DFS NBA Full Court Press: FanDuel & DraftKings Main Slate - Mar. 9th, 2023

Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 3/9:

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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Before I get started, I need to shoutout a few huge VIP Member wins – “Phamacist” took 1st place in the $300k Fadeway contest which netted him $100k while “da_banditz” grabbed 1st place on FanDuel as well winning $10k- congrats guys!

Utah Jazz @ Orlando Magic

Vegas Total: 233.5

Vegas Spread: Orl -3.5

We’ll kick this slate off with the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen returned last time out and dropped a 50-burger on the Mavericks. The price tag hurts a bit to pay for, but he’s been in great form and gets a really nice matchup in this one. Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler come into this one as questionable after missing their last game, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on them as we get closer to lock. For the sake of this article, I’ll operate under the assumption that they’re good to go. Jordan Clarkson looked good in his last game out against the Thunder and is someone I have no issue going back to in this one, but the price tag has come up. I do have some hesitancy with the Talen Horton-Tucker price tag, he’s going to lose some usage and opportunity playing next to Markkanen and Clarkson. The same can be said for Kelly Olynyk who has seen a price increase. I do like going right back to Walker Kessler, however, he’s been great averaging 37.3 DraftKings points per game over his last four games. From the Magic, they’ll continue to be without Wendell Carter Jr. meaning we should see Moe Wagner back in the starting lineup. His price has come up but he’s been great in his starting role with at least 26 DraftKings points in three straight games. It does seem like Gary Harris is going to return here which would likely move Jalen Suggs back to the bench and make him more of a GPP option. Cole Anthony is in that GPP group as well due to a big price hike he got from their last game. Markelle Fultz has been extremely consistent over their last handful of games and is a nice option at this price tag in a nice matchup. Paolo Banchero has at least 38 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and will look like a nice option in this matchup. Franz Wagner is rarely ever a guy I love and want to prioritize but he makes sense at the very least in this one to round out the team.

5-star play: Lauri Markkanen

4-star play: Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, Kelly Olynyk, Moe Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Talen Horton-Tucker, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony

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Houston Rockets @ Indiana Pacers

Vegas Total: 236.0

Vegas Spread: Ind -9.5

Starting with the Rockets, they’ll be without Kevin Porter Jr. in this one which will open up a starting spot for guys like Daishen Nix or Jae’Sean Tate, we’ll have to see who they decide to throw in there. Below is how this team operates with him (and Eric Gordon) off of the court this season:

• Jalen Green – 32.8% usage rate; 1.07 fpm
• Jae’Sean Tate – 17.6% usage rate; 0.85 fpm
• KJ Martin – 17.3% usage rate; 0.91 fpm
• Jabari Smith – 20.7% usage rate; 0.83 fpm
• Alperen Sengun – 22.4% usage rate; 1.14 fpm
• Tari Eason – 20.7% usage rate; 1.07 fpm

I would much prefer to see Tate in the starting lineup, but both would be fine value options with the increase in minutes. Tari Eason’s price tag has finally started to come up to a spot where I don’t feel the need to force him in every night, but he’s still a solid option in a great matchup. Sengun and Green are the priority guys here, the matchup is great and they’ll take control of this offense with Porter Jr. out. From the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton had a massive game last time out and is now averaging 60.6 DraftKings points over his last three games. This matchup sets up beautifully as well against a tanking Rockets team, he’s going to look like an elite option yet again. Myles Turner had a tough time against Embiid last time out but gets a nice bounce-back spot here. Buddy Hield isn’t my favorite option at this price tag, but the ceiling is obviously there for him and he’s coming off of a nice game last time out. Jordan Nwora has been a guy I’ve been playing a bunch of as of late, he’s playing around 25 minutes per game over his last handful of games and isn’t afraid to shoot when he’s in there. I have no issue going back to him as a GPP value option again especially on DraftKings at his price tag. Then guys like Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard are solid tournament options in a nice matchup.

