FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Sunday 5/19/24

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. Our projections -- which are powered by numberFire -- update throughout the day to reflect current news. You can also turn to numberFire for player news updates as well as 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 some of the day's top plays at each position.

Let's dive into today's main slate on FanDuel.

Betting lines via the NBA odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. Projections and betting odds may change after this article is published.

NBA DFS Picks

Guards

Jalen Brunson ($10,300): At his median salary this series, Brunson stands second overall with a 50.7 fantasy projection after producing 1.20 FanDuel points per minute and a 37.0% usage rate against Indiana. If OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are unable to suit up, Brunson's metrics move up to 1.37 FanDuel points per minute and an insane 40.5% usage rate.

Anthony Edwards ($10,100): "Ant-Man" is ninth among guards in value at his second lowest Round salary with a 4.44 rating and a 44.9 fantasy projection. In 240 minutes this series, Edwards has accounted for 1.20 FanDuel points per minute and a 30.1% usage rate.

Tyrese Haliburton ($8,800): Despite inconsistent usage, Haliburton still leads his team's first unit in fantasy production (1.30 FanDuel points per minute). The Pacers' point guard stands fourth among his position in value with a 4.9 rating and a 43.1 fantasy projection.

Jamal Murray ($7,800): After a 2.5% salary decrease, Murray is fifth overall in value with a 5.03 rating and a 39.2 fantasy projection after accounting for 0.80 FanDuel points per minute in his last six games.

Donte DiVincenzo ($7,600): New York's shooting guard is third among his team's starting lineup in fantasy production (0.90 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (22.0%).

Mike Conley ($5,700): The Timberwolves' veteran has been efficient in Round 2 despite recording a 15.9% usage rate in Round 2, averaging 0.90 FanDuel points per minute.

T.J. McConnell ($5,100): Indiana's spark plug makes thing happen when he is on the floor in this matchup, producing an eye-popping 1.30 FanDuel points per minute and a 29.4% usage rate.

Miles McBride ($5,000): In 166.4 Round 2 minutes, McBride has produced 0.60 FanDuel points per minute and a 18.0% usage rate.

Andrew Nembhard ($4,900): Despite a 6.5% salary bump, the 24-year old is an intriguing value option after he produced 0.70 FanDuel points per minute against the New York Knicks.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,600): Denver's 3-and-D specialist has produced 0.58 FanDuel points per minute and 19.8 FanDuel points per contest in three prior home games this series.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($3,900): Minnesota's backup guard has logged 26.3 minutes per game in Round 2 while averaging 0.60 FanDuel points.

Forwards

Josh Hart ($7,900): If the Knicks' versatile forward is able to suit up after he was listed as questionable, Hart is third among his position with a 36.7 fantasy projection.

Pascal Siakam ($7,700): After a breakout 45.9 fantasy point performance in Game 6, Siakam is second among Indiana's starting lineup in fantasy production (1.10 FanDuel points per minute) and first in usage (26.8%).

Karl-Anthony Towns ($7,500): At his lowest Round 2 salary, Towns is fifth among forwards in value with a 4.87 rating and a 36.5 fantasy projection. Minnesota's big has accounted for 1.10 FanDuel points per minute and a 23.3% usage rate versus the Denver Nuggets.

Aaron Gordon ($6,900): Denver's power forward has played well throughout this series, averaging 1.0 FanDuel point per minute and 34.9 FanDuel points per contest.

Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,400): The 26-year old is third among forwards in value with a 5.31 rating and a 34.0 fantasy projection at his median Round 2 salary.

OG Anunoby ($5,900): If available, Anunoby would offer sneaky production after he produced 1.10 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.3% usage rate versus Indiana.

Michael Porter Jr. ($5,800): Despite his recent scoring slump, MPJ is second overall in value with a 5.46 rating and a 31.6 fantasy projection at his lowest postseason salary.

Precious Achiuwa ($4,900): New York's big is averaging 0.90 FanDuel points per minute if Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are ruled out.

Jaden McDaniels ($4,800): In his last six appearances, McDaniels is averaging 0.70 FanDuel points per minute and a 15.1% usage rate.

Aaron Nesmith ($4,700): After producing 0.60 FanDuel points per minute this series, Indiana's forward ranks as an optimal value, standing third overall with a 5.39 rating and a 25.3 fantasy projection.

Centers

Nikola Jokic ($12,200): For a pivotal Game 7 matchup, Denver's MVP winner stands as today's top option with a 58.1 fantasy projection at his second lowest Round 2 salary. Jokic has accounted for 1.50 FanDuel points per minute and a 33.1% usage rate against the Timberwolves.

Myles Turner ($6,800): Indiana's center is today's top value option with a 5.65 rating and a 38.4 fantasy projection after he averaged 1.0 FanDuel point per minute in Round 2.

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.