Main Slate Breakdown for NBA DFS 4/4:
Feb 15, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) reacts after a three point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-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!
Toronto Raptors @ Charlotte Hornets
Vegas Total: 223.0
Vegas Spread: Tor -14.5
We’ll kick this slate off with the Raptors, Gary Trent and OG Anunoby come into this one as questionable and are guys we’ll need to keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates. For the sake of this article, I’ll operate under the assumption that Anunoby plays while Trent sits as he’s been out for about two weeks now. Anunoby has been in solid form and is playing all the minutes he can handle as of late. Pascal Siakam is coming off of a massive game in this matchup last time out and is averaging 52.7 DraftKings points in three games against the Hornets this season. Fred VanVleet is also coming off of a huge game, the matchup is great and will be a guy that I have no issue going right back to in this one. Scottie Barnes has at least 57 FanDuel points in two of his last three games and is another guy that will see all of the minutes he can handle. Jakob Poeltl isn’t a priority by any means but is someone I like getting to if I land on him with my roster construction. Then guys like Chris Boucher and Will Barton would see minutes assuming Trent is out, but on a 13-game slate in April… we should be able to do better than them. From the Hornets… woof, they’ll be without PJ Washington, Kelly Oubre, Terry Rozier, and Gordon Hayward while Dennis Smith Jr. comes in as questionable. I’ll operate under the assumption that Smith Jr. is good to go and would make sense in all formats as he runs this offense with these guys out. It sounds like Mark Williams will be good to go as well and is someone that makes sense in all formats, he’ll continue to start at the five. Theo Maledon and Svi Mykhailiuk should continue to start and both have at least 40 DraftKings points in two of their last three games. Then guys like Nick Richards and James Bouknight are fine MME options to round out the team.
5-star play: Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Dennis Smith Jr.
4-star play: Jakob Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, Theo Maledon, SVi Mykhailiuk, Mark Williams
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Chris Boucher, Will Barton, Nick Richards, James Bouknight
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Orlando Magic
Vegas Total: 223.5
Vegas Spread: Cle -4.5
Starting with the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell has been in elite form with at least 52 FanDuel points in three straight games, he’s going to look like a great option yet again in this one. Evan Mobley has been about as consistent as they come and is playing massive minutes as of late, this frontcourt isn’t one that I’m afraid to target, he’ll look great here if you can stomach the price tag. Darius Garland has been held under 40 DraftKings points in six straight games and is probably more of a secondary option on a big slate. Jarrett Allen ended up playing last time out after being questionable all day, he played just 27 minutes but I don’t think it was due to any sort of limitation, he’s a solid option. Those four are the main options I want from this team, Caris LeVert has seen at least 31 minutes in four straight games but is more of an MME guy as long as Mitchell is in there, especially on a slate of this size. From the Magic, the matchup is a lot better than the public might initially think, the Cavs have been beaten by opposing power forwards this season and that’s evident in Paolo Banchero’s games this season, he’s averaging 43.1 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Cavs. Markelle Fultz has cooled down a bit as of late but still makes sense if you land on him in his price range. Franz Wagner has at least 42 FanDuel points in three of his last four and makes sense as a secondary option as well. Wendell Carter Jr. will have his hands full with Mobley and Allen in the paint and is more of a tournament option here. The minutes for Cole Anthony have been much more consistent over the last month and is a guy that makes sense as a tournament option to round out the team.
5-star play: Donovan Mitchell
4-star play: Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Caris LeVert, Cole Anthony Wendell Carter Jr.
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!
Milwaukee Bucks @ Washington Wizards
Vegas Total: 230.5
Vegas Spread: Mil -13.5
We’ll start with the Bucks, they’ll be without Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen in this one, so it’ll be interesting to see who they throw out there in the starting lineups. Guys like Pat Connaughton, Jevon Carter, Joe Ingles, and Jae Crowder are all candidates but I don’t think any of them will look all that interesting on a huge slate. Below is how this team operates with Middleton off of the court this season:
- Jrue Holiday – 25.8% usage rate; 1.19 fpm
- Jevon Carter – 16.4% usage rate; 0.80 fpm
- Pat Connaughton – 14.1% usage rate; 0.72 fpm
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 38.4% usage rate; 1.69 fpm
- Brook Lopez – 19.4% usage rate; 1.10 fpm
The main pieces are the guys I’ll want to prioritize while those secondary pieces are more MME options than anything. Giannis should be able to do whatever he wants here and is averaging 70.4 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Wizards this season. The price tag is probably a bit too high for me to love on Holiday but he’s a fine option if you fall on him, while Brook Lopez continues to play great basketball. From the Wizards, they’ll again be without Kyle Kuzma, Bradley Beal, Monte Morris, and Kristaps Porzingis. We saw Johnny Davis get the start last time out and would assume he’s right back in there again tonight after a nice game. He’s going to look like a nice option in all formats, I like Jordan Goodwin off of the bench as well as a guy that should see an uptick in minutes and opportunity. Deni Avdija feels overpriced even considering the minutes and role right now, but it’s a fast-paced matchup and we know he has 50 fantasy point upside. Corey Kispert has been on a bit of a heater with at least 30 FanDuel points in back-to-back games, I don’t think he’s a guy I want to chase necessarily, but worth noting against a team that is willing to give up the three-ball. Lastly, they’ll need Daniel Gafford’s size down low in this one, and is a guy I like going back to at his current price tag.
