FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Tuesday 2/13/24

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.

NBA DFS Picks

Tuesday's main slate on FanDuel features six games but some dramatically different game environments.

For a full breakdown, see numberFire's matchup heat map. Odds and totals via the NBA odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Top matchups:

• Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns | -5, 245 total
• Detroit Pistons @ Los Angeles Lakers | -10.5, 241.5 total

Other games:

• Boston Celtics @ Brooklyn Nets | +9, 227.5 total
• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Orlando Magic | +2.5, 223 total
• Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks | -8, 223 total
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Portland Trail Blazers | +9, 213 total

Guards

Top Plays

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,600) -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in a tier of his own among guards tonight. SGA carries a 51.7-point numberFire projection, 5.0 FanDuel points (FPs) more than the next closest guard. Despite this game's uninspiring total and strong defensive numbers for Orlando, this is a pretty nice spot. Per FantasyPros, the Magic have given up the second-most FPs to PGs over their last 15 games. With three 60-FP outings in his last five games and a points prop of 31.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook, SGA is worth building around tonight.

Tyler Herro ($7,800) -- The Heat will be without Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Josh Richardson. That paves the way for enhanced usage for Tyler Herro. According to RotoGrinders' CourtIQ, Herro has averaged 36.3 FPs and a 28% usage rate with Butler off the court this season. Herro has a solid matchup today, as the Bucks have allowed the sixth-most points to SGs and are on the second leg of a back-to-back

Mike Conley ($5,700) -- Mike Conley has averaged 27.3 FPs over his last seven appearances, and he's in a good spot to produce against Portland. The Blazers have yielded the seventh-most FPs to opposing PGs this season, so Conley's floor is as stable as they come tonight. Minnesota is in the second leg of a back-to-back, but we can confidently turn to Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($4,500) if Conley sits. NAW has averaged 25.4 FPs with Conley out of the lineup, and he went for 28.9 with Conley active last night.

Others to Consider

Devin Booker ($9,700) -- Devin Booker hasn't been as consistent as you'd like, but he has 60-FP upside on a nightly basis. He's playing in the slate's top game environment against a Kings team that's merely average against guards. Book is a fine pivot off SGA.

Jaden Ivey ($7,400) -- Jaden Ivey has exceeded 30 FPs in just one of his last six games with Cade Cunningham active, but the usage rate (25%) and scoring (19.8 points per game) have still been there. LA has given up the second-most FPs to SGs over their last 15 games, so I'm bullish Ivey can produce given the high total.

Pat Connaughton ($4,400) -- Pat Connaughton has exceeded 20 FPs in three of his last four games and should see plenty of action with Milwaukee on the second night of a back-to-back. Miami has given up the fifth-most threes over their last 15 games, so Connaughton (1.1 threes per game; 39% from deep) is a sneaky salary-saver.

Wings

Top Plays

Kevin Durant ($10,000) -- There are a number of high-salary forwards to choose from tonight, but Kevin Durant takes the cake. KD has been a dominant scorer all season, but it's his rebounding and passing that have bumped him up in recent weeks. He's totaled at least 13 combined rebounds and assists in eight of his last 11 games -- something to keep in mind with his rebounds + assists prop set at 12.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook. In the night's top game environment, KD could break the slate.

Simone Fontecchio ($5,600) -- After the top options, I want to ignore the midrange and dive right into the salary savers at forward. Simone Fontecchio is a big reason for that. He posted 34.3 FPs over 32 minutes in his Pistons debut, attempting the second-most shots (19) on the team. Fontecchio should continue to enjoy a strong usage rate against LA tonight, especially given the Lakers' struggles with wings. Over their last 15 games, the Lakers have yielded the fifth-most FPs to SFs.

Jonathan Isaac ($4,700) -- Jonathan Isaac played a season-high 25 minutes in Orlando's last game, notching his second-most FPs (33.4) of the campaign. A projections darling, Isaac has been wildly productive when given the opportunity, averaging the second-most FanDuel points per minute (1.15) on the Magic. OKC is a top-five defense, but Isaac's across-the-board contributions and bargain-bin salary make him a strong value piece.

