FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Saturday 1/6/24

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

Tyrese Haliburton ($11,500): In an underrated spot against a Boston Celtics' ranked 13th in FanDuel points (49.3) allowed per game to point guards, Haliburton is projected for 47.9 FanDuel points at his third highest salary this season. The Pacers' star played extremely well in their first contest, accounting for 26.0 real-life points and 60.5 FanDuel points.

Jalen Brunson ($9,100): The New York Knicks' leading scorer has continued to produce despite his team's recent changes, recording 1.23 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.1% usage rate since January 1st. In a great matchup against a Washington Wizards allowing the second most fantasy points (53.4) per game to point guards, Brunson was a beast in their first meeting, recording 32 real-life points and 50.9 FanDuel points.

Damian Lillard ($8,900): Despite a tough matchup versus a Houston Rockets' team ranked ninth in fantasy production (48.1 FanDuel points per game) to his position, Lillard is projected for 40.9 FanDuel points. The Bucks' clutch scorer roasted Houston last month, accounting for 39 real-life points and 67.5 FanDuel points at a salary 2.2% lower than today's.

Tyrese Maxey ($8,700): After Tobias Harris and De'Anthony Melton were ruled out, Maxey sees an eye-popping boost in his production to 1.36 FanDuel points per minute with a 41.1% usage rate.

Fred VanVleet ($8,500): In a 224 minutes sample size with today's injuries, VanVleet is producing 0.90 FanDuel points per minute and a 20.1% usage rate.

Khris Middleton ($7,200): At his second lowest salary this month, Middleton offers some value with a 4.49 rating and a 32.3 fantasy projection.

Jalen Green ($6,700): The 21-year old sees an increased role with Saturday's inactives, recording 1.0 FanDuel point per minute and a 30.3% usage rate in a 224 minutes sample size.

Tyus Jones ($6,300): Since December 1st, the veteran point guard is averaging an efficient 1.14 FanDuel points per minute and 32.6 FanDuel points per game.

Josh Hart ($5,500): With New York's expected rotation, Hart is producing 0.87 FanDuel points per minute and a 12.4% usage rate.

Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,400): After a monster 79.3 fantasy point performance in his last appearance, "The Greek Alphabet" has seen a 2.4% increase in his salary versus a Rockets' team allowing 44.8 FanDuel points per game to power forwards.

Jayson Tatum ($10,200): Even after a 2% increase to his highest salary in January, Boston's superstar is still projected to score 47.4 FanDuel points versus an Indiana Pacers' defense allowing the most fantasy points (53.6) to his position.

Julius Randle ($9,000): New York's power forward is averaging 1.18 FanDuel points per minute and a 34.5% usage rate since their recent trade.

Jaylen Brown ($8,600): In an appealing spot against a Pacers' unit ranked 27th in defensive rating, Brown's FanDuel salary stands at his highest point versus this specific opponent. Brown has averaged 23.0 real-life points and 35.3 FanDuel points in two previous meetings despite logging 28.5 minutes per game.

Kyle Kuzma ($7,800): Despite some inconsistent performances in his last 13 games, Kuzma ranks second among his team's starting unit in fantasy production (1.13 FanDuel points per minute) and first in usage (32.2%)

Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,700): Even at his highest salary this season, the Knicks' big man should be heavily considered against a Washington team allowing 63.5 FanDuel points per game to his position. In his last three contests, Hartenstein has accounted for 1.17 FanDuel points per minute despite recording a 9.9% usage rate.

OG Anunoby ($6,600): In 106 minutes since his trade to the Knicks, Anunoby is averaging 0.68 FanDuel points per minute and a 14.3% usage rate while his salary has moved up by 6.4%.

Kelly Oubre ($6,100): At his lowest salary this month, Oubre rates as viable mid-salary option with today's injuries, producing 0.91 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.2% usage rate in a 159 minutes sample size.

Deni Avdija ($6,000): The 23-year old has been a sneaky source for fantasy production in his last nine games, producing 1.10 FanDuel points per minute and 29.0 FanDuel points per appearance.

Bobby Portis ($5,500): Milwaukee's Sixth Man of the Year contender has logged 23.6 minutes in his last 15 appearances while also producing 1.04 FanDuel points per minute and a 20.7% usage rate.

Bilal Coulibaly ($4,900): The Wizards' rookie has seen a starting type role since December, averaging 27.1 minutes per game and 0.78 FanDuel points per minute.

Centers

Joel Embiid ($12,600): Philadelphia's leading candidate to win this year's MVP Award has accounted for a mouth-watering 1.77 FanDuel points per minute and a 37.2% usage rate with today's expected rotation.

Alperen Sengun ($9,000): In 203 minutes with today's injuries, Sengun is producing 1.23 FanDuel points per minute and a 30.2% usage rate.

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.