Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 3/26:
Oct 27, 2021; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates after a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 123-115. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-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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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!
San Antonio Spurs @ Boston Celtics
Vegas Total: 232.0
Vegas Spread: Bos -16.0
We’ll kick this slate off with the Spurs, they’re beginning to get healthier but still have Jeremy Sochan out in this one while Keldon Johnson comes in as questionable. Johnson has at least 51 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and is a fine GPP option if he’s able to go, but I don’t love the matchup. Zach Collins should return here as well and has been great since taking over that starting center role, he’s a solid secondary option here. Devin Vassell’s price tag hasn’t really moved and he’s averaged 40.72 DraftKings points over his last three games. Then Tre Jones is more of a secondary option as well, not a priority play by any means, but a guy I wouldn’t have any issues with getting to. Then with Collins back we can safely jump off of the Sandro Mamukelashvili train as he moves back to the bench. From the Celtics, Jayson Tatum comes into this one as questionable, I kind of assume he sits just due to the matchup… they don’t exactly need him to get by the Spurs at home, but keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates. For the sake of this article, I’ll operate under the assumption that he’s playing and will look like a solid spend-up option with blowout obviously coming into play. Jaylen Brown has been extremely consistent as of late and is a guy I like going back to here as well, the matchup is perfect, but again, blowout concerns. The guy I would have the biggest concern with in a blowout is Malcolm Brogdon since he comes off of the bench, we saw it last game where he saw just 22 minutes. He loses a rotation in games like this that get out of hand. I’m okay going back to Derrick White and Marcus Smart, however. Then guys like Al Horford and Robert Williams are fine GPP options.
5-star play: Jayson Tatum
4-star play: Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, Devin Vassell, Tre Jones, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Derrick White
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, Robert Williams
Houston Rockets @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Vegas Total: 226.0
Vegas Spread: Cle -14.0
Starting with the Rockets, Kevin Porter Jr. gets a revenge game against the team that essentially gave up on him and is a fine GPP option, but his price tag has certainly come up over the past few games. I would probably prefer to take on a bit more volatility and take the savings on Jalen Green who is seeing all the minutes he can handle right now, but still again more of a GPP guy. Alperen Sengun will have his hands full with Allen and Mobley down low, but if you land on him to fill your roster out he’d be a fine option. Jabari Smith has come down to Earth a bit after going on the heater about a week and a half ago, with this team mostly healthy he’s a GPP-only guy while we can probably put KJ Martin and Tari Eason in that boat as well. From the Cavs, Jarrett Allen has finally kicked his questionable tag and gets a great matchup with this Rockets frontcourt. He returned a few games ago and has at least 32 DraftKings points in each game. Evan Mobley had a monster game against the Nets last time out and gets a nice spot to keep that rolling here, he’s going to look good in all formats. I prefer the price tag on Darius Garland over Donovan Mitchell, but both will look solid in a great matchup. Garland dropped a 50-burger without Mitchell available in this matchup earlier this season.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: KJ Martin, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith
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!
Brooklyn Nets @ Orlando Magic
Vegas Total: 225.5
Vegas Spread: Orl -2.0
We’ll start with the Nets, I was all over Mikal Bridges last night and ended up making my core plays on our cheat sheets. His price tag is still too low for the role he’s playing on this team and gets a great matchup against this Magic defense. Spencer Dinwiddie comes at a slightly higher price tag but has been in good form as well and is playing a ton of minutes. The minutes for Nicolas Claxton have been more consistent lately and will be a fine GPP option here in a tougher matchup. Cam Johnson bounced back in a big way last night and finally saw his shot fall, when those shots are falling he’s going to have a nice night and is a guy I would have no issue with him he ended up in my roster construction. Then guys like Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith are fine roster fillers, not sexy options by any means with that said. From the Magic, Paolo Banchero has been solid as of late and is playing massive minutes, he’s a nice option in all formats even in a sneaky tough matchup with all the wing defenders the Nets can throw at him. Markelle Fultz has cooled down a bit since dropping back-to-back 50-burgers about 10 days ago, but the minutes are there and he’s shown some nice consistency this season. Franz Wagner is never a guy I feel the need to prioritize especially since this team is mostly healthy, he’d be more of a secondary option here but has been in much better form as of late. He does come in as a game-time decision as well after missing shoot-around yesterday. Wendell Carter Jr. has been in good form since returning from a brief absence, the matchup isn’t great but he’s a fine GPP option. Then, Cole Anthony will look solid as well if either Jalen Suggs or Wagner is forced to miss, he has at least 32 DraftKings points in four straight games.
5-star play: Mikal Bridges
4-star play: Spencer Dinwiddie, Nicolas Claxton, Cam Johnson, Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz, Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Royce O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs
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Washington Wizards @ Toronto Raptors
Vegas Total: 220.5
Vegas Spread: Tor -9.5
Starting with the Wizards, they’ll be without Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma again in this one, so expect to see Corey Kispert and Deni Avdija right back in the starting lineup. Below is how this team operates with these two guys off of the court this season:
- Delon Wright – 16.4% usage rate; 0.91 fpm
- Corey Kispert – 15.2% usage rate; 0.65 fpm
- Deni Avdija – 19.5% usage rate; 0.98 fpm
- Kristaps Porzingis – 34.1% usage rate; 1.55 fpm
- Daniel Gafford – 15.6% usage rate; 1.06 fpm
Avdija had a massive game last time out and has proven over the course of the season to be a good per-minute producer when these guys are out, I would have no issue going right back to him along with Morris, Kristpas, and Gafford… I can’t say I’m a huge Kispert fan though even after a big game last time out. From the Raptors, Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. have missed their last few games and come into this one as questionable, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates on them as we get closer to lock. If they sit, it’ll open up more minutes and usage for the rest of the lineup as well as guys like Chris Boucher and Will Barton who has started their last two games. Pascal Siakam has at least 52 FanDuel points in three of his last five games and is a guy I wouldn’t have a problem going right back to in this one. Fred VanVleet came down to Earth last time out but is still a guy I like going to just due to the minutes he’s going to see. Jakob Poeltl is averaging 31.6 DraftKings points per game in three games against the Wizards and has his minutes solidified. Lastly, OG Anunoby makes sense as a secondary option to round out this team.
