NBA 2025-26 DvP Chart (Defense vs Position)
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Sign Up Today →Fantasy points allowed per game to each position. The number in each cell is FPPG allowed; the rank in parentheses goes from 1 (fewest points allowed, toughest matchup) to 30 (most points allowed, softest matchup).
| Team Name↕ | vs PG↕ | vs SG↕ | vs SF↕ | vs PF↕ | vs C↕ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Points | Rank | Points | Rank | Points | Rank | Points | Rank | Points | ||
| DEN |
|
12 | 49.9 | 6 | 44.8 | 20 | 47.7 | 18 | 50.4 | 9 | 52.9 |
| DAL |
|
13 | 49.9 | 29 | 50.6 | 13 | 45.4 | 25 | 52.4 | 27 | 60.1 |
| IND |
|
30 | 54.6 | 20 | 47.0 | 22 | 48.1 | 13 | 49.4 | 24 | 58.5 |
| CHA |
|
3 | 47.0 | 13 | 45.9 | 3 | 43.6 | 11 | 49.1 | 6 | 51.4 |
| LAL |
|
14 | 50.2 | 15 | 46.4 | 25 | 48.2 | 8 | 48.7 | 2 | 50.5 |
| ATL |
|
11 | 49.6 | 28 | 48.7 | 28 | 49.0 | 23 | 51.0 | 16 | 56.4 |
| MIA |
|
24 | 52.2 | 21 | 47.0 | 17 | 47.1 | 27 | 53.4 | 15 | 55.8 |
| CHI |
|
21 | 51.8 | 14 | 45.9 | 29 | 49.6 | 28 | 54.7 | 25 | 59.8 |
| BOS |
|
5 | 47.0 | 1 | 42.4 | 1 | 43.3 | 4 | 47.0 | 1 | 50.4 |
| DET |
|
1 | 46.5 | 4 | 44.5 | 9 | 44.4 | 21 | 50.7 | 4 | 50.9 |
| GSW |
|
15 | 50.4 | 17 | 46.6 | 16 | 46.1 | 12 | 49.3 | 18 | 56.6 |
| HOU |
|
6 | 47.4 | 3 | 44.4 | 5 | 43.8 | 1 | 44.9 | 8 | 52.7 |
| BKN |
|
9 | 48.1 | 25 | 48.2 | 18 | 47.3 | 22 | 50.9 | 20 | 57.0 |
| MEM |
|
20 | 51.7 | 19 | 46.8 | 26 | 48.2 | 26 | 52.6 | 22 | 57.0 |
| LAC |
|
18 | 51.5 | 16 | 46.5 | 2 | 43.5 | 2 | 45.8 | 14 | 54.7 |
| CLE |
|
16 | 50.5 | 10 | 45.4 | 15 | 46.0 | 16 | 50.2 | 23 | 57.1 |
| NOP |
|
25 | 52.4 | 26 | 48.3 | 24 | 48.1 | 17 | 50.3 | 26 | 59.9 |
| TOR |
|
17 | 50.9 | 12 | 45.6 | 6 | 43.8 | 10 | 48.9 | 7 | 52.6 |
| SAC |
|
22 | 51.9 | 27 | 48.6 | 12 | 45.3 | 15 | 50.1 | 29 | 62.7 |
| UTA |
|
29 | 54.0 | 30 | 51.5 | 21 | 47.9 | 30 | 56.3 | 21 | 57.0 |
| POR |
|
19 | 51.5 | 24 | 47.5 | 27 | 48.5 | 20 | 50.6 | 28 | 62.1 |
| WAS |
|
27 | 53.7 | 22 | 47.4 | 30 | 51.0 | 29 | 55.7 | 30 | 64.4 |
| OKC |
|
4 | 47.0 | 11 | 45.5 | 14 | 45.7 | 3 | 47.0 | 10 | 53.2 |
| NYK |
|
2 | 46.6 | 8 | 45.0 | 8 | 44.2 | 7 | 48.2 | 3 | 50.7 |
| MIN |
|
26 | 52.7 | 7 | 44.9 | 7 | 43.9 | 9 | 48.7 | 12 | 54.0 |
| PHX |
|
7 | 47.4 | 2 | 43.7 | 10 | 44.4 | 5 | 47.8 | 19 | 56.7 |
| PHI |
|
8 | 47.8 | 23 | 47.4 | 19 | 47.5 | 24 | 52.2 | 13 | 54.2 |
| ORL |
|
23 | 52.1 | 9 | 45.3 | 4 | 43.6 | 14 | 50.1 | 11 | 53.2 |
| MIL |
|
28 | 53.9 | 18 | 46.8 | 23 | 48.1 | 19 | 50.5 | 5 | 51.1 |
| SAS |
|
10 | 48.3 | 5 | 44.6 | 11 | 45.0 | 6 | 47.9 | 17 | 56.4 |
What Is NBA Defense vs Position (DvP)?