Others to Consider

Jayson Tatum ($10,200) -- You'll never convince me it's a bad idea to roster Jayson Tatum, even in a suspect matchup. Tatum has exceeded 50 FPs in five of his last seven games, finishing two assists shy of a triple-double in each of his last two. Still, I'm a little nervous Boston runs away with this one. They've already beat Brooklyn by double-digits twice this season, and Tatum posted just 37.5 and 43.7 FPs in those two.

Keegan Murray ($6,400) -- Keegan Murray is inconsistent, but there's upside in the slate's top game environment. Murray's coming off a 37.5-FP outing and went for 18 and 21 real-world points the last two times he faced Phoenix. The Suns have given up the seventh-most threes over their last 15 games, so a big night from deep isn't out of the question.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,900) -- With Miami down three perimeter players, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has some appeal. Though he's been held under 20 FPs in three of his last four games, he's still seeing around 25 minutes a night. That could come in handy with Butler out. In 16 games without Jimmy, Jaquez has averaged 27.7 FPs in 34 minutes per game.

Jaden McDaniels ($4,400) -- Jaden McDaniels has failed to reach 20 FPs six games running, but he's still averaged 28.3 minutes over that span. Portland has done a good job with forwards, but they're still bottom-10 in defensive rating. As of Tuesday afternoon, McDaniels' 21.8-FP projection makes him the third-best point-per-dollar value among SFs.

Bigs

Top Plays

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,800) -- Giannis Antetokounmpo popped for 78.1 FPs in last night's bout with the defending champs, so there's little reason to fade him against the Heat. He's gone for 60 FPs in each of his last three fully healthy matchups versus Bam Adebayo, and Miami remains a below-averaging rebounding team. I'm not too worried about Giannis playing on the second leg of a back-to-back, either. In nine games with no rest this season, Giannis has averaged 58.3 FPs, exceeding 60 three times. He's averaged 6.9 assists in those contests, something to consider with his assists prop set at 6.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Jalen Duren ($7,800) -- Jalen Duren continues to thrive without Isaiah Stewart (injured) and Marvin Bagley III (traded). He's averaged 35.9 FPs since Bagley was shipped out and has gone for 44.0, 60.9, and 39.1 FPs over the last three games. Having to face the Lakers' interior isn't ideal, but LA hasn't been especially fearsome of late. Over their last 15 games, the Lakers have dipped to 18th in defensive rating and 24th in rebound rate. A high total gives Duren a nice ceiling.

Al Horford ($5,700) -- Al Horford is not on Boston's injury report -- a notable development considering they're on the first leg of a back-to-back. Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis is questionable, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Celtics stagger their bigs over the next two nights. Horford has averaged 29.2 FPs without Porzingis this season, so he's a great salary saver against Brooklyn. The Nets are a neutral fantasy matchup for bigs, but they're 29th in rebound rate over their last 15 games.

Others to Consider

Anthony Davis ($11,300) and LeBron James ($10,100) -- Anthony Davis and LeBron James are both questionable. The matchup is great if they play -- Detroit is bottom 10 in FPs allowed to SFs, PFs, and Cs -- but a double-digit spread lessens their appeal. However, if only one of the two is ruled out, the other becomes extremely appealing. AD has averaged 56.0 FPs with a 30% usage rate without LeBron, while James has averaged 42.5 FPs and a 29% usage rate sans Davis.

Domantas Sabonis ($10,700) -- Let's take a moment to appreciate Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis has gone for 50 FPs in seven of his last eight games, notching five triple-doubles over that span. You can't ask for much better consistency. He's well-equipped to stay hot against a Phoenix side he's tagged for 50 FPs against twice already this campaign.

Caleb Martin ($5,600) -- Miami's wings are where we find value tonight, and PF-eligible Caleb Martin may be the best play of the bunch. Martin has gone for 20 FPs in four straight games and just played 35 minutes for the first time since December.

Jalen Wilson ($4,600) -- numberFire projects Jalen Wilson for 24.8 FPs tonight, making him the top overall point-per-dollar value on the slate, regardless of position. I certainly get behind him as a salary-saver. He popped for a 21-point, 10-rebound performance against Milwaukee earlier this year and has averaged 19 FPs in 28 minutes over his last three games.

New to FanDuel Sportsbook? You have a chance to get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first bet wins—valid across all sports! See the promotions page for more information.

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.