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NBA DFS Slate Breakdown Strategy, Picks, and Plays for FanDuel and DraftKings – Apr. 9th, 2021

Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 4/9:

Dec 8, 2019; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cole Anthony (2) drives to the basket as Virginia Cavaliers guard Kihei Clark (0) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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!

Indiana Pacers @ Orlando Magic

Vegas Total: 217.5

Vegas Spread: Ind -4.5

We’ll kick this slate off with the Pacers, who’re a bit of a mess right now. Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon are both questionable and have missed the past couple of games, while Myles Turner is out. We saw Goga Bitadze start for Turner last game and go for 30.25 DraftKings points, he’s a solid value yet again tonight. Caris LeVert has been pretty average with Sabonis and Brogdon out and his price has come up so he’s more of a secondary option. I would rather save $2k and go down to TJ McConnell who is coming off a 50 burger last time out, we know he can stuff the stat sheet. Lastly, Doug McDermott and Jeremy Lamb would be fine GPP options as well, but just keep an eye on that Breaking News Feed for updates on this team. From the Magic, Michael Carter-Williams and Cole Anthony both returned to action last game. They both looked pretty good as well, I just hate the matchup, so more of GPP options than anything. Terrence Ross has seen his price come down to a more playable range, he’s scoring dependent which makes him hard to trust for cash games, but I’m good with him for GPPs. Wendell Carter Jr. has at least 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and looks to be settling into his new team. The Magic did waive Khem Birch yesterday which will open up some additional minutes in that frontcourt. Chuma Okeke had a dud last time out but had been consistent up to that point and it seems as if the minutes will be there, I’m good with him in GPPs, but the price is getting up there. Then you can round this team out with wing GPP guys like James Ennis and Dwayne Bacon, but not a whole lot of interest there. I would rather save some money and go down to RJ Hampton who has at least 28 DraftKings points in two straight.

***I’m assuming Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon are out below***

5-star play: Goga Bitadze, TJ McConnell

4-star play: Caris LeVert, Wendell Carter Jr.

Deeper Value: Goga Bitadze

GPP Sleeper: Doug McDermott, Jeremy Lamb, James Ennis, Chuma Okeke, Terrence Ross, RJ Hampton

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Boston Celtics

Vegas Total: 228.5

Vegas Spread: Bos -8.5

Starting with the Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell will be good to go here while Malik Beasley and Jaylen Nowell will be out. Russell played 24 minutes in each of his first two games back and has looked pretty solid in them. I would want those minutes to be back up over 30 before I go back to him, however. Karl-Anthony Towns continues to crush, you can beat the Celtics in the frontcourt as well. He has at least 52 DraftKings points in eight straight games, it’s tough not to like him here. Anthony Edwards should continue to see big minutes and a ton of shot attempts even with Russell, but they just may not be AS big, he’s a solid GPP option but that price is getting to the point where I’m less on him. Lastly, Ricky Rubio is just kind of meh for me, on a big slate like this one we can find better options. From the Celtics, Jaylen Brown is coming off a big game last time out against the Knicks where he dropped 58 DraftKings points, this is a great matchup for this whole Celtics team, so you can go right back to the well on him. Jayson Tatum bounced back a bit last game, he’s in the same boat as Brown but for $1000 more salary. Kemba Walker continues to look solid, but I just don’t see the upside at this price range, I don’t see him going out there and dropping a 45-50 point game with consistency. Robert Williams is a guy I really like here, the Wolves are pretty terrible against opposing big men and he’s shown a really nice ceiling as of late. The one thing that hurts him a bit is Tristan Thompson being back, so he’s more of a GPP guy than a hybrid play. Lastly, Marcus Smart is a solid last piece for all formats at this price tag.

5-star play: Karl-Anthony Tows, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum

4-star play: Anthony Edwards, Kemba Walker

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Ricky Rubio, Kemba Walker, Robert Williams, Marcus Smart

Memphis Grizzlies @ New York Knicks

Vegas Total: 214

Vegas Spread: Mem -1.5

Starting with the Knicks, Julius Randle has at least 44 DraftKings points in five straight games and gets another solid matchup here. I don’t love Valanciunas on the other end, but the game will be fast enough to where you can get to Randle here. RJ Barrett bounced back nicely last game and the Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in the league against opposing wings, he’s a solid tournament option. Alec Burks has lost his minutes with most of these guys coming back from injury, his price did come down, but I just don’t see the upside on him. Reggie Bullock has looked good lately, other than coming off a 13 point effort last time out, he’s more of a secondary cash option, I don’t think the ceiling is there on him either, but the minutes will be. Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton continue to split this backcourt pretty evenly, if it were a smaller slate I would have interest, but again, I think we can do better. Lastly, Nerlens Noel essentially has the center position to himself so I would expect those minutes to come up here and is a solid value option. From the Grizzlies, Ja Morant looked pretty solid last game but hasn’t been all that consistent as of late, the price is nice on him however so I think you can get to him in cash games if you’re okay with a little bit of risk.  Jonas Valanciunas has been in great form as of late, I don’t particularly expect Nerlens Noel to shut him down on the inside either. Dillon Brooks was pretty solid last time out and could see a few extra minutes with De’Anthony Melton out and Brandon Clarke coming in as questionable. The same can be said for Kyle Andreson, he has at least 30 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games.