***Quick update – Monte Morris has been ruled out, I would expect Delon Wright to start in his place***
5-star play: Kristaps Porzingis, Deni Avdija, Pascal Siakam
4-star play: Delon Wright, Daniel Gafford, Fred VanVleet, Jakob Poeltl
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Corey Kispert, Chris Boucher, Will Barton, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent
Memphis Grizzlies @ Atlanta Hawks
Vegas Total: 246.5
Vegas Spread: Mem -2.0
This game has an absolute banana’s implied total right now, so we should be able to find some good DFS options. We’ll start with the Grizzlies, Ja Morant came off of the bench for the second straight game last time out and played just 19 minutes in a blowout. He’s not really a guy I want to go with off of the bench, but if he’s starting I would assume he’s right back into his normal 30+ minute role and would look like an elite option here. We can immediately jump off of the Tyus Jones train with Ja back in there, he’s just overpriced. Dillon Brooks will return from suspension in this one and is a fine roster filler but not a guy I love necessarily with Ja back in there. Guys like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson will take a hit as well but in a game that will feature a ton of points, I have no issue going right back to them in this one. Then Xavier Tillman is a solid mid-range center option if you land in that price range. From the Hawks, Trae Young was ejected last time out which is why the minutes and production was low, but I like going right back to him as the top option on the Hawks here. This should be a fun one between him and Ja in the backcourt. Dejounte Murray will continue to see big minutes and is a guy I like in this one as well. Clint Capela is an awesome per-minute producer but the issue with him is always the minutes. He’s a perfect GPP option due to that, but if you land on him in cash or single entry I’m good with it, we saw just that last night. Onyeka Okongwu is in the same boat as Capela but has lost a few minutes over his last couple of games. John Collins has at least 31 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and is a guy I like here as well. De’Andre Hunter isn’t a guy we need to prioritize but makes sense if you land on him as a last piece in. The same can be said for Bogdan Bogdanovic to round out this team.
5-star play: Ja Morant (if starting), Trae Young
4-star play: Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Xavier Tillman, Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela, John Collins
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Dillon Brooks, Onyeka Okongwu, De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers
Vegas Total: 232.0
Vegas Spread: Okc -9.0
Starting with the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to look great here, he’s averaging 52.3 DraftKings points per game in three games against the Blazers this season. I don’t exactly want to pay this price tag for Josh Giddey but he’s a fine secondary option after a massive game last time out, he’s fully capable of stuffing that stat sheet. Jalen Williams has come down to Earth a bit over his last couple of games but still a fine option in all formats if you happen to land on him. Meanwhile, Lu Dort would be a volatile GPP option but will see big minutes. Lastly, Jaylin Williams should continue to start at center but is a pretty risky option. From the Blazers, it seems like they’re going to mail it in from here on out, they’ll be without Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jerami Grant. I would expect to see guys like Ryan Arcidiacano, Shaedon Sharpe, Trendon Watford, and Drew Eubanks back in the starting lineup and opens up a ton of usage and minutes on the bench as well. Cam Reddish would be my favorite option off of the bench, but this is a great matchup for this whole team, so there are some nice options here.
5-star play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Shaedon Sharpe
4-star play: Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Drew Eubanks, Trendon Watford
Deeper Value: Drew Eubanks, Ryan Arcidiacano
GPP Sleeper: Jaylin Williams, Lu Dort, Ryan Arcidiacano, Cam Reddish, Matisse Thybulle
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors
Vegas Total: 239.5
Vegas Spread: Gsw -6.5
Starting with the Timberwolves, it sounds like Anthony Edwards is going to return here while Karl-Anthony Towns comes in as questionable after returning from injury last time out. He played 26 minutes and could push for 30 in this one which makes for an interesting GPP option in a fast-paced game against this Warriors team. Rudy Gobert has been extremely consistent as of late and the price tag on him isn’t too bad, I think he looks like a nice center option in all formats. Mike Conley has at least 52 DraftKings points in two of his last four but probably takes a hit with Towns and Edwards back in there. The same thing can be said for Kyle Anderson and Jaden McDaniels, but they’ve been playing good minutes. From the Warriors, Steph Curry hasn’t been great over his last couple of games but is averaging 52.4 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Wolves this season. Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson have seen their price tags come down to a more playable range with Curry back in there. I would prefer getting to Klay over Poole still even with the pricing difference, but Klay has just been in better form and the matchup is nice against a below-average defense. Draymond Green is a fine option, but never a guy I feel the need to prioritize. Finally, Kevon Looney has been in much better form as of late with at least 27 FanDuel points in five straight games.
5-star play: Steph Curry
4-star play: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels, Jordan Poole
NBA Lock of the Day: Shaedon Sharpe (DK – $5.9k; FD – $6.4k)
The Blazers are essentially waving the white flag at this point and will be without Dame, Grant, Nurkic, and Simons in this one. Sharpe has been playing all the minutes he can handle and has produced nicely… now he gets an elite matchup against this Thunder team and will be a guy I get a bunch of tonight. 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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