NBA Defense vs Position (DvP) measures how many fantasy points per game each NBA team allows to opposing players at each position — point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. Teams are ranked from 1 to 30, where rank 1 means the team allows the fewest fantasy points to that position (toughest matchup) and rank 30 means they allow the most (softest matchup).
DvP data is calculated using a standard fantasy scoring system that includes points, three-pointers made, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Our chart displays both the FPPG allowed and the team's rank at each position so you can quickly identify favorable and unfavorable matchups.
FTA's Take: DvP is Mostly Noise
FTA does not use defense vs position data when modeling our DFS NBA projections. When backtesting this data, we found it is mostly noise and not overly predictive of how a player will actually perform. DvP isn't bad because it's unhelpful — it's problematic because it can be actively misleading, causing players to make worse decisions than they would without it.
The game is so fluid now that switches on defense are incredibly common. In the vast majority of instances, NBA DvP is simply noise based on which opponents that team has faced. If you watch a lot of basketball, you can pick up on key defensive matchups (such as a team that allows more points in the paint), but those patterns rarely show up cleanly in season-long position-based stats.
Cons of Using DvP
Opponent-dependent. Giving up 35 to a below-average guard looks different than holding an elite guard to 40. Schedule strength heavily skews these numbers, especially in small samples.
Team dynamics change fast. Injuries alter defensive schemes overnight. Teams identify and fix weaknesses. Roster moves have unintended consequences on positional defense.
Double counting. If a team is last against guards AND plays at a fast pace with poor defense, you've counted the same thing twice. They were bad against guards because of pace and defense.
Pros of Using DvP
Quick reference. DvP simplifies complex matchup data into a single metric per position. When the cons don't apply (stable rosters, large samples), it can save time.
Directional signal. Extreme outliers (rank 1 or 30) can confirm or challenge matchup reads from other data sources like pace and defensive rating.
Context layer. Best used as a secondary check alongside pace, team defense, and individual player matchups — not as a primary decision tool.
How the DvP Rankings Work
Each row in the table represents one NBA team. For each of the five positions, two values are shown: the fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to opposing players at that position, and the team's rank among all 30 teams. Color-coded borders indicate matchup quality at a glance.
Rank 1–10
Tough matchup. This team is strong defensively against this position. Expect below-average fantasy output.
Rank 11–20
Neutral matchup. Average defensive performance against this position. No strong edge either way.
Rank 21–30
Soft matchup. This team allows the most fantasy points to this position. Potential target for DFS.
Using DvP for DFS Strategy
Many DFS players target players facing teams ranked in the bottom 10 (rank 21–30) against their position. The theory is straightforward: if a team allows 55 FPPG to centers and the league average is 45, rostering a center in that matchup gives you a statistical tailwind.
However, successful DFS players understand that DvP should be a secondary factor. More predictive metrics include pace of play, overall team defensive rating, individual player usage rates, and recent form. Use DvP to confirm a read, not to generate one.
Also consider trades and injuries when evaluating DvP. A team's DvP numbers can shift dramatically when a key defender is out or a mid-season trade changes the roster composition. Season-long DvP may not reflect the current defensive reality.
Why Modern NBA Defense Limits DvP Usefulness
Modern NBA defenses employ extensive switching schemes that blur the lines between position-specific matchups. When a point guard switches onto a power forward (and vice versa), the concept of "defense vs position" breaks down. A team might rank poorly against point guards not because they're weak at defending the position, but because they've faced elite guards like Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, or Damian Lillard more frequently.
This is the fundamental challenge with DvP data in today's NBA. The metric was more meaningful in eras with less defensive switching and more position-rigid schemes. Today, it remains a useful reference tool, but it should never be the primary driver of your DFS or betting decisions.
Data Source & Methodology
DvP data is sourced from Hashtag Basketball and updated daily throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. Fantasy points are calculated using a standard scoring system. Rankings reflect season-long performance and are subject to change with injuries, trades, and schedule variations. For a more complete picture, combine DvP analysis with our Game Pace Data and Efficiency Ratings.