Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 12/23:
Jan 5, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) blocks the shot of San Antonio Spurs forward Keita Bates-Diop (31) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-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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San Antonio Spurs @ Orlando Magic
Vegas Total: 228.0
Vegas Spread: Orl -7.0
We’ll kick off this slate with the Spurs, we don’t have an injury report for them quite yet, but Keldon Johnson has missed their last two games, so I’m going to operate under the assumption that he’s out again in this one. Keita Bates-Diop was the guy I was expecting to start in his place, but it was actually Romeo Langford. Below is how this team operates with Johnson off of the court this season:
- Devin Vassell – 26.4% usage rate; 1.20 fpm
- Tre Jones – 22.7% usage rate; 1.12 fpm
- Jakob Poeltl – 18.7% usage rate; 1.08 fpm
- Jeremy Sochan – 18.5% usage rate; 0.75 fpm
- Keita Bates-Diop – 18.1% usage rate; 0.78 fpm
- Romeo Langford – 12.9% usage rate; 0.51 fpm
Vassell and Jones see the biggest bumps in rates which would make sense as the team’s second and third ball-handlers, both will look like good options in this one. We haven’t seen Poeltl play over 22 minutes since returning from injury, although some of that may have been due to foul trouble. I would probably consider him more of a tournament option than anything on a big slate. Due to the size of the slate, I don’t really see much I need to get to here outside of Vassell, Jones, and Poeltl honestly. From the Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. comes in as questionable after missing over a month now, so if he plays he will likely be limited while Jalen Suggs will continue to be out as well. Paolo Banchero has been in good form as of late with at least 42 DraftKings points in three of his previous five, I wouldn’t have an issue going right back to him here. Franz Wagner is fine, but not a guy I feel the need to prioritize, the matchup does look really nice, however. Moritz Wagner, on the other hand, continues to play good minutes and makes plenty of sense in the mid-range. Bol Bol is more of a GPP option due to the volatility we’ve seen from him as of late. Then guys like Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz are more tournament options than anything, but I love the matchup as I continue to target the Spurs’ backcourt with opposing guards.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Devin Vassell, Tre Jones, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jakob Poeltl, Moritz Wagner, Bol Bol, Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz
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!
Los Angeles Clippers @ Philadelphia 76ers
Vegas Total: 216.5
Vegas Spread: Phi -3.0
Starting with the Clippers, Paul George has been in much better form with a 31.2% usage rate and 1.44 fantasy points per minute over the last two weeks and would be a guy I have no issue going right back to in this one. Kawhi Leonard came down to Earth last time out but the minutes are there and he’s looked much better as of late, he’s a strong secondary option. John Wall comes in as questionable, if he’s forced to miss I would have more interest in guys like Reggie Jackson and probably Marcus Morris as well, but on a 14-game slate, I don’t feel the need to force in much of the rest of this team. Even Ivica Zubac has hit a wall as of late after being pretty consistent all season, he’s a tournament-only guy right now. Outside of the stars, there just isn’t a ton I love from this team tonight. From the Sixers, Joel Embiid kept it rolling last time out against the Pistons but did come down to Earth considering his recent production. That said, this Clippers frontcourt isn’t big outside of Zubac, so he’s a guy I’ll go right back to in this one. James Harden is another guy who kind of came down to Earth, his production has dipped in two straight games after being extremely consistent since returning from injury. That said, he’s going to play all the minutes he can handle and will look good in a nice bounce-back spot. Tobias Harris and De’Anthony Melton have been in good form surprisingly enough and are fine secondary options, I never really love prioritizing them when Harden and Embiid are in there, but if you fall on them you could certainly do worse.
5-star play: Joel Embiid, Paul George
4-star play: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Boston Celtics
Vegas Total: 229.5
Vegas Spread: Bos -9.0
Starting with the Wolves, they’ll continue to be without Karl-Anthony Towns while Rudy Gobert comes in as questionable after returning last time out. He played 38 minutes in that game against the Mavs, so I’m going to operate under the assumption he’s a full go and will look solid again here. You can beat the Celtics in the frontcourt, although we could see that start to regulate with Robert Williams back in there. Anthony Edwards came down to Earth last time out but still has those two 65-point fantasy outings in two of his last three. Guys like Kyle Anderson and Jaylen Nowell aren’t sexy plays by any means, but they’ve both produced nicely as of late and make sense in all formats. Then D’Angelo Russell bounced back last time out and has been consistent as of late, I have no issue going right back to him in this one. From Boston, Jayson Tatum looked great last time out and now has at least 60 FanDuel points in two of his last three games. This is a great matchup, he’s going to look like a nice option in all formats. Jaylen Brown had a down night last time out against Indy but gets a nice bounce-back matchup here, but the price tag is certainly hard to stomach. We’ll have to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on Marcus Smart who comes in as questionable with a non-Covid illness after missing their last game. If he misses, we should see a boost for guys like Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White, while being a solid option if he plays and is a full go. Robert Williams has his minutes trending in the right direction playing 22 last time out and looked great in those minutes. At his current price tag, I think you can make a case for him in tournaments tonight. Then I guess we can round the team out with Al Horford, but he hasn’t burned me once this season, so I’ll probably just go elsewhere.