5-star play: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Tyrese Haliburton

4-star play: KJ Martin, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield

Deeper Value: Jae’Sean Tate

GPP Sleeper: Jae’Sean Tate, Daishen Nix, Jordan Nwora, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard

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!

Charlotte Hornets @ Detroit Pistons

Vegas Total: 224.5

Vegas Spread: Cha -3.5

We’ll start with the Hornets, PJ Washington bounced back nicely last time out after a down game in his first game back against the Nets. I would expect Kelly Oubre to stick around in the starting lineup while Ball is out for the rest of the season. Below is how this team operates with Ball (and Mason Plumlee) off of the court this season:

• Terry Rozier – 29.9% usage rate; 1.07 fpm
• Kelly Oubre – 26.9% usage rate; 0.96 fpm
• Gordon Hayward – 21.6% usage rate; 0.93 fpm
• PJ Washington – 24.4% usage rate; 1.02 fpm
• Mark Williams – 19.2% usage rate; 1.14 fpm

Guys like Rozier and Oubre take a bit of a hit with Washington in there, but will still look like great options yet again against a tanking Pistons team. Hayward had a massive bounce-back game last time out as well and is playing all the minutes he can handle. Then we get to this Pistons team, they’ll get Killian Hayes and Jalen Duren back here but guys like Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, Hamidou Diallo, and Alec Burks will remain out. I would expect Hayes and Duren to be inserted right back into the starting lineup and be a full-go. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with James Wiseman with Duren back, maybe they start next to each other? But I doubt it, I would think we see Marvin Bagley hand around in the starting lineup while Wiseman comes off of the bench which will give him a decrease in value here. I have no issue going right back to Jaden Ivey, he’s been great as of late with at least 41 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and gets an elite matchup in this one.

5-star play: Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre, Jaden Ivey

4-star play: Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Mark Williams, Killian Hayes, Jalen Duren, Marvin Bagley

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: James Wiseman, Isaiah Livers, Killian Hayes

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Golden State Warriors @ Memphis Grizzlies

Vegas Total: 235.5

Vegas Spread: Gsw -2.5

Starting with the Warriors, Steph Curry had a massive game last time out against the Thunder and is going to look like a great option yet again in this one. He’s going to look like one of the top raw options on the slate. Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson will take the biggest hit in terms of usage and fantasy production as Curry absorbs more attention in the offense and their price tags don’t reflect that quite yet, so I’ll be underweight on these guys for the time being. Draymond Green is a fine option, but never a guy I feel the need to prioritize. Donte DiVincenzo should remain in the starting lineup until Andrew Wiggins returns and has been in good form, I have no issue with using him as a filler piece in your roster construction. Finally, Kevon Looney hasn’t been in the best form over his last few games and is more of a GPP guy for me on this slate. From the Grizzlies, they’ll continue to be without Ja Morant for the next few games while Brandon Clarke will miss the rest of the season. I would expect Tyus Jones stays in the starting lineup until Morant is back, but Dillon Brooks did return last time out. Below is how this team operates with Morant off of the court this season:

• Tyus Jones – 19.4% usage rate; 1.01 fpm
• Desmond Bane – 28.2% usage rate; 1.27 fpm
• Dillon Brooks – 27.8% usage rate; 0.95 fpm
• Jaren Jackson Jr. – 28.8% usage rate; 1.40 fpm
• Xavier Tillman – 15.5% usage rate; 0.94 fpm

Jones finally got his price increased on both DraftKings and FanDuel but had a down game last time out. That said, he’s going to look great in a fast-paced matchup here, he’s averaging 40.73 DraftKings/40.6 FanDuel points per game in 11 games without Ja this season. We should see more minutes out of Santi Aldama off of the bench as well with Clarke out. Brooks was a guy I had some interest in last time out as well, I don’t mind going back to him in tournaments, he’s going to look to score it just comes down to whether the shots are falling or not.

