FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Saturday 2/3/24

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 ($12,600): In an underrated matchup versus a Milwaukee Bucks' defense allowing 51.4 FanDuel points per game to point guards, Doncic is today's top overall option with a 65.4 fantasy projection. The Mavericks' superstar is averaging 1.54 FanDuel points per minute and a 40.3% usage rate in 272 minutes with today's expected rotation.

Donovan Mitchell ($10,500): Despite a recent 1.9% increase to his third highest salary this season, "Spida" still ranks fourth among guards with a 46.1 fantasy projection in a prime spot against a San Antonio Spurs' unit giving up the third most FanDuel points (44.9) to his position.

Trae Young ($10,000): Since January 26th, Atlanta's leading scorer has been on a roll in his last four games, producing 1.41 FanDuel points per minute and 53.1 FanDuel points per appearance while his salary has somehow not moved.

Jalen Brunson ($9,800): New York's All-Star has been unstoppable in his last nine contests, averaging 47.5 FanDuel points per game and 1.33 FanDuel points per minute. Brunson is second among guards with a 46.3 fantasy projection versus a Los Angeles Lakers' team ranked 21st in FanDuel points (50.6) allowed per game to point guards.

Stephen Curry ($9,200): In a ceiling opportunity against an Atlanta Hawks' unit ranked 28th in opposing three point percentage and 27th in defensive rating, Curry is fifth among guards with a 44.4 fantasy projection.

Damian Lillard ($8,800): Even with some inconsistent performances in his last 11 games, Lillard is second among his team in fantasy production (1.19 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (29.5%).

Coby White ($7,800): If White can play after he was listed as questionable, the former Tar Heel is averaging 0.99 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.7% usage rate with today's current inactives.

Donte DiVincenzo ($7,500): In his last three games, DiVincenzo has played a key offensive role for the surging Knicks, accounting for 1.14 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.9% usage rate.

Tim Hardaway Jr. ($6,500): With three Mavericks' players expected to sit on Saturday, the veteran should play an increased role while producing 0.82 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.0% usage rate in this split.

Ayo Dosunmu ($6,300): Since Dosunmu was moved into Chicago's first unit, the 24-year old has averaged 0.87 FanDuel points per minute and a 16.6% usage rate while logging 36.8 minutes per start.

Tre Jones ($6,100): At his lowest salary since January 15th, Jones is second among guards in value with a 5.28 rating and a 32.2 fantasy projection.

Alex Caruso ($5,800): After producing 0.87 FanDuel points per minute with the Bulls' expected rotation, Caruso is today's top value option among guards with a 5.41 rating and 31.4 fantasy projection.

Brandin Podziemski ($5,200): Golden State's rookie has been productive regardless of his role in his last ten games, averaging 0.80 FanDuel points per minute and a 15.7% usage rate.

Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,000): "The Greek Alphabet" should eat on Saturday in a mouth-watering matchup versus a Dallas defense ranked 27th in FanDuel points (50.3) allowed per game to his position. At his second lowest salary in the past month, Antetokounmpo is second overall with a 57.6 fantasy projection.

Anthony Davis ($11,100): Despite facing a tough New York Knicks' unit ranked first in FanDuel points (48.5) allowed to his position, AD is third overall with a 51.1 fantasy projection. In 676 with Los Angeles' current injuries, Davis is averaging 1.54 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.5% usage rate.

Domantas Sabonis ($10,400): Since January 2nd, Sabonis has leads his team in fantasy production, accounting for 1.40 FanDuel points per minute and 51.4 FanDuel points per minute despite recording a 22.2% usage rate.

LeBron James ($10,300): If James is able to return after he sat out on Thursday, the Lakers' superstar could be an overlooked option after he produced 1.30 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 27.8% usage rate with today's rotation.

DeMar DeRozan ($8,000): The reliable 34-year old rates as an optimal choice in all formats after he ranked first overall in value with a 5.56 rating and a 44.4 fantasy projection. If Coby White were to sit, DeRozan would see a 4.1% boost in his usage rate to 29.2%.

Jonathan Kuminga ($7,400): Golden State's forward has really emerged in his last three starts, producing 1.06 FanDuel points per minute and an eye-popping 42.1 FanDuel points per contest.

Khris Middleton ($7,200): The 11-year veteran has been steady since January 20th, accounting for 36.6 FanDuel points per game and 1.12 FanDuel points per minute.

Draymond Green ($7,000): Even at his highest salary this season, Green is tenth among forwards in value with a 4.66 rating and a 32.6 fantasy projection. In 365 minutes with today's expected inactives, the Warriors' big man is averaging 1.06 FanDuel points per minute.

Josh Hart ($6,800): New York's versatile forward has produced 0.69 FanDuel points per minute with today's current injuries while logging 39.8 minutes in his last three starts.

Andrew Wiggins ($6,200): After recording 30.9 FanDuel points per game and 0.93 FanDuel points per minute, Wiggins is ninth in value with a 4.67 rating and a 28.9 fantasy projection.

Harrison Barnes ($5,300): In his last six games, Barnes is averaging 0.92 FanDuel points per minute and 33.2 FanDuel points per contest while his salary has surged 35.8% to his highest point since January.

Centers

Nikola Vucevic ($8,100): Chicago's center leads his position in value with a 5.18 rating and a 42.0 fantasy projection after he accounted for 1.14 FanDuel points per minute with the Bulls' injuries.

Richaun Holmes ($4,500): While Holmes' starting spot is not concrete with the Mavericks often making lineup changes, the 30-year old has been efficient when on the floor with today's condensed rotation, averaging 0.96 FanDuel points per minute in this split.

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.