Full Court Press Breakdown for NBA DFS 3/11:

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 “TheSoprano12” on their $100,000 win earlier this season!! Better go buy a Boban jersey after that one!

Detroit Pistons @ Charlotte Hornets

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

We’ll kick the first real slate of the second half off with the Pistons, Delon Wright comes into this game as questionable which is noteworthy as his availability will impact guys like Saben Lee and Dennis Smith Jr., so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates surrounding him. I don’t love the price on Jerami Grant but he should do what he wants in this matchup and should have a good shot at a double-double with how bad at rebounding the Hornets are. The same can be said for Mason Plumlee who comes in at a nice price tag here, I like him quite a bit on DraftKings. Josh Jackson has been a bit volatile as of late but the minutes have been there with Blake Griffin now out of town, he’s more of a GPP guy, however. Lastly, you can throw Saddiq Bey in that GPP category as well, he’s been held under 16 DraftKings points in two of his last four while going for 25+ in the other two. From the Hornets, it sounds like Devonte’ Graham will return to action here, we don’t have any news regarding a minutes restriction, but considering he’s been out for about a month, I would think he’s monitored pretty closely here. The Hornets will continue to start LaMelo Ball even with Graham back for obvious reasons. He’s at $9k on DraftKings which may be hard to stomach but he has at least 49 DraftKings points in two of his last three. Terry Rozier has been really good as of late, but I have trouble paying this price tag for him when Graham will be back in the rotation. Gordon Hayward went into the break with a 50 burger against the Wolves. I like him again here as a secondary option if you fall in this price range, but not a priority by any means. With Cody Zeller expected back I think PJ Washington is overpriced, as he won’t see as much run at the five. Lastly, Malik Monk and Miles Bridges will continue to provide a spark off the bench and make for decent tournament options should you land on them.

***The below is assuming Delon Wright is out***

5-star play: None

4-star play: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Cody Zeller

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Dennis Smith Jr., Saben Lee, Saddiq Bey, Josh Jackson, Terry Rozier, Malik Monk, Miles Bridges

Boston Celtics @ Brooklyn Nets

Vegas Total: 234.5

Vegas Spread: Bkn -3.0

Starting with the Celtics, this is a great matchup for them as the Nets still look for a pulse on defense. Jayson Tatum is playing huge minutes and has at least 50 DraftKings points in two of his last three. I’d much rather find the $400 and get up to him than pay $9k for Ball in the last game. Jaylen Brown scored 42.5 DraftKings points in this spot earlier this season and makes sense for tournaments, we haven’t seen that ceiling game in a while and this is a good spot to flash it. Kemba Walker went into the break on a high note scoring at least 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, if he’s finding his footing this is a nice price on him. Marcus Smart is set to return here but I would assume he’s on a minutes limit since he’s been out since January, I won’t be paying this price tag on him. Lastly, the frontcourt is a bit of a mess, but I could see them going small and running a bit with the Nets. Robert Williams looked great heading into the break scoring at least 25 DraftKings points in three of four, but his price is getting to a point where I don’t want to play him considering the limited minutes he’s seeing. From the Nets, both Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin will be inactive here so it will be the James Harden and Kyrie Irving show. Harden has at least 40 minutes in two straight games and scoring at least 70 DraftKings points in both of them, he’s an elite raw option. Kyrie Irving gets a revenge game here and scored 61.5 DraftKings points in this matchup earlier this season. That game was without Harden, but worth mentioning. Bruce Brown is cooking right now, I never thought he’d be almost $6k on DraftKings, but it’s certainly warranted. He has at least 27 DraftKings points in six straight games. DeAndre Jordan isn’t a guy I’ll be getting to here, this is a spot where they can run small with the Celtics being just as weak in the frontcourt, so he may get run off the court here. I would rather take a value shot on Nic Claxton at under $4k, he’s gone for at least 25 DraftKings points in three of his last four, but the minutes are going to be limited.

5-star play: Jayson Tatum, James Harden, Kyrie Irving

4-star play: Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, Bruce Brown, Joe Harris

Deeper Value: Nic Claxton

GPP Sleeper: Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, Daniel Theis, Joe Harris, Nic Claxton

