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NBA Picks
By Ethan Stone
Last Updated:
The Boston Celtics have won the 2024 NBA Finals! The Celtics gentlemen swept Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in 5 games, winning the first 3 before falling in Game 4 in blowout fashion.
But Boston bounced back in a big way in Game 5. The Celtics leaned on a 31-point performance from Jayson Tatum and added 21 from Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to secure title No. 18, their first since 2008.
And with that, the 2024 season comes to a close.
NBA Finals
Boston Celtics (1, East) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5, West): BOS leads 4-1
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As you can see, there are several options to choose from, whether it be higher/lower matchups as seen in the previous table or your classic daily drafts. Underdog Fantasy does a superb job of giving you a variety of picks to choose from so you can have the most complete experience!
Introduction
Saturday Down South may be a football site through and through, but our team is passionate about basketball, too. With so many games to choose from across the NBA and college basketball slates, there are so many ways to win real money with top DFS apps!
My NBA team, perhaps unfortunately, is the Utah Jazz. Utah is a complicated NBA franchise that always seems to be among the top pack of teams (well, maybe not this year. They’re surging!) but can’t quite finish when it counts. Does the name Michael Jordan mean anything to y’all?
Anyway, I was just recently able to cash in as Jordan Clarkson broke the uber-weird and almost unbelievable streak of not having a regular season triple-double, which dates all the way back to 2008! It can sometimes take some research, but it’s all about picking the right matchups, trends and lines.
I recently moved from Tennessee to South Carolina, where I am now able to make DFS pick’ems after not being able to in Tennessee. However, the move also means that I have to find an alternative to your traditional means of sports betting, as it is illegal in South Carolina. Good thing I already have DFS experience!
If you’re like me and live in a state with limited ways to play, this is the page for you. If not, there’s still plenty to learn about the exciting world of DFS and the numerous ways you can win! Here, we’ll take you through some of the strategies for beginners and advanced DFS players. We’ll also list out a few common mistakes to avoid as you get started on your NBA DFS journey.
And remember, the top of this page will be updated frequently with the best picks for upcoming slates! Be sure to check back at your convenience.
Strategies for NBA DFS Picks
1. Keep an eye on injuries
This seems obvious, right? If Joel Embiid or Luke Doncic are questionable, it might be a good idea to hold off on that particular pick for an evening. At the same time, if Alex Caruso is set to miss a game against a guard you like, it may not be a bad idea to look into that specific line and see if it suits you.
2. Construct smart rosters.
Say a team with numerous talented players (the Kings, for example) is facing off against a Detroit- or San Antonio-type squad at home. It makes sense to draft or construct an entry with numerous players from that team right? Not necessarily.
There’s still only one ball. And picking multiple players to hit a “Higher” pick may end up burning you when a certain player has an especially hot outing. It could happen (and has several times before), but Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox aren’t always going to both drop 30+ on the same night, folks.
Instead, consider picking from opposing teams. Throw in some love for Victor Wembanyama to nab 7.5 plus rebounds alongside a bid for Fox to go for 27 points or more, theoretically. Each and every game is different!
Advanced Strategies
1. Research trends, dynamics and understand the “why”
This kind of plays into matchups as referenced above. For those who really know the game, you know certain players can struggle at certain venues and certain teams can struggle against others.
Also, understand the “why” in a certain player/team’s recent success. Why did Utah suddenly start winning games in late December/early January? Probably because it was playing a weaker schedule, along with Keyonte George, Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton finding their groove in the backcourt. Talen Horton-Tucker has been worked into a reserve role, too.
Common Mistakes
1. Watching box scores (To an extent)
This is one of the best ways to get burned, y’all. Just because a certain player has dropped 30 in 10-straight games does NOT mean he’s going for 35 against the Milwaukee Bucks in Wisconsin. At the same time, just because a player is struggling, it doesn’t mean he’ll be at the bottom of the hill forever. Averages demand some flux, and it’s nearly impossible to cold-predict the dips and valleys in a game as fast-paced and chaotic as the NBA.
Now, that’s not to say you should just discredit history. Pick up on trends, such as specific teams a player performs well against, specific venues and specific matchups.
2. Letting bias get in the way
Be realistic about your team, your favorite players and the legitimacy of your opponent. Being a Jazz fan, I’m against the Denver Nuggets every day of the week. But I can also understand that Nikola Jokic is not human and capable of doing things on the court that, if I play my cards right, could help me profit.
If you’re going to be a hater, at least be a smart one.
More Free Picks
- Best DFS Daily Picks
- College Football
- College Basketball
- NFL (Coming soon!)
- MLB (Coming soon!)
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
