DFS NBA Full Court Press: FanDuel & DraftKings Main Slate

Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 11/28:

May 4, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts during the first half in game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-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!

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Minnesota Timberwolves @ Washington Wizards

Vegas Total: 228.0

Vegas Spread: Pk

We’ll kick off this slate with the Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns has been held to less than 35 DraftKings points in back-to-back games but gets a nice bounce-back matchup here against this Wizards frontcourt. I have no issue getting to him, but he likely won’t be a priority by any means. I love the price tag on Rudy Gobert but he’s been all over the place as of late, he would probably be more of a tournament guy, but does have at least 44 DraftKings points in two of his last three. Anthony Edwards has shown some nice consistency as of late but is priced right about where he should be. The same can be said for D’Angelo Russell, but I do like the price tag a bit more on Russell even though I think he’s not all that great at basketball. From the Wizards, we’ll need to keep an eye on the status of Kyle Kuzma and Rui Hachimura who missed yesterday’s game and come into this one as questionable. I’ll operate under the assumption that they’re good to go here, but keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on them. Bradley Beal has looked great since returning from injury. He’s playing massive minutes and has at least 45 DraftKings points in four of his last five. Kristaps Porzingis is probably more of a tournament guy for me on a slate of this size at his current price tag. The same can be said for Kyle Kuzma, but it’s hard to ignore his production as of late with at least 45 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. Deni Avdija has been sneaky great as well with at least 31 DraftKings points in three of his last four and is a guy I don’t mind again here. Will Barton came down to Earth over his last few games but did see good minutes last night with the Wizards being shorthanded and would need to be the case again here for me to want to get back to him.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Kristaps Porzingis, Will Barton, Deni Avdija

Quick shoutout to VIP member “Cenzamatic” on a massive $20k win last season! Sometimes paying up for double studs works, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant brought it home for him with the help of some Stanley Johnson and Pistons value. Good work and congrats man!

Atlanta Hawks @ Philadelphia 76ers

Vegas Total: 221.0

Vegas Spread: Atl -1.0

Starting with the Hawks, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray both look solid again here against a banged-up Sixers team. That said, Young would be my preferred option, as he leads the team with a 34.8% usage rate and 1.34 fantasy points per minute in a similar price range as Murray, and Murray has been pretty volatile as of late. Clint Capela has missed back-to-back games and will come in as questionable here, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates, if he’s forced to miss, Onyeka Okongwu would likely start and look like a nice value option in all formats. John Collins will continue to be a tournament option, he’s the definition of boom or bust and I’m not sure we need to get to him on this slate, he did look pretty good yesterday, however. Then we can round this team out with De’Andre Hunter who missed their last game but should be good to go in this one. From the Sixers, they’ll continue to be without Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey yet again. Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed will fill in for Embiid at the five… Reed has shown the higher ceiling but that’s reflected in his price tag, they’re both GPP options for me. De’Anthony Melton and Shake Milton will continue to run the backcourt and look like nice options in a great matchup. Milton is the one starter who isn’t quite priced up enough for their role with these guys off of the court. He’s been great as of late with at least 45 FanDuel points in three straight and has a 21.9% usage rate and 1.09 fantasy points per minute with these guys off of the court this season. Then Tobias Harris will look like a strong option as well, he looked great last season with Embiid out but is priced thru the nose right now considering his recent production.

5-star play: Trae Young, Shake Milton

4-star play: Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, Montrezl Harrell, Paul Reed

Charlotte Hornets @ Boston Celtics

Vegas Total: 220.0

Vegas Spread: Bos -10.5

Starting with the Hornets, they’ll be without LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Dennis Smith Jr. again in this one. I would expect to see Kelly Oubre and Jalen McDaniels back in the starting lineup with these guys out. Below is how this team operates with these guys off of the court this season:

Terry Rozier – 31.1% usage rate; 0.94 fpm
PJ Washington – 21.8% usage rate; 0.93 fpm
Kelly Oubre – 28.3% usage rate; 1.02 fpm
Mason Plumlee – 13.8% usage rate; 1.01 fpm
Jalen McDaniels – 16.2% usage rate; 0.84 fpm

It doesn’t seem like the best matchup on paper, but this Boston team is still trying to figure out their defense, so I don’t hate any of these guys. We also get a revenge game for Terry Rozier! Rozier and Kelly Oubre are my favorite options here, but I do like attacking the Boston frontcourt with opposing bigs, so Washington and Plumlee are firmly in play as well. From Boston, Jayson Tatum missed their game yesterday but I would imagine he’s good to go here. They haven’t released their injury report yet, but we’ll release that news when we get it. For now, I’ll operate under the assumption that he’s a go here and will look like a great spend-up option against a terrible defense. Jaylen Brown did a nice job filling in yesterday and now has at least 41 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. Marcus Smart and Al Horford are both solid options in their price range and make for good secondary options. The same can be said for Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon, although if Tatum returns, I would be more likely to go to Brogdon as there won’t be as much usage to go around and he’s the more efficient DFS producer.

