Full Court Press Breakdown for NBA DFS 2/17:

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!

I want to give a quick shoutout to VIP Member “Irzarl29” on a $40k win recently, congrats!!

New York Knicks @ Orlando Magic

Vegas Total: TBD

Vegas Spread: TBD

We’ll kick this slate off with the Knicks, Nerlens Noel should continue to draw the start here for the injured Mitchell Robinson. He’s played at least 27 minutes in each of his first two starts even after getting in foul trouble early last game, I’m okay with him as a mid-range center option. Julius Randle finally had his price come back up here, I’m not sure why it was down in the first place, but he’s coming off one of his better games on the season, I have no issue chasing those points here, but don’t expect him to shoot 7-13 from three again. RJ Barrett finally bounced back last game going for 36 DraftKings points, he’s just not a guy I’m going to get to with this backcourt being so crowded. I would rather take a shot on guys like Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose, and Immanuel Quickley in tournaments for cheaper, but not really anyone that I really want here. From the Magic, Nikola Vucevic is finally over $10k, so we don’t need to force him in here. He came down to Earth last game due to a blowout against the Suns, but Aaron Gordon and Cole Anthony will continue to be out here so the usage will be there for him. He has a 30.6% usage rate and 1.5 fantasy points per minute with those two off the court, that’s a huge usage rate for a big man. The only other guy I would have interest in on this team would be Michael Carter-Williams who should continue to see heavy minutes with Anthony out and Frank Mason out of the picture. He’ll be even more in play if Evan Fournier is forced to miss in this one as well, he’s currently questionable.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel, Nikola Vucevic, Michael Carter-Williams

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, Terrence Ross

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Hawks,  Trae Young has been held under 40 DraftKings points in three straight games but is still playing massive minutes, he’s more of a GPP guy in this one but in play nonetheless. Clint Capela’s price is getting to a nice range on DraftKings and has at least 43 DraftKings points in two straight games. The Celtics can be beaten in the paint and on the boards, so I like Capela here as well. We kind of know what John Collins is at this point, he’s going to be a volatile piece but has a nice ceiling for GPPs, but too unpredictable for cash games. I’m not sure why I don’t get to Kevin Huerter all that much, I just have a hard time stomaching this price tag on DraftKings, he’s been really volatile as of late so more of a tournament guy than anything if you’re wanting to get here. Danilo Gallinari has at least 26 minutes in three of his last four games and producing nicely, he’s a guy I’m willing to go to at this price tag while De’Andre Hunter is still out. Then Cam Reddish is more of a GPP option if you’re looking to get more pieces on this team. From the Celtics, Jayson Tatum bounced back a bit last night against the Nuggets and is a guy I don’t have an issue with here against a poor Hawks defense. Jaylen Brown has been really consistent as of late, but we haven’t seen that crazy 50+ point fantasy game in a while, so more of a secondary tournament option. Kemba Walker didn’t do a whole lot last night and it’s really not a very favorable price tag on him, I don’t see myself getting a whole lot of him here. The frontcourt is exactly one I want any part of either, Daniel Theis will come into this one as questionable after missing yesterday. Tristan Thompson had 28 minutes but still pretty meh for me here.

5-star play: Jayson Tatum

4-star play: Trae Young, Clint Capela, Jaylen Brown, Danilo Gallinari

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Kevin Huerter, John Collins, Kemba Walker, Cam Reddish

