DFS NBA Full Court Press: FanDuel & DraftKings Main Slate - Dec. 8th, 2021

Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 12/8:

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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Philadelphia 76ers @ Charlotte Hornets

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

We’ll get this massive 13-game slate started out with the Sixers. We’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on Tyrese Maxey as he battles an illness, but the rest of this team should be good to go. I’m going to operate under the assumption that Maxey is good to go, but something to watch out for. We saw this matchup the last time these two teams played and Joel Embiid went out and dominated this Charlotte frontcourt for 74.5 DraftKings points. He’s priced through the nose on this slate which makes him a bit harder to get to, combined with the fact that there are going to be a bunch of spend-up options, but he’s solid nonetheless. Tobias Harris looked good in that game as well and is a guy I have no issue going back to here either, it’s a good matchup for these frontcourt guys. Seth Curry and Shake Milton are more GPP options than anything, but I’ll have more interest in Milton if Maxey is forced to miss. He got the start last time out and looked good in his minutes. From the Hornets, they’ll be without Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball, Ish Smith, and Mason Plumlee again here meaning we can go back to the usual cast we did last game. We saw Nick Richards get the start for Ish Smith as the Hornets try to go big and stop Embiid a bit, and he actually didn’t look all that bad, but I probably won’t have much interest in him here. I wish they’d give James Bouknight the start and give him a bunch of minutes, he’s a fun player to watch but at this price tag, he’s more of a GPP value due to the minutes volatility. PJ Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. were guys I was really heavy on last time out and they crushed it and will be guys I have no issue going back to even at their price increases. Cody Martin will continue to see all the minutes he can handle as well and has been a nice per-minute producer this season. Then you can round this team out with Miles Bridges and Gordon Hayward who are going to be guys I’ll want here as well. Bridges had a rough go of it last time out, but if it keeps his ownership down, he’s certainly playable again here.

5-star play: Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr.

4-star play: Tobias Harris, Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Cody Martin

Deeper Value: Nick Richards, James Bouknight

GPP Sleeper: Tyrese Maxey, Seth Curry, James Bouknight

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Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Vegas Total: 209.5

Vegas Spread: Cle -2.5

Starting with the Bulls, they’ll be without DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso again here which will open up minutes for guys like Derrick Jones Jr. and Ayo Dosunmu who both looked good in action on Monday’s slate. I would probably prefer Dosunmu at the price discount but they should both play heavy minutes again here. With DeRozan and Caruso off the court this season Zach LaVine has seen a 34.3% usage rate and 1.28 fantasy points per minute and would be a guy I have interest in here as he comes off a big game last time out. That being said, I much prefer his price tag on FanDuel as to DraftKings where he’s $10.5k. Nikola Vucevic has a 27% usage rate and nearly 1.5 fantasy points per minute with these guys off the court and would be a good option as well in a more difficult matchup against Allen and Mobley down low. Lonzo Ball is another guy who looked great last game and is going to play all the minutes he can handle here and is a guy I like as well. From the Cavaliers, both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are playing big minutes right now but Allen has been much more consistent with his production, but he’s also priced as such. I like taking the discount on Mobley personally, but both are in play here. Darius Garland has at least 54 DraftKings points in two of his last three games and is a solid secondary option in this one. Lauri Markkanen finally had a nice bounce-back game last time out, the nice thing with him is the minutes have stayed consistent even through a handful of bad games. Then you can round this team out with Ricky Rubio, I don’t think we’ll need him on this slate but the price isn’t too bad on him.

