If you’re serious about playing NBA DFS, mastering the differences between DraftKings and FanDuel is essential. The right NBA DFS strategy can make the difference between breaking even and consistently finishing near the top of leaderboards.
This NBA DFS guide breaks down everything you need to know — from contest selection to lineup construction — with practical tips to help you win.
Understanding NBA DFS Basics
NBA DFS is all about predicting which players will perform best on a given slate of games. You draft a lineup under a salary cap and compete against other players for cash prizes. The two biggest platforms — DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) — share the same goal, but their rules and scoring systems lead to very different NBA DFS strategies.
Lineup Construction and Salary Cap Compared
| Platform | Salary Cap | Roster Format |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | $50,000 | PG, SG, SF, PF, C, G, F, UTIL (8 total) |
| FanDuel | $60,000 | PG, PG, SG, SG, SF, SF, PF, PF, C (9 total) |
DraftKings offers more flexibility thanks to the UTIL slot, allowing you to squeeze in additional high-upside players or late swaps.
FanDuel locks players into strict positions, so positional scarcity (especially at center) plays a bigger role in roster construction.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel Scoring Differences
| Stat | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 1 pt | 1 pt |
| Rebounds | 1.25 pts | 1.2 pts |
| Assists | 1.5 pts | 1.5 pts |
| Steals | 2 pts | 3 pts |
| Blocks | 2 pts | 3 pts |
| Turnovers | -0.5 pts | -1 pt |
| Double-Double | +1.5 bonus | – |
| Triple-Double | +3 bonus | – |
| Three-Pointer Made | +0.5 bonus | – |
Unfortunately, you can’t always apply NBA DFS strategies advice for DK to FD, or vice versa. Playing and winning at NBA DFS is at least somewhat different when comparing the two sites – and scoring is probably the biggest way to tell them apart.
Here’s a quick-hitting comparison to help you digest the table above:
- DraftKings rewards versatile stat lines — think triple-double threats and players who rack up assists (Luka, Jokic, etc)
- FanDuel favors defenders and rim protectors who generate steals and blocks (JJJ, etc)
- Because turnovers are punished more on FanDuel, playmaking guards carry slightly more risk there.
In simple terms, FanDuel has less positonal versatility and boosts defensive scorers. It also devalues risk-taking players due to turnover, and also devalues three-point shooting and players who can rack up double and triple-doubles.
It’s up to you to decide which one you prefer and/or exploit the best to win money, but DraftKings is our preference due to the reasoning above.
Contest Selection: Choosing the Right NBA DFS Format
DFS contests come in different forms, and understanding which ones fit your skill level and goals is key.
Cash Games (50/50s, Double-Ups, Head-to-Heads)
The backbone of any good DFS bankroll strategy, NBA DFS cash games are typically “safer” contests that allow you a roughly 50% chance to double your money.
What to know about these types of NBA DFS contests:
- Safer contests where roughly half the field wins.
- Focus on consistency, minutes, and high-floor players.
- DraftKings: The flexible UTIL spot makes cash games easier to balance.
- FanDuel: Stricter positions require more precision — you can’t just plug in the best available value.
GPPs (Guaranteed Prize Pools)
GPPs (otherwise known as tournaments) are non-cash game contests that are harder to cash in (and much harder to win, but offer lopsided payouts.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Large-field tournaments with high payouts.
- Prioritize ceiling, correlation, and ownership leverage.
- DraftKings: Softer pricing allows more creative builds and game stacks.
- FanDuel: Tighter pricing forces sharper value hunting — being early on emerging players pays off.
Single-Entry vs Multi-Entry
- Single-entry contests level the playing field — everyone gets one lineup.
- Multi-entry contests let you diversify, but bankroll management becomes crucial.
What type of player you are can depend on your contest selection. Any contest will do, provided you understand the risks and embrace them. If you want big wins and play GPPs, just be OK with the fact that your wins will be infrequent and winning a true takedown (finishing 1st) is not easy to do.
If you want sustained success – albeit also not guaranteed – cash games are the way to go. Just make sure you’re comfortable risking money with little return coming your way even if you do well.
Using Projections, Vegas Lines, and Pace Data
Winning NBA DFS starts with data. Fantasy points are tied to pace, usage rate, and team totals. There’s an old saying that “minutes are currency” and that can honestly make even real life bad players quite useful in NBA DFS.
