DFS NBA Full Court Press: FanDuel & DraftKings Main Slate – Dec. 17th, 2021

Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 12/17:

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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Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic

Vegas Total: 209.0

Vegas Spread: Mia -3.5

We’ll get this slate started with the Heat, they could be pretty shorthanded here as they’re already without Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, but Tyler Herro comes in as questionable as well. He missed their last game, so I’m going to operate under the assumption that he’s out again, but keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates. With all of these guys out there is a lot of usage and minutes to go around. Kyle Lowry was popular last time out and for good reason, however, he had a pretty disappointing game in 39 minutes of action. That said, this is a much better matchup and someone I would go right back to in this spot. The price tag on PJ Tucker came down a little bit on DraftKings, but at nearly $6k on FanDuel, it’s a no from me dawg. Gabe Vincent looked good last time out and has at least 31 minutes in three straight games. The minutes will be there for him regardless of if Herro plays or not and a guy I like in this price range. Max Strus was a popular value option last time out as well, the minutes should continue to be there with him as well but I would like him more if Herro sat. Lastly, Dewayne Dedmon looked great last game, I mentioned how they would need his size down low and if he could stay out of foul trouble he could be in for a big game, and he made it happen, I have no issue going right back to him here. From the Magic, Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba come into this one as questionable, so we’ll obviously need updates on them before we can dig too deep, but assuming they play, I like this spot for Anthony at this price tag. We know the upside is there and this Miami defense is missing two big defensive pieces in Butler and Bam. Mo Bamba would be more of a GPP play, while Wendell Carter Jr. is the cash guy in this frontcourt. Franz Wagner had a down game last time out, but the minutes are going to be big on him regardless, I like going back to him due to how consistent he has been. Chuma Okeke may be a popular value option if Bamba sits again, but man he’s not a fun roster. Then you can round this team out with GPP guys in Terrence Ross and Gary Harris on the wing.

5-star play: Kyle Lowry, Cole Anthony

4-star play: Gabe Vincent, Dewayne Dedmon, Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner

Deeper Value: Max Strus

GPP Sleeper: Duncan Robinson, Terrence Ross, Gary Harris, Mo Bamba, Mo Wagner

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Golden State Warriors @ Boston Celtics

Vegas Total: 214.5

Vegas Spread: Gsw -2.5

Starting with the Warriors, Steph Curry finally got his record last time out in New York but other than that he hasn’t been in the best form relative to his price tag. I think you can make a case for him in GPPs simply because he’s a walking fire starter, but other than that there will be a good amount of spend-up options that we can go to on this slate. I’ll never really have an issue going to Draymond Green, if you want to get exposure here I won’t talk you off of him. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole are fine tournament options as well. This team just feels like they’re priced right where they should be on an eight-game slate. From the Celtics, Jaylen Brown should be good to go here which takes the shine off the rest of these Celtics starters, but he saw 30 minutes against Milwaukee on Monday which makes me think he’ll be right around that mark again here. I don’t love the price tag, but against a fast-paced Warriors team, I don’t hate the look in tournaments. Even with Brown in the lineup last time out, Jayson Tatum was still able to drop 60+ fantasy points and the price tag is really nice on him here. Al Horford is fine, he’s similar to Green on the other side, I’ll have no issue either way on him in this one. Dennis Schroder is the main loser from Brown being back, in my opinion, we know the big guys on this team are Brown and Tatum and we saw that last time out where Schroder was held under 15 fantasy points. It seems like Robert Williams is just going to be stuck in the low-20’s range for minutes this season but if there were ever a spot to get more it would be this matchup. He has the athleticism to hang with a small ball lineup if the Warriors try and force the Celtics to go small. I think he’s an interesting lotto ticket-type play. Then you can round this team out with Marcus Smart, who is always playable in tournaments in my opinion.

5-star play: Jayson Tatum

4-star play: Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jaylen Brown

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Dennis Schroder, Robert Williams, Marcus Smart, Al Horford

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Denver Nuggets @ Atlanta Hawks

Vegas Total: 221.0

Vegas Spread: Atl -4.0

Starting with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic is making one helluva MVP case right now. He has at least 54 FanDuel points in six straight games and will be my favorite spend-up option on this slate again. Remember a few years ago where Russell Westbrook was consistently dropping 70-80 fantasy points and people would still fade him because the price was “too high”? Well, you tell me, do you want to start your team off with a 50-60 point base, or be the people chasing those teams. It sounds like both Will Barton and Aaron Gordon will be good to go here, they’re both solid tournament options with an upside coming off bad games last time out. Then you can round the Nuggets out with Monte Morris, he’s not a sexy play by any means but he’s playing 30+ minutes per night. From the Hawks, Trae Young has been incredible as of late and dropped 51 DraftKings points in this spot earlier in the season, I have no issue with him in any format. Clint Capela gets a tough matchup with Jokic down low but if he can stay out of foul trouble we know the minutes will be there to help play defense on him. John Collins is in a similar scenario but more of a tournament guy for me due to the volatility he has, he can also struggle with foul trouble at times but bounced back nicely last time out. Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari are both fine options, but with how much Covid value I think we’ll have today, we probably won’t need it. Lastly, Cam Reddish has at least 21 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, he’ll make for a solid GPP value on this slate.