5-star play: Jayson Tatum
4-star play: Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon
Deeper Value: Robert Williams
GPP Sleeper: Kyle Anderson, Jaylen Nowell, Derrick White, Robert Williams, Al Horford
Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Vegas Total: 215.0
Vegas Spread: Cle -4.5
Starting with the Raptors, OG Anunoby is back and playing all the minutes he can handle yet again. I don’t mind him as a secondary option, but you’ll notice as we make our way thru this team, I don’t love the matchup one bit against Cleveland. Pascal Siakam kept it rolling last time out and now has at least 68 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, I don’t love the matchup but I have no issue if you want to ride out the heater with him. Fred VanVleet bounced back nicely last time out and is another guy that’s going to play all the minutes he can handle and is a fine secondary option here. Scottie Barnes is in the same boat, the price tag is nice on him as well, but has been held under 15 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. The rest of this team would be more GPP darts than anything, as Gary Trent Jr. will move back to the bench with Anunoby back in and his price tag has come up. From Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell bounced back nicely last time out against the Bucks, but similar to those Toronto guys, I just don’t love the matchup or the pace in this game. He’ll be more of a secondary option for me in this one. Darius Garland is in the same boat, he’s been a bit more volatile as of late, but the price tag feels fair, and would be someone I like here as well. Jarrett Allen has been in good form with at least 32 DraftKings points in three straight games and makes sense in all formats. The same can be said for Evan Mobley who has been extremely consistent as of late as well and is a solid secondary option, he comes in as questionable, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates. Then guys like Kevin Love and Caris LeVert are more tournament darts than anything due to the volatility they both bring to the table… I would like Love a bit more if Mobley ends up missing, he’s seen good minutes over his last two games.
5-star play: Pascal Siakam
4-star play: OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Fred VanVleet, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Love, Caris LeVert
Chicago Bulls @ New York Knicks
Vegas Total: 225.5
Vegas Spread: Nyk -5.0
Starting with the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan was fine last time out but gets an elite matchup here against the Knicks… who are incredibly hot right now. He’s averaging just 34.6 DraftKings points per game in two games against them this season, however. Then I love the price tag on Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine as well, they were both core plays for me last time out and will be guys I’ll go right back to the well with tonight, probably with not as much exposure, but they’ll be in the player pool. Outside of these main three guys, it’s tough for me to prioritize a whole lot here, guys like Patrick Williams and Coby White are fine options, but I would hope we get better value open up on this slate. From the Knicks, the price tag on Julius Randle continues to climb, but for good reason. He’s averaging 49.2 DraftKings points per game over his last five and will look good again here, the matchup sets up well. Jalen Brunson has been pretty meh as of late but the price tag is going to continue to look good in a nice matchup against a Bulls team that has struggled this season. RJ Barrett has been more volatile than we’re used to seeing this season, but has been better as of late and makes perfect sense here. Then Mitchell Robinson continues to outproduce his price tag as well and is another guy I like going back to. We’ll need to keep an eye on the status of Quentin Grimes, as he missed their game last time out and we saw Immanuel Quickley slide into the starting lineup, I would expect the same here if he misses.