5-star play: Giannis Antetokounmpo
4-star play: Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Deni Avdija, Johnny Davis, Delon Wright, Jordan Goodwin, Daniel Gafford
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jevon Carter, Pat Connaughton, Corey Kispert
Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons
Vegas Total: 220.5
Vegas Spread: Mia -12.5
Starting with the Heat, Jimmy Butler is coming off of a massive game against the Mavs with Bam out last game, I have no issue going right back to the well in an elite matchup against a tanking Pistons team. Bam Adebayo is expected to return here and is in the same boat, the matchup looks great, he’s averaging 45.9 DraftKings points per game in two games against the Pistons on the season. We know Tyler Herro is always a volatile play, but the ceiling is there as well, so he’s a fine GPP option. Guys like Max Strus and Kevin Love need to get hot from the field to get you there but certainly have ceilings. Then Kyle Lowry is a fine-value option to round out the team. From the Pistons, Jaden Ivey continues to play all the minutes he can handle, but I don’t love the matchup, so he’s probably a guy I’ll be underweight on here. I’d rather save the money and go down to Killian Hayes who is playing huge minutes as well and has been in good form as of late. James Wiseman and Jalen Duren are splitting the center minutes right now but with Marvin Bagley out maybe they will see a few more each, they’d both be MME guys in a tough matchup. Isaiah Livers and Eugene Omoruyi should fill most of the PF minutes for Bagley but aren’t guys I think we need to get to on this slate… this team is pretty ugly overall.
5-star play: Jimmy Butler
4-star play: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Killian Hayes
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Kevin Love, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry, Jaden Ivey, James Wiseman, Jalen Duren
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Brooklyn Nets
Vegas Total: 225.5
Vegas Spread: Min -1.5
Starting with the Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this one as questionable, but we’ll operate under the assumption that he’s good to go here, the Wolves need to win. He had a down game against Portland last time out but gets a nice bounce-back spot here at a cheap price tag, I like going right back to the well. I’ll probably be underweight on Anthony Edwards assuming Towns is in there, he had a nice game last time out but this Nets team is full of great wing defenders they can throw at Edwards. The price tag is up on Rudy Gobert and is more of a secondary option for me as well. Then guys like Kyle Anderson and Mike Conley aren’t sexy options by any means but are fine roster fillers. From the Nets, I’m going right back to the well on Mikal Bridges, I’ve been all over him since coming over from the Suns and he’s averaging 44.8 DraftKings points per game in four games against the Wolves this season. Spencer Dinwiddie is in the same boat, these guys are the primary playmakers on the team and Dinwiddie is another guy I like going back to. Nic Claxton will have his hands full with Gobert and Towns down low, but they’ll need his size to battle with them so the minutes should be there at the very least. Cam Johnson has been in great form as of late and is playing big minutes as well, he’s a solid GPP/secondary option. Then I don’t think we need to get to guys like Royce O’Neale or Dorian Finney-Smith on a slate of this size.
5-star play: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges
4-star play: Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Nic Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Johnson
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Royce O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith
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Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
Vegas Total: 234.5
Vegas Spread: Chi -3.5
Starting with the Hawks, Trae Young comes into this one as questionable, but for the sake of this article, we’ll operate under the assumption that he’s good to go here but keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed as we get closer to lock. He had a nice bounce-back game last time out and is going to be a guy I like going right back to here. Dejounte Murray has been in extremely consistent form as of late and looks like a nice option in all formats especially if Young ends up missing. The minutes for Clint Capela have been much more consistent as of late and is a solid GPP option on this slate. De’Andre Hunter will miss this game which will lead to Saddiq Bey starting again in all likelihood and will look like a great option at his price tag. Guys like Bogdan Bogdanovic and John Collins will see a boost in minutes at the very least with him out as well. From the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan is going to look great here, he’s averaging 50 DraftKings points per game in three games against the Hawks this season. Zach LaVine is coming off of a massive game last time out and is a guy I like going right back to as well, it’s a pace-up spot against a bad defense. Nikola Vucevic is in the same boat as these other two, he’s a nice option with a massive ceiling as well. Coby White has been sneaky great as of late with at least 32 FanDuel points in three of his last five games. Then guys like Patrick Beverley and Patrick Williams are fine roster fillers but not guys I think we need to get to on a slate this size.