5-star play: Nikola Jokic, Trae Young

4-star play: Clint Capela, John Collins, Will Barton, Monte Morris

Deeper Value: Cam Reddish

GPP Sleeper: Aaron Gordon, Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari, Cam Reddish

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Milwaukee Bucks @ New Orleans Pelicans

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Bucks, they’re going to be a bit of a mess here. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis will be out while they’re in Covid protocols, while Khris Middleton missed the last game with a knee injury, but sounds like he’ll be probable here. To me, that sounds like we should fire up the Bucks on all cylinders… with Giannis and Bobby off the court this season Middleton has a 36.6% usage rate and 1.29 fantasy points per minute while Jrue Holiday has a 35.3% usage rate and 1.53 fantasy points per minute. The sample size isn’t huge, but these are the main pieces you’ll want from Milwaukee. It was also interesting to see Jordan Nwora get the start last time out, assuming he does again here I love the spot. He’s a guy that looks to score when he has the ball on offense and will need his size with Giannis and Portis out. One thing to note, DeMarcus Cousins is near min price and I think there’s a chance we see him get the start at the five here. If that’s the case he would be a nice value option just due to how good he is from a point per minute standpoint, but I still wouldn’t expect him to play more than 20-25 minutes. Then you can round the Bucks out with Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen as solid secondary pieces. From the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram now has at least 50 fantasy points in back-to-back games and with Giannis out on the other side, it makes this a much better spot for Ingram, he’s a guy I like in all formats. Jonas Valanciunas is starting to get his minutes back and has at least 30 minutes in four of his last five games, I’ll be all over him again if this is going to be a trend. Josh Hart saw his price come back down to the mid-$5k range, and will be a nice mid-range guy on tonight’s slate. Then you can round this team out with Devonte’ Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in tournaments. Graham finally broke out last game with 36 DraftKings points, I have no problem going right back to him here.

5-star play: Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram

4-star play: Jordan Nwora (if starting), DeMarcus Cousins, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, Jonas Valanciunas, Josh Hart, Devonte’ Graham

Deeper Value: Jordan Nwora, DeMarcus Cousins

GPP Sleeper: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jordan Nwora, DeMarcus Cousins

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!

San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz

Vegas Total: 223.5

Vegas Spread: Utah -12.0

Starting with the Spurs, Dejounte Murray has been a bit more volatile as of late and gets a tough matchup with good Jazz defense in this one. I’ll label him more of a GPP guy, but still someone I wouldn’t shy away from playing due to his upside. Jakob Poeltl had a bad night last time out and gets a tough matchup with Gobert down low in this one. That said, if he can stay out of foul trouble, the minutes will be there as they’ll need his size. Derrick White has turned up the heat lately, he has at least 44 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and has a nice price tag on him as well. Lastly, Keldon Johnson might get me again tonight… the price tag is really intriguing, he’s just notorious for tanking my lineups. I know I will have interest but he’s more of a GPP guy for me. From the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell feels like he’s priced right where he should be here, but no issue with him in tournaments. I love targeting point guards against the Jazz, so I think he has a better than normal shot at getting to a ceiling game. Rudy Gobert had a nice game last time out dropping a 50 burger on the Clippers, I would have no issue with him in any format tonight against this Spurs frontcourt. The Jazz are just so hard to get to when they’re fully healthy, they’re always priced correctly. Guys like Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Jordan Clarkson are fine options, but I just don’t know that we’ll need them on this slate unless someone from this team gets ruled out.

5-star play: None

4-star play: Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson

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Memphis Grizzlies @ Sacramento Kings

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled last time out against Portland, but he gets the bounce-back spot of all bounce-back spots here against the Kings. Not to mention he has a 30.3% usage rate and about 1.26 fantasy points per minute with Ja Morant off the court this season. Dillon Brooks feels like he’s finally starting to heat up with at least 36 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and gets an elite matchup here, I’m going to like him a good amount on this slate. Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones are both solid mid-range options if you happen to fall on them, but not priorities by any means. Kyle Anderson has looked great over his past few games and should see 20+ minutes again, just don’t watch the game if you roster him, his nickname is Slo Mo for a reason. Then you can round the Grizzlies out with Steven Adams who is a volatile mid-range center option if you’re in the market. From the Kings, they’re going to be a mess here with De’Aaron Fox, Richaun Holmes, and Alex Len coming in as doubtful while Tyrese Haliburton and Chimezie Metu are questionable. Not to mention they’ll be without Marvin Bagley and Terence Davis as well. Whoever is active for the Kings tonight is going to be in play honestly, so guys like Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, and Davion Mitchell are going to be guys that I’m going to have a ton of interest in. We need more clarity from this team, but it’s pretty clear they’re going to be shorthanded.

