Full Court Press Breakdown for NBA DFS 2/5:

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 on Tuesday night, congrats!!

New Orleans Pelicans @ Indiana Pacers

Vegas Total: 226.5

Vegas Spread: Ind -2.5

We’ll kick this 9 game slate off with the Pelicans, DraftKings seems pretty hard-pressed on adjusting Brandon Ingram’s price tag. He’s just not an $8k player right now, yes he scored 42 DraftKings points last game but before that he had been held under 40 DraftKings points in eight of nine games. If it were a better matchup maybe I would have some interest, but pretty much a no from me dawg. Zion Williamson’s price has come up over Ingram’s now, after going for 48.25 DraftKings points last time out. It’s another spot that I don’t particularly love, the Pacers are a tough defensive team especially with Turner roaming around in the paint. Lonzo Ball has at least 30 DraftKings points in four straight and probably is still a bit underpriced if you want to go there. Eric Bledsoe has been good as of late as well, but at this price tag, he’s a tournament only guy for me. Lastly, Steven Adams returned last game to play 29 minutes on his way to 36.75 DraftKings points, I don’t think we need to worry about him being on any sort of restriction. From the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis is on a heater right now and is still too cheap at $8.6k on DraftKings. He dropped 59 DraftKings points last time out and 60.75 the game before that, he’s an elite option here. Malcolm Brogdon had a dud last time out, but he’s still been consistent enough to where I could be talked into him, but I would just rather find the money to get to Sabonis. Jeremy Lamb had a dud last game as well in just 18 minutes of work due to a blowout, I don’t hate going back to him here, he had looked good since returning from injury. Myles Turner rounds out the dud of a performance from the Pacers last game with a 13 point outing, it’s not a great matchup for him here, but he is always in play for GPPs due to his ability to knock down shots and rack up peripherals, particularly blocks and steals.

5-star play: Domantas Sabonis

4-star play: Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, Steven Adams, Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Brandon Ingram, Eric Bledsoe, Jeremy Lamb

Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic

Vegas Total: 221.5

Vegas Spread: Chi -2.0

Starting with the Bulls, Zach LaVine is a fine option here but his production has fallen off a bit. He did shoot 21 shots last game which is enticing, however, he went 0-7 from three-point range. If you think that shooting comes back a bit here he’s a nice GPP option. Coby White has been really volatile this season, he’s a tournament-only guy here for me just because he does have the ability to get hot, but similar to LaVine I prefer him in faster matchups. Lauri Markkanen fell off the face of the Earth last game going for just 14 DraftKings points in 36 minutes. If people are off him here I don’t hate getting to him at low ownership. Lastly, Otto Porter sat last game which opened up an opportunity for Thad Young who now has at least 38 DraftKings points in four straight games and a guy I would be interested in with Porter out again here. From the Magic, the Research Station shows us that this is a pretty big pace up spot for them so it’s a team I’ll look to get to here. Nikola Vucevic dropped a 50 burger on the Raptors last time out and would be my favorite option on the Magic, with Wendell Carter out, they have little in terms of interior defense. After that, Aaron Gordon is expected to miss a few weeks so we’ve got some data to look at here, below is who benefits most with Gordon off the court this season:

• Nikola Vucevic – 31.5% usage rate; 1.34 fpm
• Evan Fournier – 28.4% usage rate; 1.18 fpm
• Cole Anthony – 24.9% usage rate; 0.95 fpm
• Terrence Ross – 21.6% usage rate; 0.79 fpm

My favorite options of these four would be Vuc and Fournier, and I don’t think we need to pay much attention to whoever draws the start for Gordon whether it be James Ennis or Gary Clark, they’re both not in play on this slate.