To get the ball rolling, consider the following before ever submitting a NBA DFS lineup:
- Pace: Target teams that push the tempo — more possessions mean more fantasy opportunities.
- Usage Rate: Players who handle the ball often (Luka Doncic, Trae Young) have safer floors and higher ceilings.
- Vegas Totals: High over/unders signal fast, offensive-minded games. Stacking players from these games can boost correlation.
- Injuries: When a star sits, usage spikes for backups and secondary scorers.
Winning in NBA DFS is made truly difficult if you ignore the above key points, or simply don’t execute them properly. They are the foundation of most winning NBA DFS lineups and while they won’t guarantee success, without them you will likely struggle to consistently win.
In addition to what we already touched on, you can also monitor team and individual matchups. Most NBA players are good enough to overcome the most difficult of matchups, but how teams or individual defenders fair can be worth noting before making lineup decisions.
Narrative street is often noisy, but an additional throw-in to keep in mind. This can involve a player returning home to play in front of their hometown crowd, a player playing on their birthday, or revenge with a player facing their old team.
There isn’t much to lean on from a data perspective when it comes to narrative, but they can be fun and sometimes it can give a player a little extra juice.
Positional Strategy in NBA DFS
Each position demands a slightly different mindset when building lineups. Consider how playing on DK or FD can impact this, but it’s important to look at each position a little differently (and also know what type of player you’re dealing with in general).
Point Guards (PG)
Ball-dominant players drive fantasy production. They’re not all made the same, though, so consider the following on DK and FD:
- DraftKings: Prioritize guards who flirt with double-doubles/triple-doubles, can take/make three-pointers, and run the offense and set things up for teammates (assists).
- FanDuel: High-turnover guards lose value; lean toward efficient scorers or defenders. Dual threat PGs that can rack up steals also get a huge boost on FD.
Shooting Guards (SG)
Shooting guards can be volatile due to reliance on scoring. Playing scoring dependent players in general rarely feels good, but SG particularly tends to house this type of DFS player.
Consider the following when deciding which shooting guards to roster:
- DraftKings: Three-point bonus helps streaky shooters. Shooting guards with massive usage and the ability to do more beyond just score get a huge value boost.
- FanDuel: Defensive guards (like Jrue Holiday) gain value for steals and blocks. Shooters and triple-double machines aren’t credited here.
Small Forwards (SF)
A balanced position, often producing through rebounds, assists, and defense.
- Favor players who contribute across multiple categories.
- Look for small forwards who have defensive mismatches, are plus athletes, and can both rebound and hit outside shots.
Power Forwards (PF)
PFs are often rebound-heavy with defensive upside. PF options that score well can often struggle on the other end or fail to secure rebounds at an elite rate.
- FanDuel: Prioritize block specialists.
- DraftKings: Seek those with shooting range for three-point and double-double bonuses.
Centers (C)
The most consistent position night-to-night. That means it’s stacked and can lead to supreme value, but there are still some things to keep in mind:
- Centers dominate on both platforms, but scarcity makes them even more critical on FanDuel.
- On DraftKings, you can double-up using the UTIL slot.
- Centers with triple-double upside and outside shooting get a huge boost on DK, while centers on FD are often more about value and shot-blocking ability.
NBA DFS Game Stacking and Correlation Strategy
NBA DFS doesn’t rely on game stacking as much as NFL DFS, but it can still create an edge when used selectively. You can stack in NBA DFS with teams on their own, or you can stack entire games. Just how much you stack and chase correlation is open for debate, however.
That said, consider the following when seeking NBA DFS correlation:
- Target games with high totals and close spreads — blowouts often hurt DFS production.
- Stack a PG with a teammate (e.g., PG + C) where assist opportunities align.
- On DraftKings, use the UTIL slot to complete mini-stacks more easily.
- Avoid over-stacking on FanDuel — positional constraints make diversification more efficient.
When in doubt, don’t force a stack. The correlation with NBA DFS is actually often negative, while stacking isn’t as necessary for success here as it is in other DFS genres (MLB, NHL, and NFL, etc).
