Why Checking Daily NBA Lineups Matters in Fantasy and DFS

Learn why daily NBA starting lineups are essential for fantasy basketball, DFS success and betting. Get details on minutes, usage and value plays.
Why Checking Daily NBA Lineups Matters in Fantasy and DFS
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There's no sport quite like fantasy basketball in terms of needing to check daily lineups. Football lineups are weekly, and just about every team plays each day in baseball. But basketball is its own beast, with fantasy basketball owners needing to check daily NBA starting lineups to set their lineups and maximize their chances of success.

Knowing the schedule and who's playing when can be the difference between a win and a loss. It impacts NBA projections and can give savvy owners a leg up on the competition. It's not easy, but it's worth it in the long run for owners looking to win their weeks and DFS lineup-builders to cash in.

Direct Impact of NBA Lineups on Fantasy Basketball Success

Fantasy basketball owners will want to check their league settings prior to the NBA fantasy draft to know whether they can change their lineups daily or weekly. If it's the former, paying attention to the league schedule and the status of players on the NBA injury report is critical to success. Players with games late in the week or on days with just a few matchups (like Tuesday and Thursday) can be difference makers, especially in head-to-head leagues where all categories matter on a weekly basis.

On the DFS side, keeping track of who's playing and who isn't can create value for lineups by finding backups who will be thrust into bigger roles. With so many stars resting for load management and the unfortunate run on significant injuries to so many key players, paying attention to daily lineups and schedules has never been more important in the NBA.

How Daily DFS Players Gain an Edge With Starting Lineup News

All players are given price tags each night of the NBA season in daily fantasy sports. These values are tagged to players even before NBA lineups are set each night and injury statuses are finalized. That means fast-acting players can take advantage of starting lineup news as soon as it's announced, pouncing on undervalued players who suddenly are thrust into larger roles.

Players can also play fortune teller with DFS lineups and values. If you are expecting a certain superstar to sit on a back-to-back or because of a nagging injury, you can grab his backup at a discount or a role player who will be thrust into a larger role even before the star's status is announced.

Betting Implications of Updated NBA Lineups

Oddsmakers watch NBA lineups very closely, shifting odds as soon as news breaks of a player missing a game or a change in the rotation. It's almost impossible to beat online sportsbooks to the punch, but you can anticipate lineup changes and the bets that go along with them. If you think a star big man is going to sit, you can bet his backup's rebound total. Similarly, if a star player is going to miss the game, role players' point totals could be good over bets.

Beyond player props, moneylines, spreads and totals can also shift based on the status of NBA lineup changes, making it important to follow along with the news before placing your wagers. Though it'll be tough to beat the oddsmakers, you can make smarter wagers after learning about NBA lineup changes

Why You Should Always Check Lineups Before Tip-Off

The fantasy basketball draft kit can set up to for a strong start to the season. But rotations seem to be shrinking across the NBA landscape given the star power of the game's best, and teams have never relied more on their stars than they do now. That makes it critical for all types of fantasy basketball, DFS and online sports betting players to keep track of lineups. 

Just as fantasy basketball owners do with fantasy basketball rankings, knowing the status of players before making moves can make a massive difference. The waiver wire is important to success, and it can be the difference between wins and losses in daily leagues.

There is NBA news each night, all of which impacts how fantasy basketball owners, DFS lineup-builders and sports bettors manage their decisions. No matter what you're playing, you'll have instant access to the latest news when you subscribe to RotoWire, helping you make smarter, quicker decisions that have lasting impact.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Strotman is a veteran sports journalist who has covered the Chicago Bulls and the NBA for NBC Sports Chicago for about 8 years. His work has also appeared on ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, The Chicago Tribune, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports. He covered the NBA Playoffs in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 as well as Team USA Basketball in 2014 and 2016. He has also covered high school football and was nominated for a Midwest Emmy in 2016 for his work on a documentary featuring local Chicago product and NFL prospect Miles Boykin.
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