Atlanta Hawks @ Toronto Raptors

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Hawks, Trae Young scored 53 DraftKings points in this spot earlier this season and is a guy I’ll always have interest in as long as he’s under $10k like he is tonight. Clint Capela also dropped a 50 burger in this matchup earlier this season, the price has come down as well making him more in play on a big slate. John Collins will always be a volatile member of this team so tournaments only on him, I hope they end up trading him in the next few weeks. Kevin Huerter bounced back a bit and went into the break looking much better, he’s going to continue to see big minutes with Cam Reddish and DeAndre Hunter out. It is worth noting that Bogdan Bogdanovic returned before the break and played 20 minutes, I would expect he sees around 25 here and is a solid value option. Lastly, Danilo Gallinari is going to be a scoring-dependent option, although he stuffed the stat sheet in 39 minutes last time out. The Raptors are a bit of a mess as they come into this one with Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby all out and Terence Davis listed as questionable. It’s a small-ish sample size but here is how they operate with these guys off the court:

• Kyle Lowry – 26.2% usage rate; 1.17 fpm
• Chris Boucher – 24.6% usage rate; 1.24 fpm
• Norman Powell – 29.7 % usage rate; 1.12 fpm
• Terence Davis – 24.6% usage rate; 1.00 fpm

These would be my main targets from this team, keep an eye on the status of Davis because he becomes a nice value option who would see a good chunk of minutes and likely starts here. Lastly, I need to touch on Stanley Johnson, he’s another starting candidate but he’s a pretty close carve and copy of Tony Snell on the other side of this game. He’s going to get a ton of minutes, but I think we’ll have better value options on a big slate.

5-star play: Trae Young, Kyle Lowry

4-star play: Clint Capela, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, Chris Boucher, Norman Powell, Terence Davis

Deeper Value: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Terence Davis

GPP Sleeper: Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, John Collins, Chris Boucher

Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Magic, Aaron Gordon comes into this one as questionable, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates surrounding him, but I would assume he’s on a minutes limit if he returns here. They will also be without Evan “don’t Google” Fournier due to a groin injury… which is fitting. Nikola Vucevic should continue to see all the usage in this offense and has at least 47 DraftKings points in four straight games. The rest of this team is pretty blah for me, you can make a case for Terrence Ross, but paying nearly $7k for him makes me want to throw up my dinner. Michael Carter-Williams should see all the minutes he can handle as well and is someone I would prefer over a scoring-dependent piece like Ross. From the Heat, Bam Adebayo will miss this game, so let’s crunch some numbers with him off the court this season:

• Jimmy Butler – 28.8% usage rate; 1.53 fpm
• Kelly Olynyk – 17.2% usage rate; 0.87 fpm
• Tyler Herro – 25.6% usage rate; 1.01 fpm
• Goran Dragic – 27.4% usage rate; 1.07 fpm

These would be my main four targets from the Heat, I would have some interest in Precious Achiuwa if he starts, but the Heat started KZ Okpala in Adebayo’s place last game so I wouldn’t bank on it. Achiuwa still saw 16 minutes in that game but I want him starting to push him over that 20 mark, he would be pretty chalky as well if that were the case.

5-star play: Nikola Vucevic, Jimmy Butler

4-star play: Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Herro, Kelly Olynyk, Goran Dragic

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Terrence Ross, Goran Dragic, Kendrick Dunn, Duncan Robinson

New York Knicks @ Milwaukee Bucks

Vegas Total: 222.5

Vegas Spread: Milw -11.1

Starting with the Knicks, this is a pretty sizeable pace-up spot for them as they continue to be the slowest team in the league, so we should be able to find a few pieces to like. Julius Randle is up near $10k again on DraftKings but did drop 61 DraftKings points in this spot earlier this season. I don’t love the price tag but I get it if you’re looking to go here. Derrick Rose will miss this game, so it will be the Elfrid Payton and Isaiah Quickley show in the backcourt. Payton will have the more secure minutes as he’s seen at least 32 in three straight and scored 43.3 DraftKings points against the Bucks when they played earlier on. I wish they would just hand the keys to Quickley and let him run the offense, but I get it, they’re trying to get a pretty decent playoff spot here, so no need to force the youngster in there. At this price tag, I’m not sure I’ll have much of him, but his upside is immense. RJ Barrett has at least 33 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, it’s a tough spot for him but I’m still good with going here in tournaments. Lastly, Nerlens Noel will continue to start at center for this team and is seeing absolutely massive minutes right now, I have no problem with him as a mid-range option. The Bucks see the opposite impact from the pace discrepancy here, as you can assume, it’s a massive pace-down spot for them. Giannis Antetokounmpo went into the break on a heater and is a great raw option here but the pace combined with the large spread on this one gives me enough worry to want to go to a different superstar on this 11-game slate. Khris Middleton began to heat up as well going into the break, I can’t say I love the price tag, but he’s a fine secondary option. Jrue Holiday got his minutes up to 23 in their last game and given the week off I would think he gets pretty close to 30 minutes here but we’ll have to see, nonetheless, I’m not paying this price tag until we know that minutes limit is lifted. Then the trio of Donte DiVincenzo, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis are all volatile tournament options to round out this game.