NBA DFS Lineup Construction and Value Hunting
A winning NBA DFS lineup balances studs, mid-tier plays, and value picks. This is not an exact science and it absolutely can be slate dependent, but the following should be noted:
- Stars-and-Scrubs Approach: Pair expensive superstars with low-cost value players in great spots.
- Balanced Lineups: Consistent of mid-priced players minimize volatility; great for cash games.
- DraftKings Strategy: Use salary flexibility to fit multiple high-usage players.
- FanDuel Strategy: Because pricing is tighter, finding a $5,000 player who outperforms is often the key to winning.
On deeper slates with a lot of games, there are going to be more injuries and a slew of cheap options with a path to success. This is the ideal spot to deploy the Stars and Scrubs NBA DFS strategy.
Smaller slates that have fewer games or lack reliable superstars may have you leaning more toward a balanced build. Of course, if a slate is telling the field to go one way, you can always gain instant leverage (more on that in a bit) by simply going the opposite direction.
Late Swap and Injury News Management
NBA has the most unpredictable injury reports in DFS. Late swaps can make or break your night. You don’t have to force them, but you should always keep an eye on injury news and gauge how you can manipulate it.
| Platform | Late Swap Policy |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | Players lock at individual game start times |
| FanDuel | Most contests lock at first tip-off (unless labeled late swap) |
DraftKings:
- Always reserve flexibility by leaving a late-game player in your UTIL slot.
- Monitor beat writers and team reports closely — late scratches create value.
FanDuel:
- Be proactive. Avoid questionable tags and players from late games when news is uncertain.
- If you play late-swap contests, use them strategically to react to news.
I’m only putting this comparison here because FanDuel has offered both contests types in the past and you just never know if/when these sites are going to change things.
That said, you can exploit late swap in a big way. Planning for it or simply adapting on the fly are both fine NBA DFS strategies. Just don’t completely ignore it.
Bankroll Management and Contest Mix
Even the best DFS players lose some nights. Managing your bankroll is what keeps you in the game long-term.
- Risk no more than 5–10% of your bankroll per slate.
- Split between cash games (60–70%) and tournaments (30–40%).
- Track your ROI and success by contest type — some players excel more in single-entry than multi-entry.
- Diversify lineups and contests to minimize variance.
Common NBA DFS Mistakes to Avoid
This is a bit of a refresher for what not to do, concerning everything this NBA DFS guide has gone over already.
- Ignoring late news or starting lineups.
- Playing injured or “minutes-restricted” players.
- Chasing last night’s performances — NBA production fluctuates quickly.
- Over-stacking games that could blow out.
- Using FanDuel scoring logic on DraftKings (and vice versa).
- Fading obvious value when stars sit — don’t overthink free points.
You can follow all of this and still make the wrong NBA DFS picks and lose. So just imagine how lost you might be if you follow none of it!
Advanced NBA DFS Techniques
Beyond what this NBA DFS guide has already detailed, there are some advanced NBA DFS strategies to implement in your process.
- Ownership Leverage: Fading over-owned chalk can separate you in GPPs. You can also look for opportunities to play low-owned studs (pivots).
- Game Theory: Anticipate how the field reacts to injury news and go the other direction. You can also go the opposite direction of what Vegas odds say.
- Exposure Management: Limit your exposure on any single player in multi-entry builds. Exactly how much is up for debate, but going “all in” on any one player can be a grave mistake.
- Projection Tweaks: Adjust baseline projections for pace, usage, or matchup shifts instead of relying blindly on optimizers.
- Correlation Tracking: Test lineups historically to find player combinations that succeed together.
Tools and Resources
Level up your DFS process with the right tools:
- Projection models: RotoGrinders, FantasyLabs, NumberFire
- Lineup optimizers: SaberSim, DFS Army, Stokastic
- Injury updates: Rotowire, Underdog NBA News, Twitter beat reporters
- Advanced stats: Cleaning the Glass, Basketball Reference, StatMuse
- Vegas data: Action Network, EV Analytics
How to Win at NBA DFS
Winning at NBA DFS takes patience, timing, and adaptability. DraftKings rewards creativity and flexibility, while FanDuel emphasizes efficiency and defensive upside.
The best players combine analytics with intuition — watching games, tracking rotations, and reacting faster than the field. Master that balance, and you’ll find yourself cashing consistently on both platforms.
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