5-star play: Steph Curry, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson

4-star play: Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones, Xavier Tillman

Deeper Value: Santi Aldama

GPP Sleeper: Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Dillon Brooks

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Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks

Vegas Total: 232.0

Vegas Spread: Mil -12.0

Starting with the Nets, they’re going to be shorthanded tonight as they’ve ruled out Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton, Cam Johnson, Ben Simmons, and Royce O’Neale. We’re not going to have a sample size on who will start or how the team operates with these guys out, but I would expect to see guys like Seth Curry, Joe Harris, and Nerlens Noel in the starting lineup… maybe we get back to Cam Thomas as well. Whoever starts here is going to look great, it’s interesting that they’re not resting Mikal Bridges but I would expect he takes on a massive role as well, but his price tag is up… as it should be. Keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for a starting lineup for them. From the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday should return in this one, so we can jump off of the Jevon Carter bandwagon. Giannis is averaging 62.8 DraftKings points per game in three games against the Nets this season and should be able to do whatever he wants in this one and will look like a top spend-up option on the slate. I don’t love the price tag on Jrue but he’s a fine option, his ceiling is a bit capped with Giannis in there. We saw Khris Middleton join the starting lineup for the first time since returning from injury last time out. I would expect he’s a starter moving forward even with Giannis and Jrue back, he saw 31 minutes as well which makes me think he’s on the brink of eliminating that minute’s restriction he’s been on. He’ll look like a solid option in all formats. Then, Brook Lopez continues to play well as well, I have no issue with him as a GPP option to round out this team, I don’t see the need to get to guys like Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, and Jae Crowder in anything other than MME.

5-star play: Mikal Bridges, Giannis Antetokounmpo

4-star play: Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Nerlens Noel, Cam Thomas, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez

Deeper Value: Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Nerlens Noel

GPP Sleeper: Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Nerlens Noel, Cam Thomas, Dorian Finney-Smith, Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen

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New York Knicks @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: 238.5

Vegas Spread: Sac -2.5

Starting with the Knicks, Jalen Brunson ended up missing their last game which lead to Immanuel Quickley back in the starting lineup, if he misses again we can go right back to the well, but keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed as we get closer to lock for that news. Mitchell Robinson was a guy I liked a good amount last time out, but his price tag did come up a good amount. He’s playing great minutes right now and is a guy I do like going back to in a great matchup. Josh Hart is a hard guy for me to trust with the minutes he’s getting, he was a lot easier to like when he was playing minutes in the mid-30s and not mid-20s. Julius Randle had a down game in a great spot with Brunson out last time out, this is an equally great matchup, so I have no problem going right back to the well. Then, RJ Barrett has been pretty volatile as of late making him a tournament option, but would see a boost if Brunson ends up missing again. From the Kings, Domantas Sabonis has at least 48 FanDuel points in four straight games and is going to look like a great option yet again in this one. The price tag on De’Aaron Fox is catching up with Sabonis which makes him a bit more volatile, but we know the ceiling is great on him, so I have no issue going right back to the well. Kevin Huerter had a great night last time out and has been shooting much better as of late, I like going right back to the well on him as well, when he’s hot, watch out. Then guys like Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk make sense as secondary GPP options in all formats.

5-star play: Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, Domantas Sabonis

4-star play: Mitchell Robinson, RJ Barrett, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Josh Hart, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk

NBA Lock of the Day: Cam Thomas (DK – $4.8k; FD – $4.7k)

This lock is completely dependent on Cam Thomas starting… again, he NEEDS TO START. I want to make that very clear so I don’t get a bunch of DM’s saying people loaded up on him off the bench and he didn’t play what we were expecting. He hasn’t seen much run as of late is why I want to make that contingency, but the Nets will be extremely shorthanded tonight which opens up a bunch of minutes for guys like Thomas, Curry, and Joe Harris. We know Thomas can score and score in bunches, so assuming he starts he’s going to look great at this price tag. If he doesn’t start, I still think he looks like a nice option off of the bench as I do think he plays good minutes tonight, but I wouldn’t load up as much as I would if he were starting. 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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