5-star play: Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan
4-star play: Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela, Saddiq Bey, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins, Coby White
Portland Trail Blazers @ Memphis Grizzlies
Vegas Total: 228.5
Vegas Spread: Mem -17.5
Starting with the Blazers, Trendon Watford returned last time out but played just 19 minutes, he’s questionable again in this one but with returning last time out I’m going to assume he’s good to go here and should play big minutes. The price tag on Shaedon Sharpe is way up but for good reason, he’s the main playmaker in this offense with the Blazers waving the white flag. Drew Eubanks has at least 30 DraftKings points in three of his last five and makes sense as a mid-range center option. Kevin Knox and Skylar Mays aren’t big-name guys but they are for the Blazers, they’ll play big minutes and make sense in the mid-range as well with all these Blazers guys out. From the Grizzlies, they’re massive favorites in this one, so blowout is firmly in play and something to take into account in your lineup building. Ja Morant has been good over his last few games and is a guy I have no issue going back to in this one, but again that blowout is looming. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. will take a hit to their rates with Morant back in there but are still fine secondary options in an elite matchup. We can jump off of the Tyus Jones train with Morant back in as well. Lastly, I don’t have any issue with Xavier Tillman if you land in his price range or need a mid-range center. I guess Dillon Brooks is a name we need to mention as an MME guy as well.
5-star play: Ja Morant
4-star play: Trendon Watford, Shaedon Sharpe, Drew Eubanks, Kevin Knox, Skylar Mays, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson, Xavier Tillman
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Jabari Walker, Shaq Harrison, Dillon Brooks
Sacramento Kings @ New Orleans Pelicans
Vegas Total: 236.0
Vegas Spread: Nop -4.0
Starting with the Kings, I love the matchup for Domantas Sabonis here, the Pelicans don’t play a ton of defense and we’ve seen a big ceiling from Sabonis this season. De’Aaron Fox’s price tag continues to fall and I think it’s come down too far, he’s going to look like a great option in this range as well. Kevin Huerter has cooled off a bit over his last few games but I have no issue going back to him if you land in this price range, he comes with multi-position eligibility. Then guys like Malik Monk, Harrison Barnes, and Keegan Murray all make sense as roster fillers as well. From the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram is my preferred option between him and CJ McCollum, but both guys are nice options in a nice matchup. McCollum hasn’t been in the best form over his last couple of games while Ingram has been on a heater for a couple of weeks now. He has a 32.9% usage rate and 1.34 fantasy points per minute over the last four weeks and has at least 51 FanDuel points in three of his last five. Jonas Valanciunas has been seeing much more consistent minutes and is a guy I have no issue going right back to in this one. Then guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones make sense as filler pieces to round out your rosters. Murphy has the ability to get hot from the three-point range on any given night.
5-star play: Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram
4-star play: Kevin Huerter, CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Trey Murphy
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Malik Monk, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, Herb Jones
Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets
Vegas Total: 230.0
Vegas Spread: Den -9.0
Starting with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic comes into this one as questionable yet again and hasn’t played in about a week. I’m going to operate under the assumption that he’s out again here, they shouldn’t need him to get by the Rockets tonight. Below is how this team has operated with him off of the court this season:
- Jamal Murray – 30.7% usage rate; 1.15 fpm
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – 16.9% usage rate; 0.72 fpm
- Michael Porter Jr. – 23.9% usage rate; 0.95 fpm
- Aaron Gordon – 24.8% usage rate; 1.11 fpm
- Deandre Jordan – 14.0% usage rate; 0.95 fpm
Murray, Porter Jr., and Gordon would be my favorite options here, and would-be guys I get a good amount of, they produce nicely when Jokic is out. Depending on the availability of Zeke Nnaji we may see Deandre Jordan back in the starting lineup but isn’t a guy that I think we need to force in here. From the Rockets, Kevin Porter Jr. continues to play massive minutes and will make sense in all formats yet again in this one. Jalen Green is catching up to him in terms of his price tag, but is in a similar boat, he’s played at least 40 minutes in back-to-back games. Alperen Sengun has at least 42 FanDuel points in two of his last three and would see a boost if Jokic is forced to miss as well. Then the trio of KJ Martin, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. are all fine secondary roster filler pieces to round out this team.