5-star play: Julius Randle, Ja Morant

4-star play: RJ Barrett, Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: RJ Barrett, Derrick Rose, Elfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks

Chicago Bulls @ Atlanta Hawks

Vegas Total: 227.5

Vegas Spread: Atl -2.5

Starting with the Bulls, Zach LaVine finally looked like his old self last night going for 57 DraftKings points. That’s been pretty much the only good DFS game he’s had since Nikola Vucevic joined the team. The price is nice on him if you want to chase those points here, but I probably won’t in anything other than GPP. Speaking of Vucevic, he had a down game, and maybe we’re looking at a case of one guy having a good game and the other having a down DFS game each night. Thad Young continues to produce, we kind of know the story on him by now, he always works as a filler piece. Lastly, I do like the price discounts we’re getting on Lauri Markkanen and Coby White, they bring nice upsides to the table and will play solid minutes for this Bulls team. From the Hawks, Trae Young had a pretty average game last time out and his price has come up. I do like the matchup but he’s lost some of that 50 point consistency we saw earlier in the year. Clint Capela missed the last game and comes in as questionable here, we saw Onyeka Okongwu get the start and play 32 minutes in his place last time out. He would be a nice value option if that’s the case again. Bogdan Bogdanovic has been really good as of late but he’s now in the $7k price range which I can’t say I really love. Lastly, guys like Kevin Huerter and Lou Williams are fine GPP options but nobody I’m prioritizing.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Trae Young, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Thad Young

Deeper Value: Onyeka Okongwu (if he starts)

GPP Sleeper: Lauri Markkanen, Coby White, Kevin Herter, Lou Williams

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Philadelphia 76ers @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: 226.5

Vegas Spread: Phi -7.5

Starting with the Sixers, Joel Embiid played 33 minutes last time out against the Celtics which makes me think that the minutes restriction has been turned off. I like this spot quite a bit for him, he’s too cheap right now. Ben Simmons continues to be horrible in relation to his DraftKings price tag, I’ll just continue to take him out of my player pool until his price comes down or his production picks up. Tobias Harris has come down to Earth as well with Embiid back, I’ll wait for a price decrease on him as well. It’s really just Embiid for me on this team unless you want to take shots on guys like Seth Curry and Shake Milton for tournaments. From the Pelicans, Zion Williamson didn’t look all that great last game but only saw 23 minutes due to being blown out by the Nets. It’s a tough matchup here but if injuries fall right, he could be in play. Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball come into this one as questionable which is pretty big news, if they miss, the Pelicans are running low on bodies and guys like Isaiah Thomas and Naji Marshall would be forced into big minutes. The minutes on Eric Bledsoe are pretty locked in right now and I’m willing to overlook the matchup if Lonzo and Ingram sit again. Lastly, Isaiah Thomas shouldn’t see all that much run UNLESS Lonzo and Ingram sit, he could start in that scenario with Nickeil Alexander-Walker out. There’s a lot of moving pieces on the Pelicans right now so just keep an eye on that Breaking News Feed for updates.

***Leaving the Pelicans off until we get news on who’s out***

5-star play: Joel Embiid

4-star play: None

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, Shake Milton

Charlotte Hornets @ Milwaukee Bucks

Vegas Total: 225.5

Vegas Spread: Mil -9.0

Starting with the Hornets, Terry Rozier played a bunch of minutes last game but didn’t do a whole lot with them. With Malik Monk, LaMelo Ball, and Gordon Hayward all off the court there is going to be some extra usage and opportunity to go around for the rest of these starters. Devonte’ Graham scored 35 DraftKings points last time out and is a solid GPP option here, we haven’t seen a big ceiling game from him as of late. PJ Washington finally bounced back last game and his price has become more reasonable, I’m okay with him but would like him more if Giannis were to sit again. Lastly, Miles Bridges is a guy I do like at this price tag, the minutes are now pretty locked into around 30 with Hayward out and this kid can play. From the Bucks, we’ll need news on Giannis Antetokounmpo who comes in as questionable here. My gut says he plays now that they’ve returned home from a long west coast road trip, but just keep an eye on his status. If he’s out we can go right back to the rest of this team, but if he plays these guys are just too priced up for my liking, so it’s news we’ll need here.

