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

Devin Booker ($10,400): At his median salary this month, Booker is second overall with a 48.0xfantasy projection versus a Washington Wizards' team ranked last in defensive rating. After Bradley Beal was ruled out, Booker's production increases to 1.31 FanDuel points per minute and a 32.7% usage rate.

Stephen Curry ($8,800): In a matchup against a Portland Trail Blazers' defense allowing point guards to score 47.7 FanDuel points per game, Curry is fourthoverall with a 44.3 fantasy projection at his second lowest salary in December. Golden State's leading scorer ranks first among his team in fantasy production (1.19 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (29.8%) with today's inactives.

Damian Lillard ($8,700): Since the start of December, Lillard's FanDuel salary has decreased by 3.3% to his lowest point this month while averaging 1.13 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.3% usage rate. Despite a tough matchup against a Houston Rockets' defense ranked eighth in FanDuel points (46.9) allowed per game to his position, Lillard is fourth among guards with a 39.7fantasy projection.

Fred VanVleet ($8,100): Despite a recent increase to his highest salary this month, VanVleet still ranks third among guards in value with a 5.25 rating and a 42.5 fantasy projection in a great spot versus a Milwaukee Bucks' unit allowing 51.8 FanDuel points per game to his position.

Anfernee Simons ($7,900): In a good matchup against a Golden State Warriors' defense ranked 28th in FanDuel points (52.4) allowed per game to points, Simons has an ideal spot for a ceiling outcome. The 24-year old has accounted for a team-high 1.18 FanDuel points per minute and a 31.0% usage in his lastfive games.

Brandin Podziemski ($6,100): Golden State's rookie has provided underrated production in his last seven games, recording 0.96 FanDuel points per minute and a 18.1% usage while his salary has jumped by 35.5% to his highest point this season.

Jalen Green ($6,000): After three straight lackluster performances, Green's salary has decreased by 7.6% to his lowest point this month. The Rockets' third-year guard is seventh among his position in value with a 4.78 rating and a 28.7 fantasy projection.

Klay Thompson ($5,900): Despite some inconsistent scoring in his last six games, Thompson still rates as viable value option with a 5.1 rating and a 30.1fantasy projection. In 387 minutes with Golden State's expected rotation, Thompson has averaged 0.92 FanDuel points per minute and a 25% usage rate.

Eric Gordon ($5,200) / Grayson Allen ($5,100): In an increased role with Phoenix's injuries, Gordon ranks fourth among guards in value with a 5.16 rating and a 26.8fantasy projection while Allen stands second at his position in value with a 5.27 rating and a 26.9 fantasy projection.

Forwards

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,300): Even in a challenging matchup against a Houston unit ranked second in FanDuel points (42.4) allowed per game to his position, "The Greek Alphabet" is first overall with a 55.6 fantasy projection at his second highest salary in December.

Kevin Durant ($10,000): Phoenix's superstar is setup for a ceiling performance with a 47.3 fantasy projection versus a Washington team giving up 48.0 FanDuel points per game to power forwards. In 376 minutes with today's injuries, Durant is producing 1.38 FanDuel points per minute and a 32.5% usage rate.

Kyle Kuzma ($8,000): After a 3.6% salary drop, Kuzma offers underrated value with a 4.68 rating and a 37.5 fantasy projection versus a Phoenix team ranked 20th in defensive rating.

Jerami Grant ($7,000): Despite scoring 27 real-life points in his return on Saturday night. Grant's FanDuel salary has moved down 6.6% to his lowest point since November 19th. Portland's veteran ranks sixth among forwards in value with a 4.72 rating and a 33.0 fantasy projection.

Jabari Smith ($6,600): In his last six games, Smith Jr. stands second among his team in fantasy production (1.04 FanDuel points per minute) despite recording a 16.1% usage rate.

Jonathan Kuminga ($5,700): The 21-year old has scored at least ten real-life points in his last five appearances while recording an efficent 1.06 FanDuel points per minute during this time period.

Bilal Coulibaly ($5,100): Washington's rookie is tenth among forwards in value with a 4.47 rating and a 24.6 fantasy projection after he produced 0.92 FanDuel points per minute in his last six games.

Dillon Brooks ($4,900): Despite a recent jump to his highest salary this month, Brooks still ranks third among his position in value with a 4.76 rating and a 23.3 fantasy projection.

Centers

Alperen Sengun ($8,200): In a matchup against a Bucks' unit allowing centers to score 52.1 FanDuel points per game, Sengun is sixth overall with a 40.9 fantasy projection at his lowesy salary in December.

Jusuf Nurkic ($7,700): Phoenix's center sees a boost in his production with today's injuries, accounting for 1.28 FanDuel points per minute and a 21.4% 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.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.