5-star play: Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun
4-star play: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Deandre Jordan, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tari Eason, KJ Martin
Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers
Vegas Total: 227.5
Vegas Spread: Phi -2.0
Starting with the Celtics, Jaylen Brown comes into this one as questionable, so keep an eye on the Breaking News Feed for updates regarding his status, but for the sake of this article, I’ll operate under the assumption that he’s good to go. I don’t love the matchup for him but the ceiling is obviously there, I have no issue with him in GPPs. Jayson Tatum has been unreal as of late with at least 51 Fanduel points in back-to-back games. Malcolm Brogdon is a guy who is going to struggle in games that aren’t competitive but I would expect this one to be a pretty good game, he’s going to look like a nice secondary option. Derrick White and Marcus Smart are in a similar boat and make sense as secondary options. Then guys like Al Horford will look like a solid option with Robert Williams out again in this one. From the Sixers, Joel Embiid is averaging 55.5 DraftKings points per game in three games against the Celtics this season and is going to look like a top spend-up option on the slate. James Harden had a tough game against the Bucks last time out but has been extremely consistent in the second half of the season, he’s going to be a nice option here as well. Then the rest of this team is secondary options on a slate of this size with guys like Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and De’Anthony Melton.
5-star play: Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid
4-star play: Jaylen Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Marcus Smart, Derrick White, James Harden
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Al Horford, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
Vegas Total: 237.5
Vegas Spread: Lal -9.0
Starting with the Lakers, LeBron James comes in as questionable, but this Lakers team needs to keep winning games, I would assume he’s good to go in this one. We haven’t seen the massive 35-40 minute games since returning from injury but that’s baked into his price tag and is a guy I like going right back to here. Anthony Davis has at least 60 DraftKings points in three of his last four and looks great in this matchup. Then guys like Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell would be more secondary tournament options on a slate of this size. From the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen comes in as questionable while Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson are both out. I’ll assume Markkanen is in and is going to look like a nice option with these guys already out. Talen Horton-Tucker gets a revenge game against his old squad and has at least 46 DraftKings points in three straight games, I like going back to him, especially if Markkanen ends up sitting. Kelly Olynyk should see a rebounding boost at the very least with Kessler out but will have his hands full with Davis down low. Guys like Kris Dunn and Ochai Agbaji are fine options to round out the team.
5-star play: Anthony Davis, LeBron James
4-star play: Lauri Markkanen, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kelly Olynyk
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Kris Dunn, Ochai Agbaji
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors
Vegas Total: 242.5
Vegas Spread: Gsw -8.0
Starting with the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be a guy I like in all formats, he has at least 53 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and this should be a fast-paced game. I’m not a big fan of the Josh Giddey price tag, but if you land on him he’s a fine option considering the matchup. Jalen Williams had a down game last time out but is a solid secondary option in this one. Then guys like Lu Dort and Jaylin Williams are fine GPP options to round out the team. From the Warriors, Steph Curry had a rough shooting night last time out going 2-14 from three-point range, this is a nice bounce-back spot and makes sense as a GPP spend-up option. Guys like Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole are fine GPP options but not guys we need to prioritize on a slate of this size. Draymond Green is never a guy I prioritize but if you land on him to fill out your lineup I’d have no issue with that. Then guys like Kevon Looney and Jonathan Kuminga are fine options to round out the team, that said, I’d prefer Kuminga if he were starting again.
5-star play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry
4-star play: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Josh Giddey
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Lu Dort, Jaylin Williams, Kevon Looney, Jonathan Kuminga
San Antonio Spurs @ Pheonix Suns
Vegas Total: 235.5
Vegas Spread: Pho -19.0
Starting with the Spurs, Keldon Johnson comes in as doubtful while Zach Collins comes in as questionable and Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan are already ruled out. We saw Devonte’ Graham in the starting lineup last time out but disappointed in a big way. That said, I would think he’s back in there with Johnson out, and makes sense in all formats. Tre Jones dropped a 50-burger against the Kings and is a guy I have no issue going right back to in this one. Guys like Malaki Branham and Keita Bates-Diop will see good minutes with these guys out as well and are solid secondary options. From the Suns, this game has the largest spread on the slate, so tread carefully with these spend-up guys. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are both going to look like top options, I had a ton of Durant last time out, he’s just too cheap considering his talent. Chris Paul makes sense as a secondary option at this price tag, but I can’t imagine I get all that much of him. Then I’ll round this team and massive slate out with Deandre Ayton, he bounced back nicely last time out but is still far too cheap and makes sense in all formats.
5-star play: None
4-star play: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Devonte’ Graham, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton
Deeper Value: None
GPP Sleeper: Malaki Branham, Keita Bates-Diop, Chris Paul, Josh Okogie
NBA Lock of the Day: Cheat Sheats/Coaches Notes
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