FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Sunday 1/7/24

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): Despite a tough matchup against an Orlando Magic defense ranked eighth in FanDuel points (47.8) allowed per game to point guards, Young is fifth overall with a 48.2 fantasy projection at his lowest salary this month. In their first meeting this season, Young roasted Orlando, accounting for an eye-popping 41.0 real-life points and 63.8 FanDuel points in 34 minutes.

Ja Morant ($9,800): If Morant is able to play after he was listed as questionable, the 24-year old is fifth among guards with a 43.4 fantasy projection in an underrated spot against a Phoenix Suns' team allowing 51.0 FanDuel points per game to his position. Since his return, Morant is averaging 1.28 FanDuel points per minute and a 30.9% usage rate.

De'Aaron Fox ($9,700): At his highest salary point in January, Fox is fourth among his position with a 43.4 fantasy projection despite a challenging spot versus a New Orleans Pelicans ranked third in fantasy production (46.1) allowed per game to point guards.

Anthony Edwards ($9,300): Since December 16th, Edwards has been on fire, averaging 31.9 real points and 48.6 FanDuel points per game while his salary has increased by 4.4%.

Kyrie Irving ($9,100): If Luka Doncic is ruled out again, Irving will be the center piece of the Dallas offense, averaging 1.40 FanDuel points per minute and a 28.0% usage rate in this split.

James Harden ($8,800): After a 4.3% salary drop. "The Beard" is third in value among his positions with a 4.86 rating and a 42.8 fantasy projection.

Stephen Curry ($8,700): At his median salary this month, Curry is first among guards in value with a 5.08 rating and a 44.2 fantasy projection against a Toronto Raptors' unit giving up 47.0 FanDuel points per game to his position.

Jamal Murray ($8,600): In a mouth-watering spot versus a Detroit Pistons' defense allowing the most fantasy production (53.9) to points guards, Murray is 12th in value among guards with a 4.63 rating and a 39.8 fantasy projection.

C.J. McCollum ($7,800): If Zion Williamson were to sit, McCollum's production jumps to 1.12 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.0% usage rate.

Austin Reaves ($7,600): The 25-year old has seen an increased role in his last three games, averaging 37.4 minutes per game while recording 1.17 FanDuel points per minute and a 20.0% usage rate.

Immanuel Quickley ($7,300): Since his trade to Toronto, Quickley has accounted for 1.08 FanDuel points per minute and a 25.2% usage rate. Even at his highest salary this season, the Raptors' guard is second among his positions in value with a 4.92 rating an a 35.9 fantasy projection.

Klay Thompson ($6,700): With three key players inactive on Sunday, Thompson's production sees a boost to 1.04 FanDuel points per minute and a 25.9% usage rate.

Jalen Suggs ($6,300): In a potential increased role with Franz Wagner already ruled out and several other players questionable. Suggs is eighth among guards in value with a 4.81 rating and a 30.3 fantasy projection.

Brandin Podziemski ($6,300): After Chris Paul was ruled out, Golden State's rookie stands fifth among guards in value with a 4.85 rating and a 30.6 fantasy projection.

Forwards

Anthony Davis ($11,700): Even at his second highest salary this season. Davis is second overall with a 56.8 fantasy projection after he produced 1.60 FanDuel points per minute and 59.4 FanDuel points per contest in his last nine appearances.

Domantas Sabonis ($10,400): Since December 22nd, Sabonis has been on fire, averaging 52.9 FanDuel points per game and 1.43 FanDuel points per minute.

LeBron James ($10,300): In a middling matchup against a Los Angeles Clippers' defense allowing 41.3 FanDuel points per contest to small forwards, James is ninth among forwards in value with a 4.82 rating and a 49.7 fantasy projection.

Paolo Banchero ($9,200): Even at his highest salary this season, Orlando's emerging star is fourth among forwards in value with a 5.02 rating and a 46.2 fantasy projection after he produced 49.7 FanDuel points per game in his last eight appearances.

Kawhi Leonard ($9,000): After a 3.2% salary decrease, "The Claw" is fifth overall in value with a 5.03 rating and a 45.3 fantasy projection.

Pascal Siakam ($8,600): At his lowest salary point in January, Siakam is second in value among forwards with a 5.05 rating and a 43.4 fantasy projection against a Golden State Warriors' unit giving up 46.7 FanDuel points per game to his position.

Jalen Johnson ($7,300): Since his return on December 26th, Atlanta's third year forward is averaging 38.4 FanDuel points per game and 1.21 FanDuel points per minute.

Aaron Gordon ($6,500): The Nuggets' big man is second overall in value with a 5.22 rating and a 33.9 fantasy projection after he accounted for 30.1 FanDuel points per appearance since December 11th.

Saddiq Bey ($5,900): In 718 minutes with today's inactives,, Bey is averaging 0.80 FanDuel points per minute and a 15.4% usage rate.

Chuma Okeke ($4,000): With several injuries in Orlando's roration, the 25-year old could see an expanded role after he logged 27.9 minutes in his last two appearances. Okeke is currently 15th among forwards in value with a 4.61 rating and a 18.4 fantasy projection.

Centers

Nikola Jokic ($12,100): "The Joker" is today's top overall option with a 59.8 fantasy projection in a great spot versus a Detroit team giving up the second most FanDuel points (60.1) per game to centers. In his last eight games, Jokic is averaging 54.7 FanDuel points per game while his salary has decreased by 1.6%.

Dwight Powell ($4,500): With Dereck Lively unlikely to suit up on Sunday, Powell should see more minutes while recording 0.88 FanDuel points per minute with today's expected rotation.

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.