RADIO
The NBA scoring for DraftKings and FanDuel is nearly similar, with the exception of some slight differences in a couple of categories. Regardless, the importance of each statistic can be judged together.
DFS players are initially inclined to select players that put the ball in the basket most frequently. I'm often guilty of getting distracted by a players points per game, or a players recent scoring performance, and forget to be mindful of everything else they do or don't do on the court. This prospective recipe for success is doomed for failure, especially when points appear last on this list.
This all seems very simple, mainly because the top stats to watch for can simply be judged by the worth of each stat. And for the most part, they are. But there are plenty of other factors to consider as well. Let's take a look at the top five stats to keep any eye on for NBA DFS, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, ranked from most important to least important.
1) Blocks and Steals (DraftKings = 2 points each FanDuel = 2 points each)
Blocks and steals belong together at the top of the list, not only because they have the same value. Other statistics are worth more, but blocks and steals are the rarest and hardest to accumulate. The current league leaders in both categories, Hassan Whiteside (blocks) and Russell Westbrook (steals), still only average 3.85 (blocks) and 2.36 (steals) per game. It's always wise to aim for selecting players that average around one a night, but also tally each consistently. There will always be a possibility for a boost in fantasy points. Also, every player on the court is capable of producing both.
2) Assists (DraftKings = 1.5 points FanDuel = 1.5 points)
Assists are worth a little more than the stat listed at number three. The beauty of assists, and rebounds, are that they can be collected by any and every player. Which is why each of the next two categories are ranked higher than three-pointers, when three pointers hold a higher value than both. Drafting the likes of Rajon Rondo, Westbrook, John Wall, and Chris Paul is constantly appealing, considering they average over or around ten assists per contest. That's an almost guaranteed boost of 15 fantasy points included into your overall score.
3) Rebounds (DraftKings = 1.25 points FanDuel = 1.2 points)
Rebounds, like assists, do not discriminate, and can literally be grabbed by any player on the floor. While shooting guards are the least likely to accumulate many, there is still a better chance for them to collect some than the possibility of most centers drilling shots from behind the arc.
4) Three Pointers (DraftKings = 3.5 points FanDuel = 3 points)
The long ball finds itself number four on this list. Three pointers are obviously a bigger bonus on DraftKings but they still hold the same importance on both DFS sites. Three's are also a difficult stat to tally in bulk, as a majority of NBA shooters only average one to two a night; the main reason why they are ranked so low. Not every player attempts threes, or attempts them often enough for a heavy stamp on stat lines for that matter.
It's important to not only observe which players drain the most from behind the arc, but also those who attempt often and consistently. For example, Stephen Curry attempts 11 threes per game, while Damian Lillard and James Harden attempt eight. The reason why attempts are more important to keep an eye on than say three pointers made or three point percentage is because there is that continuous possibility of a breakout from downtown lingering around an individual performance. Kawhi Leonard and Jared Dudley are ranked second and third in three point percentage, but only attempt four and three a night, respectively.
5) Points (DraftKings = 1 point FanDuel = 1 point)
This one is simple. For each point scored on the court, you get a point in the fantasy world. Essentially the most important stat, team and individual, in real life, is the least significant for Daily Fantasy. Of course we want our draft picks to drop 20 to 30 points a night, but without an accumulation of all the stats above, 20 to 30 points results in a rather dull stat line, especially for those you spent a hefty amount on.
Honorable Mentions - Double-Doubles (+1.5 points) & Triple Doubles (+3 points)
DFS players are only rewarded for double-doubles and triple-doubles on DraftKings. This is why I love drafting someone like Andre Drummond, especially when his price drops, because of his proclivity for consistent double-doubles. Double-doubles occur more often, while triple-doubles are extremely rare, with the exception for someone like Draymond Green who seemingly produces triple-doubles as often as the sun shines in the Golden State.