5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Julius Randle

4-star play: Khris Middleton, Elfrid Payton, RJ Barrett, Nerlens Noel

Deeper Value: Alec Burks

GPP Sleeper: Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Donte DiVincenzo, Immanuel Quickley

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Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: 239

Vegas Spread: Nop -8.0

Starting with the Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns has been pretty solid since returning from the Covid list. He hasn’t consistently put up those 50 point nights like we’re looking for but he’s flashed a 60 points ceiling which is why he has a $10k price tag.  His minutes will be there regardless of the game staying close or not which is nice. Anthony Edwards will continue to see heavy minutes with D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley out, he has at least 30 DraftKings points in four straight games. Ricky Rubio had a ceiling game heading into the break where he went for 40 DraftKings points, I would rather find the money and go up to Edwards personally. Lastly, you can make a case for Jarred Vanderbilt, but he’s come down to Earth after a few 30 point games before the break. From the Pelicans, Zion Williamson has been the model of consistency since the Pelicans gave him the keys to the offense. It’s hard not t like him in this matchup at a pretty nice price tag. Brandon Ingram is priced too high for me with Zion now running this offense, I would be much more inclined to get to Ingram if he was in the mid to high $7k range instead of mid $8k’s. It still sounds like the Pelicans are shopping Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe, so they should continue to showcase these guys in a great matchup. Ball is your cash guy while Bledsoe comes at a discount for GPPs and scored 41.8 DraftKings points in this matchup earlier this season. Lastly, Josh Hart makes sense as a tournament option while Steven Adams is pretty much off my radar right now.

5-star play: Zion Williamson, Karl-Anthony Towns

4-star play: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe, Josh Hart, Anthony Edwards

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart. Ricky Rubio, Jarred Vanderbilt

Philadelphia 76ers @ Chicago Bulls

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Sixers, we have some news here… Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will miss this game after getting into a bit of Covid trouble over the break, so we can run some numbers with them off the court this season:

• Tobias Harris – 29.6% usage rate; 1.22 fpm
• Dwight Howard – 18.7% usage rate; 1.19 fpm
• Shake Milton – 30.7% usage rate; 1.11 fpm

These would be my three favorite options, it will be interesting to see who starts at the point guard position. In recent games with Simmons out they’ve been starting Matisse Thybulle who isn’t exactly playable for DFS. If by the off chance they start Tyrese Maxey he would become an elite value option. But, assuming they start Thybulle and Howard in the place of these two, the three guys above will be the guys I want. From the Bulls, it sounds like this team is finally getting healthy with Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter returning here. This will take minutes away from Thad Young, Patrick Williams, and Garrett Temple. I don’t really want either of these guys in their first game anyway due to a potential minutes restriction, however. Zach LaVine scored 48.75 DraftKings points in this matchup earlier this season and is a strong play again here. Coby White went into the break with some consistency, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in four straight games, I still have a tough time trusting him for cash games at this price tag. Lastly, Wendell Carter Jr. sees a nice bump with Embiid out for the Sixers, he’s more of a secondary option at this price tag.

5-star play: Tobias Harris, Zach LaVine, Dwight Howard

4-star play: Shake Milton, Coby White, Wendell Carter Jr.

Deeper Value: Furkan Korkmaz

GPP Sleeper: Seth Curry, Tony Bradley

Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Mavs, Luka Doncic didn’t appear to have any rust carrying over from the break as he went for 58 DraftKings points yesterday. As always, he’s an elite raw option. Kristaps Porzingis has been pretty good as of late, I just don’t love the price tag. His volatility makes him a tournament-only option for me. Then the rest of this team doesn’t quite do it for me on a big slate like tonight, you can make a case for guys like Tim Hardaway and Josh Richardson, but that would about do it for me on the Mavs. From the Thunder, I like this spot for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander although he did struggle against the Mavs heading into the break. They don’t love playing defense so I’m okay going right back to him here. I’m kind of surprised Al Horford and the Thunder haven’t gone down the same path as Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge and just agreed to a buyout, but maybe they find something for him in a trade. I don’t expect Horford will be on this team much longer, but he’s a secondary option while he’s still in there. Darius Bazley found some consistency heading into the break and is a guy I’m more willing to play in tournaments due to his volatility. Isaiah Roby has been good as of late but I would prefer him when Horford is out. Lastly, Lu Dort and Theo Maledon make sense as high volatile GPP options to round this team out.