5-star play: Zach LaVine (FanDuel), Nikola Vucevic

4-star play: Zach LaVine (DraftKings), Derrick Jones Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, Lonzo Ball, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland

Deeper Value: Ayo Dosunmu

GPP Sleeper: Derrick Jones Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Ricky Rubio

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Washington Wizards @ Detroit Pistons

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Wizards, Bradley Beal just hasn’t shown us the ceiling that we’ve seen in years past even with Spencer Dinwiddie out last game. He did get a price discount, however, so he’s still in play for me in all formats in a great matchup with the Pistons. Speaking of Dinwiddie, he should return here after sitting out last game for rest purposes. I don’t hate the price tag on him in this one, but not sure we’ll need him on this slate. The same can be said for Kyle Kuzma who has been pretty average as of late. Montrezl Harrell’s price tag is getting to a point where I’ll start to have some interest in him especially in a nice matchup here and the minutes have been 26+ in both of his last two games. This may be directly related to Daniel Gafford getting into quick foul trouble over the last few games. Gafford has been good from a point-per-minute perspective this season and makes sense as a GPP option. From the Pistons, Jerami Grant has been in pretty good form as of late and gets a nice matchup here. We know the minutes are going to be big on him and is a guy I have no problem going right back to. Cade Cunningham showed what he’s capable of last time out with a 50 burger against the Thunder. This is another great matchup for him against the Wizards but I don’t expect him to shoot as well as he did last time out. Isaiah Stewart came down to Earth last time out but the minutes are still going to be pretty big for him assuming he can stay out of foul trouble and has a nice price point again. Saddiq Bey is just not a guy I get to all that often, he’s a fine GPP option but you never know what you’re going to get out of him. Lastly, Killian Hayes has been in good form with at least 21 DraftKings points in four straight games, he’s a solid GPP value guy.

5-star play: Bradley Beal, Cade Cunningham

4-star play: Spencer Dinwiddie, Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart

Deeper Value: Killian Hayes

GPP Sleeper: Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Daniel Gafford, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes

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New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Knicks, we saw them make a small change in their starting lineup moving Nerlens Noel to the starting lineup and Mitchell Robinson to the bench. It seemed to help Robinson more than Noel as Robinson went off for 39.5 DraftKings points and selfishly hit for my 8x lock of the day in our Cheat Sheet/Coaches Notes! I like the price tag on him and have no issue going back to him as a value play again here. Julius Randle had a fine game but is priced into the $10k range on DraftKings, I would much rather get my exposure to him on FanDuel where he’s under $9k. Alec Burks had a nice bounce-back game and will be a guy I go back to here, the Pacers haven’t shown any ability to stop any sort of guard this season. RJ Barrett bounced back in a big way as well shooting 7-8 from three-point range, this will obviously regress but it’s good for him to see the ball go in the hoop after a few bad shooting games. Then you can round the Knicks out with Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose who are in a similar price range. I would prefer Rose in cash games and Quickley in tournaments. From Pacers, Domantas Sabonis had a big night last time out going for 60 FanDuel points and is still under $9k whereas he’s over $10k on DraftKings, get your exposure to him on FanDuel… which will be the case for a lot of these studs, as DraftKings continues to price them up. Malcolm Brogdon is playing a ton of minutes right now which was to be expected, I have no issue with him in any format. Myles Turner had a Myles Turner game last time out, he’s strictly a GPP only play for me due to the volatility you get on him. Caris LeVert has at least 30 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and is a solid option again here. Then with Justin Holiday and TJ McConnell out, Chris Duarte is going to continue to play a bunch of minutes and has at least 25 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and a nice mid-to-low range option.

5-star play: Domantas Sabonis (FanDuel)

4-star play: Domantas Sabonis (DraftKings), Julius Randle, Alec Burks, RJ Barrett, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Caris LeVert, Chris Duarte

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickly, Caris LeVert, Chris Duarte, Myles Turner

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Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is always going to be a guy you can get to especially against this Heat team that is without the defense of Bam and Butler down low. He’s a great play in all formats if you can find the money for him. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are probably going to be guys I stay away from as they’re still priced for Giannis being out. Middleton would be the guy I go to for the savings if you really want to go to one of them. Bobby Portis will continue to start for Brook Lopez and has played at least 30 minutes in three straight games including a 50 burger against the Heat two games ago. Lastly, the minutes on DeMarcus Cousins are up to 18, if he can sneak those over 20 at some point, he becomes a serviceable value option as we know he’s a great per-minute producer. He’s essentially taken Bobby Portis’s role from last season with Portis moving to the starting lineup. From the Heat, they’ll be without Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo again here, below is how their team operates with these guys off the court this season:

