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In my years writing for FantasyAlarm, it has been my privilege to try out a lot of new fantasy sites. If I have learned anything from that experience, it is the value of understanding the rules of whatever game I am playing. That is especially true of MyPrizePicks.com.

On PrizePicks, the game is exceptionally simple. You choose the sport you wish to play, and then you choose 2-4 players from that day’s slate. Each player has a projected fantasy point total, and you simply have to decide if that player will get over or under his projected point total. If you are correct for all of the chosen players you win. How much you win depends on how many picks you make. A two-pick entry pays 2.5x, a three-pick entry pays 5x and a four-pick entry pays 10x.

As I said, that part is easy. The tricky part is the scoring. PrizePicks awards one point for every point scored, 1.2 points per rebound and 1.5 points per assist. They also subtract one point for every turnover. That is pretty standard. What is different is PrizePicks awards three points for every block and steal. There also are not bonus points for made threes, double-doubles or triple-doubles as is common in DFS scoring.

In my time playing on PrizePicks I have noticed that the scoring plays a big role in what I’m picking. If a player doesn’t contribute in steals or blocks, or if he commits a lot of turnovers, he’s going to have a hard time getting over 40 fantasy points unless he is a monster across the other categories. When I first look at the PrizePicks projections, some of them immediately stood out as either too high or too low until I looked more closely at the fantasy scoring. There is nothing wrong with following your gut if you have a strong feeling, but be sure to take the scoring into account before you make your picks.

Speaking of making picks, I’m going to make the maximum four picks each time I write this article. That way, if you like to play four-pick entries, you know what I recommend. I will present those four picks in my order of preference, so you can decide appropriately if you would rather make just two or three picks. I will make an entry every time I write this article, though how many picks I make will depend on how strongly I feel, as well as how I want to manage my bankroll. I was planning on just playing two picks in Monday’s slate, but with the Clint Capela news, I’m awfully tempted to make it three.

 

Steve’s Picks for January 14, 2019

Kemba Walker vs. San Antonio Spurs

Projected Fantasy Points: 37.5

UNDER

Walker had his best game in in over two weeks on Saturday, and he still finished under 37.5 fantasy points. I wrote in Saturday’s NBA DFS Playbook that I think Walker needs to rest, and until he does, topping 37.5 fantasy points feels extremely unlikely.

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Charlotte Hornets

Projected Fantasy Points: 41.6

UNDER

I like this matchup for Aldridge, but he has gone over 41.6 fantasy points just once in his last six games. He basically needs to score 30 points to have much of a chance, and while he’s certainly capable, I think the odds are against it.

Marc Gasol vs. Houston Rockets

Projected Fantasy Points: 39.0

OVER

I was awfully tempted to make this pick anyway, but the Clint Capela news sealed it for me. Gasol went over 39.0 fantasy points in both of his games against Houston this season, and that was with Capela active. There is nothing to suggest Nene is capable of playing 30+ minutes or that they can get any competent minutes from Marquese Chriss . I love P.J. Tucker, but he can’t stop Gasol, and Houston doesn’t really have the depth to give Tucker too many minutes at center anyway. The more I think about it, I should probably rank this pick even higher.

Donovan Mitchell vs. Detroit Pistons

Projected Fantasy Points: 46.2

OVER

Mitchell has had at least 49.3 fantasy points in each of the last three games with Ricky Rubio out. I wish the projection was a bit lower, but I still like Mitchell to have another big game.

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