FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Saturday 1/27/24

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 lineup optimizer to help give you an edge.

On top of all that, here at FanDuel Research, we'll 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.

Guards

Luka Doncic ($12,200): After an incredible 94.5 fantasy point performance on Friday night, Doncic is ranked second overall with a 58.4 fantasy projection against a Sacramento Kings' defense allowing 50.0 FanDuel points per game to his position at his third highest salary this month. In his last four games, the Mavericks' superstar has been in pure beast mode, recording 1.91 FanDuel points per minute and 76.0 FanDuel point per appearance.

LaMelo Ball ($9,700): Despite recent inconsistent performances, Ball is third among guards with a 45.9 fantasy projection versus a Utah Jazz team ranked 25th in FanDuel points (51.7) allowed per game to point guards if he is active. In 270 minutes with Charlotte's expected rotation, Ball is averaging 1.38 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 37.7% usage rate.

Anthony Edwards ($9,200): "Ant-Man" has an amazing matchup on Saturday night against a San Antonio Spurs' unit giving up the most FanDuel points (45.0) per game to shooting guards. Edwards has averaged 22.5 real-life points and 43.1 FanDuel points per contest in two previous meetings versus San Antonio.

De'Aaron Fox ($9,100): The 26-year old is first among guards in value with a 5.11 rating and a 46.5 fantasy projection in a matchup he accounted 54.3 FanDuel points and 30 real-life points in their last encounter.

Stephen Curry ($8,900): After producing 1.27 FanDuel points per minute in nine games this month, Curry is third in value with a 4.94 rating and a 44.0 fantasy projection even at his highest salary during January.

Damian Lillard ($8,700): With Khris Middleton uncertain to play in the second game of Milwaukee's back-to-back, Lillard could see a boost in his production to 1.30 FanDuel points per minute and a 31.5% usage rate.

D'Angelo Russell ($7,800): In his last ten games, "D-Lo" has turned on his production despite recent trade rumors, accounting for 1.12 FanDuel points per minute and 37.3 FanDuel points per appearance while his salary has moved up 23.0%.

Derrick White ($7,200): Boston's guard sees a sneaky increase in his production with Kristaps Porzingis inactive, recording 1.08 FanDuel points per minute and a 23.8% usage rate in this split.

Jordan Clarkson ($6,900): Even in a second unit role, Clarkson has been effective coming off the bench in January, producing 1.06 FanDuel points per minute and a 28.8% usage rate.

Klay Thompson ($6,300): In 609 minutes with Saturday's inactives, Thompson is averaging 0.92 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.5% usage rate.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($6,200): The Mavericks' veteran should see an increased role with Kyrie Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. uncertain to play, recording 0.92 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.9% usage rate with both off the floor.

Dante Exum ($5,200) / Josh Green ($4,800): Both players would rate as viable value options if the Mavericks rule out Irving and Jones Jr. after Exum produced 0.93 FanDuel points per minute and Green accounted for 0.68 FanDuel points per minute in this split.

Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,400): At his third highest salary this month, Milwaukee's superstar is today's top option with a 59.6 fantasy projection even in a tough spot versus a New Orleans Pelicans' unit ranked fifth in FanDuel points (43.8) allowed per game to power forwards. In 714 minutes with today's expected rotation, "The Greek Alphabet" is producing 1.64 FanDuel points per minute and a 34.0% usage if Middleton is inactive.

Jayson Tatum ($10,200): Boston's leading scorer could be an overlooked option despite averaging 1.30 FanDuel points per minute and a 33.4% usage rate with Saturday's injuries.

LeBron James ($10,000): Despite a 2.0% salary bump, James is second among forwards in value with a 4.95 rating and 49.5 fantasy projection in a favorable matchup against a Golden State defense allowing 42.4 FanDuel points to his position.

Lauri Markkanen ($8,800): Since January 1st, Markkanen has averaged 24.3 real-life points and 40.9 FanDuel points per game while his salary has moved up by 3.5%.

Miles Bridges ($8,200): In 291 minutes with Charlotte's expected inactives, Bridges is second among his team in fantasy production (1.12 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (26.3%).

Brandon Miller ($7,400): Charlotte's rookie has recently emerged in his last five games, producing 1.06 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.9% usage rate.

Keegan Murray ($6,800): The 23-year old is having his best month this season, averaging 17.7 real-life points and 32.4 FanDuel points per contest.

Draymond Green ($6,600): Even in a potential bench role, Green is tenth among forwards in value with a 4.8 rating and a 31.7 fantasy projection. Since his return on January 15th, the veteran has accounted for 1.12 FanDuel points per minute.

Andrew Wiggins ($5,500): After producing 0.87 FanDuel points per minute in his last five starts, Wiggins is first among forwards in value with a 5.13 rating and a 28.2 fantasy projection.

Grant Williams ($4,300): If looking for value, Williams is another option to consider after he recorded 0.65 FanDuel points per minute in his last 11 games.

Centers

Anthony Davis ($11,100): After a decrease to his lowest salary in January, Davis is third among his positions in value with a 4.93 rating and a 54.7 fantasy projection against a Golden State Warriors' team ranked 18th in points allowed in the paint.

Domantas Sabonis ($10,400): In his last 12 games, Sabonis ranks first among his team's starting unit in fantasy production (1.40 FanDuel points per minute) while also averaging 51.5 FanDuel points per contest. Sacramento's big man destroyed Dallas in last meeting, producing 32 real-life points and 55.6 FanDuel points at a salary 0.9% lower than today's.

Interested in playing NBA daily fantasy? FanDuel has plenty of contest options to make every moment more. Be sure to check out the NBA betting options, as well.

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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.