5-star play: Nikola Vucevic

4-star play: Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Fournier, Cole Anthony

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Coby White, Thad Young, Terrence Ross

Toronto Raptors @ Brooklyn Nets

Vegas Total: 243.0

Vegas Spread: Bkn -4.5

Talk about a massive total, holy smokes… 243 is something we’re going to want to get a part of from a DFS perspective. Starting with the Raptors, Fred VanVleet went absolutely bananas last game going for 77.75 DraftKings points. He’s a nice option again here at under $8k in an elite matchup. Kyle Lowry had a massive game as well going for a triple-double, he’s another guy you can go right back to in this matchup. Pascal Siakam has been pretty volatile this season and at a similar price tag to Lowry and VanVleet I would just prefer those two, but this is a get right spot for Siakam for sure. Norman Powell continues to play great basketball with OG Anunoby off the court, I have a hard time stomaching this price tag on him, but it’s certainly warranted. I’m not sure what Chris Boucher did to Nick Nurse, but Nurse refuses to play him any sort of substantial minutes, he’s a deep GPP dart in a high total game. From the Nets, all three of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant should play here which hurts their shine in this one. Harden has at least 60 DraftKings points in three straight and probably has the highest ceiling of the three so he would be my favorite for tournaments. While my favorite play for cash games if you want to get someone here would be Kevin Durant at under $10k on DraftKings. Other than these guys, it’s really just Joe Harris for tournaments to round out this team, I don’t have much interest in guys like DeAndre Jordan or Jeff Green on a bigger slate like this one.

5-star play: Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry

4-star play: James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Pascal Siakam

Deeper Value: Chris Boucher

GPP Sleeper: Norman Powell, Chris Boucher, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris

Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Vegas Total: 227.5

Vegas Spread: Mil -10.5

Starting with the Bucks, their minutes for the starters have been down over the past two games due to blowouts but Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 62 DraftKings points last time out and has 1.6 fantasy points per minute on the season, he’s a nice raw play here. I do like the price drop on Khris Middleton, he’s in play in all formats for me here, he’s been really consistent this season. Jrue Holiday came down to Earth last game partially due to minutes but his price has stayed consistent over the past week, I don’t hate getting to him here against a young backcourt. Brook Lopez has seen his minutes dip as well due to blowouts and Bobby Portis scorching Earth over his last two, going for at least 40 DraftKings points in both of them. He dropped 43.75 DraftKings points in 17 minutes last game… 17 MINUTES. All aboard the Bobby Portis hype train, give this man the sixth man of the year award already. All that said, his price isn’t the most attractive knowing that he’ll likely be under 22ish minutes. From the Cavs, Andre Drummond returned last game to play just 22 minutes, he’s not a guy I love getting to because of his minutes being so volatile, but he is an elite fantasy point per minute producer. He’ll be in play for GPPs here on the off chance that he sees 30 minutes. Jarrett Allen didn’t look too bad last game with Drummond back and saw 26 minutes, but this was a pretty big blowout. I don’t love the price tag on him while Drummond is in there. Collin Sexton is questionable here, so keep an eye on our VIP Coaching forum for the latest news and updates on him and who is impacted if he’s to sit. Darius Garland has played at least 30 minutes in three straight and looks like a pretty solid option again here in a pace up spot for the Cavs. Larry Nance has been ruled out for this one, it will be a combination of Cedi Osman and Taurean Prince who fill in while he’s out, I would expect Prince to get the start and to see more minutes.

5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo

4-star play: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Andre Drummond, Collin Sexton

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Bobby Portis, Andre Drummond, Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen

