To begin, let’s cover fundamental strategy concerns for daily fantasy basketball. Let us analyze the strategy based on the draft method for the contest, and will keep things as generic as possible. First, let’s discuss the ranking cap contests.

Ranking Cap Contests

These are as tough as they get. The ranking cap is set as the average fantasy points scored per game for each player. If you indiscriminately select a daily fantasy basketball team using all of a 200-point cap, your team would, on average, score 200 fantasy points that day. To win these contests, you need to pick a team that will score above average, which is above 200 points. Now to get above 200 points, the obvious thing to do is pick the biggest fantasy point scorers like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant who average 40+ fantasy points per game and put them in your team. Not so fast. You want to pick players who you think will score more than their rank cap value in that day's game. You should only select LeBron or Kobe if you think they will rack up more points than their cap value. Since there cap value is high, they need to put up a bunch of points just for you to "break even" on them. So, the big question is how would you know who will outscore their daily fantasy basketball cap value in a given game? There are several things to look for here.

1. The Matchup

The team your player is in and how well the opponent defends are huge fantasy points. Also, home field advantage is important. You should try to select players who are up against poor defenses and are playing at home when possible.

2. The Streak

Players who are hot tend to stay hot, and those that are cold tend to stay cold with all else being equal. Try to select players that have been playing well over the last few weeks to a month. Select players that have been consistently beating their rank cap value over the last several games, and plan on them continuing to do so.

3. The Playing Time

Players who were bench warmers for most of the season, but now are starters or have their minutes way up are solid selections. Their average fantasy points per game will be reduced by the lack of playing time earlier in the season, making it easier for them to exceed their cap value now.

4. The Cap Value

Players who have large cap values are more risky than players with small cap values, but the downside is much larger. Let’s say you pick up somebody with a value of 30 points, and for some reason they do not play, or have a very bad game. You could end up 30 points below their average score. Now, let’s have the same situation for a player with a value of 12 points. If they do not play, you are only 12 points shy of the average total. Players with small cap values have more upside potential than downside risk. Players with high cap values have more downside risk than upside potential.

5. The Injuries

Make sure your player is in good health prior to drafting. Injuries are noted in the draft screen. Do not draft questionable players, and be careful when selecting probable players. Remember that the average points scored was done when the player was healthy, in most cases.