Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 10/25:
Oct 23, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-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 Mike 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!
Boston Celtics @ Charlotte Hornets
Vegas Total: NA
Vegas Spread: NA
We’ll start things off with the Celtics, we’ll need to keep an eye on the injury report and Breaking News Feed for news surrounding Jaylen Brown in this one. He missed the game yesterday and I would expect he’s questionable in this one, for the sake of this article I’m going to operate under the assumption that he plays. If he’s out, that Breaking News Feed will everything you need to know on who benefits most from the Celtics. Jayson Tatum looked good in yesterday’s game against the Rockets, but without Brown, he had some extra opportunity. I do like targeting the Hornets frontcourt in this one, so I have no issue going right back to him in this spot. Al Horford got his minutes up to 30 yesterday and seems like he may be a full go in this one. The price tag is really nice on him and a guy I’ll get a bunch of on this slate in a great matchup. Robert Williams struggled against the Rockets with just two points in 28 minutes, I do like targeting big men against the Hornets, however, so it’s a solid bounce-back spot for him. As for Dennis Schroeder and Marcus Smart, they’re fine secondary GPP pieces for now but would see a nice boost if Brown is forced to miss again. From the Hornets, this is another team where we’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed due to Terry Rozier being questionable after missing yesterday’s game. I’ll operate under the assumption that he plays as well, but we’ll be sure to update VIP members on who sees the upgrade if he were to miss. Miles Bridges had a massive game against the Nets yesterday, but I don’t think that’s a performance I’ll be chasing. He hasn’t shown enough consistency to expect that type of production again. We saw Ish Smith pick up the slack for Rozier being out as well, but was uber-efficient in just 21 minutes. It’ll depend on how value opens up throughout the day, but he may be in play as a value piece at this price tag if Rozier needs to miss. LaMelo Ball has the largest ceiling on this team and is a guy I’m good with at a fair price tag as well. Lastly, Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee are solid secondary GPP pieces, I do like picking on this Celtics frontcourt, but it did get a boost with Horford back.
5-star play: Jayson Tatum, Al Horford
4-star play: Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Dennis Schroeder, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, Mason Plumlee
Our NBA Domination Station lineup optimizer is Powered by DFS Army proprietary projections. The Domination Station will help you create 150 of the highest projected lineups in a matter of minutes. With features that allow you to Like
Love
or Dislike
a player, you can create a fully unique pool of players to generate your lineups from every day. Combine the power of the Domination Station with our VIP Only Articles and the NBA Research Station to really take your game to the next level.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers
Vegas Total: 229.0
Vegas Spread: Mil -3.0
Starting with the Bucks, Jrue Holiday comes in as doubtful while Brook Lopez has been ruled out. It does sound like Bobby Portis may return here which would hurt the minutes for Jordan Nwora, but yet another case where we’ll keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates. With Jrue Holiday, Donte DiVincenzo and Brook Lopez off the court last season, below are how the Bucks operated:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 34.9% usage rate; 1.82 fantasy points per minute
- Khris Middleton – 32.4% usage rate; 1.11 fantasy points per minute
- Pat Connaughton – 12.7% usage rate; 0.71 fantasy points per minute
- Bobby Portis – 21.6% usage rate; 1.12 fantasy points per minute
They obviously didn’t have guys like George Hill and Grayson Allen last season which will impact these numbers a little bit but gives you an idea of what to expect from them. I love the matchup against the Pacers who have been playing really fast this season, so I do like these guys with nearly a 230 implied total. From the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis has at least 46 FanDuel points in each game this season. He may get matched up with Giannis here and there, but this game should be fast enough where it shouldn’t matter all that much, he’s a solid option here. Malcolm Brogdon gets a revenge game against his old team and has looked great to start the season. He too has at least 42 FanDuel points in each game this season, he’ll benefit from Jrue Holiday’s defense missing as well. The people who chased Myles Turner’s big game against Washington were sadly disappointed with his performance last time out. He’ll always be just a GPP guy for me that if I land on I’ll be content with, but not a guy that I’m necessarily targeting. It’s about time DraftKings got Chris Duarte’s price about right at $5.4k after being all over the map in the first week of the season. The Bucks gave up three-pointers in bunches last season, so I don’t hate getting to him in GPPs.
