The top NBA DFS apps include a mix of well-known platforms and newer options you may not have tried yet.
Basketball DFS contests, promotions, and analytical tools are widely available, but choosing the right platform is what truly elevates your gameplay. Our goal is to help you find a reliable daily fantasy sports site that meets all your needs.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need about the best basketball DFS sites, including contest formats, scoring systems, lineup tools, and strategy resources. We also highlight our top NBA DFS picks for this month to help you kickstart your search with confidence.
Pros and cons of basketball DFS
- Great selection of contests
- Simple scoring system
- Dedicated tools to assist roster selection
- Exclusive NBA DFS promotions
- Not the greatest coverage of NCAA
Getting started: How does Basketball DFS work?
When looking at daily fantasy sports, there is no doubt that basketball is one of the most popular options, offering contests that suit all types of players, a simple scoring system, and a great selection of tools to help get you started.
Contest types: Choose between all sorts of basketball DFS formats
First and foremost, it is important to understand the different contest types. With so much available, we are confident that you’ll soon find a format that works for you.
- Salary Cap: The Salary Cap basketball DFS contest is the most common, offering you a set bankroll to play with to help build your roster. Typically, this will consist of 8-9 players, and you will need to monitor superstars with potential breakouts to get ahead with this one.
- Tournaments: A Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) tournament usually has a larger number of entrants, but still follows a similar format to the salary cap. In this instance, however, you’ll want to be looking at stars that have the potential to land 50+ points on the board.
- Head-to-head: The head-to-head contest works as you would imagine, by putting your team up against a fellow NBA fanatic. Again, this tends to follow the salary cap structure, and you can enter more than one head-to-head at a time.
- Pick ‘em: With Pick ‘em, you won’t tend to be playing against others. Instead, you will need to look at various stat lines of players, focusing on whether you believe they will hit more or less than the predicted value. More picks will increase your multiplier, and you can set your own entry fee.
- Snake Draft: The Snake Draft works by offering a back-and-forth style selection, where the player who went first will then go last in the next round of picks. There is no salary cap applied, and it is instead reliant on you picking the best of the bunch.
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Scoring systems: How are your overall scores created?
As you will have noticed when reviewing football DFS contests, a scoring system is applied to basketball. Naturally, when looking at Pick 'ems, your focus will be on dedicated stat lines and determining whether your chosen player will hit higher or lower than the predicted value. However, when looking at salary caps, head-to-heads, and various other GPPs, you’ll want to understand how your overall scores are determined.
With basketball fantasy points, we have found that you can expect your chosen site to take the following into account:
- Points scored
- Three-pointers made
- Free throws made
- Rebounds
- Steals
- Assists
- Blocks
- Double-Double
- Triple-Double
DFS tools: The best basketball DFS sites always come with the assist
It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking at basketball or college football DFS sites; the right tools and approach to your contest entries can prove critical to the final outcomes. We aren’t suggesting that these tools will lead to wins, but we are saying that they’ll get you on the right track.
| Live stats database | Before you dive headfirst into the action, it always pays to review the current position of things. Most top basketball DFS sites will cover everything from points scored to assists and blocks to ensure that you have all you need to know |
| Copy and share feature | Many top basketball DFS sites have started to introduce a copy feature, which allows you to view and compare your picks with other top performers. If you’re just starting out, we suggest making notes before playing with your own cash |
| Chat forum | The live chat area is a great place to discuss tactics and find out the latest breaking news. Just bear in mind that some will be here to play mind games, looking to throw you off the scent |
| Mock drafts | A Mock Draft is, without a doubt, the most effective way to get to grips with basketball DFS contests. Here, you can test everything out without spending any cash. In some instances, you’ll even be marked on how well you performed |
| Optimizers | An optimizer is another great tool that allows you to take the pressure out of researching ahead of a competitive match. This will use AI and the current predictions to build the best possible team for you |
Promotions: A quick way to boost your time online
In truth, you won’t find a great deal of difference between the promotions offered at a basketball, football, or MMA DFS site; however, it is still important that we cover the ins and outs of the most common ones today.
- Deposit match offers: A deposit match will, unsurprisingly, match your deposit by a set percentage. For instance, you could come across a 50% match of up to $100.
- Play and Get: You will find many basketball DFS sites opt to present you with a Play and Get promo, requiring contest entries to be entered before you can claim a bonus.
- Boosted picks: Those of you building your Pick 'ems will want to keep your eyes peeled for boosts. This adds or takes away points to make stat lines more favorable.
- No-deposit bonus: As the name implies, this one adds bonus entries to your account without the need to splash any cash.
- Refer-a-friend offers: You can also look to invite your friends using your personal link. If they sign up and meet the requirements, you’ll be able to claim bonus entries.
