Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 10/30:
Oct 18, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) reacts to a call against the Miami Heat during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-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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Boston Celtics @ Washington Wizards
Vegas Total: 228.5
Vegas Spread: Bos -10.0
We kick off this big slate with the Celtics as double-digit point favorites against the Wizards. Jayson Tatum came down to Earth last time out but it was a tough and slower-paced matchup, so I’m willing to overlook it. He should be able to do whatever he wants here and is a great spend-up option. The same can be said for Kristaps Porzingis, but I think that’s more of the type of game we should expect from him on a nightly basis, not a consistent 50-burger. Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday were able to bounce back nicely and should keep things rolling here, they both feel like they’re priced more appropriately now that we’re a few games into the season. Derrick White had a massive game and will have games like that every now and then, but not necessarily something that I’m going out of my way to chase. Lastly, I don’t think we need to go to Al Horford, he seems like a guy they’re going to be pretty careful with early on in the season. From the Wizards, Jordan Poole was much better in his second game but still didn’t shoot the ball all that well. That said, he still had 23 field goal attempts which is more the norm, and saw big minutes. If they can keep it at least somewhat competitive he should look good in this one… tough matchup, however. The same can be said for Kyle Kuzma, but it may be a theme this season where they don’t see their full 35ish minutes in games where it’s not competitive like this one certainly has the makings for. Tyus Jones has at least 32 DraftKings points in each game this season and will look great again here. Then guys like Daniel Gafford and Deni Avdija are solid lineup fillers. Gafford does come in as questionable, so make sure to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed as we get closer to lock.
5-star play: Jayson Tatum
4-star play: Kristaps Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Daniel Gafford, Deni Avdija
Chicago Bulls @ Indiana Pacers
Vegas Total: 226.0
Vegas Spread: Ind -3.5
Starting with the Bulls, Zach LaVine finally bounced back with a massive game after two duds to open up the season. He’s going to look like a solid option yet again this one as they start to price these top three options for the Bulls a bit more appropriately. DeMar DeRozan has been solid in each game this season and gets a nice matchup in this one, he’ll look like a solid secondary option at the very least. Nikola Vucevic wasn’t good last time out, but it’s going to be tough for all three of these guys to have big games on the same night. Coby White had a floor game, but assuming he’s still in the starting lineup he’s a fine GPP option. Then guys like Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams are fine lineup fillers. From the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton ended up playing on Saturday after being questionable with an illness and he certainly didn’t play like he had an illness, he looked great and will be a nice option in a great matchup. Myles Turner struggled with fouls but was still able to put up good fantasy numbers on Saturday, he can be volatile at times, but we know the ceiling is there at the very least. Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin feel like similar options, both guys are fairly scoring-dependent and can be volatile. Bruce Brown isn’t a sexy option, but the minutes will be there and kind of does everything, the exact opposite of Hield and Mathurin. Then the trio of Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard are more tournament flyers than anything.
5-star play: Tyrese Haliburton
4-star play: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Myles Turner
Deeper Value: Alex Caruso
GPP Sleeper: Coby White, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, Bruce Brown, Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard
Brooklyn Nets @ Charlotte Hornets
Vegas Total: 228.5
Vegas Spread: Bkn -1.5
Starting with the Nets, Cam Thomas cracked the starting lineup which is newsworthy considering how good he’s been as a fantasy producer. He has at least 45 DraftKings points in each game this season and in all likelihood will remain in the starting lineup here, he’s going to look like a great option. Ben Simmons slid over and started at the five with Nic Claxton out, and I imagine that will remain the same in this one with Claxton out. Cam Johnson is also out which should open up more shots for the rest of this offense. Simmons saw 32 minutes and we know he can stuff the stat sheet, he has legit triple-double upside and is someone I like quite a bit here. Day’Ron Sharpe was chalk with Claxton out and was good when he was in there… just one issue, he played 3 minutes. I don’t see how we can comfortably go back to the well with him in this one. Spencer Dinwiddie bounced back nicely last time out and makes sense as a mid-range option again in this one. Lastly, Mikal Bridges has struggled from the field to start the season and as a scoring-dependent guy he’ll need those to fall to get us there, I don’t exactly love Thomas starting next to him for his fantasy production. From the Hornets, LaMelo Ball has been good to start the season and the matchup doesn’t bother me, he can fill the stat sheet with the best of ’em. Mark Williams struggled big time with the Detroit big men and got himself into quick foul trouble. I don’t see that happening against a short-handed Nets frontcourt, I have no problem going right back to the well with him in this one. Terry Rozier isn’t a sexy option as long as Ball is starting next to him, it limits his ceiling a decent amount. P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward seem like similar options in this price range, Hayward looked great last time out, and both make sense as secondary options. Lastly, Brandon Miller bounced back nicely and will be a key member of this rotation, he feels too cheap here.