Utah Jazz @ Charlotte Hornets

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: Utah -7.5

Starting with the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell has looked good over his past two games but has been a bit volatile this season, I would reserve him for GPPs only on this slate. Rudy Gobert would be the guy from the Jazz that I want here, the Hornets are one of the worst interior teams in the league and actually play more 2-3 zone than anyone in the league due to this. Gobert should rack up all the rebounds in this one. I don’t love this price tag on Mike Conley really, you can make a case for him in GPPs or as a secondary option, but not someone that I’m forcing in. Bojan Bogdanovic seems like he might have started to figure things out this season, he now has at least 29 DraftKings points in four straight games and shooting at least 50% from three in all of them. Yes, he was just 1-2 last night, but hey, 50% is 50%. Lastly, Royce O’Neale and Jordan Clarkson are deeper GPP options, not really anyone that I want a part of on this slate. From the Hornets, Terry Rozier is probable here so I would assume he slides right back into the starting lineup and sends LaMelo Ball to the bench. Gordon Hayward gets a “revenge” game on his old squad in this one, he’s been pretty consistent as of late but not really a team I want to target against the Jazz. With Rozier coming back and in the worst possible matchup, there really isn’t a whole lot from the Hornets that I have an interest in. Cody Zeller should see a ton of minutes in order to try and slow down Gobert, but even then we’re looking at potential foul issues. More of a stay away spot than anything for me.

5-star play: Rudy Gobert

4-star play: Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Gordon Hayward

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Royce O’Neale, Jordan Clarkson, Donovan Mitchell, Cody Zeller, LaMelo Ball

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Washington Wizards @ Miami Heat

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

We just saw this game last time these two played so we have something to work off of here. Starting with the Wizards, Russell Westbrook should return here so takes the shine off Bradley Beal a bit, but at under $10k I still think you can make a case for him in tournaments. He’s averaging 51.7 DraftKings points per game this season. Westbrook has at least 50 DraftKings points in two straight games and is a guy you can go right back to the well on here at just $9k on DraftKings. Rui Hachimura has at least 30 DraftKings points in two straight games but will see his usage and rebound equity fall with Westbrook back in there, I don’t hate him for tournaments though. Lastly, you can throw darts at guys like Deni Avdija and Davis Bertans in deep tournaments but that’s about it. I do like the price tag quite a bit on Avdija who should start again here and should continue to see his minutes rise. This is a great spot for the Heat, the Wizards are playing at the fastest pace in the league and playing absolutely zero defense. Bam Adebayo dropped 45 DraftKings points on Wednesday and should be able to eat up this frontcourt that consists of Robin Lopez, Mo Wagner, and Alex Len, he’s an awesome play here. Jimmy Butler isn’t showing any signs of rust since returning from the Covid list, he has at least 44 DraftKings points in each game since returning from the Covid list. Tyler Herro is probable here, I don’t hate him for GPPs, but I just don’t see myself falling on him much for whatever reason. The same can be said with Goran Dragic, with Herro and Butler back it takes the shine off these guys who were great plays when this team was shorthanded.

5-star play: Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler

4-star play: Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, Tyler Herro

Deeper Value: Deni Avdija

GPP Sleeper: Davis Bertans, Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Vegas Total: 218.5

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Wolves, this frontcourt is a mess right now with Karl-Anthony Towns still out. Naz Reid got his minutes back up over 30 last game and looked in those minutes, while Juancho Hernangomez is questionable. Naz Reid would be my favorite option in this frontcourt, he’s been consistent recently when healthy. Jarred Vanderbilt has been pretty meh as of late, he’s priced about right here, so not really a guy I’m all that intrigued by. Anthony Edwards has been inserted into the starting lineup and has been playing well enough to make him a tournament option at this price tag in a good matchup. D’Angelo Russell is listed as questionable after playing 31 minutes last game out, I know his price is intriguing but I just have a tough time trusting him, but he did look decent last game. Lastly, Malik Beasley is the most consistent option on this team and is in play as a secondary cash option if you fall in his range. From the Thunder, we have some news here as well, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss this game which is a pretty big deal since he seemingly runs this offense, and with George Hill already ruled out they’ll be in desperate need of a ball handler. Here is how they grade out:

• Theo Maledon – 19.9% usage rate; 0.85 fpm
• Hamidou Diallo – 27.5% usage rate; 1.24 fpm