5-star play: Luka Doncic

4-star play: Kristaps Porzingis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Al Horford, Darius Bazley

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway, Josh Richardson, Lu Dort, Theo Maledon

Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Warriors, it’s a tough matchup but Steph Curry is averaging 48 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Clippers this season so he’ll always be in play for tournaments. Draymond Green hasn’t faired as well as he’s averaging just 19.1 DraftKings points, at this price tag he’s more of a GPP option as this frontcourt starts to get a bit more healthy. Kelly Oubre and Andrew Wiggins are tournament options on the wings but will have to deal with Kawhi and George’s defense, so not a priority for me here. James Wiseman played 35 minutes in the last game going into the break but is now questionable, I wouldn’t expect that kind of run again due to how shorthanded they were but it was nice to see him get out and play a bit. I can’t pay this price tag for him until we see those minutes start to be consistent. From the Clippers, it’s really just Paul George and Kawhi Leonard here for me. Leonard is averaging just 35.4 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Warriors this season while George is averaging 42.8, they’re both elite options for all formats, the Warriors don’t play a whole lot of defense. Then these ancillary pieces for the Clippers will be tough to get to for me on a big slate but guys like Serge Ibaka and Lou Williams are fine options.

5-star play: Steph Curry, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard

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

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Kelly Oubre, Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, Serge Ibaka, Lou Williams

Houston Rockets @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Rockets, the only news we’re waiting on is Eric Gordon, he’s currently questionable so keep an eye out for news surrounding him. John Wall and Victor Oladipo will run this offense regardless and are in great spots against a terrible Kings defense. Wall is averaging 48 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Kings this season while Oladipo played one game and scored 42.25, they’re both really nice options here. Jae’sean Tate is kind of meh for me, he’s a fine option in a good matchup but that’s about it. Justin Patton is interesting while Christian Wood continues to be out, his price is getting up there but he’s producing really nicely in the steals and blocks categories and makes sense for tournaments. Lastly, I think you can make a case for Sterling Brown in tournaments to round out this team. From the Kings, it sounds like Tyrese Haliburton will return here, I don’t think he’ll be on a minutes limit but worth monitoring just in case. De’Aaron Fox is averaging 41.4 DraftKings points in two games against the Rockets this season. That said, the Rockets are playing like an AAU team right now, so I like his chances of doing whatever he wants. Harrison Barnes is a name that’s buzzing in the trade market, so it wouldn’t surprise me for them to keep showcasing him, he’s looked great as of late and playing huge minutes. Buddy Hield will always be a GPP option for me but the price is in a more playable range than it was earlier this season and he’s dropped at least 45 DraftKings points in two of their last three, he’s another trade name to watch as we approach the deadline. Then you can round out this team with Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley, the Rockets don’t have a big man outside of Patton and with Whiteside still out they should see some additional minutes.

5-star play: John Wall, Victor Oladipo, De’Aaron Fox

4-star play: Eric Gordon, Justin Patton, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley, Richaun Holmes

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley, Richaun Holmes, Sterling Brown, Eric Gordon

Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trailblazers

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

We round out the slate with the Suns and Blazers! Starting with the Suns, it sounds like Devin Booker will play here after coming in as questionable which is big news since I don’t love playing much of this team when they’re at full strength. Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton would likely be my favorite options here, but even they are secondary pieces at best. You can look to guys like Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder in GPPs, but I just don’t think we need to go here on a big slate. From the Blazers, Damian Lillard struggled in this matchup last time out going for just 32 DraftKings points. The Suns play good defense so at Lillard’s price tag I would rather just find the extra money for a guy like Luka or Harden. I do like the spot for Enes Kanter however, Ayton isn’t a guy that scares me on defense and Kanter’s minutes are pretty secure right now. Robert Covington is getting all the minutes he can handle right now and is worth a look in tournaments as he’s flashed a nice ceiling. Lastly, Carmelo Anthony and Gary Trent Jr. round out this team as GPP options.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Chris Paul, DeAndre Ayton, Damian Lillard, Enes Kanter

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Devin Booker, Carmelo Anthony, Gary Trent, Robert Covington, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder

NBA Lock of the Day: Dwight Howard (DK – $5.3k; FD – $3.8k)

This play is contingent on Howard starting tonight, so keep an eye on that news in our Breaking News Feed, but that’s my expectation. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons both out for this team, they’ll vault two new starters into the rotation and Howard has been pretty productive with Embiid out this season. With Embiid off the court this season he’s got an 18.7% usage rate and 1.19 fantasy points per minute. Not only that but he gets a great matchup against the Bulls who have been a nice matchup for opposing bigs this season. I would imagine he makes my core in our Cheat Sheets/Coaches Notes when those come out later in the day, but check them out for an update as we get closer to lock! 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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