5-star play: DeMar DeRozan, Julius Randle
4-star play: Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett
Deeper Value: Patrick Williams, Coby White
GPP Sleeper: Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, Patrick Williams, Coby White
Detroit Pistons @ Atlanta Hawks
Vegas Total: 233.0
Vegas Spread: Atl -9.0
Starting with the Pistons, they’re a bit of a mess but get a great matchup against this Hawks team. Bojan Bogdanovic is the highest price guy on both DraftKings and FanDuel and makes sense as a secondary guy due to his ability to get hot from behind the three-point line. I think Killian Hayes is interesting here, I love attacking this Hawks backcourt with opposing guards and he’s been good ever since Cade went down. Jalen Duren is a guy I do like quite a bit, the minutes have been trending in the right direction and he’s performed the best of their frontcourt options. He has at least 29 DraftKings points in four of his last five and looks great at his current price tag. Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley are fine tournament options in the frontcourt too, but that’s in the case that Duren does struggle with fouls. Then guys like Saddiq Bey and Alec Burks are fine GPP options, we can throw Jaden Ivey into that group as well, he came down slightly after a huge game against the Jazz, but for similar reasons as Hayes, he’s going to look great. From the Hawks, Clint Capela comes in as questionable here but got John Collins and Dejounte Murray back. Collins is floating around the 20-minute range right now and isn’t a guy I want to get to until he gets his full minutes back. Murray, on the other hand, picked up his minutes right where he left them. I would expect he’s not restricted moving forward and is a fine option in all formats again here. Trae Young has at least 53 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and will look like a nice option yet again here. Bogdan Bogdanovic is another guy who may lose some usage and opportunity with Murray back in there, but he’s still a fine option if you land on him. Then Onyeka Okongwu should start for Capela again here if he’s forced to miss, he’s averaging 0.95 fantasy points per minute with Capela off of the court this season.
5-star play: Trae Young
4-star play: Bojan Bogdanovic, Killian Hayes, Jaden Ivey, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley, Saddiq Bey, Alec Burks, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter
Milwaukee Bucks @ Brooklyn Nets
Vegas Total: 229.0
Vegas Spread: Bkn -2.5
Starting with the Bucks, they’ll be without Khris Middleton again in this one and we saw MarJon Beauchamp slide into the starting lineup last time out over Jevon Carter. Below is how this team operates with Middleton off of the court this season:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 38.9% usage rate; 1.70 fpm
- Jrue Holiday – 25.8% usage rate; 1.25 fpm
- Bobby Portis – 21.8% usage rate; 1.16 fpm
- Brook Lopez – 18.6% usage rate; 1.02 fpm
- Grayson Allen – 15.0% usage rate; 0.79 fpm
I don’t think I love getting to either Beauchamp or Carter simply due to how big the slate is meaning we should get some good value. Giannis and Holiday are my favorite options in a great matchup against this Nets team, particularly Giannis… he’s destroyed this team in the past and they’re struggling with opposing big men. He dropped 74.5 DraftKings points in this spot earlier this season. Portis and Lopez would be closer to tournament options than anything against this frontcourt. From Brooklyn, Kevin Durant is another guy that looks great here, we haven’t seen a ceiling game from him in a while which is the only issue. Kyrie Irving has been in great form as well with at least 44 DraftKings points in five straight and I like this game environment as it should stay close. Ben Simmons and Nicolas Claxton are very similar to me both in price and production, I don’t mind getting to either of them in a nice matchup… they should see plenty of minutes as their size will be needed against a big Milwaukee team. Royce O’Neale is never a guy I prioritize, but he’s going to play big minutes and is a fine price tag if you happen to land on him. Then the trio of Joe Harris, Seth Curry, and TJ Warren are all dart throws, it’s incredibly hard to determine which of them will have a good game on a daily basis.
5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant
4-star play: Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Nicolas Claxton
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Grayson Allen, Joe Harris, Seth Curry, TJ Warren, Royce O’Neale
Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat
Vegas Total: 223.5
Vegas Spread: Mia -6.5
Starting with the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton has at least 45 FanDuel points in three of his last four but gets a tough matchup against the Heat in this one. He’ll be more of a GPP or secondary option for me here simply due to the matchup. Myles Turner is in a similar boat but has seen a price decrease due to production, so he’s more of a tournament guy as well. Buddy Hield has been fine, but I can’t imagine prioritizing him on a 14-game slate in a tough matchup. Bennedict Mathurin is more of a GPP guy as well, he’s been volatile this season, but we’ve seen the ceiling and he should continue to play all the minutes he can handle. Then I can’t imagine I get much of guys like Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, or Jalen Smith on a slate of this size… but they’ll get run. From Miami, Jimmy Butler should return here in a great matchup against the Pacers. He scored 39.75 DraftKings points in this matchup earlier this season and I suspect he sees full run coming back here. The price tag is absolutely massive on Tyler Herro which makes me a little nervous to go there, but it’s warranted, he has at least 40 FanDuel points in three of his last four. Bam Adebayo will look good as well, he’s not someone I’m looking to lock in or go too crazy on, but I’ll certainly have some exposure as he comes in in great form. Then that trio of Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin, and Max Strus are all fine secondary options, but guys I probably don’t get to on this slate.