5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon
4-star play: Myles Turner, Chris Duarte, George Hill
Deeper Value: George Hill, Bobby Portis
GPP Sleeper: Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, Myles Turner
Detroit Pistons @ Atlanta Hawks
Vegas Total: 213.5
Vegas Spread: Atl -10.5
Starting with the Pistons, it’s not fun trying to find fantasy-friendly plays on this team right now, they’re just not good. Jerami Grant led the team with a 29% usage rate last season and will likely continue at least until Cunningham comes back in a few games. Grant is generally a guy that’s going to be fairly consistent and is a solid option here, but again, not a guy that I’m forcing in by any means. Isaiah Stewart hasn’t seen the minutes we’re hoping for from a fantasy standpoint until I see those minutes come up a bit I don’t know that I’ll be all that thrilled to play him as he’s been right around 20 DraftKings points in both games this season. Saddiq Bey has been a bright spot for the Pistons so far, he’s a guy they want to see what they have in and someone who will continue to get good run. I can’t say I love the price tag, but coming off a 45 point DraftKings game it’s hard to argue with it. Lastly, Trey Lyles has been cutting into Stewart’s minutes a bit, if we don’t get better value (which I expect we do), you could make a case for him as a cheap option. From the Hawks, it sounds like Danilo Gallinari is going to be questionable again heading into this one. If he’s forced to miss we’d likely see more shots/opportunities for wing guys like De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish and more minutes for Jalen Johnson and Solomon Hill. Johnson and Hill would be punt values on the showdown slate only, they’re not all that exciting in my eyes. Clint Capela saw his minutes come up to 27 last time up after the team stated he would see his minutes increased. I wouldn’t expect something similar here with a nice chance he’s able to get over 30 minutes. He’s a good option here and a guy I’ll have interest in as long as he’s under $7k. Trae Young has been okay to start the season, he started the opener with more turnovers than fantasy points in the first quarter and shot just 1-6 from three last game. I hane no doubt he’ll put it all together sooner rather than later and a guy I like for GPPs at the very least. John Collins also looked really good in the opener, he’s a guy that I’m really high on this season after seeing what he made work in the playoffs. Then you can round this team out with those wing players in Hunter, Reddish, Kevin Huerter, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. For the price tag, Hunter would be my favorite followed closely by Bogdanovic, it’s kind of crazy how deep this Hawks team is.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Kevin Herter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish, Josh Jackson
Washington Wizards @ Brooklyn Nets
Vegas Total: NA
Vegas Spread: NA
Starting with the Wizards, it sounds like Bradley Beal is going to return in this one, so we can give a guy like Raul Neto a bump back down to his normal levels. Spencer Dinwiddie had a massive time out in an overtime game against the Pacers last time out. I wouldn’t expect another overtime game here and is price did come up, that being said, nothing like a little revenge narrative to get him going. I’m fine with him for GPPs but not some I’ll be jumping toward in cash. Kyle Kuzma has started the season looking great for this Wizards team, he has at least 38 DraftKings points in both their games and gets a solid matchup here. His price tag came up as well, so I may leave him for GPPs but there’s still meat on the bone with him where I think he’s cash viable as well. Montrezl Harrell continues to look good in the frontcourt as well, taking minutes from Daniel Gafford. They’re about the same price tag so I’ll side with the guy getting more minutes, and at the moment that’s Harrell. From the Nets, we kind of know the deal by now that Kyrie Irving is going to continue to be out for them, but we do have Blake Griffin added to that out list as well. With these guys off the court, it’s going to be hard not to just go right back to Kevin Durant and James Harden who still haven’t been priced up enough. Durant is averaging just about 61 DraftKings points per game this season where Harden has been the letdown. That being said, I would expect Harden is the higher owned simply because he’s the cheaper guy. Blake Griffin wasn’t playing a ton of minutes but was right around that 20 number that will have to be spread out to guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap, and Nicolas Claxton. Aldridge has back-to-back games with at least 24 DraftKings points and is probably my favorite option with Claxton right behind him as guys to benefit from Griffin being out.