5-star play: Jayson Tatum

4-star play: Terry Rozier, PJ Washington, Kelly Oubre, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Mason Plumlee, Jalen McDaniels, Malcolm Brogdon

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors

Vegas Total: 214.0

Vegas Spread: Tor -2.0

Starting with the Cavs, Donovan Mitchell has been extremely solid this season but has been pretty average as of late relative to his price tag. I don’t have a problem with getting to him here, but he’s probably more of a secondary option on this slate, at this price tag. The same thing can be said for Darius Garland who has a similar price tag to Mitchell and is coming off of a similarly bad game. We’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen as they both come in as questionable, but I’ll operate under the assumption that they are full go’s in this one. I do like the price tags on Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the price on Mobley came up over the weekend but is back down again here and is coming off of a nice game last time out. From the Raptors, Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes both come in as questionable, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on them. Siakam has been out for over three weeks, so if he plays I’m going to assume he’s someone restricted but would still impact the usage and production of the rest of the team and would make guys like Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby secondary options. These guys returning would also hurt the minutes for guys like Chris Boucher and Thad Young. Then Gary Trent Jr. will be a secondary tournament option regardless, we know the minutes will be there for him. At this time, there isn’t a ton that I love from this game.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr.

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Caris LeVert, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Gary Trent Jr.

Orlando Magic @ Brooklyn Nets

Vegas Total: 223.0

Vegas Spread: Bkn -9.5

Starting with the Magic, Paolo Banchero has returned from injury and has played at least 31 minutes in back-to-back games. I would have no issue going right back to him here especially if they’re shorthanded again. They’re in a similar position as they were yesterday where they have a ton of question marks. I’m going to leave the rest of this team for the Breaking News Feed as we wait on a bunch of news with Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, and Chuma Okeke come in as questionable. We’ll have everything broken down along with a starting lineup once we get a final injury report. From the Nets, Kevin Durant has been fine, but at this price tag, we would like to see more production. I won’t talk you off of him if you want to use him as your spend-up guy, but I think we can find better options, I’ll leave him for tournaments. The price tag on Kyrie Irving has come down to a much more playable range as well and is a guy I really like at this price tag. He has a 29.1% usage rate and 1.12 fantasy points per minute on the season and we know he’s going to play all the minutes he can handle in a great matchup. I like going right back to Ben Simmons as well now that his minutes have solidified and he’s playing with more confidence. He’s probably closer to an $8.5k type of player and as long as he’s underpriced, I’ll continue to attack him here. He’s been starting next to Nicolas Claxton which hasn’t hurt either of their minutes and keeps Claxton firmly in play as well. I’ll never have an issue with Royce O’Neale as a last guy in your lineup, but not a guy I’ll prioritize by any means. Then we can round this team out with Seth Curry as a nice tournament option and is coming off of a massive game last time out.

5-star play: Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons

4-star play: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Kevin Durant, Nicolas Claxton, Royce O’Neale

Deeper Value: Seth Curry

GPP Sleeper: Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Nicolas Claxton, Seth Curry

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Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: 231.0

Vegas Spread: Nop -5.0

Starting with the Thunder, Aleksej Pokusevsi has returned to the lineup and looked good in his first few games, but woof last game was not pretty, as Jeremiah Robinson-Earl started the second half over him. We’re going to see this out of the Thunder all season and it will be impossible to predict when it will happen, so he’s a GPP-only guy moving forward. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to look great and will be a guy I like going right back to here, he’s been incredible this season with a 32.7% usage rate and 1.45 fantasy points per minute. This is an elite matchup as well, he’s going to look like a great spend-up option on this short slate. Josh Giddey was a guy I had a bunch of last time out due to his price tag and didn’t look so great, that said, I like going right back to him here, he’s been in good enough form and I like the matchup. Then, Lu Dort is always in play as a secondary option or a lineup filler, I wouldn’t have a problem with him in all formats. From the Pelicans, they’ll be without Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum in this one which will open up a ton of usage and minutes for this team. Below is how they operate with these two off of the court this season:

Zion Williamson – 34.5% usage rate; 1.35 fpm
Jose Alvarado – 20.3% usage rate; 0.63 fpm
Trey Murphy – 20.6% usage rate; 0.96 fpm
Jonas Valanciunas – 21.2% usage rate; 0.78 fpm (small sample)
Devonte’ Graham – 20.6% usage rate; 1.11 fpm

The sample size on these guys isn’t huge but I would expect to see a nice boost for the starters at the very least. I would expect to see Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy slide into the starting lineup for McCollum and Ingram and will both look like solid values. Zion will be the clear-cut top option for me on this team, however. He had a down game last time out with McCollum out, but I want to go right back to him in an elite matchup against his Thunder team.

5-star play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Zion Williamson

4-star play: Josh Giddey, Jonas Valanciunas, Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado, Jonas Valanciunas

Deeper Value: Jose Alvarado, Devonte’ Graham

GPP Sleeper: Aleksej Pokusevski, Lu Dort, Jonas Valanciunas, Devonte’ Graham

Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets

Vegas Total: 230.5

Vegas Spread: Den -11.5

Starting with the Rockets, Alperen Sengun bounced back in a big way last time out and is a guy I have no issue going right back to here. It’s not the best matchup with Jokic down low, but it’s hard to ignore the upside he showed in that game against the Thunder. On a slate of this size, I think we can safely ignore the rest of this frontcourt with guys like Bruno Fernando, Jae’Sean Tate, Tari Eason, and KJ Martin. Kevin Porter Jr. had a down game last time out but we know the minutes will be there for him as he runs this backcourt. The price isn’t great, but he’s a fine tournament option. I almost would prefer to get to Jalen Green at a cheaper price tag, he’s been great as of late and has at least 34 FanDuel points in three straight games. Jabari Smith has been sneaky consistent as of late as well, I would have no issue going right back to the well with him on this slate. Lastly, Eric Gordon has the upside to get hot from three-point range and will play a ton of minutes, he’s a nice tournament option in the mid-range. From the Nuggets, Bones Hyland and Michael Porter Jr. come into this one as questionable, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates, but I’ll operate under the assumption they’re good to go here. Nikola Jokic continues to look great with at least 50 FanDuel points in three straight and gets an elite matchup against this Houston frontcourt. He’s one of the better raw options on the slate. Jamal Murray has been sneaky good as of late as well and his price hasn’t really moved, I’d have no issue with him here either, especially if either Hyland or Porter Jr. needs to miss. Aaron Gordon has back-to-back 50 burgers and is another guy that would benefit from these guys missing, but I wouldn’t expect him to keep shooting 60+% from the field as he has as of late. Then guys like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are fine secondary GPP options, but not guys I’m prioritizing by any means.

5-star play: Nikola Jokic

4-star play: Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Eric Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown

Chicago Bulls @ Utah Jazz

Vegas Total: 232.0

Vegas Spread: Uta -1.5

Starting with the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan has been awesome as of late with at least 46 DraftKings points in four straight games, and gets a great matchup again in this one. He’ll be hard to ignore with the number of minutes he’s getting right now. Nikola Vucevic hasn’t been in quite as good form, but the price tag is still solid and this Utah frontcourt doesn’t scare me, he’s a solid secondary option in all formats. I’ll continue to go back to Zach LaVine at this price tag as well, he’s just too cheap and has at least 40 DraftKings points in two of his last three. I keep writing up Andre Drummond as a solid flyer for GPPs at his price tag, and he hasn’t done it yet… but here I am, right back on the wagon. It’s a big slate, so nothing that I want to go too crazy on, but I’ll have a sprinkle or two due to the upside he has. From the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen is a tough guy to break down, yes the ceiling is there for him, but he doesn’t hit it consistently enough for me to love the price tag on him. I’ll leave him more as a GPP option but won’t talk you off of him if you want to get there in cash, especially on a short slate. He also comes in as questionable, so keep an eye on the injury report for updates. Jordan Clarkson has been good as of late with at least 35 DraftKings points in four of his last five games and will see a nice bump if Conley ends up sitting again. Speaking of Mike Conley, he comes in as questionable here, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates surrounding him. I’m much more interested in this team if he ends up sitting. Collin Sexton should continue to start for him if he’s out and is a guy I love getting to when his minutes are solidified. He’s looked good over their last couple of games and would be a guy I like going right back to. Malik Beasley has been great as well, I don’t love the price tag on him, but it’s hard to argue the production he’s shown this season. If Conley misses, he’s another guy that would see a nice boost and would look good here. Kelly Olynyk has been all over the place this season making him more of a GPP option, but we’ve seen a nice ceiling from him and is in good form over his last few games. The same can be said for Jarred Vanderbilt whose biggest enemy is his minutes, when he gets them up over 25, he’s going to look good.