5-star play: Ben Simmons, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller
4-star play: Cam Thomas, Spencer Dinwiddie, Mikal Bridges, Mark Williams, Terry Rozier, P.J. Washington, Gordon Hayward
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Dorian Finney-Smith, Day’Ron Sharpe
Portland Trail Blazers @ Toronto Raptors
Vegas Total: 217.5
Vegas Spread: Tor -7.0
Starting with the Blazers, Scoot Henderson has been extremely disappointing to start the season and has struggled with fouls over their last two games. He’s going to continue to get opportunities, especially with Simons out, but he’s probably more of a tournament option until he gets his NBA legs under him a bit more. Malcolm Brogdon and Shaedon Sharpe have done the heavy lifting in the backcourt and even with Brogdon coming off of the bench, he’s going to look like a nice per-minute guy. Deandre Ayton bounced back nicely last time out and is still a guy I think has a big season, I like going back to the well even though the matchup isn’t great. Then guys like Robert Williams and Jerami Grant are secondary options to round out the team and this slate. Williams is more of a tournament option and Grant is a cash guy. From the Raptors, Pascal Siakam hasn’t been good yet on the season, but man I like the matchup, I just don’t think I like the price tag given his production on the season. Scottie Barnes has been the best producer on the team, he has at least 46 FanDuel points in three straight games. Dennis Schroder has been good as a newcomer and will continue to start at point guard while OG Anunoby has been up and down. Both guys are solid secondary options on this slate. Then guys like Gary Trent Jr. and Jakob Poeltl are tournament options with solid upside in a good matchup… the Raptors are just playing extremely slow this season.
5-star play: Malcolm Brogdon, Shaedon Sharpe, Scottie Barnes
4-star play: Scoot Henderson, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, OG Anunoby, Dennis Schroder
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Robert Williams, Gary Trent Jr., Jakob Poeltl
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Atlanta Hawks
Vegas Total: 234.5
Vegas Spread: Min -2.0
Starting with the Wolves, Rudy Gobert kept it rolling last time out and is too cheap yet again in this one. I like going right back to him as a mid-range center option. Anthony Edwards had a tough game last time out but gets a nice matchup in this one to bounce back, an implied total of 234.5 should lead to plenty of fantasy production. Karl-Anthony Towns came down to Earth last time out but I like the matchup and price tag considering his upside. Then guys like Kyle Anderson and Mike Conley are solid roster fillers, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will likely start again but isn’t playing huge minutes. That said, he had a decent game last time out, but on a big slate I think we can do better. From the Hawks, Jalen Johnson has been incredible to start the season and should continue to see good minutes. I like going right back to him in the mid-range and riding this heater out. I think there’s a legitimate chance he can join the starting five in the near future. Saddiq Bey had a tough night last time out and isn’t a huge point-per-minute guy but can light up the stat sheet. He’s more of a tournament guy, with that said. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray both have had somewhat shakey starts to the season but are guys I think we can go back. Despite Young shooting terribly to start the season, he’s still put up solid fantasy numbers. Then guys like Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and De’Andre Hunter are secondary options.
5-star play: Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Trae Young
4-star play: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela, Jalen Johnson
Deeper Value: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu
GPP Sleeper: Kyle Anderson, Mike Conley, Saddiq Bey, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter
Dallas Mavericks @ Memphis Grizzlies
Vegas Total: 227.0
Vegas Spread: Dal -2.0
Starting with the Mavs, Luka Doncic has at least 70 DraftKings points in his first two games of the season and is going to be an elite spend-up option yet again on this slate. Kyrie Irving has been fine but underwhelming given his price tag, I just don’t like playing him when he has to fight for usage with Luka. Dereck Lively moved into the starting on Friday night but only saw 18 minutes and wasn’t all that relevant from a DFS perspective. He’s the best fit for the position for this team, so I like him moving forward but is more of a tournament option until his role solidifies. Then guys like Tim Hardaway and Grant Williams looked good relative to their salaries and are fine GPP options in this one. From the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. came down to Earth last time out and got a price bump as well. He’s struggled with fouls in each game this season which is kind of his thing. He’s been volatile, but we know the production can be there when Morant is out. He had a 30.8% usage rate and 1.36 fantasy points per minute last season with Ja, Adams, and Clarke off of the court which is what I keep going back to, he’s going to look great yet again in this one. Desmond Bane hasn’t exactly been great since that first game of the season either, but is in the same boat as Jackson, he had a 27.7% usage rate and 1.19 fantasy points per minute with these guys off the court last season, and this matchup is great. Xavier Tillman had a tough game in a great matchup last time out, but the minutes are going to be there for a big man who can rack up stats. Then Marcus Smart is a fine option in all formats to fill lineups with.