• Tyler Herro – 31.5% usage rate; 1.12 fpm
• Kyle Lowry – 21.7% usage rate; 1.03 fpm
• Dewayne Dedmon – 14.8% usage rate; 1.03 fpm
• Duncan Robinson – 20.0% usage rate; 0.72 fpm

These would be the main pieces that I would have interest in from Miami, but you can make a case for guys like Gabe Vincent and PJ Tucker in MME if you want additional shares from this team.

5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry

4-star play: Bobby Portis, Dewayne Dedmon, Duncan Robinson

Deeper Value: Gabe Vincent, PJ Tucker

GPP Sleeper: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Duncan Robinson, PJ Tucker

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Oklahoma City Thunder @ Toronto Raptors

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big game last time out against the Pistons but I can’t say I love the price tag on him. Yes, the ceiling is there as we saw last time out, but he doesn’t get there consistently enough for me to run out, and want to play him at this price tag in a below-average matchup. Josh Giddey will always be in play for me due to the floor/ceiling he provides with the stat-stuffing he does. Then the rest of this Thunder team is pretty much a wasteland on a 13-game slate, other than maybe Lu Dort if you want to get to him in tournaments. From the Raptors, Fred VanVleet had one of his worst games of the season last time out against the Wizards. The price is definitely up on him on DraftKings as well. I would get my exposure to him on FanDuel where he’s under $8k. Pascal Siakam should be able to do whatever he wants against this Thunder frontcourt and is a guy I like going back to here. The same can be said for Scottie Barnes as well, as he comes off a down game along with the rest of this team. Gary Trent Jr. makes sense as a GPP option as well, but the price has come up a bit. Lastly, Precious Achiuwa is a nice mid-to-low range option as he’ll continue to play a bunch of minutes with Anunoby and Khem Birch continuing to be out. This game kind of sucks honestly…

5-star play: None

4-star play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Lu Dort, Gary Trent Jr.

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!

Brooklyn Nets @ Houston Rockets

Vegas Total: 225.0

Vegas Spread: Bkn -6.5

Starting with the Nets, Kevin Durant had a terrible first half last night but was able to salvage his night with a bigger second half. He and James Harden are priced similarly here and are solid options yet again. I would probably lean to Harden if I had to pick one, he’s been in better form and gets a revenge game against the team he forced his way out of. LaMarcus Aldridge was a guy I was pretty heavy on last night but only played 23 minutes. The minutes have been consistent on him outside of that game, so I have no problem going back to him at a nice price tag. Then you can round this team out with Patty Mills as a GPP mid-range option, he’s going to continue to play big minutes for them. From the Rockets, they’ll be without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. again, and we actually saw Daniel Theis get the start for him last time out. If the Rockets decide to stick with a bigger lineup and start him again, he makes a lot of sense at min price here, as he’s generally a nice per minute producer. Christian Wood has been in solid form as of late outside of the game he was injured in. He’s a great option here as well, but the price tag will be hard to stomach on DraftKings. Jae’Sean Tate will continue to play heavy minutes with Green and Porter Jr. out, I’m just going to have a tough time paying nearly $7k for him, I think we can do better in that price range, but if you want to go there I won’t talk you off of him. Eric Gordon is a guy I like as well, he has at least 31 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. He’s pretty scoring dependent but a guy you can take a flyer on in tournaments at the very least.