***Keeping the Bucks off until we get Giannis news***

5-star play: None

4-star play: Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: PJ Washington

San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets

Vegas Total: 218.5

Vegas Spread: Den -7.5

We saw this matchup the last time these two teams played, so we have something to work off of here. Starting with the Spurs, Dejounte Murray ended up playing last time out and looked really solid in just 29 minutes. He’s proven to show some consistency and is a solid option here. DeMar DeRozan was held to just 27 DraftKings points in that game last time out which makes two straight games of just 27 fantasy points, he’s more of a GPP guy at this price tag if that. Jakob Poeltl struggled last game as you might imagine in this matchup with Jokic and company, I don’t think we’ll see him fare much better in this one. Derrick White is a fine option but I think we can do better in this price range. Lastly, we know the floor and ceiling that Keldon Johnson brings to the table. The Nuggets have been pretty bad against opposing wings on the season, but have upgraded with acquiring Aaron Gordon, I do still think you can get to Johnson in GPPs however. From the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic scored 51.75 DraftKings points last time out and should be able to do what he wants in this one again here. Jamal Murray has missed the past two games and comes into this one as questionable, if he plays he’s a solid option against a Spurs team that has struggled with point guards this season. Michael Porter Jr. continues to be a very consistent option, ever since the all-star break you can basically pencil him in for 30+ DraftKings points. Aaron Gordon came down to Earth yesterday, he’s going to be volatile due to the other pieces around him, so more of a GPP guy. Lastly, Will Barton is in that same GPP boat, no issue with getting to him here.

5-star play: Nikola Jokic

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

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, Derrick White, Aaron Gordon, Will Barton

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Washington Wizards @ Golden State Warriors

Vegas Total: 238.5

Vegas Spread: GSW -4.5

This game has a massive total, so we should be able to find some pieces we like. Starting with the Wizards, Bradley Beal returned last game to play 30 minutes on his way to 39 DraftKings points. It doesn’t appear that he’ll be limited moving forward and comes into this one as probable. Russell Westbrook’s production wasn’t harmed by Beal returning, he still went out and dropped 68 DraftKings points last time out. He’s a great option again here. I’m okay getting to some Rui Hachimura here, the one thing I don’t love is I would expect the sees a good chunk of Draymond Green on defense. I’m not one that really looks too deep into individual matchups, but Green gets under guys’ skin and just throws them off, that said, Rui is a solid tournament guy at the very least. Davis Bertans has looked good over his past two games and is a guy I like in these fast-paced games, he’s going to be volatile and he’s a risky play but he’s in play, to say the least. Deni Avdjia has at least 27 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and feels like a solid option at sub $5k. Then we can round this team out with the Alex Len experience, you never know what you’re going to get, but he’s a GPP play nonetheless. From the Warriors, Steph Curry has at least 50 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and gets an elite matchup in this one. Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre Jr. are both GPP play wings, they’re both pretty volatile but given the implied total in this one, they’re firmly in play. Draymond Green had a down game last time out but is a guy I’ll go right back to. If he can run himself into double-digit points he sets himself up for those double-double and triple-double bonuses. The Wizards are pretty turnover prone as well, so he likely runs into a few steals here. Lastly, James Wiseman looked really good last game and is going to be a volatile guy due to how young he is, but we know the talent is in there somewhere.

5-star play: Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Draymond Green

4-star play: Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr.

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Davis Bertans, Alex Len, James Wiseman

Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Clippers

Vegas Total: 225

Vegas Spread: Lac -13.5

We round out the slate starting with the Rockets, John Wall will miss this game so we should see some usage and opportunity open up for the rest of this team. Christian Wood got over 40 DraftKings points last time out but he just hasn’t been consistently near that 50 number like he was earlier this season. Kevin Porter Jr. is a guy I’ll look to target here, he has a 27% usage rate and over 1.11 fantasy points per minute with Wall off the court this season and we know the ceiling he brings to the table. Then you can round the Rockets out with Jae’sean Tate and Kelly Olynyk who have had some nice games as of late, their serviceable tournament options if you fall in that price range. From the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard had a down game last time out and I have serious doubt that the Rockets keep this one close enough for me to feel comfortable playing these stars on the Clippers, they’ve screwed us in these spots already this season and with it being the late game I may just stay away from him and Paul George in anything other than MME. DeMarcus Cousins made his Clippers debut last time out and played just 7 minutes, I don’t think he’ll see enough minutes to be in play at this price tag. He hurts Ivica Zubac more than anything, with Serge Ibaka out I would think Zubac continues to start but Cousins being there hurts. Then you can round out this team with GPP guys like Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, and Nic Batum... I would like Mann the most, as he feels like a candidate to get some blowout run.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., Jae’sean Tate, Kelly Olynyk

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Christian Wood, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann, Nic Batum

NBA Lock of the Day: Goga Bitadze (DK – $3.8k; FD – $4.9k)

This is more of a DraftKings play than anything due to the price increase on FanDuel, but I’m loading up on some Goga! He scored 30.25 DraftKings points last time out and should get the start again here with Myles Turner ruled out for the Pacers. At this moment I would imagine he makes my Core on our Cheat Sheets/Coaches Notes for tonight, come check out the other core plays as well! These notes include Core plays, player ranks, and tiers notes, so come check them out! 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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