DFS NBA Full Court Press: FanDuel & DraftKings Main Slate - Dec. 22nd, 2021

Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 12/22:

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!

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Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics

Vegas Total: 211.5

Vegas Spread: Bos -6.0

We’ll get this slate started with the Cavaliers, they’ll be without Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley here, so we should see more minutes for guys like Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love, and Cedi Osman in the frontcourt. More minutes would be huge for Love who is a 1.5 fantasy point per minute guy with these two off the court this season. He likely won’t go out and play 30 minutes but if he can get us around 25 he would start to look like a great option. Darius Garland is priced way up on DraftKings at $9.7k, I’ll have a really hard time getting to him at that tag. I would get my exposure to him on FanDuel. Ricky Rubio has at least 34 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and makes for a solid secondary option as well. From the Celtics, we saw Robert Williams sit last time out which led to an Enes Freedom start, but it sounds like Williams will be back here. With Al Horford still out and both Allen and Mobley out for the Cavs, I think Williams could be a nice GPP option. Jayson Tatum is priced over $11k on DraftKings and it already seems like one of those days where DraftKings has everyone priced up, he’s much more appealing at $9.9k on FanDuel. Jaylen Brown had a big night last time out and someone I have no issue getting to in tournaments at the very least. Dennis Schroder, on the other hand, hasn’t been in the greatest form over his last couple of games but was battling an illness. You can go right back to him in GPPs here in hopes he comes in under-owned. Then we can round the Celtics out with Marcus Smart as a solid secondary option in all formats.

5-star play: Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love

4-star play: Darius Garland (FanDuel), Cedi Osman, Ricky Rubio, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart

Deeper Value: Dean Wade

GPP Sleeper: Dean Wade, Ricky Rubio, Robert Williams, Dennis Schroder

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Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks

Vegas Total: 215.5

Vegas Spread: Atl -8.5

Is it me or does it seem like the Magic play every single night? We’ll get started with them here, Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr. come in as questionable here, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates surrounding them. Assuming they play, they’re great options with how shorthanded this team is. The price tag of Franz Wagner has shot up, but it’s well warranted. The guy is playing massive minutes and producing nicely. Chuma Okeke followed up his 50 burger with a 32 point fantasy night and someone I don’t have an issue with going to in all formats, he’s great at raking up peripherals and isn’t afraid to shoot. Gary Harris has back-to-back games with at least 34 DraftKings points and will continue to play all the minutes he can handle here as well. If Carter Jr. sits I would think Robin Lopez gets the start at center again and has looked great from a fantasy perspective. From the Hawks, they’re a bit of a mess right now as it seems like they have a bit of a Covid outbreak themselves with Trae Young, Clint Capela, and Danilo Gallinari all out for this one. I would expect Delon Wright to get the start for Young and looks like a great option in all formats, he’s a 0.85 fantasy point per minute guy with these two off the court this season. John Collins becomes the best per-minute producer with these guys off the court with 1.13 fantasy points per minute and should be able to do whatever he wants in this one. I do like Cam Reddish a bunch here at this price tag, he’s been a guy I’ve been using as a pivot off of the chalkier value we’ve seen as of late, but the minutes should shoot up in this one for him. Then you can round out the Hawks with Kevin Huerter as a solid play in all formats, but be sure to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed throughout the day in case more guys get ruled out due to protocol.

***Assuming Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr. are IN ***

5-star play: Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr., Delon Wright, John Collins

4-star play: Franz Wagner, Chuma Okeke, Gary Harris, Cam Reddish, Kevin Huerter

Deeper Value: Cam Reddish

GPP Sleeper: Robin Lopez

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Toronto Raptors @ Chicago Bulls

Vegas Total: 212.5

Vegas Spread: Chi -10.0

Starting with the Raptors, they’re a mess as well as most of the starting five will be out for this one… Nick Nurse will have no choice but to give Chris Boucher big minutes. He’s a great option in all formats here. OG Anunoby returned last time out to play 28 minutes, I would think he’s lifted from any sort of minutes restriction, as they’ll need the minutes from him in this spot. The availability of Khem Birch will be big, but considering he hasn’t played in a little over a month, I’ll operate under the assumption that he’s out. Then we get to the value pieces that will play a massive role tonight. Guys like Yuta Watanabe, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Isaac Bonga will need to play all the minutes they can handle here… yeah it’s not pretty. From the Bulls, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso are both expected to miss this game so we could see big minutes from Coby White as we did last time out when Caruso left early. He’s a very nice value play for me tonight in a matchup against a G-League squad. DeMar DeRozan has a 36.4% usage rate and 1.34 fantasy points per minute with LaVine off the court this season and is a solid option on all sites. Nikola Vucevic is at a 26.5% usage rate and 1.22 fantasy points per minute and makes for a nice center option tonight. Lonzo Ball dropped a 50 burger last time out and should see an expanded role in the backcourt with DeRozan and Caruso out. Then we round the Bulls out with Javonte Green who was a popular value option last time out, I don’t have an issue with him here but I think we’ll have a ton of value on this slate where he’s not a necessity.

