas Spread: Nop -6.5

Starting with the Hornets, Gordon Hayward went bananas last game in a huge pace up spot against the Hawks. He gets another pace up spot here, but his price has come WAY up, so I don’t know that I can justify that tag. 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 has back to back 30 point fantasy outings so I don’t mind going right back to the well here. LaMelo Ball gets a matchup with his brother in this one which should be fun, he’s scored at least 30 DraftKings points in five straight games. I don’t hate the price on him, he’s playable here. Lastly, Bismack Biyombo had minutes around the 23 mark in two straight games now, that said I think you can do worse in this price range for centers.  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. That said, I will have some Ball v. Ball stacks just so I have some action while watching this one.

5-star play: Zion Williamson

4-star play: Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: LaMelo Ball, PJ Washington, Brandon Ingram, Eric Bledsoe

Oklahoma City Thunder @ New York Knicks

Vegas Total: 208.5

Vegas Spread: Nyk -2.5

A battle of the turds! This game has an extremely low total so it’s not one that I’m really going to be looking to get to all that much. From the Thunder, it’s really just small shares of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazley. Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off one of his better games of the year so I don’t hate chasing that here, he’s a guy that’s going to be streaky. Bazley has had three straight great games and in a good matchup, he’s certainly in play. You can make a case for George Hill as a mid-range option as well. From the Knicks, it’s hard to stomach the price on Julius Randle but the production has more than justified it. He’s pretty safe as well due to the number of minutes he’s getting.  I don’t love the price on RJ Barrett, but it’s a good defensive matchup. Similar to Randle, the matchup is tough but he’s going to see around 40 minutes. Alec Burks is out again here so Elfrid Payton is in play and has triple-double upside every time he steps on the court.

5-star play: Julius Randle

4-star play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley, RJ Barret, Elfrid Payton

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: George Hill, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley, Elfrid Payton

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Orlando Magic @ Houston Rockets

Vegas Total: 227.5

Vegas Spread: Hou -5.5

Starting with the Magic, I like getting some Nikola Vucevic here, the Rockets want to run and gun which should set up well for him and his offensive upside. Terrence Ross is another guy that benefits from pace up matchups like this one, with Evan Fournier questionable and Michael Carter-Williams out maybe he gets expanded run. Aaron Gordon is yet another guy that flourishes in fast games like this one where he can show off his athleticism. He has at least 30 DraftKings points in three straight games. Markelle Fultz will be out for the rest of the season which opens the door for rookie Cole Anthony to show what he’s got. He played 30 minutes last game and is a guy I’m going to like a lot especially if Fournier needs to miss again. From the Hornets, James Harden has continued to see huge minutes but has scored less than 45 DraftKings points in the past two games with Wall and Cousins back. That said, he has one of the higher upsides on the slate so he’s in play for GPPs at the very least. We’ll have to keep an eye on Christian Wood who ended up sitting last game while DeMarcus Cousins drew the start. DeMarcus Cousins saw 23 minutes on his way to 40 DraftKings points in that game. He’s an elite per-minute producer and would be a great play if Wood is forced to miss again here. John Wall bounced back nicely last game but he won’t be a guy I prioritize in this one. Lastly, Eric Gordon has played well and is in play in all formats if you land on him.

5-star play: Nikola Vucevic, James Harden, DeMarcus Cousins (If Starting)

4-star play: Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon, Cole Anthony, John Wall, Eric Gordon

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: John Wall, Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon, Eric Gordon

Brooklyn Nets @ Memphis Grizzlies

Vegas Total: 221.5

Vegas Spread: Bkn -4.5

We’ll start with the Nets… who are pretty hard to breakdown at the moment. With that said, I’ll leave this up to our breaking news in the VIP Coaching Forums for who is in play and who’s not here. We saw Kyrie Irving sit last night due to personal reasons and it sounds like there’s no timetable for him to return, so for all we know he could show up tomorrow ready to play. From the Grizzlies, this Grizzlies backcourt is about to get a bit messier now that De’Anthony Melton is off the injury report. Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane were eating up the guard minutes but now that Melton is in there we’ll have to watch how these rotations play out. Melton did see 16 minutes in his first game back and 21 last night so he’s obviously a guy they want to use here. At nearly min price I think he makes sense as a value option. Jonas Valanciunas has been pretty consistent as of late and I do like the matchup and price tag on him. Dillon Brooks has looked pretty good this season but hasn’t really shown the best ceiling over the past few games for his price tag. He’s fine for cash, but I likely won’t get a ton on a big slate like this one. Kyle Anderson seems to be getting back to himself and not scoring 40 fantasy points a night any longer, he’s a fine cash play I just hate playing him.

