NBA 2026 DvP Chart (Defense vs Position)

Disclaimer - FTA does not use this defense vs position data when modeling our DFS NBA projections. When backtesting this data we can see that it is mostly noise and not overly predictive in how a player will perform

Pros and Cons to using NBA DvP data

Cons

1. DvP is extremely opponent-dependent. giving up 35 to Ricky Rubio is better than holding Kyrie to 40. even in large samples, the structure of NBA schedules can really skew these numbers. in small samples, like if you wanted DvP over the last 5/10 games, the data can be extremely misleading. which is the essence of my thesis - DvP isn't bad because it's not helpful (in which case there would be no harm in using it), it's bad because it's misleading (and thus using it can do far more bad than good)

2. Team dynamics change, and change quickly. they do so in several ways. first, injuries occur. if, for example, Rudy Gobert got hurt, Utah would immediately become far worse defensively. while that is an obvious example, there are plenty of injuries that affect teams in unpredictable ways. second, teams identify and try to improve their weaknesses! if a team is getting killed by 4s, perhaps they adjust their coverage schemes, or change their rotations to address the issue. lastly, teams make changes that have unintended consequences. perhaps a team decides they need more scoring, which opens more minutes for a playmaker (like trey Burke). doing so might have the unintended consequence of making them more vulnerable to scoring guards

3. Double counting becomes an issue. double counting is when you count something twice that should only be counted once. for example, WAS was dead last against guards last year. however, if you said "WAS is dead last against guards, AND it's a pace up game against a bad defensive team, you've just double counted the matchup. they were dead last against guards BECAUSE of their pace and lack of defense.

Pros

Ideally we take all of the relevant matchup data and simplify it into one metric. this would be great if the cons didnt apply, but they do. There will be times DvP is on the money, and using it will be a more time-efficient way to evaluate the matchup. typically, you're better off spending more time evaluating the pace, team defense, PnR data, etc

Should I be using these numbers as the best NBA DvP approach?

In short... no. The game is so fluid now that switches on defense are incredibly common, and in the vast majority of instances you will find that NBA DvP is simply noise based on which opponents that team has faced. If you watch a lot of basketball you will be able to pick up on key defensive matchups (such as a team that allows more points in the paint, so you can target opposing centers), but in the vast majority of instances those numbers won't show up when analyzing season long NBA stats.

The other item to take into consideration when evaluating NBA DVP is potential trades and/or injuries. Some players play a vital role in not only their team defense, but also their teams pace, so if their pace adjusts either up or down, the number of fantasy points allowed per game can change as well.

In summary - Overall this data can be a part of your process, but it should not rank very highly in terms of NBA DFS statistical modeling. There is more noise than substance with most of these numbers, and its a well known phenomenon that newcomers to DFS attempt to put a lot of stock in these NBA DVP numbers (typically leading to them losing more cash).

What is NBA DvP and How Does It Work?

NBA Defense vs Position (DvP) is a statistical metric that 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). This data helps fantasy basketball players identify which teams are weakest defensively against specific positions, potentially revealing favorable matchups for daily fantasy sports (DFS) lineups. Our NBA DvP chart displays fantasy points allowed per game to each position, calculated using a standard fantasy scoring system that includes points, three-pointers made, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

Understanding NBA DvP Rankings and Matchups

When analyzing NBA DvP data, it's important to understand that lower numbers indicate better defensive performance. A team ranked #1 against point guards allows the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing PGs, making them a tough matchup. Conversely, a team ranked #30 against centers allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, potentially making them a favorable target for DFS players rostering centers. However, as we've discussed, these rankings can be misleading due to opponent quality, schedule strength, and the fluid nature of modern NBA defenses with frequent switching.

NBA DvP for Daily Fantasy Sports Strategy

Many daily fantasy sports players use NBA DvP data as part of their lineup construction process. The theory is simple: target players facing teams that rank poorly against their position. For example, if you're considering a point guard for your DraftKings or FanDuel lineup, you might look for PGs facing teams ranked in the bottom 10 against point guards. However, successful DFS players understand that DvP is just one piece of the puzzle. More important factors include pace of play, team defense ratings, individual player matchups, recent form, and injury situations. Our NBA DvP chart provides this data for reference, but we recommend using it as a secondary factor rather than a primary decision-making tool.

Best NBA DvP Matchups by Position

Our NBA DvP rankings show which teams are most vulnerable to each position. For point guards, teams allowing the most fantasy points per game to PGs might be exploitable matchups, especially if combined with high pace and poor overall defense. The same logic applies to shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers. However, it's crucial to remember that these rankings reflect past performance against the opponents each team has faced. A team might rank poorly against point guards not because they're inherently weak against the position, but because they've faced elite point guards like Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, or Damian Lillard more frequently than other teams.

NBA Defense vs Position Analysis and Trends

Analyzing NBA defense vs position trends can reveal interesting patterns about team defensive strategies. Some teams excel at defending the perimeter but struggle in the paint, while others might be strong against big men but vulnerable to guards. Our DvP data helps identify these patterns, showing which teams allow the most fantasy points per game to each position. However, modern NBA defenses employ extensive switching schemes, making position-based defensive metrics less meaningful than they were in previous eras. When defenses switch frequently, a point guard might end up being defended by a forward, and vice versa, blurring the lines between position-specific defensive matchups.

How to Use NBA DvP Data Effectively

To use NBA DvP data effectively, combine it with other analytical tools. Look at pace of play data to identify fast-paced games that could produce more fantasy points. Examine team defensive ratings to understand overall defensive quality. Consider individual player matchups and recent performance trends. Factor in injury situations that might affect defensive capabilities. And most importantly, watch actual games to understand how teams defend different positions in practice. Our NBA DvP chart provides a starting point for matchup analysis, but the most successful fantasy players dig deeper into the underlying factors that drive these numbers.

NBA DvP Rankings and Fantasy Basketball

Fantasy basketball players, whether playing season-long leagues or daily fantasy sports, often seek out favorable matchups to maximize their players' scoring potential. NBA DvP rankings provide a quick reference for identifying teams that have allowed the most fantasy points per game to each position. However, these rankings should be viewed with context. A team might rank poorly against a position due to facing elite players, playing at a fast pace, or having defensive weaknesses that have since been addressed through roster changes or scheme adjustments. Our comprehensive NBA DvP data includes rankings from 1-30, with 1 representing the best defensive performance against a position and 30 representing the worst.

Conclusion: NBA DvP as a Tool, Not a Solution

In conclusion, NBA Defense vs Position data can be a useful reference tool for fantasy basketball players, but it should not be the primary factor in lineup decisions. The data reflects past performance against specific opponents and may not accurately predict future outcomes due to the dynamic nature of NBA defenses, schedule variations, and the impact of injuries and trades. Successful fantasy players use DvP data as one component of a comprehensive analysis that includes pace, defense, individual matchups, and game flow. Our NBA DvP chart provides this information for the current season, updated regularly to reflect the latest fantasy points allowed per game to each position across all NBA teams.