Amanda Knapp
Daily fantasy basketball has soared in popularity, with DraftKings offering a wide range of games in the industry. To win at DraftKings, it is important to develop a strategy that is tailored to the site. For example, DraftKings requires that you start one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward, one center, one guard, one forward, and one utility player. This unique blend of starters results in a lot of different options for daily fantasy players. Additionally, certain positions are more likely to rack up certain types of stats, so players should be projected together to make accurate comparisons among positions. Another important tip is to not fixate on court time projections but to also consider fantasy points per minute, as players who can do more with each minute per their salary often wind up in winning lineups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 8 |
| Player positions | 1 point guard, 1 shooting guard, 1 small forward, 1 power forward, 1 center, 1 guard (any type), 1 forward (any type), 1 utility player (any position) |
| Scoring system | 0.5 points for three-pointers, no penalty for turnovers |
| Player consistency | High from year to year and night to night |
| Player comparison | Project players together to make accurate comparisons among positions |
| Player volatility | Low player performance volatility |
| Player selection | Identify soft spots and leverage the questionable tag |
| Player efficiency | Focus on players who can do more with each minute per their salary |
| Player pricing | Identify high-value players with low ownership |
| Contest selection | Focus on 50/50 contests as a beginner, gradually increasing the number of high-risk/high-reward tournaments as your bankroll grows |
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What You'll Learn
- Draft a unique blend of starters, including semi-flex positions
- Compare players across positions to make accurate projections
- Prioritise players with high fantasy points per minute
- Emphasise three-pointers to gain an advantage over novices
- Start with low-risk contests to gradually increase your bankroll
Draft a unique blend of starters, including semi-flex positions
DraftKings requires that you start one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward, one center, one guard (any type), one forward (any type), and one utility player (any position). This is a unique blend of starters and results in a lot of different options for daily fantasy players. The guard and forward positions allow players to select from two different categories, akin to a running back/wide receiver flex spot in football.
These semi-flex positions, combined with the full flex of the utility spot, mean a greater level of skill is required to win a league. You need to choose among players from different positions on DraftKings, which alters how you think about players. For example, it is relatively easy to compare one point guard with another, but a different story when comparing a point guard to a center. So, daily fantasy basketball players on DraftKings need to project players together so they can make accurate comparisons among positions. Certain positions are more likely to rack up certain types of stats—a center is more likely to block shots than a guard, for example. Depending on the type of league you enter, you should seek different types of stats.
DraftKings implements a “bulk” scoring system where you don’t lose any points for a lack of efficiency. There are also some unique scoring rules on DraftKings that you should be aware of. For example, you get 0.5 points for three-pointers, which inflates the value of three-point shooters at all positions. By emphasizing three-pointers, you’ll have a leg up on a lot of novice players. Also, DraftKings doesn’t penalize as much for turnovers, weighting them at just 50 percent of the total lost points on other sites.
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Compare players across positions to make accurate projections
Comparing players across positions is crucial for making accurate projections in DraftKings' fantasy basketball. The platform requires a unique blend of starters, including one point guard, one shooting guard, one small forward, one power forward, one centre, one guard (any type), one forward (any type), and one utility player (any position). This variety of positions allows for different options and strategies, and players should be projected together to enable accurate comparisons.
When comparing players across positions, it is essential to consider the different types of stats that certain positions are more likely to accumulate. For example, a centre is typically more likely to block shots than a guard. Understanding the scoring system of DraftKings is crucial; for instance, DraftKings awards 0.5 points for three-pointers, inflating the value of three-point shooters across all positions. Additionally, DraftKings does not heavily penalise turnovers, weighting them at only 50% of the total lost points on other sites.
To make accurate projections, it is beneficial to analyse usage rates and fantasy points accumulated by players in different positions. This analysis can help identify trends and correlations between fantasy points and usage rates by position, allowing for more precise projections. It is also important to consider factors such as injuries, projected game scores, historical points per minute played, and players likely to pick up minutes due to injuries.
By comparing players across positions and considering their stats, scoring systems, usage rates, and other relevant factors, you can make more informed decisions when drafting your fantasy basketball team on DraftKings.
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Prioritise players with high fantasy points per minute
When it comes to winning at daily fantasy basketball on DraftKings, one of the most important strategies to consider is prioritising players with high fantasy points per minute (FP/Minute). This statistic is a valuable tool that can help you make informed decisions when selecting your lineup.
FP/Minute provides a clear indication of a player's potential performance by breaking down how many fantasy points they accumulate per minute of play. This includes points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and turnovers. By considering this statistic, you can identify players who are efficient and productive, even if they don't play a high volume of minutes.