5-star play: Kevin Durant, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge

4-star play: Patty Mills, Christian Wood, Jae’Sean Tate, Eric Gordon

Deeper Value: Daniel Theis (if starting)

GPP Sleeper: Patty Mills, Daniel Theis (if starting), Eric Gordon, Garrison Mathews

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Dallas Mavericks @ Memphis Grizzlies

Vegas Total: 215.5

Vegas Spread: Mem -4.5

Starting with the Mavericks, Luka Doncic is priced through the nose on DraftKings, but tell me if you’ve heard that before on this slate. He salvaged a bad night last night with 50 fantasy points, I’ll have no issue going right back to him here if you have the salary for him. Kristaps Porzingis has been in good form with at least 41 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and a guy I don’t mind getting to in tournaments. Then you can round this team out with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Brunson in tournaments as well, it’s a nice matchup, but I don’t think you’ll need them on this slate. From the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson has had back-to-back down games, but I love targeting guys like him against this Mavericks team. He also has a 29.3% usage rate and 1.3 fantasy points per minute with Ja Morant off the court this season. Desmond Bane has been in good shape as well and is shooting a bunch with at least 15 field-goal attempts in three of his last four games. I really like this price on Dillon Brooks here… he’s going to play a bunch of minutes but had two bad games as of late that has caused the price tag to come down but rebounded with a 40 point fantasy night last time out. He’s going to shoot and shoot some more with Morant out. Then you can round this team out with Tyus Jones who should continue to start at point guard and is a solid mid-range option. I will say, Steven Adams has been in better shape as well and gets a nice matchup with this Mavs frontcourt as well.

5-star play: Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks

4-star play: Kristaps Porzingis, Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jalen Brunson, Desmond Bane, Steven Adams

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Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: 214.5

Vegas Spread: Den -2.5

Starting with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic should be good to go in this one and has at least 54 DraftKings points in four of his last five games and is a guy you can get to in all formats if you have the salary. Will Barton feels like he’s priced right where he should be, I’ll consider him more of a secondary guy for me at this point. Aaron Gordon is a guy I want to like more but is just so inconsistent, I’ll save him for GPPs for now, but has been in good form lately. Lastly, Monte Morris has been in solid form as of late as well with at least 25 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. From the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram is finally starting to round into shape. He has at least 57 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, the price is up on him but I don’t hate chasing on him on the chance that this production continues. I want to believe that the minutes will be up on Jonas Valanciunas here as they’ll need his size against Jokic down low and the price tag is really nice. I like him a lot in this spot if he can stay out of foul trouble. Josh Hart has missed his last few games and is going to come in as questionable here, so watch the Breaking News Feed for updates on him, but I have a feeling he may be on some sort of minutes watch. Then you can round this team out with Devonte’ Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in tournaments at nice price tags.

5-star play: Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas

4-star play: Will Barton, Aaron Gordon, Brandon Ingram

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Monte Morris, Devonte’ Graham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker

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Portland Trailblazers @ Golden State Warriors

Vegas Total: 217.5

Vegas Spread: GSW -13.5

Starting with the Blazers, they’re a bit of a mess right now with Damian Lillard continuing to be out and now CJ McCollum has a collapsed lung and is going to miss some time. Anferee Simons comes into this game as questionable after missing the past couple of games and the same can be said for Nassir Little. We’re going to need some news on this team before we can officially dive into them but we can assume Dennis Smith Jr. will see all the minutes he can handle along with Norman Powell and are guys I love getting to here. I don’t trust that Jusuf Nurkic will be able to hang with the Warriors here so he’s probably a guy I’ll be underweight on. Larry Nance saw his minutes get over the 30-minute mark last time out and with all these injuries he could be in line for something similar here and makes for a great value option. The same can be said for Robert Covington, but I would have a slight lean toward Nance for production purposes. From the Warriors, Steph Curry has at least 52 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and should do whatever he wants in this one… this may be a game where I consider a blowout more than I otherwise might, so I may be underweight on him as well, but we know what the ceiling is on him. I don’t have an issue with Draymond Green here either, he scored 45.8 DraftKings points in this spot earlier this season. Then you can round this team out with Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins as tournament options.