5-star play: Kevin Durant, James Harden
4-star play: Kyle Kuzma, Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell
Deeper Value: LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Claxton
GPP Sleeper: Montrezl Harrell, Joe Harris, Nicolas Claxton
Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat
Vegas Total: NA
Vegas Spread: NA
Starting with the Magic, Cole Anthony had a massive game yesterday going for 66 fantasy points easily his best game of the season, if not his career. His price tag is still really nice on FanDuel at sub $5k, it’s not a great matchup but if you’re getting exposure to him I would make sure to do it on FanDuel. It seems as if the Magic are going to have Mo Bama and Wendell Carter Jr. play next to each other a good bit this season. Both guys have at least 30 minutes in back-to-back games. I like Bamba’s fantasy production and upside a bit better, but both are in play again here. Then the last guy I really have any interest in is Jalen Suggs, he’s going to keep playing solid minutes for this team, but the matchup just kind of stinks. I’ll likely wait for a better spot to roster him and Franz Wagner. From the Heat, Jimmy Butler was a guy I was all over against the Pacers last time out and he ended up doing just fine. 40 fantasy points on 40 minutes which you would probably want a little more production in that amount of time, but he definitely didn’t hurt you. The Magic are terrible on defense, you can go back to him here but the price tag is heading in the wrong direction. Speaking of guys that played well, Tyler Herro continues to play well carrying over his performance from the preseason. He’s playing good minutes and doing a bunch with them, I like going back to him even at an elevated price tag as well. This leads me to Kyle Lowry, we’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed regarding his status as he’s currently listed as questionable with an ankle sprain. If he plays he’s probably not a guy I’m going to get much of, he’s more of a floor manager on this team, I’ll make him prove me wrong before I go back to him. I was all over Julius Randle yesterday due to the lack of defense in this frontcourt, and he went bananas, so I have no issue getting to Bam Adebayo in this spot. He’s always got a nice floor and the upside is certainly there in this spot. Then you can round this team out with Duncan Robinson as a GPP dart.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Cole Anthony (FanDuel), Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Duncan Robinson
Use the 2021-22 NBA DFS Sim Model and build stronger lineups for cash games and/or large-field tournaments! Run the slate 1000 times and see who comes out on top most often, who creates value, and who is most likely to post that gpp-winning outlier…
Chicago Bulls @ Toronto Raptors
Vegas Total: 212.0
Vegas Spread: Chi -3.0
Starting with the Bulls, I wanted to take the first week or so as a study point to see how this team is going to operate since they added Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan. I had thought Zach LaVine would take the biggest hit but he’s dropped at least 49 DraftKings points in the first two games. That being said, he had a down game last time out against the Pistons. He’s more of a GPP guy than anything for me since I think we’re going to see some volatility on him this season just due to the additional pieces on this team. Nikola Vucevic looked great in their last game going for 54 DraftKings points, but I just don’t know that I can pay this price tag for him, I like him more when he was closer to that $8k price tag. I don’t think there’s enough meat on the bone for me to go to him here. DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball are similar plays to me at a similar price tag, they’re both secondary cash options, I don’t think they have the same ceiling on the Bulls as they did with their teams last season. Lastly, Alex Caruso continues to play well for this team in the second unit