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

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,600): In a matchup versus a Brooklyn Nets' defense allowing 48.8 FanDuel points per game to his position, Oklahoma City's superstar is today's top overall option with a 50.4 fantasy projection at his third highest salary this month.

De'Aaron Fox ($10,100): Since December 18th, Fox has been on fire, averaging a robust 1.53 FanDuel points and 0.88 real-life points per minute while his salary has only increased by 1% despite his hot streak. Sacramento's point guard is seventh overall with a 44.0 fantasy projection in a great spot against a Memphis Grizzlies' unit ranked 28th in FanDuel points (52.6) allowed per game to his position.

Ja Morant ($10,000): In five appearances since his season debut, Morant is producing 1.31 FanDuel points per minute and a 33.4% usage rate. At his second highest salary in December, the 24-year old is fifth overall with a 44.5 fantasy projection versus a Sacramento Kings' team giving up 50.5 FanDuel points per game to point guards.

Desmond Bane ($8,900): While Morant has taken over a primary offensive role, Bane has still remained effective, recording 1.16 FanDuel points and a 28.5% usage rate since December 19th.

C.J. McCollum ($7,900): The Pelicans' guard rates as viable mid-salary option with a 4.59 value rating and a 36.3 fantasy projection in an underrated spot versus a Los Angeles Lakers giving up 50.8 FanDuel points per game to his position.

Jalen Williams ($7,300): Among Oklahoma City's starting lineup this month, Williams is fourth in fantasy production (1.09 FanDuel points per minute) and second in usage (22.9%).

Bradley Beal ($6,300): After a 3.0% salary drop. Beal is second overall in value with a 5.27 rating and a 33.2 fantasy projection even in a tough matchup versus an Orlando Magic unit ranked third in defensive rating.

Josh Giddey ($6,000): Despite inconsistent playing time, Giddey is third among guards in value with a 4.95 rating and a 29.7 fantasy projection.

Malik Monk ($5,600): If Kevin Huerter is unable to play after he was listed as questionable, Monk is considered today's top value option with a 5.43 rating and a 30.4 fantasy projection. In 565 minutes with Huerter off the floor, Monk is averaging 1.07 FanDuel points per minute and a 23.5% usage rate.

Malaki Branham ($4,500): Since his promotion to the Spurs' starting unit on December 8th, Branham is averaging 0.78 FanDuel points per minute and a 18.4% usage rate.

Forwards

Anthony Davis ($11,300): Despite scoring 81.4 FanDuel points on Saturday night, Davis' salary has dropped to his second lowest point in December in a revenge matchup versus a New Orleans Pelicans' defense allowing 56.6 FanDuel points per game to his position. While his status is worth monitoring for the second part of Los Angeles' back-to-back, AD rates as premier play, standing second overall with a 48.5 fantasy projection.

LeBron James ($10,300): Even at his third highest salary this month, James is fourth overall with a 46.4 fantasy projection versus a New Orleans' team ranked seventh in defensive rating. In their previous meeting, the future Hall-of-Famer scored an efficient 48.0 FanDuel points in just 23 minutes.

Kevin Durant ($10,200): With the Suns' big three set to play together on Sunday, Durant could be overlooked despite ranking fifth among forwards with a 42.9 fantasy projection. In 43 minutes in this split, Durant is averaging 1.25 FanDuel points per minute and a 16.9% usage rate.

Jayson Tatum ($9,800): At his second lowest salary in December, Tatum is sixth overall with a 44.1 fantasy projection in great matchup against a San Antonio team ranked 25th in defensive rating.

Domantas Sabonis ($9,700): After a 6.7% salary decrease, Sabonis is sixth overall in value with a 4.94 rating while also ranking third with a 47.9 fantasy projection against a Memphis defense allowing 54.7 FanDuel points per game to his position.

Jaylen Brown ($8,700): Despite an eye-popping 7.4% salary increase, Brown still rates well with a 4.38 value rating and a 38.1 fantasy projection.

Paolo Banchero ($8,600): In his last four games, Banchero has been a beast, accounting for 1.24FanDuel points and 0.72 real-life points per minute whle his salary has moved up 7.5%.

Brandon Ingram ($8,400): "B.I" still ranks tenth among forwards in value with a 4.62 rating and a 38.8 fantasy projection even at his second highest salary this month.

Zion Williamson ($8,200): The Pelicans' power forward has recently emerged in his last three contests, averaging 1.32 FanDuel points per minute and 44.1 FanDuel points per game.

Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,000): Despite a 3.8% salary increase, the Grizzles' defensive enforcer is second among forwards in value with a 5.04 rating and a 40.4 fantasy projection. Since Morant's return, Jackson Jr. is averaging 1.0 FanDuel point per minute and a 24.1% usage rate.

Keegan Murray ($6,600): Since December 2nd, Murray has played well, recording 0.90 FanDuel points and 0.55 real-life points per minute.

Cameron Johnson ($5,900): At his second lowest salary this month, Johnson is fifth among forwards in value with a 4.87 rating and a 28.8 fantasy projection.

Luguentz Dort ($5,000): Despite recording a 15.7% usage rate in December, Dort is fourth among his positions in value with a 4.91 rating and a 24.5 fantasy projection.

Centers

Chet Holmgren ($8,300): In an underrated matchup against a Nets' defense allowing 53.3 FanDuel points per game to centers, Oklahoma City's rookie is fourth among his position in value with a 4.83 rating and a 40.1 fantasy projection.

Nicolas Claxton ($7,100): At his second lowest salary in December, Claxton is third among centers in value with a 4.86 rating and a 34.5 fantasy projection.

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.