Since NBA DFS is easier to predict than baseball or football, it would likely get plenty of votes as the best sport to play on FanDuel. Basketball players usually stick to the same minutes and produce at roughly the same rate. Sounds easy, right? Trust me — it’s not!
As a result, NBA daily fantasy is highly reliant on a player’s opportunity, so you’ll need to ensure that you’re up to date with key injuries. numberFire’s projections update up until tip-off to reflect current news. numberFire also has player news updates, and the FanDuel Scout app will send push notifications for pressing updates regarding your players.
In addition to daily projections, numberFire also offers a matchup heat map and a lineup optimizer to help give you an edge.
Here at FanDuel Research, we’ll also come at you each day with this NBA DFS primer, which breaks down a few of the day’s top plays at each position.
Let’s dive into today’s main slate on FanDuel.
|
Implied Total
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | PHI | 216.5 | 4 | 106.25 | Anunoby questionable |
| MIA | MIN | 218.5 | 4.5 | 107 | Butler, Martin, Love OUT |
| DET | CHI | 216 | 1 | 107.5 | |
| CHI | DET | 216 | -1 | 108.5 | LaVine probable |
| UTAH | PHX | 223.5 | 5.5 | 109 | |
| IND | CLE | 224 | 3.5 | 110.25 | Haliburton questionable |
| PHI | TOR | 216.5 | -4 | 110.25 | Harden OUT |
Guards
Donovan Mitchell ($10,000): If Mitchell is able to play through his current questionable designation, the Cavaliers’ guard should be the focus of their offense, recording a robust 1.55 FanDuel points per minute and a 34.0% usage rate when Darius Garland is off the floor this season.
Desmond Bane ($9,000): At his highest salary this season, Bane ranks third among guards with a 40.2 fantasy projection. The 25-year old is second among his team’s starting unit in fantasy production (1.16 FanDuel points per minute) and first in usage (30.3%).
Cade Cunningham ($8,900): Despite producing a lackluster 21.4 fantasy point performance on Friday, Cunningham’s salary has moved up to his highest point this season. The third year guard has been the centerpiece of Detroit’s offense, accounting for 1.19 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 32.7% usage rate.
Tyrese Maxey ($8,600): With James Harden away from the team for conditioning reasons, Philadelphia’s young guard has really emerged so far this season, producing 1.34 FanDuel points per minute and a 29.8% usage rate.
Jordan Poole ($7,100): After a 7.7% salary decline, Washington’s guard rates as an optimal mid-range option with a 4.9 rating and a 34.8 fantasy projection versus a Memphis Grizzlies’ team allowing 46.0 FanDuel points per game to shooting guards this season.
Tyus Jones ($6,400): In his first start for his new team, Jones was extremely efficient despite a 19.6% usage rate, recording 1.14 FanDuel points per minute.
Marcus Smart ($6,200): At his median salary point this season, the Grizzlies’ guard ranks fifth among his positions in value with a 5.18 rating and a 32.1 fantasy projection.
Eric Gordon ($4,600): Phoenix’s veteran should see an increased role on Saturday versus a Utah Jazz ranked 29th in defensive rating. In 41 minutes with today’s expected rotation, Gordon is averaging 0.70 FanDuel poitns per minute and a 24.7% usage rate.
Grayson Allen ($4,100): Despite a 5.1% salary bump, Phoenix’s 3-and-D specialist ranks first among guards in value with a 5.44 rating and a 22.3 fantasy projection.
Forwards
Kevin Durant ($10,800): In a lead offensive role after two starters were ruled out, Phoenix’s star forward ranks first overall with a 54.1 fantasy projection versus a Jazz team allowing 49.7 FanDuel points per game to his position. Durant is producing a monster 45.3% usage rate when Devin Booker is off the floor this season.
Lauri Markkanen ($8,500): After a 50.9 fantasy performance in Utah’s last contest, Markkanen’s salary has increased to his highest point this season versus a Suns’ defense ranked 12th in FanDuel points allowed per game to small forwards.
Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400): The Grizzlies’ big man ranks second among forwards with a 42.3 fantasy projection after producing 1.14 FanDuel points and 0.12 blocks per minute.
Brandon Ingram ($8,300): Despite a tough matchup against a New York Knicks’ team ranked fourth in fantasy points allowed to the three position, “B.I.” is fifth among small forwards with a 39.1 fantasy projection. Ingram rates second among his team in usage (30.6%) and fantasy production (1.04 FanDuel points per minute).
DeMar DeRozan ($8,000): In 74 minutes this season, Chicago’s veteran leads his team in several categories including fantasy production (1.22 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (29.4%).
Zion Williamson ($8,000): After an eye-popping 8.0% drop in his salary, the Pelicans’ big man is seventh among forwards in value with a 5.04 rating and third among his position with a 40.4 fantasy projection.
Evan Mobley ($7,900): In a great spot versus a Indiana Pacers’ defense allowing the most points in the paint, Mobley is eighth among forwards with a 39.2 expected FanDuel points.
Kyle Kuzma ($7,800): Among his team’s starting unit, Kuzma leads Washington in fantasy production (1.34 FanDuel points per minute) while also ranking second in usage (31.8%).
Josh Okogie ($5,100): Even at his highest salary this season, Okogie is sixth among forwards in value with a 5.12 rating and a 26.1 fantasy projection. In 32 minutes with today’s injuries, the veteran is averaging 0.79 FanDuel points per minute.
Centers
Joel Embiid ($11,100): Philadelphia’s reigning MVP is second overall with a 51.6 fantasy projection versus a Toronto Raptors’ unit giving up the most fantasy points per game to centers. In 36 minutes this season, Embiid leads his team with a monster 39.4% usage rate.
Xavier Tillman ($6,700): The Grizzlies’ center has provided underrated production this season, ranking first on his team in fantasy production (1.26 FanDuel points per minute) and rebounds (0.30 per minute).
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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.