and has at least 27 minutes in each game. He may make himself viable as a value option depending on what opens up on this slate. From the Raptors, Scottie Barnes finally got a price boost on DraftKings at $5.9k which was much needed. He’s playing 30+ minutes per night and producing nicely. I don’t know that I love him at this price tag, but he’s still going to be out there and have the opportunity, so more likely a secondary option than that 5-star guy he’s been to start the season. OG Anunoby bounced back nicely last time out and a guy that is going to be pretty consistent especially with Pascal Siakam out, I have no issue getting to him in cash games. Fred VanVleet is going to play big minutes for the Raptors all season, I don’t love the matchup or the pace in this one, but if you land on him I’m fine with it, not someone I’m targeting though. Lastly, Precious Achiuwa got his minutes up to 33 last time out against the Mavericks, if he’s going to continue to play that kind of minutes he’s still underpriced even after getting a price boost. I like him as a low-range option.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby
Deeper Value: Precious Achiuwa, Alex Caruso
GPP Sleeper: Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball
New Orleans Pelicans @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Vegas Total: 226.0
Vegas Spread: Min -5.5
We saw this matchup the last time these two played, so we have somewhat of a sample to go off of. Starting with the Pelicans, Jonas Valanciunas was a guy that I was all over last time out and someone I’ll go back to here. I love targeting guys against this Wolves team, as they don’t play a lick of defense. I don’t think people realize how much of a defensive liability Karl-Anthony Towns is on defense, but Jonas Valanciunas looks like an awesome play in this one. Devonte’ Graham had a bad shooting night in this one on Saturday, he went 1-10 from the three-point line… I would expect that to regress in a positive way and I love the price tag on him on both sites. With Zion off the court last season, Brandon Ingram was the guy you wanted with a 31.7% usage rate and 1.25 fantasy points per minute, he’s been consistent to start the season and gets a great matchup here. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a guy I’ll go back to in this one as well, I love targeting him in fast-paced games due to the amount he shoots. He stood 24 field goals in this game on Saturday, he didn’t shoot well at all and still walked away with 38.5 DraftKings points. From the Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns came down to Earth last time out but his price is back under $10k on DraftKings, that’s a spot I’ll look to get to. His price tag on FanDuel is a different story though. D’Angelo Russell was nearly impossible to get right as we got toward the back-end of the season last year and looks like he may carry that into this season going for 40 fantasy points in game one and 14 last time out. He’ll be a GPP only guy due to the high-paced game. A price tag I do like is Anthony Edwards at $7.5k on DraftKings and $7.8k on FanDuel. He picked up right where he left off last season as one of the best young scorers in the league. The last guy I would have any sort of interest in on the Wolves is Malik Beasley, but I think I might just need to see it from him first with Russell and Edwards in the backcourt with him… the price tag is intriguing though. You can make a case for Jaden McDaniels as a GPP value guy if you’re multi-entering, but not a guy I’m getting too crazy on.
5-star play: Devonte’ Graham, Brandon Ingram, Karl-Anthony Towns (DraftKings)
4-star play: Jonas Valanciunas, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Anthony Edwards
Deeper Value: Jaden McDaniels
GPP Sleeper: D’Angelo Russell, Jaden McDaniels
I wanted to give a quick shoutout to staff member – wwegner on nailing opening night, great start to the season! He locked in Bjelica, Nwora, and Poole to the tune of $2k+!