5-star play: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo
4-star play: Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin, Max Strus
New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Vegas Total: 232.0
Vegas Spread: Okc -2.0
Starting with the Pelicans, they’ll be without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram while Larry Nance Jr. comes in as questionable. Jonas Valanciunas is a guy I like going right back to here with Zion out and potentially Nance as well… the minutes will be secure in a great matchup. CJ McCollum has been much better as of late as well, he has at least 44 DraftKings points in four straight and had a massive game last night. He has a 31.2% usage rate and 1.15 fantasy points per minute with Zion and Ingram off of the court this season. Trey Murphy and Herb Jones will continue to see good minutes, but both float around 0.75 fantasy points per minute on the season, so nothing to jump out of your seat about, but fine options nonetheless. From the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will look solid here against a faster Pelicans team and we know the minutes will be there, he’s a nice option in all formats. Josh Giddey is more of a secondary option, he’s very solid, but I’m not sure I love the ceiling on him. The rest of this team is probably a stay-away tonight, why torture yourself on a 14-game slate?
5-star play: CJ McCollum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
4-star play: Jonas Valanciuans, Trey Murphy, Josh Giddey
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Herb Jones, Aleksej Pokusevski, Lu Dort
Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets
Vegas Total: 220.5
Vegas Spread: Dal -7.0
Starting with the Mavericks, Luka Doncic bounced back nicely last time out and gets an elite matchup with the Rockets in this one, he’s going to look like an elite spend-up option in all formats. Christian Wood has been seeing much more consistent minutes as of late and gets a revenge game in this one, so I like taking a flyer on him in GPPs. Spencer Dinwiddie has been in good form as well and I like the matchup again here, he’s a nice secondary option. Then the only other guy I’d really have interest in here is Tim Hardaway Jr., who is playing really nice minutes right now, he’s volatile, but has a nice ceiling. The minutes will be there tonight with Finney-Smith and Kemba Walker out. From the Rockets, Kevin Porter Jr. finally had a ceiling game last time out against the Magic, I have no issue riding the heater and going back to him in this one. Alperen Sengun has at least 35 DraftKings points in three of his last five and I like attacking this Mavs frontcourt with opposing big men. Jabari Smith Jr. has shown some volatility on the season, which is to be expected from a rookie, but he has a 18.0% usage rate and 0.83 fantasy points per minute on the season. Then Eric Gordon should continue to see all the minutes he can handle and looks like a fine option as a value piece on a big slate.
5-star play: Luka Doncic
4-star play: Christian Wood, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Eric Gordon, Jabari Smith
Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets
Vegas Total: 232.5
Vegas Spread: Den -4.5
Starting with the Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic returned last time out but played just 23 minutes, they’ll need his size here against Jokic however, so I would imagine those come up… and we get a revenge game! Damian Lillard came down to Earth last time out but we know the minutes will be there, he’s a fine option in all formats. Anfernee Simons is priced a bit too high for me with Dame back in the rotation, so he’ll be more of a tournament guy. Jerami Grant bounced back nicely last time out and should continue to see all the minutes he can handle in this one, he’s a solid secondary option. Then Josh Hart has at least 31 DraftKings points in two of his last three and will play good minutes as well. From the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has at least 80 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and is just steamrolling opposing teams, he’s an elite spend-up option once again. Jamal Murray comes in as questionable so we’ll have to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on him as we get closer to lock, but he’ll make sense in all formats if he’s able to give it a go. Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown will continue to benefit from Porter Jr. being out as well and should keep playing all the minutes they can handle. Then Bones Hyland is more of a GPP dart than anything, he’ll look better if Murray is forced to miss.
5-star play: Nikola Jokic
4-star play: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jusuf Nurkic, Josh Hart, Bones Hyland
Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns
Vegas Total: 224.0
Vegas Spread: Mem -2.5
Starting with the Grizzlies, Desmond Bane comes into this one as questionable, so keep an eye on his status as we get closer to lock. I’m going to operate under the assumption that he’s out again here, although if he plays he’s likely on a minutes restriction anyway. Ja Morant bounced back nicely last time out and now has at least 50 DraftKings points in two of his last three, I have no issue going right back to him in this one. Jaren Jackson has been a bit more volatile as of late and gets a tougher matchup with Ayton and this Suns’ frontcourt, but we know the upside is there for tournaments. Dillon Brooks had a nice game last time out and has a 27.5% usage rate and 0.97 fantasy points per minute with Desmond Bane off of the court this season. I can’t pay this price tag for Tyus Jones, I just don’t love paying that kind of salary for a backup point guard who generally sees 20-25 minutes. I do like Steven Adams here, they’ll need his size down low and hast at least 27 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. Then Brandon Clarke will make sense as a tournament option. From the Suns, they’ll be without Devin Booker again in this one, I would expect to see Damion Lee in the starting lineup yet again even after burning us last time out. Below is how this team operates with Booker off of the court this season:
- Damion Lee – 15.2% usage rate; 0.71 fpm
- Mikal Bridges – 21.2% usage rate; 0.84 fpm
- Landry Shamet – 20.9% usage rate; 0.92 fpm
- Chris Paul – 21.3% usage rate; 1.16 fpm
- Deandre Ayton – 26.5% usage rate; 1.31 fpm
These would be my main options from the Suns with Paul, Ayton, and Lee being my favorite options. We did see a huge game from Shamet last time out but I wouldn’t expect he shoots 16 three-pointers again in this one, he’s a fine GPP option.