Those were the only two guys with decent enough sample sizes to take into consideration. Maledon should continue to start and see all the minutes he can handle here, he’s a really nice value option, as is Diallo who grades out as a really nice option at nearly 1.25 fantasy points per minute with SGA off the court. Diallo had 31.75 DraftKings points last game with SGA out, while Maledon was at 28.75 DraftKings points. Lu Dort will be out for this one as well, so if they weren’t already going to see huge minutes, give them even more. A guy I would have some interest in as well is Al Horford, he’s no stranger to needing to do some distributing in his career, and the Wolves have been terrible against opposing big men. With Dort out, Kenrich Williams could slide into more minutes as well, he looked really good last game.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Naz Reid, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Al Horford, Theo Maledon, Hamidou Diallo, Darius Bazley

Deeper Value: Kenrich Williams

GPP Sleeper: Anthony Edwards, Jarred Vanderbilt, Kenrich Williams

Detroit Pistons @ Phoenix Suns

Vegas Total: 214.5

Vegas Spread: Pho -7.5

We’ll start with the Pistons, Jerami Grant bounced back last game to go for 44 DraftKings points, he’s underpriced here considering his production this season, I like going right back to him at $7k on DraftKings. Delon Wright is a fine option but I would much prefer him if Derrick Rose were out, I don’t see myself getting a ton of him here. Mason Plumlee now has at least 34 DraftKings in three of his last four games and is going to be productive as long as he can stay out of foul trouble. Blake Griffin’s price has come way down, but it’s warranted, he’s been pretty below average as of late and is never a guy I can get right. Lastly, Josh Jackson has at least 30 DraftKings points in two straight, it seems like his good games correlate pretty closely to Griffin’s bad games. From the Suns, if I’m being honest this is probably my least favorite team on the slate. With Devin Booker expected to play here, I just don’t see any pricing or spots that I love. The wings would be my biggest target with Dario Saric out and Jae Crowder doubtful, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson should see all the minutes they can handle in this one. I do like the price tag on DeAndre Ayton, so I lied a little bit earlier, he’s definitely in play due to his upside, but has been volatile.

5-star play: Jerami Grant, DeAndre Ayton

4-star play: Mason Plumlee, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Delon Wright, Mason Plumlee, Josh Jackson, Devin Booker, Chris Paul

Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Clippers

Vegas Total: 219.5

Vegas Spread: Lac -6.5

We’ll round out this slate starting with the Celtics, Jayson Tatum looked great last time out and with Brown questionable, he could be in line for an even bigger role here. I do worry about the Kawhi and Paul George led defense, but he’s too cheap right now. Keep an eye on the status of Jaylen Brown here, he’s a fine play if he’s a go, but I don’t see anything that I need to have from him. Kemba Walker should return for this one after being rested last time out, he was able to get to 30 minutes in his last game against the Warriors so I’m going to assume he’s off his minutes restriction. If Brown is out he becomes even more of a play, but for now just a secondary option and in play for tournaments. Those are really the only three guys for me, you can make a case for Tristan Thompson who looked great last game and gives you a cheap center option if you need one. From the Clippers, we know the story here, it’s Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as your go to options. George had the better game last time out and is probably your GPP option, while I’d rather find the extra $100 for Kawhi in cash games. Serge Ibaka’s minutes are all over the place but if you want to make a case for him in GPPs you can, just not a guy I love here with Nic Batum playing well and Marcus Morris being eased back in.

5-star play: Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard

4-star play: Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, Paul George

Deeper Value: Tristan Thompson

GPP Sleeper: Serge Ibaka, Nic Batum, Tristan Thompson

NBA Lock of the Day: Hamidou Diallo (DK – $5.2k; FD – $5.0k)

Back to the Diallo well! I mentioned this above, but with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and George Hill out again tonight and now Lu Dort as well. He’s going to have to play all the minutes he can handle in this one. He got the start last game and played 33 minutes on his way to 31.75 DraftKings. Diallo has a 27.5% usage rate and 1.2 fantasy points per minute with SGA, Hill, and Dort off the court this season. The NBA Research Station – DFS Army below loves him as well and has him projected to be the top point per dollar option on the slate! 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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