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Denver Nuggets
Vegas Total: NA
Vegas Spread: NA
Starting with the Cavaliers, we’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed regarding the status of Darius Garland as he comes into this one as questionable. He’s missed the past couple of games for them, so I’ll just operate under the assumption that he’s out again here. Ricky Rubio will slot into his starting spot and has looked really good to start the season. He has at least 32 FanDuel points in each game this season and is a guy I don’t hate getting to in the mid-range. Collin Sexton has been all over the place to start the season but it’s hard to ignore the price tag at under $7k on DraftKings. Jarrett Allen has a really tough matchup with Nikola Jokic in this one, I don’t hate him but I just think we’ll find better options on this slate. Evan Mobley is the guy I’m going to keep looking toward in this frontcourt. The rookie has looked more than legit to start the season and has a really nice price tag on FanDuel. Lastly, Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love are more of GPP type plays for me with Markkanen being closer to the cash game fringe due to his production and minutes security early on this season. From the Nuggets, Monte Morris should continue to slide into that starting point guard spot in a good matchup here if you’re looking for a value option who’s guaranteed minutes, just know the ceiling isn’t all that high on him as he’s been at 17 fantasy points in each game this season. Nikola Jokic is the main piece on this team and should be in line for another MVP run this season. He should do whatever he wants in this matchup, the Cavs don’t exactly have a stellar defense. Allen is a fine defensive guy but he can’t do it on his own especially against Jokic. I do like the price on Michael Porter Jr. though, with Murray off the court last season, Porter Jr. had a 23.7% usage rate and 1.13 fantasy points per minute. You saw why he’s more of a GPP guy in the last game, however, going for just 10 fantasy points. He has a lower floor than most in his price range, but also a higher ceiling, so if you’re okay with a little volatility, he’s your guy. Then guys like Will Barton and Aaron Gordon are more flyer-type plays you round out this team.
5-star play: Nikola Jokic, Evan Mobley (FanDuel), Collin Sexton (DraftKings)
4-star play: Ricky Rubio, Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen, Michael Porter Jr.
Deeper Value: Monte Morris
GPP Sleeper: Kevin Love, Michael Porter Jr., Will Barton, Aaron Gordon
Portland Trailblazers @ Los Angeles Clippers
Vegas Total: 233.0
Vegas Spread: Lac -3.0
We round the slate out with a nice 233 implied total, so a nice late-night hammer game! Starting with the Blazers, Damian Lillard pretty easily led the team last year with a 31.1% usage rate and 1.34 fantasy points per minute, but it’s a tough matchup for him against this Clippers defense. He hasn’t really shown us that big ceiling this year yet either, but the price tag on DraftKings is certainly inviting at $9.3k. Jusuf Nurkic is a guy I like getting back to here as well, I like targeting big men against this Clippers team, he should grab all the boards in this one. CJ McCollum has started the season sneaky good and taken a lot of that production from Dame, I have no issue going right back to him in this spot but probably more of a secondary option. From the Clippers, Paul George opened up the season looking great with 55+ fantasy points in both games and should continue to thrive with Kawhi Leonard out. With Kawhi off the court last season George had a 35.1% usage rate and 1.32 fantasy points per minute. Eric Bledsoe looked pretty good in his debut as well, he’s always a guy that can produce when given the opportunity, but he’s no stranger to busting as well, so I’ll leave him for GPPs for now. I do like Terance Mann and Marcus Morris in the mid-range however, they’re guys that can score in bunches and the Clippers will be looking to them for scoring with Kawhi out for the foreseeable future, although neither has looked like world-beaters lately. I especially like Mann’s price tag on FanDuel where he’s just $4.4k, one of the better value plays on the slate, the same can be said for Ivica Zubac.
5-star play: Paul George
4-star play: Damian Lillard (DraftKings), CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, Eric Bledsoe, Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann
Deeper Value: Terance Mann
GPP Sleeper: Marcus Morris, Ivica Zubac
NBA Lock of the Day: (See the NBA Cheatsheets for My CORE PLAYS!)
As always, watch Twitter for updates throughout the day, and stay updated in our VIP Coaching forums as news breaks throughout the day!
The only thing you are missing at this point is the key to unlock the next level of your game. Come inside and check us out!! We have experts sharing their secrets and experience on a daily basis. Combining that with the actual ability to ask them questions and get quick answers in return gives you a recipe for success that puts our army hats on leaderboards all over the face of DFS.
When you sign up, don’t forget to use promo code MADNESS to save 10% on your membership each and every month!
Editor’s Note – However, if you are more interested in simply betting the games, NBA is full of crazy action. And, our dynamic modeling over at SharpBets adjusts in real time to help identify Vegas inaccuracies you can exploit. Follow Ryan, Anthony, and Statsational for models and coaching advice that help you build any bankroll for any sport…