5-star play: Anferee Simons (if he plays), Dennis Smith Jr., Steph Curry

4-star play: Norman Powell, Larry Nance Jr., Draymond Green

Deeper Value: Larry Nance, Robert Covington

GPP Sleeper: Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins

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Orlando Magic @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: 220.5

Vegas Spread: Sac -7.0

Starting with the Magic, Cole Anthony had a rough go of it last time out but lost a full rotation due to blowout, I love going right back to him at this price tag here. The Kings are pretty terrible on defense and we know the upside with Anthony. Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba are solid options again here, I would probably lean Carter Jr. for cash games and Bamba for tournaments just due to the volatility and consistency between the two. Franz Wagner has been in great shape as well and will continue to play a ton of minutes with Jalen Suggs out for a while, he’s a great option again here. Lastly, Chuma Okeke is a guy to keep an eye on, his minutes have come up as of late and a guy I think they want to get a hard look at this season. From the Kings, De’Aaron Fox is going to continue to be a GPP option for me due to the volatility he’s shown this season, but it is a great matchup for him against a bad Magic defense. I do like going back to Richaun Holmes even after a down game last time out, the Magic are a great team to target big men against. Tyrese Haliburton has at least 32 DraftKings points in back to back game and is a guy I like getting to here again as well. Then Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes make sense as GPP options, Barnes is pretty interesting even for cash games at this price tag.

5-star play: Cole Anthony, Richaun Holmes

4-star play: Wendell Carter Jr., Mo Bamba, Franz Wagner, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes

Deeper Value: Chuma Okeke

GPP Sleeper: Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, De’Aaron Fox

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Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Clippers

Vegas Total: 212.5

Vegas Spread: Lac -3.0

Starting with the Clippers, Paul George feels a bit overpriced here at least on DraftKings, we haven’t seen a 50 point game from him in some time. That said, he’s an elite option on FanDuel under $9k. Reggie Jackson has been in pretty solid form with at least 33 DraftKings points in two of his last three games and a guy I have no problem going back to in GPPs. This frontcourt is interesting, with Serge Ibaka seemingly making his way into the rotation last week and now has been held under 15 minutes in back-to-back games. I don’t think we can go to him on a big slate like this, but something to keep an eye on at the very least. That said, I do think you can go to Ivica Zubac here against a Celtics team that is pretty bad on the boards. Then Marcus Morris and Eric Bledsoe will be GPP options for me as well. From the Celtics, Jaylen Brown will continue to be out here meaning we can go back to the Jayson Tatum well. He had a big game last night and has a 34.4% usage rate and 1.34 fantasy points per minute with Brown off the court this season. Al Horford had a down game last night but is a guy I think you can go back to him in this spot. Dennis Schroder was a guy I was pretty high on with a short slate last night and he had a rough night, but with Brown out he’s a guy you can get to here again. The same can be said for Marcus Smart as well while Robert Williams is probably only a guy I would want if Horford is ruled out for any reason.

5-star play: Paul George (FanDuel), Jayson Tatum

4-star play: Reggie Jackson, Dennis Schroder, Ivica Zubac

Deeper Value: Serge Ibaka

GPP Sleeper: Marcus Morris, Eric Bledsoe, Marcus Smart, Al Horford

NBA Lock of the Day: Dillon Brooks (DK – $6.1k; FD – $5.9k)

I love this spot for Dillon Brooks honestly… the price came down due to a couple of bad games but bounced back last time out for a 40 point fantasy night. He has a 31.7% usage rate and just over 1.1 fantasy points per minute with Ja Morant off the court this season. He’s a guy that likes to shoot, so if those shots are falling, lookout. The price tag is just wrong in my opinion, I’m going right back to him here. 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, watch Twitter for updates throughout the day, and stay updated in our VIP Coaching forums as news breaks throughout the day!

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