Houston Rockets @ Philadelphia 76ers

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Rockets, Victor Oladipo is listed as doubtful for this game, as is Eric Gordon, so we have a similar situation as the last time this team played. David Nwaba and Danuel House Jr. drew the start on the wings. Nwaba played 41 minutes on his way to 41.75 DraftKings points, I wouldn’t expect that kind of production out of him again here, but I would assume he starts again and makes for a nice value option. House has seen his price come up a bit and saw 36 minutes in that game, I’m okay going right back to him here as well especially if PJ Tucker is forced to miss as well. John Wall had the best game of his season last time out going for 52.75 DraftKings points in 35 minutes, he’s got nearly a 40% usage rate and 1.35 fantasy points per minute with these guys off the court this season. Then we get to old man DeMarcus Cousins, I can’t really blame him for his performance last game since he only got 20 minutes, but the minutes are the big key here. I can’t put a whole lot of faith in a guy only seeing 20-25 minutes at $6.5k on DraftKings. That being said, I’m going to go on a bit of a Cousins soapbox here. He’s averaging nearly 1.5 fantasy points per minute with all these guys off the court this season with a 27% usage rate…and who else are the Rockets going to be able to throw at Joel Embiid? Rodions Kurucs?! Backup center, Ray Spalding was waived yesterday… so, as I dodge the tomato chucking from the audience… I love DeMarcus Cousins here. Lastly, Sterling Brown should see around 25 minutes here, and makes sense for GPPs, but I would just take the savings on Nwaba. From the Sixers, Joel Embiid has at least 50 DraftKings points in four straight games and should have no problem keeping that up in this one, outside of Cousins, this Rockets team doesn’t have much for interior defense, and that’s giving Cousins a lot of credit. Ben Simmons went bonkers with Embiid off the court last time out, I’ll let people chase those points here at his elevated price tag and likely decreased role with Embiid back. Tobias Harris had a big game as well, but again, not a spot where I’m going to point chase. I’m a bit more willing to go with Harris due to his price tag being more playable, however. Lastly, Seth Curry will continue to see huge minutes with Shake Milton out and is a fine GPP option, but I’d rather just play those Rockets wings in a similar price range.

5-star play: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins (put your pitchforks away!), Joel Embiid

4-star play: David Nwaba, Danuel House Jr., Tobias Harris

Deeper Value: David Nwaba, Seth Curry, Sterling Brown

GPP Sleeper: Sterling Brown, Seth Curry, Ben Simmons

Indiana Pacers @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Pacers, this is a nice spot for them against a bad Wolves defense so probably a team that I’m going to look to have some nice exposure on. Domantas Sabonis continues to excel this season, but now has a price tag near $10k. The Wolves have been one of the worst teams in the league against opposing big men, so the price increase is certainly warranted. Malcolm Brogdon is trending in the right direction, his fantasy production has increased in each of the past three games and eclipsed the 50 mark last time out. His price hasn’t moved, so he’s a guy I like here as well and always comes with a nice floor/ceiling combo. Myles Turner has looked much better over his last three games and has at least 34 minutes in back-to-back games. He shot 2-10 from the field last time out and was still able to get over 35 DraftKings points. Again, big men against the Wolves is a real thing and something I’ll look to get exposure to. TJ McConnell saw 42 minutes last game on his way to 37 DraftKings points and now has at least 30 DraftKings points in three straight games. His price is climbing but it’s hard to say it’s not warranted at this point. Then lastly, Doug McDermott missed the last game, if he’s out again I would expect to see more run out of Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday who are both priced really nicely here as well. From the Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns has looked pretty good since returning from the Covid list and is still priced at under $9.5k on DraftKings. He has put up any crazy numbers, but they’ll come, I like him quite a bit for tournaments at this price tag. D’Angelo Russell will be out again here so it will be the Malik Beasley and Ricky Rubio show in the frontcourt. Anthony Edwards had a huge game last night going for 51.25 DraftKings points against the Lakers, he’ll continue to see big minutes here and a guy I’m okay with in tournaments. Lastly, Jarred Vanderbilt saw 29 minutes last night, I think you can make a case for him as a value option here.

5-star play: Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, Karl-Anthony Towns

4-star play: Myles Turner, Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards

Deeper Value: Jarred Vanderbilt

GPP Sleeper: TJ McConnell, Jeremy Lamb, Ricky Rubio, Anthony Edwards

Denver Nuggets @ Washington Wizards

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has at least 63 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and should do whatever he wants in this one against a frontcourt that consists of Robin Lopez, Mo Wagner, and Alex Len. Jamal Murray had a big game last night as well and gets a great matchup against the fastest-paced team in the NBA, I like targeting him much more in these pace-up spots and Westbrook has been a turnstile on defense this season. Michael Porter Jr. is in my dog house right now after I made him a core play on back-to-back slates and he threw up a couple of stinkers. That being said he’s just shooting horribly right now, he’s a combined 3-19 in his past two games. I’m willing to go back to the well here but will need news on Will Barton, Gary Harris, and Paul Millsap who all come into this one as questionable. Lastly, we saw Facundo Campazzo get the start for the injured Monte Morris yesterday and saw 40 minutes on his way to 37.25 DraftKings points, he’s an elite option if he starts again at $3.5k on DraftKings. Keep an eye on our VIP Coaching forum for updates surrounding this team. From the Wizards, Russell Westbrook is now $10k on DraftKings and has at least 50 fantasy points in two of his last three games. I don’t hate him here, but I also don’t love him. I would much prefer the somehow cheaper Bradley Beal at $9.8k on DraftKings. He has at least 54 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and simply has no business being cheaper than Westbrook right now. The rest of this team is tournament flyers only, guys like Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans, and whichever one of those center’s starts are fine GPP guys but nobody that I need to have here.

5-star play: Nikola Jokic, Facundo Campazzo (If starting), Bradley Beal

4-star play: Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Russell Westbrook

Deeper Value: Facundo Campazzo

GPP Sleeper: JaMychal Green, Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans

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Detroit Pistons @ Chicago Bulls

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Pistons, the big news on Monday was that Blake Griffin is essentially done playing for the Pistons as they search for a trade partner on him. So, this should open up minutes for Saddiq Bey to continue to show what he’s capable of in this frontcourt, along with Jerami Grant to see an expanded role. Bey is shooting 75% from three in his past two games, so that won’t continue but he’s getting there from the peripherals as well, so he’s a guy I’m going to get to in this matchup. Grant has had three straight games of under 30 DraftKings points and is starting to look a bit more human as of late. I’m still okay going here due to the minute’s security and the matchup. Mason Plumlee is smashing right now, he has at least 30 minutes in three straight games which is a big player in why he’s doing so well. He’s always been a nice point-per-minute player and a guy I’m willing to get to here even at an elevated price tag. Delon Wright seems a bit underpriced here and will continue to see heavy minutes. It’s a pace-up spot for the Pistons so I have no issue with some Wright in this one. From the Bulls, Zach LaVine has 38 minutes in three of his last four games and at least 45 DraftKings points in four straight. I have no issue in getting to him in a pretty solid matchup here. Coby White is finally starting to put it together a bit, he did need 44 minutes to get to 38 DraftKings points last time out but he also shot terribly which is something I’m always willing to overlook. Wendell Carter Jr. returned to play 21 minutes last game until he’s off whatever minutes limit he’s on right now he’s not a guy I’ll get to. Patrick Williams and Denzel Valentine should continue to fill up those extra minutes that are available with Otto Porter and Lauri Markkanen out. Williams would be my preferred option due to the secured minutes that he’s seeing nightly.

5-star play: Zach LaVine

4-star play: Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Delon Wright, Coby White, Patrick Williams, Denzel Valentine, Josh Jackson

Portland Trailblazers @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Blazers, Damian Lillard has at least 57 DraftKings points in back-to-back games now and playing heavy minutes. I like getting to him here at just over $10k on DraftKings. Enes Kanter doesn’t really have a backup right now with Harry Giles out, so he’s going to be forced into a few extra minutes, I like the price tag on him here especially if Steven Adams is forced to sit on the other side of this game. Robert Covington has back-to-back 30 point fantasy nights, although I don’t think you can bank on the six blocks he recorded last night. Gary Trent Jr. continues to prove me wrong… kinda. He’s really scoring dependent which is always tough for me to get to, but he continues to put up nice fantasy performances. Lastly, Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Jones Jr. are fine GPP options and should soak up a good chunk of these wing minutes. From the Pels, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are both solid options here. If you’re looking for an upside guy for tournaments you’re guy is Ingram while Zion is more of your cash guy although he did finally drop a 50 burger last time out in just 28 minutes. Lonzo Ball has been held under 30 fantasy points in two straight, I don’t hate him for tournaments. The same can be said for guys like Eric Bledsoe, Josh Hart, and Steven Adams. The Pelicans are really never a team I love getting to when they’re at full health.