5-star play: Chris Boucher, Svi Mykhailiuk, Coby White, DeMar DeRozan

4-star play: OG Anunoby, Yuta Watanabe, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic

Deeper Value: The Raptors, Javonte Green

GPP Sleeper: OG Anunoby

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Houston Rockets @ Milwaukee Bucks

Vegas Total: 224.5

Vegas Spread: Mil -9.5

Starting with the Rockets, we’ll need to watch the Breaking News Feed for updates on Christian Wood as he comes into this revenge game questionable. I’m going to operate under the assumption that he plays and dropped 39 DraftKings points in this spot earlier in the season but would see a nice boost with Giannis and Portis out for the Bucks. You’ve heard me say this before, but Jae’Sean Tate isn’t a sexy option by all means but he’s going to play good minutes and get you to where you want to be more times than not. If Wood were to sit I would have a bunch of interest in Alperen Sengun who would see an increase in minutes. Then guys like Eric Gordon and Armoni Brooks are solid options here as they continue to play big minutes with Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green continued to be out. From the Bucks, it sounds like Khris Middleton will be back here but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis will continue to be out. With Antetokounmpo and Portis off the court this season, Middleton has a 36.6% usage rate and 1.29 fantasy points per minute while Jrue Holiday has a 37.2% usage rate and 1.44 fantasy points per minute, both are great options in a good matchup against the Rockets. Jordan Nwora will likely take a production hit but I would still expect he sees anywhere from 24-30 minutes for the Bucks but would be more of a GPP guy with Middleton back. DeMarcus Cousins will continue to start at the five for the Bucks and got his minutes up to 27 last time out. If he’s going to play that kind of minutes, he’ll be someone I’m really high on here. Then you can round the Bucks out with Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen as tournament options.

5-star play: Christian Wood, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday

4-star play: Jae’Sean Tate, Eric Gordon, Armoni Brooks, DeMarcus Cousins, Pat Connaughton

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: DeMarcus Cousins, Jordan Nwora, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen

I wanted to give a quick shoutout to VIP member “GhostfaceKillaa” on his $30k win earlier in the season. A pivot to Curry off the chalky Doncic was the key for him, congrats man!

Denver Nuggets @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Vegas Total: 214.5

Vegas Spread: Den -6.5

Starting with the Nuggets, we kind of know the deal with this team… it’s Nikola Jokic and then the rest of the team. Jokic is really the only priority on this team and should be able to do whatever he wants against this Thunder frontcourt. He’s probably the top raw option on a slate full of value. Will Barton and Aaron Gordon are both fine options, but neither are guys that you need to make a priority. Monte Morris has at least 31 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and is a fine secondary option in all formats. The rest of this team would be the best fit for GPP flyers. From the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been fine as of late but not someone you need to prioritize either, I think there are better options in this price range. Josh Giddey has at least 40 DraftKings points in three straight games but the price is definitely up on him. We know the ceiling is there for Lu Dort, but he’s a GPP only play since the floor isn’t really there for cash games. The rest of this team is GPP only for me as well with guys like Darius Bazley, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Kenrich Williams. Kind of an ugly game all around outside of Jokic honestly.

5-star play: Nikola Jokic

4-star play: Will Barton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey

Deeper Value: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

GPP Sleeper: Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, Lu Dort, Darius Bazley, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Kenrich Williams

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Los Angeles Clippers @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: 219.5

Vegas Spread: Lac -6.5

Starting with the Clippers, Paul George returned last time out to play 30 minutes and looked good in that time. I like going right back to him in an elite matchup with the Kings here. Reggie Jackson is simply outpriced right now on DraftKings, he’s a fade for me over there but in play for tournaments at the FanDuel price tag. Ivica Zubac would be the last real piece that I have interest in on this team, he gets a nice matchup with the Kings frontcourt. Then guys like Luke Kennard, Eric Bledsoe, and Marcus Morris are better suited for tournaments with Paul George back in the rotation. From the Kings, De’Aaron Fox will continue to miss here while Richaun Holmes comes in as questionable, so we’ll need to watch the Breaking News Feed for updates on him. I’m going to continue to go back to the well on Tyrese Haliburton with Fox out, he has at least 42 DraftKings points in four straight games and looks great. Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield are solid options in all formats as well as they’ll continue to see big minutes while the Kings are shorthanded. We should continue to see Chimezie Metu start for this team and has been playing good ball as of late as well. Holmes being back may hurt his rebound equity slightly, but he’s still a guy I like here.

5-star play: Paul George, Tyrese Haliburton

4-star play: Reggie Jackson (FanDuel), Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Chimezie Metu

Deeper Value: Maurice Harkless

GPP Sleeper: Ivica Zubac, Luke Kennard, Eric Bledsoe, Marcus Morris, Maurice Harkless

NBA Lock of the Day: Kevin Love (DK – $5.7k; FD – $5.7k)

Love me some Love! With Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen off the court this season he’s looking at a 26.9% usage rate and 1.49 fantasy points per minute and a shot at additional minutes. Any time we can get more minutes on Love I’m going to like him a lot due to his ability to put up fantasy points in a hurry. The matchup doesn’t scare me either with the Celtics missing their best frontcourt defender in Al Horford. At this point in the day, I would think he makes my core, but check out our VIP Cheat Sheets as we get closer to lock for staff picks on Core plays, 8x locks of the day, and tiers notes as well!

As always,

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