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Happy Wednesday, RotoBallers, and welcome back to our new series covering RIVAL Fantasy Bingo picks for the NBA season! We will be covering how to play and the strategies to win.
Fantasy Bingo is a spin on the classic game Bingo but the goal is to match achievements, not numbers. You will build a DFS lineup for the weekly games to unlock the achievements and fill in those squares. You can win by getting five in a row, all four corners, or an entire card blackout.
The prize pool for the weekly slate is distributed among all of the winning cards. They are broken down in two ways. 56% of the prize pool to cards that have five in a row -- vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. 44% of the prize pool is for cards that just cover the four corners. Also, the prize pool gets larger as more bingo cards are entered. You can have up to 100 max cards all with different lineups created. Check here for the updated rules and scoring.
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RIVAL Fantasy Bingo Strategy
When it comes to Fantasy Bingo and the NBA, the strategy will be different than the NFL strategy. Stacking would go out the window unless the slate is two to three games. Targeting high usage players though is the same. Players who can fill multiple categories on the stat sheet like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ben Simmons (surprisingly). On top of that, if players are averaging double-doubles or triple-doubles at a good rate, you'll want to get a piece of that pie as the Bingo Cards may call for it.
Targeting defensive players who are logging more than two blocks or steals per game will be needed also. Those appear at a consistent rate on the Bingo Cards. Players like Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid excel at blocks and are averaging more than two per game. For steals, players like Marcus Smart, Donovan Mitchell, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are already recording 2.5 steals per game.
Filling every single category of the stat sheet will be needed as you construct your lineups. Spreading it out between key offensive and defensive players as there is no salary cap for you to be restricted by. Look for games with high totals, teams that play at a fast pace, and players that may get boosts from teammates ruled out due to injuries. You can make your lineups throughout the night but waiting for injury news to rule in will be your best route to go before the first game tips off.
RIVAL Fantasy Bingo Picks
LaMelo Ball vs. Detroit Pistons
LaMelo Ball has finally returned from injury after missing 20 games. He has since played four games straight before sitting out versus Philadelphia on January 1. He returned on January 22 versus Minnesota where he recorded 18 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds. While his play isn't as consistent currently, his upside is very high. Now, facing the Detroit Pistons tonight, we could see a solid stat line from him.
The Detroit Pistons struggle versus guards and overall, every team in the NBA. They currently allow opposing point guards to average 27.7 points, 9.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. What makes this matchup even better is that Charlotte will be in a pace-up spot. They average 101.8 possessions per game while Detroit plays at the seventh fastest in the league with 104.7 possessions per game. For a very bad team, the Pistons give opposing players the perfect matchup to hit their ceilings.
Dejounte Murray vs. Golden State Warriors
Dejounte Murray has been a consistent score this season so far. He's averaging 21.4 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game with a usage rate of 24.9%. What brings Murray to the Rival Fantasy Bingo card is his field goal attempts. He has taken 15 or more attempts in his last 19 games. For guards, those attempts and makes end up on the board. While his volume is high for attempts, his scoring will be needed and helpful.
Murray and the Atlanta Hawks get to face a Golden State Warriors team that struggles with guards. They allow them to average 25.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. With the fourth-fastest pace in the league, the Hawks sit at 105.6 possessions per game. With their quick style and Warrior's poor defense versus guards, Dejounte Murray could fill up the stat sheet quickly.
Alperen Sengun vs. Portland Trailblazers
Alperen Sengun is a walking double-double. He is averaging 22 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists per game. Sengun has recorded a double-double in four of his last five games. In the past two, he also has been able to score as he put up 37 points and 14 rebounds versus Utah. He followed that game up with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists versus Boston. He now gets a great matchup versus the Portland Trailblazers.
The Portland Trailblazers have struggled versus centers this season. They allow them to average 23.2 points, 15.6 rebounds, and four assists per game. With both teams having similar possession averages, Alperen Sengun should be able to secure another double-double. He also contributes to the negative squares some Bingo cards have as he has had three or more turnovers in four of his past five games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. San Antonio Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been having an insane season so far and it does not look like he's slowing down anytime soon. He has a 32.6% usage rate on the season while averaging 31.1 points per game (almost in the top 3 for Points Per Game this season), 6.4 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. Gilgeous-Alexander has dropped back-to-back games with 33 points while almost making it three-straight as he scored 31 versus Utah. SGA also brings some negative stats with him for the Bingo Cards. He has had two or more turnovers in his past five games and has had two or more in his past nine of ten games.
Facing the San Antonio Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be in a prime spot to fill up the stat sheet. They allow opposing guards to average 27.4 points, 8.6 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. They also cause 3.1 turnovers per game for opposing Point Guards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paired with Alperen Sengun should help fill any negative squares but also help fill the more difficult, double-double squares.
RIVAL Fantasy Bingo Lineup
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