To calculate a player's FP/Minute, you can take their average fantasy points per game and divide it by their average minutes per game. This calculation gives you a baseline projection of their expected performance. For example, let's consider Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams. Gobert averaged 1.24 FP/Minute, with 40 fantasy points per game in over 34.5 minutes. On the other hand, Adams averaged slightly more fantasy points (32.61) over his last 10 games compared to Gobert (32.57). Adams' higher FP/Minute efficiency means that despite playing fewer minutes, he can provide comparable fantasy point production at a lower cost.
When utilising FP/Minute, it's important to strike a balance. Adjusting the FP/Minute too drastically can lead to unrealistic projections. A recommended approach is to adjust a player's FP/Minute by a maximum of 15%. This allows for more accurate projections while avoiding overly optimistic or pessimistic forecasts.
By prioritising players with high FP/Minute, you can maximise the efficiency of your lineup. It allows you to allocate your budget effectively, enabling you to potentially upgrade other positions or save money for future upgrades. Additionally, with DraftKings' unique scoring system that awards 0.5 points for three-pointers, you can further enhance your strategy by targeting players who excel in this category.
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Emphasise three-pointers to gain an advantage over novices
DraftKings offers a wide range of fantasy basketball games, and it's important to develop a strategy that is tailored to the site. One key tactic to gain an advantage over novice players is to emphasise three-pointers. DraftKings offers 0.5 points for every three-pointer made, which inflates the value of three-point shooters at all positions. This is a unique scoring system compared to other sites like FanDuel and DraftStreet, which do not award points for three-pointers. By taking advantage of this scoring system, you can gain a significant edge over players who are not adapting their lineups to maximise points.
When building your lineup, consider selecting players who have a higher usage rate, as this indicates they are more involved in the game and have more opportunities to score points. Additionally, keep an eye on injury reports and monitor player matchups to make informed decisions about your lineup. Another factor to consider is the consistency of players and positions. Certain positions are more likely to accumulate certain types of stats; for example, centres are typically more likely to block shots than guards. Understanding these nuances can help you make accurate comparisons between players and positions, allowing you to build a well-rounded and high-scoring team.
To further enhance your strategy, utilise the salary cap effectively. DraftKings includes a salary multiplier and an extra roster spot, so make sure to spend your budget on players who will score the most fantasy points. Additionally, keep in mind that DraftKings does not heavily penalise turnovers, only deducting 50% of the total lost points compared to other sites. By incorporating these strategies and emphasising three-pointers, you can improve your chances of winning and gain an edge over less experienced players.
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Start with low-risk contests to gradually increase your bankroll
When starting out with daily fantasy basketball on DraftKings, it's important to manage your bankroll effectively. Your bankroll is the amount of money you choose to use in your DraftKings account to enter contests. It's crucial because without one, you won't be able to play in many contests.
To increase your bankroll over time, it's recommended to start with low-risk contests. This means allocating only a portion of your bankroll to any given slate. A good guideline is to use around 20-30% of your bankroll on any given slate, so you can quickly recover from any losses and adjust your strategy.
One strategy is to focus on 50/50 contests, where winners double their investment minus administrative fees. These are low-risk/low-reward contests, and by entering mostly these, you can steadily increase your bankroll and take shots at bigger contests. Beginners may feel more comfortable starting with an even higher percentage of low-risk contests, such as 90% of entries.
Additionally, playing multiple low-cost cash games can be a good way to build your bankroll with minimal effort. For example, $1 to $2 cash games have lower competition and can be won regularly. As your bankroll grows, you can consider entering higher-risk contests with bigger payouts, giving yourself a chance to win big.
It's also worth noting that Daily Fantasy Sports offers contests exclusively for beginners, which can be a great way to get familiar with the platform and build your skills before taking on more experienced players.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some strategies that can help you win at fantasy basketball on DraftKings:
- Emphasize three-pointers: DraftKings gives 0.5 points for three-pointers, which inflates the value of three-point shooters.
- Leverage the 'questionable' tag: Take advantage of situations where a high-usage, often-injured player is marked as questionable. If they are ruled out, their teammates may see increased usage without a corresponding increase in their price.
- Focus on fantasy points per minute: While playing time is important, prioritizing players who accumulate more fantasy points per minute can give you an edge, even if they don't play the most minutes.
- Project players across positions: Compare players across different positions to make accurate assessments and target specific stats for your lineup.
If you're a beginner, start by entering contests in the "Beginners" tab on DraftKings, where you can play against other beginners and get familiar with the game. You can also use the Pro Lineup Builder to get recommendations from experienced players.
It's recommended to start with a majority of your entries in low-risk/low-reward 50/50 contests to gradually build your bankroll. As your bankroll grows, you can allocate a larger portion towards high-risk/high-reward tournaments, giving yourself a chance at bigger payouts without going broke.