5-star play: Luka Doncic
4-star play: Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Dereck Lively, Tim Hardaway, Grant Williams, Marcus Smart
Detroit Pistons @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Vegas Total: 227.0
Vegas Spread: Okc -5.0
Starting with the Pistons, Cade Cunningham bounced back nicely last time out and has at least 46 DraftKings points in two of his three games this season. He’s going to stuff the stat sheet and he can certainly score, I have no issue with him again here. Jalen Duren has been an absolute monster to start the season, he has at least 44 DraftKings points in each game on the season, his price continues to climb, and yet he’s probably still too cheap… oh and he’s still a teenager. Isaiah Stewart came down to Earth a bit over his last two but is still getting 34+ minutes per game which is the important thing for me. Jaden Ivey is going to be extremely volatile this season as we have already seen, his minutes are all over the place and he needs to fight for usage with Cade. The only other guy I would have interest in here is Ausar Thompson, he continues to stuff the stat sheet, I mean he’s doing everything except for scoring right now, and that will come with time. From the Thunder, Chet Holmgren came down to Earth after a monstrous game against the Cavs, and this Pistons frontcourt has proven to be tough. The minutes will be volatile on Holmgren as well which makes him more of a GPP guy. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a floor game last time out but was mostly due to a blowout and poor shooting, he gets a nice bounce-back spot here and is a top spend-up option on the slate. Josh Giddey has been similar to guys like Kyrie, and Ivey on the other side of this game. It’s just going to be tough for him when he has to battle for usage with a dominant usage guy like SGA. Jalen Williams was solid and looks like a fine mid-range option again in this one. The same can be said for Lu Dort to round out this team.
5-star play: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
4-star play: Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Williams
Deeper Value: Marvin Bagley
GPP Sleeper: Jaden Ivey, Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort
Golden State Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans
Vegas Total: 233.0
Vegas Spread: Nop -2.5
Starting with the Warriors, Draymond Green returned to the starting lineup which moved Chris Paul to the bench. Paul is overpriced if he’s going to continue to come off of the bench, which I do, I’ll wait until his price tag comes down before going back to him. That said, this is the back end of a back-to-back and I would imagine they take it slow with Draymond who saw just 21 minutes in this game. I could see him resting and moving Paul right back into the starting lineup. Steph Curry did Steph Curry things and had a solid game last night, he’s going to look good in a nice matchup in this one. Klay Thompson did what we kind of expected he would do while Kevon Looney bounced back slightly. Looney is priced up as well and probably not in play for me on a big slate. Moses Moody finally came back down to Earth last night and is more on par with what to expect from him this season, although he’ll see more minutes if Draymond misses this one, just not relevant on a big slate. Lastly, Andrew Wiggins is fighting some demons right now, he’s just been bad to start the season and his price tag hasn’t adjusted for that. From the Pelicans, Zion Williamson has been solid to start the season but hasn’t exactly paid off his price tag yet. It did come down a bit, but I can’t say I love him quite yet, I may just need to see it before I go to him, the matchup is great for his skill set though. I touched on my worry with CJ McCollum with Zion in the lineup and we saw that in their last game. He was just a 0.96 fantasy point-per-minute guy with Zion on the court last season, so I do worry a bit about the sustainability. Brandon Ingram has been solid and is going to be fine again in this one, he’s not as impacted with Zion on the court as CJ was last season. Then Jonas Valanciunas and Herbert Jones are solid roster fillers if you land on them.