5-star play: Damian Lillard

4-star play: Enes Kanter, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Robert Covington, Gary Trent Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Jones Jr., Eric Bledsoe, Josh Hart, Steven Adams, Lonzo Ball

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

It feels like the Thunder play every night, sheesh. It sounds like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is really close to a return here so keep an eye on the VIP Coaching forum for updates surrounding this team. If he returns it would hurt a lot of the usage in this backcourt on guys like Hamidou Diallo, Theo Maledon, and Kenrich Williams. Al Horford had a dud last night but I’m fine going back to him here, they’ll need his size against Jonas Valanciunas. Darius Bazley has at least 30 fantasy points in two straight games and is a guy I don’t mind getting to in tournaments, not a priority though. From the Grizzlies, Ja Morant finally had a big game last night. He’s been really consistent as of late but we’ve been kind of waiting for that 50 burger to pop. He hasn’t gotten there yet but it feels like he’s pretty close, I like the matchup and price tag on him quite a bit. Jonas Valanciunas had a pretty poor night last night but is a guy I’ll always be willing to go back to. He’s always been a nice point-per-minute player in his career. Kyle Anderson has performed well as of late, but Brandon Clarke has returned and should start to cut into some of his production so not a guy I love here. Lastly, Dillon Brooks is a solid tournament option at under $6k on DraftKings.

***I’ll update the Thunder in our VIP Coaching forum when we get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander news***

5-star play: Ja Morant

4-star play: Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks

Miami Heat @ Golden State Warriors

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Heat, Bam Adebayo dropped a massive 58.5 DraftKings performance last time out against the Clippers. He’s an elite option here against a Warriors team that doesn’t really have a true center option right now. Jimmy Butler bounced back last game in a big way going for 65 DraftKings points. He now has at least 55 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and is under $9k on DraftKings. Tyler Herro looked great last game and a guy that I’m okay getting to here, while Kendrick Nunn fell off the face of the Earth going for just nine fantasy points. From the Warriors, the price tag on Steph Curry is going to be hard for me to get to in cash games. He’s always an elite tournament play due to his ability to scorch Earth from the three-point line, however. Draymond Green hasn’t scored 10 real-life points in his past six games but has at least 30 DraftKings points in five of those six due to the peripherals he’s able to rack up. He’s a fine option here as well. Then the combo of Kelly Oubre and Andrew Wiggins are more tournament options than anything for me, they’ve been pretty volatile this season.

5-star play: Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry

4-star play: Tyler Herro, Draymond Green, Kelly Oubre, Andrew Wiggins

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Kendrick Nunn, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre, Juan Toscano-Anderson

Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Jazz, keep an eye on our Breaking News feed for an update on Mike Conley, it sounds like he’s questionable here. Donovan Mitchell struggled in this matchup earlier this season, but I’m willing to go to him in tournaments, just not a guy I love for cash games. I really like this price tag on Rudy Gobert and makes a lot of sense as your cash game center, also playable in GPPs, he’s shown a nice ceiling this season. Then we get to these wings who will be more GPP options than anything, it’s tough to determine who will have the good scoring night on any given night, so guys like Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, Royce O’Neale, and Joe Ingles are tournament guys for me. From the Clippers, it’s pretty hard to break this team down right now with Paul George and Nic Batum out and Kawhi Leonard being questionable, so keep an eye on the VIP Coaching forum for news and updates surrounding this team. We’ll have a more inclusive breakdown of this one once we get news on these guys.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic, Royce O’Neale, Joe Ingles, Donovan Mitchell

NBA Lock of the Day: John Wall (DK – $7.8k; FD – $8.5k)

I’m going to go right back to John Wall tonight, but I do like him a bit more on DraftKings due to the price differential. It sounds like Victor Oladipo and Eric Gordon are doubtful here and with these two off the court this season he has a 40+% usage rate and over 1.3 fantasy points per minute. He scored 52.75 DraftKings points last time out, but gets a tougher matchup here that I’m willing to overlook due to the extra usage and opportunity he sees with these guys out for the Rockets. 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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