5-star play: TBD

4-star play: Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, TBD

Deeper Value: De’Anthony Melton

GPP Sleeper: TBD

Utah Jazz @ Milwaukee Bucks

Vegas Total: 232

Vegas Spread: Mil -5.5

Starting with the Jazz, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell come into this one looking like pretty solid options. They’re both in play against a defense that is still figuring itself out and a pace up spot. Mike Conley’s price seems a bit high for me especially considering his recent production. Bojan Bogdanovic has gone back to struggling from the field, that said I do really like him for GPPs here. The Bucks are going to give up open three pointers, it’s just what they’re going to allow opposing teams to do, so if he can get hot there’s a chance for a big game here. 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 Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo came back down to Earth last game but this is a spot I’ll probably be over the field on. In close games this season Giannis has played at least 36 minutes per game. He’s the best per-minute producer in the league so if he’s going to play big minutes I’m going to have him. 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 been great lately.

5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo

4-star play: Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Bojan Bogdanovic, Donte DiVincenzo, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis

Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Bulls,  Lauri Markkanen and Tomas Satoransky are out tonight due to Covid protocols. Otto Porter didn’t do much last game but I’m okay going back to him in GPPs, we know the upside he can bring. Zach LaVine has at least 40 DraftKings points in three straight games and is someone I don’t mind going right back to here even at an elevated price tag. Coby White is on a heater right now and has at least 42 DraftKings in back to back games and dropped a 50 burger last time out. Lastly, Wendell Carter gets a bad matchup against Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol here, so he’s not really in play for me. From the Lakers, I would expect LeBron James and Anthony Davis to be pretty heavy rest candidates on the back end of a back to back so keep an eye out for that news. If they both play, they’d both be good options here and would be able to do whatever they please against the Bulls. Dennis Schroder makes some sense in GPPs as well due to the matchup.

5-star play: Zach LaVine, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

4-star play: Coby White, Otto Porter, Dennis Schroder

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Otto Porter Jr., Thad Young

Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors

Vegas Total: 231.5

Vegas Spread: Lac -3.5

We just saw this game a few days ago so we have something to work off here. Starting with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard had a down game last time out but Paul George continues to play well. In a good matchup, both seem to be good options here. Serge Ibaka had a big night last time out in this matchup and not a bad GPP option again here. I’m off Nic Batum here with Marcus Morris back, he’ll eat into his minutes enough that we should see Batum’s price drop. From the Warriors, Steph Curry came back down to Earth last game and the Clippers are a pretty tough matchup for him, so more of a GPP option than anything for me here. Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre will have to deal with Kawhi and Paul George on the wing so not anyone I’m looking to prioritize either. Draymond Green’s minutes got to 31 last game so I would think his minute’s restriction has been lifted and is a solid GPP option here. 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: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George

4-star play: Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Serge Ibaka, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre, Draymond Green, James Wiseman

Toronto Raptors @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: 226.5

Vegas Spread: Tor -6.5

Starting with the Raptors, Pascal Siakam finally had the game we were waiting for last time out in dropping a 50 burger. I like getting back to him at under $8k here in a great matchup against the Kings. 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 one 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 Kings frontcourt. From the Kings, De’Aaron Fox is currently questionable, but for the sake of this article, I’ll operate under the assumption that he plays. 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 had the best game of his young career last time out and is a guy you can go back to here. He’d be one of the better plays on the slate if Fox is forced to miss as he’d get more point guard opportunities in his minutes.

5-star play: Fred VanVleet

4-star play: De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Richaun Holmes, Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Tyrese Haliburton

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Chris Boucher, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley

NBA Lock of the Day: Caris LeVert (DK – $7.4k; FD – $6.8k)

We will need some confirmation from Brooklyn before lock but I’m not expecting Kyrie Irving to play tonight, and if that’s the case LeVert becomes probably my favorite play on the slate. With Dinwiddie, Durant, and Irving all out last night, LeVert dropped 50 fantasy points in 32 minutes against the Sixers. With these three off the court this season he has a 37.9% usage rate and 1,49 DraftKings points per minute. The Research Station below has him projected for 44.61 fantasy points which would put him at over 6x his DraftKings price tag. 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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