5-star play: Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Davion Mitchell

4-star play: Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones, SAC TBD

Deeper Value: Davion Mitchell, More SAC TBD

GPP Sleeper: Steven Adams, Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton, SAC TBD

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Los Angeles Lakers @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Vegas Total: NA

Vegas Spread: NA

Starting with the Lakers, they’re going to be without Russell Westbrook which is going to open up a bunch of usage on this team. With Westbrook off the court this season LeBron James has a 32.4% usage rate and 1.46 fantasy points per minute while Anthnoy Davis is at a 27.2% usage rate and 1.23 fantasy points per minute. They’re both elite options against a pretty brutal Wolves defense in this one. Someone to keep an eye on here, we could see Rajon Rondo get the start with Westbrook out and is the minimum on both sites. He’s generally a nice per minute guy when he’s out there and would be someone I like in GPPs at the very least. The Lakers also signed Isaiah Thomas to an NBA contract as well, so it will be interesting to see how they use him, but I don’t think Thomas is usable for DFS right away. Carmelo Anthony and Austin Reaves could be interesting here as well, they’re going to be really shorthanded tonight so expect these guys to play big minutes. From the Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell seems to be fully back now after playing in back to back games without restriction. He and Anthony Edwards are solid GPP guys in this spot against a shorthanded Lakers team. Karl-Anthony Towns had a big game last time out and dropped 48.75 DraftKings points on the Lakers earlier this season. He’ll have his hands full with Davis down low, but I like the price tag on him. Patrick Beverley will continue to be a guy I have interest in surprisingly enough, he’s been really solid this season and always seems to bring an extra chip against these big-name teams. Lastly, Jarred Vanderbilt has been in good form for the past month and makes sense as a secondary GPP option.

5-star play: Anthony Davis, LeBron James

4-star play: Carmelo Anthony, Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jarred Vanderbilt, Patrick Beverley

Deeper Value: Rajon Rondo

GPP Sleeper: Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt

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Charlotte Hornets @ Portland Trailblazers

Vegas Total: 225.0

Vegas Spread: Por -1.5

Starting with the Hornets, they’re starting to get healthier and getting some guys back which in the short term is going to hurt their fantasy value due to their price tags being inflated to reflect a shorthanded team. LaMelo Ball and Ish Smith will come into this game as questionable, but I have a feeling both will play which makes this Hornets team a bit outpriced at the moment. Terry Rozier was a guy I liked a lot for GPPs last time out but didn’t do a whole lot. I don’t have an issue with his price tag even with this team getting healthier, he’s a solid GPP guy again tonight. Kelly Oubre Jr. is going to take the biggest hit with all these guys coming back. He’ll move back to the bench and go back to his normal 20-25 minute role instead of the 40 minutes he was playing with these guys out last week. Miles Bridges is the exact opposite, his minutes are pretty locked in and a guy I don’t have an issue going to in a good matchup with the Blazers. Gordon Hayward is a solid tournament option, while Cody Martin probably isn’t a guy I’ll get to at this price tag, he needs all the minutes he can get to produce at this price tag. PJ Washington takes a slight hit with Mason Plumlee back as well, but there’s still some meat on the bone with his price tag. From the Blazers, CJ McCollum will continue to be out which makes me like Damian Lillard a good deal in a great matchup with this Hornets team. The price tag is really nice on Dame here and he has a 32.7% usage rate and 1.18 fantasy points per minute with CJ off the court this season. I like going back to Jusuf Nurkic in GPPs as well, he dropped 38 fantasy points on this team earlier this season and should do what he wants again here. This Hornets frontcourt isn’t one that scares me in the slightest. Norman Powell had a big game last time out and is a guy I don’t have an issue going back to here as well, with McCollum out they’ll need his scoring. Then you can round this team out with Anfernee Simons and Larry Nance Jr. as solid GPP options.

5-star play: Damian Lillard

4-star play: Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball, Norman Powell, Jusuf Nurkic

Deeper Value: None

GPP Sleeper: PJ Washington, Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, PJ Washington, Anfernee Simons, Larry Nance Jr.

NBA Lock of the Day: Cheat Sheets/Coaches Notes

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