This guide shows how to build NBA lineups with the free NBA lineup optimizer. It covers DraftKings classic and FanDuel classic. If you are new to the optimizer, read the lineup optimizer guide for every sport first.
NBA Roster Rules
| Site | Salary cap | Roster |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings classic | $50,000 | 8 players: PG, SG, SF, PF, C, G, F, UTIL |
| FanDuel classic | $60,000 | 9 players |
The NBA optimizer has classic slates only. It has no showdown.
Set Up the Build
Select the date, then "DraftKings - Classic" or "FanDuel - Classic" in "Site - Game Type". Then select the slate. The slate name shows the number of games and the first start time.
The position buttons filter the pool by "PG", "SG", "SF", "PF", "C", "G", "F" and "UTIL". Many players have two positions. The optimizer puts each player in the slot that gives the best lineup.
Cash or GPP
The NBA optimizer opens in "Cash" mode. Cash mode maximizes the projection with no ownership penalty. For tournaments, click "GPP".
NBA has no presets. Use "Custom" in "Advanced Settings" and set the tabs yourself.
The Lineup Tab
Open "Advanced Settings" and stay on the "Lineup" tab. These controls matter most:
- "Salary Cap % (Min)" sets the lowest salary that a lineup can use. The default is 60.
- "Unique Players" sets how many players must differ between two lineups.
- "Randomness" adds noise to the projections. Each lineup then gets a slightly different view of the slate.
- "Scoring" has "Mean projection" and "Ceiling". Use "Ceiling" for tournaments.
- "Flex Positions" sets which positions can fill the G, F and UTIL slots.
For 20 or more tournament lineups, set "Unique Players" to 2 or 3. Add a small amount of "Randomness". Your lineups then cover more of the slate.
The Ownership Tab
"Ownership Penalty" lowers the value of popular players. A higher value gives more contrarian lineups. The penalty works only when "Scoring" is set to "Ceiling".
"Max Lineup Ownership" caps the sum of projected ownership in a lineup. A value of 0 means no cap.
Stacks in NBA
NBA stacks are less important than NFL stacks. Players on the same team share the same shots and rebounds. A fast game with a high total can still help both teams. Use the "Stack Exposure" view and "Allow" to set team stacks when you want them.
Build and Review
Lock or exclude two players on DraftKings, then click "Optimize". The lineups show below the pool. The exposure panel in the sidebar shows the share of each player.
Click "Export DK CSV" to download the lineups. For FanDuel, the export needs player IDs. Click "Upload FD CSV" and upload the FanDuel player list first.
Late Swap and Late News
NBA news breaks late. A starter can sit 30 minutes before a game. Late Swap lets you change players in games that have not started. It works on DraftKings only. Upload DKEntries.csv in the "Late Swap" tab, run the swap, and download the new file.
How NBA Players Score Together
Correlation shows how closely two players' DraftKings points rise and fall together. We measured it on about 1,300 NBA games.
| Pair | Correlation |
|---|---|
| Teammates | -0.03 |
| Two guards on the same team, 20+ minutes each | -0.05 |
| Two forwards on the same team, 20+ minutes each | -0.06 |
| Players on opposite teams | 0.02 |
| A player and his game's total points, minus his own points | -0.22 |
NBA players on the same team do not score together. The values are near zero or a little negative. Teammates share the same shots, rebounds and assists, so a big game for one player can take points from another.
A high game total does not add much either. When we remove a player's own points from the game total, the link is negative. Minutes and role drive NBA scoring more than the game environment.
| Position | Average DK points, starters |
|---|---|
| Guard | 31.4 |
| Forward | 30.5 |
| Center | 32.6 |
NBA Strategy by Contest Type
Cash games
- Stay in "Cash" mode with "Mean projection" scoring. Build one lineup.
- Target the players with the most certain minutes. A cheap player who moves into the starting five is often the best value on the slate.
- Rebuild after late news. Use Late Swap if a player sits after lock.
Tournaments
- Click "GPP" and set "Scoring" to "Ceiling". Then set an "Ownership Penalty".
- Do not force teammates together. Our data shows no gain from NBA team stacks.
- Think about ownership at the lineup level. Start from the best lineup, then use one or two lower-owned players to make it different.
- Set "Unique Players" to 2 or 3 and add a small amount of "Randomness" for 20 or more lineups.
- Keep players from late games in your lineups. Late Swap then has open spots to use after the early news.
Common Mistakes
- Three expensive players from one team. They share the same points.
- A lineup built before the starting lineups are confirmed, with no plan to swap.
- An ownership penalty with "Mean projection" scoring. The penalty works only with "Ceiling".
A Simple NBA Plan
- For cash games, stay in "Cash" mode and build one lineup.
- For tournaments, click "GPP", set "Scoring" to "Ceiling", and set an ownership penalty.
- Set "Unique Players" to 2 or more for multi-lineup builds.
- Check the news before lock. Use Late Swap if a player sits.
See today's numbers on the NBA DFS projections page. Then go back to the lineup optimizer guide hub for the other sports.
DFS contests use real money. Only play what you can afford to lose. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.