Expert reviews: This month’s very best basketball DFS sites
By now, you should have a solid understanding of what to expect from a top basketball DFS site. So, up next, we want to provide you with a little snapshot of our favorites.
ParlayPlay: The number-one choice for basketball DFS fans
First up, we have ParlayPlay. To begin, you’ll need to work through the registration process, verify your account, and unlock your $5 bonus entry before deciding whether the 100% match is the right option for you. From here, a quick click on NBA or CBB is enough to open up numerous stat lines for the latest matches. We found everything from rebounds and points to three-pointers and overall fantasy points that could be selected, requiring you to simply decide whether each player will score more or less than the predicted total. Each pick adds to your multipliers, and you can also look to cross over with other sports. Additional perks that help this one stand out include the insurance feature, free-to-play contests, and an impressive rewards program. Plus, the site and mobile app have been designed in such a way that makes it incredibly easy to transfer the experience over to mobile play.
DraftKings: An established name steals second place
Next in line is the ever-popular DraftKings. As a new recruit, you can soon find your account loaded with a free entry to use on the Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, alongside a $3 entry to use on any eligible basketball contest. To claim, simply pass the verification checks and make a minimum qualifying deposit of $5. From here, you’ll also find that you can soon filter the DFS lobby to focus solely on basketball. By clicking on NBA or CBB, you’ll open up a variety of contests with varying prize pools attached. You can play against friends, fellow NBA fans, and you don’t need to finish first to win prizes. On our latest visit, we found prize pools of $30,000 and beyond; however, you can tailor the experience to suit you, all while maximizing the benefits of the latest DraftKings basketball blogs.
Underdog: Get things started with an impressive 100% matched offer
Third place is reserved for Underdog. To get you up and running, you’ll find that you can claim a 100% matched bonus of up to $1,000 for use across all types of contests. Along the way, you can also benefit from a refer-a-friend program, boosted picks, and much more.
When examining basketball contests, you’ll find that everything has been split between the NBA and the NCAAB. Naturally, you’ll find more contests aimed at NBA fans; however, you can still enjoy making higher/lower picks (pick ‘ems) throughout the NCAAB season. You’ll also benefit from swift withdrawals, a 24/7 support team, and a standalone app, providing you with full access to your rosters, promos, and the overall experience wherever you may be.
Sleeper: Insure your picks or look for a perfect contest at this top basketball DFS site
Sleeper is another top choice for those looking to enter DFS contests. A quick click on the NBA tab is all it takes to load a complete breakdown of player points and team standings, helping you build your entries within minutes. Of course, you’ll need to sign up online or through the app first; however, we found that this takes no time at all. You will also find yourself in a position to claim a 100% match of up to $100, which can be used to enter Lock-in Mode, Game Pick Mode, and Picks. Roster building is easy enough, and picks provide great stat lines to ensure that you can mix things up. We also appreciated that trades, gifts, reactions, and general chat are all included as standard here, resulting in a truly interactive experience from the off.
OwnersBox: Enter a range of contests at this basketball DFS platform
In fifth, it is time to talk about OwnersBox. This fantastic daily fantasy sports site is ideal for NBA fans looking for multiple ways to enter contests throughout the season. We found that you can pick “more” or “less” with Player Picks, build your dream fantasy team with the Salary Cap contests, and even enjoy the fast-paced nature of Lightning Lineups. The season begins in October, and leading up to it, you’ll find that you benefit from a range of tutorials and guides to help bolster your knowledge. When it comes to bolstering your first experience, you’ll find that a $15 bet and get bonus is also on the cards. All you need to do is register, deposit $15, and play with $15 to claim your entries.
Verdict: Don’t miss out on our reviews of the best NBA DFS sites
So, there you have it – just about all you could need to know about basketball DFS sites. Now, all that remains is for you to take advantage of the banners on this page, opening up our honest and authentic reviews of the best DFS sites today.
Here, you will find a complete look at the DFS experience, including a breakdown of contests, scoring systems, and ongoing promotions. Plus, we also focus on the support, security, and overall usability to ensure that all other key areas are covered for you. Before getting started, remember to keep an eye out for any exclusive bonus codes, utilize the available stats, and consider running through a Mock Draft.
Discover the top DFS bonuses available
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Basketball DFS FAQ
Can you really win money entering contests at a basketball DFS site?
Yes. You can play with real cash or enter free-to-play contests at a basketball DFS site and still walk away with your winnings. Just bear in mind that any bonus entries will need to be played through first.
Where can you enter DFS basketball contests?
You will find that most top DFS sites allow you to enter basketball contests. The real question should be: What types of contests are available? Again, though, you’ll have plenty of options, including salary caps, Pick ‘em, and head-to-heads.
What type of bonus offers will you be able to use at a basketball DFS site?
This will all depend on the site you select. However, you will find that most basketball DFS sites allow you to claim bonus bets, select boosted picks, and refer your friends for additional perks.