5-star play: Ja Morant, Chris Paul
4-star play: Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson, Steven Adams, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Damion Lee
Deeper Value: Damion Lee, Landry Shamet
GPP Sleeper: Brandon Clarke, Damion Lee, Landry Shamet, Torrey Craig
Washington Wizards @ Sacramento Kings
Vegas Total: 239.0
Vegas Spread: Sac -9.0
Starting with the Wizards, Kristaps Porzingis comes into this one as questionable, so we’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates as we get closer to lock. He missed their last game, but I’ll operate under the assumption that he’s good to go here as he fights off an illness. He’s been in good form and has shown a great ceiling as of late and should have no issues producing against a fast-paced Kings team. Kyle Kuzma has at least 47 FanDuel points in two of his last three, but struggled against Utah last night… I’ll have more interest in him if Kristaps is forced to sit again. Bradley Beal has been a guy I’ve been getting more of than the field and will look great again here against a Kings team that wants to run and gun, he’d see a boost if Kristaps were to miss as well. Then Monte Morris is a fine option to round out the team, but not someone I think we need to prioritize by any means. From the Kings, Domantas Sabonis has been in elite form and had a massive game last time out to keep it rolling. He now has at least 55 DraftKings points in four straight and gets a great matchup in this one. De’Aaron Fox came down to Earth a bit last time out and his price tag is starting to come back up as well, he’s more of a GPP option for me. Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes have been in good form and are seeing all the minutes they can handle again, the matchup is awesome, so they’ll look like great mid-range options. Malik Monk would be more of a tournament option due to the volatility he’s shown as of late but is firmly in play regardless. Then Keegan Murray will continue to see big minutes but has volatile production making him more of a tournament guy as well.
5-star play: Domantas Sabonis
4-star play: Kristaps Porzingis, Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Monte Morris, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray
Charlotte Hornets @ Los Angeles Lakers
Vegas Total: 241.5
Vegas Spread: Lal -3.0
Starting with the Hornets, Terry Rozier comes in as questionable here while Dennis Smith Jr. remains out. I would imagine Kelly Oubre just jumps back into the starting lineup if Rozier is out. That said, he returned to practice on Thursday, so I’m going to operate under the assumption that he’s good to go here which keeps Oubre out of my player pool at this price tag. I’m going to go right back to the well on LaMelo Ball though, he has at least 50 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and has been underpriced ever since returning from injury. He got a big price kick in this one, but I don’t think it’s quite enough, he’s a great option in a fast-paced game. Gordon Hayward has been in fine form but he’s seeing all the minutes he can handle, so I like getting some exposure to him at the F position. Then guys like Mason Plumlee and PJ Washington are fine GPP options to round out the team. From the Lakers, they’ll be without Anthony Davis for the near future, I would expect to see Thomas Bryant start in his place, and will continue to look like a good option in all formats. Below is how this team operates with Davis off of the court this season:
- LeBron James – 34.0% usage rate; 1.54 fpm
- Russell Westbrook – 30.4% usage rate; 1.29 fpm
- Thomas Bryant – 19.9% usage rate; 1.14 fpm
- Dennis Schroder – 23.0% usage rate; 0.92 fpm
These would be my favorite options on the Lakers, but it’s mostly LeBron, Westbrook, and Bryant for me. The price tag has finally caught up to Bryant on both DraftKings and FanDuel, but the matchup is elite against a Hornets team that has been destroyed by opposing big men this season. I do think Schroder and Lonnie Walker are viable as well at their current price tags. Westbrook ended up missing their last 2 games and comes in as probable here.
5-star play: LaMelo Ball, LeBron James
4-star play: Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, Thomas Bryant, Russell Westbrook
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Kelly Oubre, PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee, Dennis Schroder, Lonnie Walker
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