FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Sunday 1/28/24

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

Trae Young ($10,000): Even in a challenging matchup versus a Toronto Raptors ranked eighth in FanDuel points (47.6) allowed per game to point guards, Young is third overall with a 45.0 fantasy projection at his lowest salary this month. In two prior encounters this season, Atlanta's star has crushed in this matchup, averaging 36.5 real-life points and 59.4 FanDuel points.

Devin Booker ($9,900): After consecutive monster performances, Booker's salary has shifted up by 2.0% to his third highest point in January. Among his team's starting lineup, Booker ranks first in usage (31.4%) and fantasy production (1.27 FanDuel points per minute) in 470 minutes this month.

Dejounte Murray ($8,900): Since January 17th, Murray has provided consistent production, producing at least 22 real-life points and 1.19 FanDuel points per minute while his salary has increased by 11.2%.

Anfernee Simons ($8,400): If Simons is available after he was designated as questionable, Portland's emerging guard has been in good form in his last four contests, accounting for 1.03 FanDuel points per minute and 37.2 FanDuel point per game. If Jerami Grant is unable to play, Simons' production is increased to 1.11 FanDuel points per minute and a 30.8% usage rate with today's other inactives.

Coby White ($7,800): With three key players out of Chicago's rotation, White is set to play an increased offensive role, averaging 0.61 real-life points and 0.97 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.8% usage rate.

Malcolm Brogdon ($7,700): While Brogdon's status is worth monitoring after he was inactive on Friday with a knee injury, the 31-year old has played well in his last five starts, recording 1.07 FanDuel points per minute and 37.7 FanDuel points per game.

Alex Caruso ($6,200): In 224 minutes with today's expected rotation, Chicago's reliable perimeter defense is averaging 0.99 FanDuel points per minute and a 16.1% usage rate. Despite a 3.3% salary bump, Caruso is first among guards in value with a 4.80 rating and a 29.8 fantasy projection.

Ayo Dosunmu ($5,400): With Patrick Williams sidelined on Sunday, Dosunmu is expected to see more minutes while also ranking sixth among his positions in value with a 4.61 rating and a 22.9 fantasy projection.

Gary Trent Jr. ($5,000): After producing 0.81 FanDuel points per minute and a 21.5% usage rate with Sunday's injuries, Trent Jr. is eighth among guards in value with a 4.58 rating and a 22.9 fantasy projection.

Forwards

Kevin Durant ($9,700): Despite a tough matchup versus an Orlando Magic defense ranked fourth in fantasy production (43.5) allowed per game to his position, KD is fourth overall with a 44.0 fantasy projection at his second lowest salary this month.

Scottie Barnes ($9,300): Toronto's third-year forward is today's top overall option with a 46.3 fantasy projection after he produced an underrated 1.26 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 31.0% usage rate with today's injuries. Barnes has played well against an Atlanta Hawks' unit ranked 27th in defensive rating, averaging 25 real-life points and 46.9 FanDuel points in two prior meetings.

Paolo Banchero ($8,500): The Magic star has been a beast in January, recording 25.0 real-life points per game and 1.20 FanDuel points per minute. Banchero is fourth among forwards with a 37.0 fantasy projection.

DeMar DeRozan ($8,100): At his third lowest salary this month, DeRozan is third overall in value with a 5.31 rating and a 43.0 fantasy projection in a great matchup against a Portland Trail Blazers' unit allowing 48.6 FanDuel points per game to his position. Chicago's reliable forward has accounted for 1.13 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.5% usage rate with Sunday's injuries.

Jalen Johnson ($7,900): In Johnson's last seven appearances, the Hawks' forward has provided undervalued production, averaging 1.03 FanDuel points per minute and 37.5 FanDuel points per game.

RJ Barrett ($7,400): The 23-year old has played a key offensive role with his new team, ranking second among Toronto's current first unit in usage (27.0%) and fantasy production (1.19 FanDuel points per minute). At his highest salary point in January, Barrett still stands fifth among his position in value with a 4.69 rating and a 34.7 fantasy projection.

Franz Wagner ($7,300): Since his return on January 21st, Wagner is averaging 0.89 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.6% usage rate while his salary has decreased by 3.9%.

Saddiq Bey ($6,100): Even at his second highest salary this month, Bey ranks fourth among forwards in value with a 4.72 rating and a 28.8 fantasy projection.

Thaddeus Young ($5,600): The Raptors' veteran has been efficient when on the floor with Sunday's rotation, providing 1.02 FanDuel points per minute.

Bruce Brown Jr. ($5,500): Despite recording a 14.1% usage rate with today's injuries, Brown is first among forwards in value with a 5.44 rating and a 29.9 fantasy projection at his lowest salary during his time with Toronto.

Centers

Nikola Vucevic ($8,000): The Bulls' center leads his team's starters in fantasy production (1.19 FanDuel points per minute) with Sunday's injuries despite accounting for a 18.8% usage rate.

Deandre Ayton ($7,400): Portland's big man would see a huge boost to 1.21 FanDuel points per minute and a 30.0% usage rate if Jerami Grant is ruled out.

Drew Eubanks ($5,000): With Jusuf Nurkic's availability in limbo with a thumb injury, Eubanks could see an increased role at center after he produced 0.92 FanDuel points per minute with Nurkic off the floor.

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.