DFS: Basic NBA Strategy - Monitoring the Starting Lineups

The biggest mistake daily fantasy basketball beginners make is not paying attention to the starting lineups.

Countless DFS lineups are neglected each day, resulting in entries that feature players who either aren’t in the lineup, or who have been replaced in the starting five. These mistakes can become expensive - and frustrating - over time, so it’s critical that all DFS players pay close attention to the starting lineups for every game in a given night.

DFS players have a few ways in which they can track potential roster changes well before the action begins:

• Practice reports: Roster news will occasionally come out following morning practices, especially if injured players are in the mix. Teams may announce a player’s return - or further absence - following practice, so DFS players should scour for news.

• Coach scrums: Whether it’s right after practice or during shootaround later in the day, coach scrums are great places for roster information. Coaches will often address the starting lineup here, though that information can always change at the last minute.

• Player scrums: This is less reliable than getting information from the coach, but occasionally a player will reveal his own lineup status prior to the game. Take this information with a grain of salt, and double-check when the official lineup is revealed.

As for the actual starting lineups themselves, they generally become available anywhere from 15-60 minutes prior to tipoff. It can be frustrating to wait such a long time for confirmation - particularly if you have games spanning multiple time zones - but it’s absolutely worth it to check in and make sure your players are, in fact, playing.

Once you have access to the starting lineups, it’s time to go over your DFS roster one final time. Here’s what you should be looking for:

Have I maximized minutes played? Rostering as many starters as possible is the best way to ensure you’ll be near the top of the minutes list - and while that doesn’t guarantee victory, it certainly increases your chances of compiling the most points.

Have any of my starters been benched? Occasionally a coach will look to shake things up, or make a change due to a former starter returning to full health. The subsequent change in role can decrease your player’s value significantly.

Are any of my players injured? Sometimes players nursing injuries try their luck at shootaround before ultimately deciding their availability. If you’ve taken a shot on a banged-up player, make sure he’s active by checking the official lineup release.

Are there any bargains worth nabbing? The release of the starting lineups is a great opportunity to see if there are any low-salary players being given increased roles. Late changes can often make the difference between winning and losing.

Of course, it isn’t always possible to be glued to technology when the starting lineups are released, so here are some ways to “fail-proof” your lineup hours ahead of time:

Stick to healthy guys. This is particularly critical in 3- and 5-man games, where losing a player to injury or diminished role all but removes any chance of finishing in the money. Don’t take any chances when it comes to player health.

Gather what you can when you can. Do as much roster research as you can prior to game time. As stated earlier, you can glean plenty from what is said by players and coaches well before the official rosters come out just prior to tip-off.

Be wary of blowouts. Teams on either end of a one-sided result are far more likely to rest their starters than teams engaged in close games - so avoid contests with double-digit spreads and stick to games Vegas believes will be closely contested.

Pay heed to the schedule. Teams that face a hectic stretch are more likely to give certain starters rest at certain points - and DFS players should consider this when building early rosters. Teams coming off rest are more likely to play at full strength.