Fantasy basketball has evolved into more than just lineup building and stat tracking. It’s a space where innovation and strategy intersect, and FanDuel has consistently led the charge. Among its many offerings, The Shot stands out. It is designed with NBA fantasy fans in mind, and it’s a contest type that demands skill, intuition, and a timely sense of risk. Whether you're a daily fantasy enthusiast or someone looking for something beyond the traditional formats, The Shot deserves a closer look.
What Is 'The Shot' on FanDuel?
FanDuel’s The Shot is a fantasy NBA contest that blends high-stakes potential with sharp gameplay mechanics.
At its core, The Shot is a large-field, multi-entry tournament with substantial prize pools. It typically runs during the NBA regular season and sometimes during playoff slates, offering players the chance to compete against thousands for a significant payday. Entry fees can vary—from low-cost options for casual players to higher-stake formats for serious contenders—but the consistent feature is the sizable guaranteed payouts.
Unlike smaller contests or cash games, The Shot rewards bold, creative lineup building. It’s not just about selecting the most obvious high scorers. To win, you must strike the right balance between star power, value plays, and low-ownership gems. With thousands of users submitting lineups, differentiation is key.
Why 'The Shot' Appeals to Strategic Fantasy Players
In the broader landscape of NBA fantasy sports, different contest types cater to different kinds of players—some prefer consistency, others chase upside. The Shot falls squarely in the latter category, attracting those who thrive on strategic risk and lineup innovation.
The contest typically features a salary cap system, where you draft nine NBA players to fit within a set budget. Because salaries adjust based on performance and opponent matchups, the challenge lies in spotting underpriced talent or anticipating breakout games. While stars like Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum can anchor your roster, it’s often the lesser-known picks—players stepping into starting roles or facing weaker defenses—that tilt contests.
What separates The Shot from other tournaments across NBA fantasy sports platforms is its depth. Many participants enter multiple lineups using FanDuel’s lineup upload tool. But this isn’t about flooding the pool with random variations. The top players use data-driven projections, matchup trends, and late injury news to create unique roster combinations that avoid duplication. Ownership percentage becomes a factor in strategy, not just performance.
Another layer of appeal is the payout structure. Unlike double-ups or 50/50s, which offer minimal upside, The Shot delivers top-heavy rewards. The top 10% of lineups often earn payouts, with the top 1% claiming a significant share of the prize pool. This high ceiling attracts players willing to take calculated risks rather than aiming for safe, consistent points.
How to Build Winning Lineups in 'The Shot'
Success in The Shot doesn’t happen by accident. It demands a different mindset than traditional season-long fantasy basketball.
The first key is correlation. If you’re building a lineup with a star point guard, consider adding one of his teammates or even an opponent from the same game. High-scoring contests can produce multiple high performers, and leveraging game stacks can provide an edge when those games go into overtime or exceed scoring projections.
Another factor is value hunting. As soon as an injury report drops, the waiver wire doesn’t exist in DFS, but fantasy players must act fast. Backup players stepping into starting roles provide tremendous value, especially when priced low. And this is where keeping up with the latest NBA news gives you a crucial advantage. Monitoring beat reporter updates, team press conferences, and official injury designations can reveal minute boosts or lineup changes before pricing reflects them.
Finally, be contrarian—but not reckless. Selecting a player with low projected ownership can help differentiate your lineup, but the pick still needs logical backing. Maybe a bench player sees increased minutes in blowout scenarios, or a starter struggles defensively against a matchup—research matters. The edge goes to players who dive into usage rates, pace of play, and player efficiency ratings instead of relying on surface-level stats.
Timing, Trends, and Knowing When to Fire
Every NBA slate brings its rhythm, and choosing when to enter The Shot requires good judgment.
Weekends usually bring larger contests with juicier prize pools, especially on slates with 8–12 games. More games mean more variability—and more opportunity for sharp players to gain an edge. Conversely, short slates during the week can be tougher to crack but reward more granular knowledge of rotations and trends.
Pay attention to late-breaking news. NBA injury reports often drop close to tip-off, and those who react the fastest benefit the most. FanDuel allows late swaps, meaning you can adjust your lineups even after contests lock—so long as the individual games haven’t started. This flexibility means that having an active approach can outplay even the most optimized static lineup.
Understanding ownership trends also helps. After a few weeks of contests, you’ll see patterns in which players become chalk (widely selected) and which tend to fly under the radar. Winning at The Shot means picking your spots to embrace the chalk—or fade it, depending on the context.
Where Fantasy Gets Serious
FanDuel’s The Shot offers a fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy basketball experience that balances skill with excitement. It challenges players to think beyond the basics, requiring a mix of statistical knowledge, real-time reaction, and lineup creativity. If you want to elevate your NBA fantasy game, The Shot isn’t worth trying—it might just be where your best plays happen.
The next time you open FanDuel during an NBA slate, take a closer look at The Shot. You might find that the contest’s edge, volatility, and payoff make it the most rewarding fantasy challenge of the season.
