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.

NBA DFS Picks

Guards

Top Plays

De'Aaron Fox ($8,700) -- Over his last seven games, De'Aaron Fox averaged 32 FanDuel points (FP). He exceeded 40 FP just once over that span while his salary has dropped by over $1,000. However, he's coming off his best performance in that stretch (46.9 FP) and remains a high-ceiling option thanks to his matchup with the Phoenix Suns, a team allowing the sixth-most FP to PGs, per FantasyPros. A slate-high 244 over/under gives Fox a sizable margin for error, too.

Bradley Beal ($7,600) -- Slowly but surely, Bradley Beal has played his way back onto the DFS radar. Over his last eight games, Beal has averaged 35.6 FP per game and eclipsed 30 minutes in all eight. With 50.2 and 37.3 FP in the last two games, Beal is an intriguing midrange option against a Sacramento Kings D that's allowed the seventh-most points per game to SGs. He makes for a quality game stack with Fox, too.

Malik Monk ($6,800) -- Malik Monk popped off for 28 points and 45.9 FP the last time out -- his third 40-FP game in eight outings since the new year. Notably, Monk's production came in the wake of an injury to Keegan Murray. Murray is questionable tonight, but if he sits, I'd be more than willing to roster Monk. He's averaged 1.12 FP per minute and seen a 24.7% usage rate with Murray off the floor this season, per RotoGrinders' CourtIQ.

Others to Consider

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,400) -- It's hard for me to get to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a small slate short on value plays, but he still warrants consideration. SGA is coming off a quiet game by his standards (only 39.4 FP), but the game environment is there for a bounceback tonight. While the Los Angeles Clippers allow the fewest FP to PGs, this game has a healthy 235.5 over/under.

Reggie Jackson ($5,300) -- Reggie Jackson's viability hinges on the status of Jamal Murray (questionable), but he'd be a strong value if Murray sat. In 14 games without Murray, Jackson averaged 28.6 FP in 30 minutes per game -- compare that to 18.1 FP and 20 minutes in 26 games with Murray. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,700) would also see a bump up if Murray sat, but he has viability regardless, having notched 20 FP in four of his last six. That said, KCP is also questionable.

Patrick Beverley ($4,200) -- Patrick Beverley has quietly seen an uptick in minutes of late, notching at least 27 in three of his last four games. He's averaged 23.3 FP over that span, so he makes for a sneaky salary-saver on a night lacking low-salary options.

Wings

Top Plays

Kawhi Leonard ($8,800) -- Although the Oklahoma City Thunder rank fifth in defensive rating and allow the fewest FP to SFs, it's hard not to consider Kawhi Leonard at this salary. Kawhi's notched over 47 FP in three straight games and has averaged 46 FP in eight games since returning from injury. Considering he just put 47.8 FP on the Minnesota Timberwolves' top-rated defense, I'm not too worried about this matchup.

Grayson Allen ($5,200) -- Grayson Allen has consistently been one of my favorite value plays, and tonight's no different. Allen's notched 30 minutes in all but one game since Beal returned on December 29th, averaging 26.9 FP over that span. The Kings have let up the seventh-most threes to SFs this season, paving the way for Allen (2.6 threes per game on 47% shooting) to produce. His 24.9-point numberFire projection is the highest among sub-$6,000 salary players.

Harrison Barnes ($4,500) -- Harrison Barnes would be one of the top value plays at either forward position if Keegan Murray is unable to go tonight. In four games sans Murray, Barnes has averaged 25.6 FP in 33 minutes per game.

Others to Consider

Kevin Durant ($9,800) -- Although Kevin Durant's minutes haven't dipped since his return from a hamstring injury, his production has. In four games following a brief absence, KD has yet to exceed 45 FP -- though he's still shooting 53% over that span. Still, given the number of high-salary options tonight, I'd rather wait for Durant to get right than buy the dip.

Terance Mann ($4,200) -- The production hasn't been there of late, but Terance Mann has averaged 24.4 minutes over his last five games. Although he's shooting just 28% from deep this season, his 3.1 three-point attempts per game are a career-high. There's an opportunity for him to have a big night from beyond the arc considering the Thunder allow the third-most three-point attempts per game.

Bigs

Top Plays

Joel Embiid ($12,200) -- Joel Embiid didn't miss a beat in his return to action, scoring 61.5 FP in yesterday's win. That was the 14th time in his last 16 appearances that Embiid went for 60 FP. He exploded for 85.1 FP in last season's matchup with the Denver Nuggets, so the sky's the limit here. Even with a slate-high salary, Embiid is a priority play.

Aaron Gordon ($6,200) -- Aaron Gordon is questionable tonight, but he's coming off a rest day and has played in seven straight contests. Assuming he plays, Gordon is a quality midrange option against a Philadelphia 76ers defense that's given up the fourth-most rebounds to PFs. Rebounding has been a key part of Gordon's fantasy value -- he averages 38.7 FP when grabbing at least eight 'boards.

Daniel Theis ($4,400) -- Daniel Theis figures to be one of the most rostered players tonight but for good reason. Ivica Zubac is out, so Theis should step into a sizable role against a Oklahoma City Thunder defense that's been middle of the pack against centers. numberFire projects Theis for 23.7 FP, making him the best point-per-dollar value on the slate (as of Tuesday afternoon). His low salary and multi-position eligibility do wonders for lineup construction.

Others to Consider

Nikola Jokic ($11,700) -- It's hard not to consider Nikola Jokic, but he's exceeded 60 FP only twice in seven games since the new year. There's a chance he shows out in a primetime matchup against Embiid, but the Philadelphia 76ers have been stingy against centers, and he only went for 46.1 FP when they faced off last season. Jokic is questionable, so keep an eye on DeAndre Jordan ($4,400). He put up 51.1 FP in a spot start for the Joker earlier this season and would become an intriguing value option if he started.

Domantas Sabonis (10,100) -- Domantas Sabonis has some appeal as a pivot away from Embiid and Jokic lineups, plus his PF eligibility gives you the option to roster him with either center. Sabonis has a trio of 62.1, 72.5, and 70.6-FP performances in his last seven outings, but he's also been held under 40 FP twice over that span. The triple-double threat has been held under 30 FP in two of his last four matchups against Jusuf Nurkic, so we should temper expectations to an extent.

Trey Lyles ($4,200) -- The last of the Kings who would benefit from a Keegan Murray absence, Trey Lyles has some appeal tonight. Lyles put up 20.4 FP when Murray exited their last contest early, and he's averaged 17.9 FP in four full games without him. Phoenix allowing the 11th-most FP to PFs doesn't hurt, either.

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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.