***The below assumes Mike Conley is OUT***

5-star play: DeMar DeRozan

4-star play: Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Lauri Markannen, Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk

Deeper Value: Andre Drummond

GPP Sleeper: Andre Drummond, Malik Beasley, Kelly Olynyk, Jarred Vanderbilt

Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: 233.0

Vegas Spread: Pho -1.0

Starting with the Suns, Chris Paul will be out again in this one along with Cam Johnson who has been out for a few weeks now already. Below is how this team operates with Paul and Cam Johnson off of the court this season:

Devin Booker – 30.4% usage rate; 1.22 fpm
Cameron Payne – 25.6% usage rate; 1.06 fpm
Mikal Bridges – 16.5% usage rate; 0.90 fpm
Deandre Ayton – 21.2% usage rate; 1.19 fpm

These would be my favorite options from the team, I don’t have a ton of interest in guys like Torrey Craig although he’s been in solid enough form as of late, on a big slate, I don’t see it. Booker had a nice bounce-back game last time out and gets an elite matchup with the Kings in this one, he looks like a great option. Speaking of the Kings, De’Aaron Fox has been held down over their last couple of games but has been incredible all season. I would have no issue going right back to him, although it’s not the best matchup with the Suns. The same can be said for Domantas Sabonis, I know the ceiling is there for him, but he just seems slightly overpriced right now. Kevin Huerter has at least 30 DraftKings points in three of his last four but is a bit more scoring dependent than I love. That said, I have no issue with him in the mid-range tonight. Then guys like Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk are GPP-only options due to the size of the slate and are all kind of eating into each other’s minutes and production.

5-star play: Devin Booker

4-star play: Cameron Payne, Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Kevin Huerter

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Torrey Craig, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk

Indiana Pacers @ Los Angeles Lakers

Vegas Total: 237.0

Vegas Spread: Lal -3.0

We’ll round out the slate with the highest implied total on the slate, so we should be able to find some nice pieces here. Starting with the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton continues to look great and lead this team. He gets a great matchup against a Lakers team that isn’t playing any defense right now, he’s going to look great yet again. Myles Turner… future Laker? He’s coming off of a rough game last time out but has been in great form all season, he’s priced right about where he should be however which makes him more of a tournament option for me. Buddy Hield… future Laker? He’s been a bit more volatile as of late but was showing great consistency all season, I have no issue going right back to him in this one as well. Then guys like Bennedict Mathurin and Jalen Smith will be tournament guys for me, but the pace and implied total certainly set up well for them. From the Lakers, LeBron James looked great last time out and clearly isn’t being restricted at all, he’s going to look great in this one. He has a 32.5% usage rate and 1.36 fantasy points per minute on the season. Anthony Davis missed their last game, but I would expect him to return in this one. He’s been in elite form as of late with at least 58 FanDuel points in six straight games. He does come in as questionable, so that’s news we’ll need to keep an eye on. Russell Westbrook takes the biggest hit for me and he looked awful last night, I don’t see a way I can pay this price tag for him moving forward. With LeBron on the court this season he takes a -0.14 fantasy point per minute hit which puts him right around a fantasy point per minute. Dennis Schroder is an intriguing option with Patrick Beverley suspended, he looked great last time out and will be a guy I like getting to again in a great matchup here. Then a guy like Lonnie Walker is a good secondary option, but not someone I’m forcing in.

5-star play: Tyrese Haliburton, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

4-star play: Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Dennis Schroder

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Smith, Russell Westbrook, Lonnie Walker

NBA Lock of the Day: Zion Williamson (DK – $7.9k; FD – $7.8k)

Zion disappointed last time he was my lock of the day, but I’m not going to let that impact today’s lock… we’re going right back to him! The Pelicans will be without CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram in this one, so it’ll be Zion’s team to run tonight. It’s a small sample but he has a 34.5% usage rate with these guys off of the court this season, and nobody on the Thunder is going to be able to guard him down low. 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!

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