The NBA season is in full swing, and DraftKings has released a new fantasy format — Snake drafts! Below, we break down some of the best targets for Thursday’s NBA Snake slate.
Visit the DraftKings NBA lobby to view all the available NBA Snake contests!
Favorable Early Round Targets
Nikola Jokic, F/C, Denver Nuggets
NBA Snake Rank: 4th
The Wizards are always a welcomed opponent. They are first in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency. Against centers, they boost the fantasy points per minute by a whopping 11.45% above league average. Only the Kings are more generous. As if Jokic needed any assistance. On the season, he’s averaging a ridiculous 1.59 DKFP per minute and views all matchups as simple doormats. Over the last 10 games, he’s gone for at least 55.0 DKFP in eight games, with three of those over 60.0 DKFP and one an 88.5 DKFP explosion.
Kawhi Leonard, F/C, Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Snake Rank: 8th
Leonard is averaging 1.34 DKFP per minute. He doesn’t have the same ceiling as some of the other stars in the game (high of 62.0 DKFP this season), and he’s been in the 30.0 DKFP range eight times this season, but he gets a phenomenal matchup against the Grizzlies. Memphis boosts the fantasy points per minute of opponents by an NBA-high 17.2% above league average.
Kyrie Irving, G, Brooklyn Nets
NBA Snake Rank: 12th
James Harden is awesome and has been on quite a heater since Kevin Durant went down, but I can’t write up everyone. Irving, on the other hand, would seem to have taken a back seat as he’s scored 43.25 DKFP, 48.0 DKFP, 31.75 DKFP and 56.5 DKFP in his past four starts. Zooming in closer, though, he’s garnered a usage rate over 30% in every game and has attempted over 20 shots in three of them. The issue has been efficiency, as he’s converted just 36% and 41% of his attempts in two of the games. Now he gets a matchup against the Magic, who boost the fantasy points per minute of their opponents 16.5% above league average. The stars are aligned for a good game. Whether he takes advantage is another matter.
Ben Simmons, G, Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Snake Rank: 14th
The range is wide with Simmons and the peaks and valleys are plentiful. That’s good for an EKG reading but not ideal for fantasy. Over the last six games, he’s contributed 37.25 DKFP, 48.25 DKFP, 74.75 DKFP, 34.5 DKFP, 55.25 DKFP and 37.25 DKFP. The reason for the inconsistency? While he contributes in all the categories besides three-pointers, the usage rate is often in the 20% range, as the 76ers go through Joel Embiid. Now he gets a matchup with a Mavericks team that is 26th in defensive efficiency but, more importantly, 23rd in fastbreak points allowed per game, which is where Simmons thrives. In addition, Dallas boosts the fantasy points per minute to points guards by 12.92% above league average.
Early Round Players to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, G, Washington Wizards
NBA Snake Rank: 7th
It’s scary fading Westbrook because he can triple-double on any given night and go for over 70.0 DKFP. With that said, the Nuggets do a good job against point guards as they neutralize the fantasy points per minute by 7.14% below league average. These two teams met four games ago and, while Westbrook went for 52.75 DKFP, he only shot 5-for-15 and had eight turnovers. He ended up with a triple-double with two steals and one block. It’s within the range of outcomes that the shooting efficiency is subpar again with the counting stats not as voluminous. I like most of the top players on this slate, so Westbrook is the likeliest to disappoint.
Later Round Fliers
It should be noted that these players are ranked below the threshold of players that would be drafted. This section simply tries to exploit players who are in favorable matchups and are down the rank list.
Facundo Campazzo, G, Denver Nuggets
NBA Snake Rank: 85th
Due to injuries, Campazzo has played 27, 27, 28, 25, 40 and 26 minutes in his last six games. He’s gone for 20.25 DKFP, 21.75 DKFP, 20.0 DKFP, 21.25 DKFP, 37.25 DKFP and 27.75 DKFP, respectively. On the season, Campazzo is averaging 0.78 DKFP per minute. He should get playing time in the mid-20s once again, with the chance for more if the game blows out. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Nuggets favored by 7 points. As mentioned in the Jokic blurb, the Wizards are juicy for fantasy because they play fast and are giving on the defensive end.
Bruce Brown, F/C, Brooklyn Nets
NBA Snake Rank: 73rd
On the season, Brown is averaging 0.84 DKFP per minute. He has started the last seven games with mixed results, producing 6.0 DKFP, 28.35 DKFP, 14.0 DKFP, 13.0 DKFP, 17.5.0 DKFP, 29.5 DKFP and 40.0 DKFP. The usage rate has also been all over the map with a low of 8.5% to a high of 26.4%. With James Harden and Kyrie Irving soaking up most of the opportunities, Brown is far from a sure thing. With that said, he has a tremendous ceiling as evidenced by his 40-burger last game. He also has two games with over 30.0 DKFP on his resume this season.
Visit the DraftKings NBA lobby to view all the available NBA Snake contests!
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
For sports betting, head over to DraftKings Sportsbook or download the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.