5-star play: Steph Curry
4-star play: Chris Paul, Kevon Looney, Klay Thompson, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram
Deeper Value: Gary Payton
GPP Sleeper: Andrew Wiggins, Jonas Valanciunas, Herbert Jones
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Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks
Vegas Total: 223.5
Vegas Spread: Mil -5.5
Starting with the Heat, they were fairly shorthanded last time out with Jimmy Butler missing but should be back in this one. It’s a pace-up spot for the Heat and Butler is going to look solid, he seemingly always plays well against the Bucks and they took a hit to their defense with Jrue no longer an option to guard him. Tyler Herro has been great over their last few games and has played 40 minutes over their last two, he’s the type of guard that could give the Bucks problems this season. Bam Adebayo averaged 41.9 FanDuel points per game against the Bucks last season and is someone I’m fine with going right back to if you land on him. I don’t think Kyle Lowry is all that good, but the minutes will be there if you need a mid-range option. Then Kevin Love is a guy I like as well, he can get hot from three and has always been a nice per-minute option. The Bucks struggled against the Hawks on Sunday which is always full of NBA weirdness for whatever reason. Giannis Antetokounmpo was solid but nothing that blew his price tag up, that said he’s going to be in play as a top raw option. Damian Lillard struggled last night but is a guy I won’t have a problem going back to here, we saw what he can do in the opener and the ceiling is certainly there. Khris Middleton should return after resting last night, but the price tag is too high while he’s still on his minutes limit. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis are fine options as roster fillers, but I do like Malik Beasley as a secondary option. He’s cheap enough and going to start and play good minutes for the Bucks this season. He’ll see a ton of open shots with the defense focusing elsewhere.
5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler
4-star play: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kevin Love, Damian Lillard
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Kyle Lowry, Brook Lopez, Malik Beasley, Bobby Portis
Utah Jazz @ Denver Nuggets
Vegas Total: 231.0
Vegas Spread: Den -7.5
Starting with the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen regressed a bit last time out and gets a difficult matchup in this one, he did lose some minutes due to a blowout last time which didn’t help him. That said, he’ll be a fine option in this price range. Talen Horton-Tucker has given us the full THT experience to start the season, he was terrible last time out but the minutes should still be there he just struggled with foul trouble last time out. I hate the point guard eligibility but he’s a fine mid-range guy. John Collins has been good to start the season and is too cheap for his role, I like him yet again in this one. Jordan Clarkson was in the same boat as Horton-Tucker last time out, but I think we know what we’re getting from him at this point, I do like the price tag though. Walker Kessler has not been good this season but isn’t seeing the best minutes either. I would think those minutes come up in this one, they’ll need his size against Jokic, but it’s a tough matchup. I think I’ll need to see it from him before I go back to the well… the price tag is really intriguing. Then Kelly Olynyk is a fine GPP option to round the team out. From the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has been human over his last few games but gets a great matchup in this one, he’s up there with the likes of Tatum, Jokic, and Giannis as a top raw option. Jamal Murray has been fine this season but nothing special relative to his price tag. The matchup is great though and I like this as a potential ceiling spot for him. I have a feeling Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are going to be similar options all season as long as their in this price range. Porter Jr. probably brings the higher ceiling but Gordon brings the better floor. Then we can round the team out with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who will see good minutes and makes sense as a lineup filler if he can knock down those shots, the minutes will be there.
5-star play: Nikola Jokic
4-star play: Lauri Markannen, Talen Horton-Tucker, John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr.
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Walker Kessler, Kelly Olynyk, Kentaviuos Caldwell-Pope
Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Lakers
Vegas Total: 223.5
Vegas Spread: Orl -2.5
We’ll round the slate out starting with the Magic, Paolo Banchero has been fine but he’s not performing to where his price tag has been. I do think he’s probably the best player and has the highest potential of anyone on this team, but he’s just gotta figure it out after struggling a bit. I don’t love the price tag quite yet, but he’s a fine tournament option due to his upside. Franz Wagner looked great last time out and has a fair price tag if you need a mid-range wing. Wendell Carter Jr. hasn’t seen more than 27 minutes yet this season but they’ll need his size against a big Lakers frontcourt in this one, I like the price tag a good bit on him in this one. Then the trio of Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and Jalen Suggs feel like similar options in the same price tier. It’ll be tough to determine who has the big night between the three on any given night but are all worth a look at the very least. From the Lakers, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis had huge games last night and we may be in for another situation where one of them sits here. We were told LeBron was on some sort of minutes limit and he’s played 35+ minutes in back-to-back games, which is proving to be just a blatant lie. If they both play, they’ll look good, if one of them sits, the other is going to look like an elite option. D’Angelo Russell looked great as well playing massive minutes, I don’t mind him as a mid-range option while Taurean Prince will be a nice value option as he continues to start and play big minutes as well. Austin Reaves has had a tough couple of games but is a guy I still like on this team, he’s a good mid-range guy as well. Then guys like Christian Wood and Rui Hachimura probably aren’t playable on a slate of this size unless one of Davis/LeBron ends up sitting.
5-star play: LeBron James, Anthony Davis
4-star play: Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Tauren Prince
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony
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