FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Saturday 2/10/24

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.

Guards

Donovan Mitchell ($10,300): At his lowest salary in February, "Spida" is second overall with a 44.9 fantasy projection in a middling spot against a Toronto Raptors' defense allowing 40.9 FanDuel points per game to his position. Since Cleveland has been fielding their normal starting unit on January 31st, Mitchell has averaged 1.58 FanDuel points per minute and 53.6 FanDuel points per game.

Jalen Brunson ($9,900): After missing one game, Brunson's availability remains in question versus an Indiana Pacers' team he scored 40 real-life points against in their last meeting. Even at his highest salary this season, New York's All-Star ranks seventh overall with a 43.2 fantasy projection.

Trae Young ($9,800): If Dejounte Murray were to sit again, Young could be a sneaky target after his production is boosted to 1.40 FanDuel points per minute with a 34.1% usage rate.

Stephen Curry ($9,600): Since January 15th, Curry has been carrying Golden State's offense, accounting for 1.33 FanDuel points per minute and 45.2 FanDuel points per game.

Devin Booker ($9,500): In an underrated matchup versus a Golden State Warriors' team giving up 50.8 FanDuel points per game to his position, Booker is sixth among guards with a 41.0 fantasy projection at his lowest salary since October 28th.

Tyrese Maxey ($9,300): After a 4.1% salary drop, Saturday's opportunity against a Washington Wizards' defense ranked 25th in FanDuel points allowed to point guards could be a perfect spot for a ceiling performance if Maxey is active.

Donte DiVincenzo ($8,200): The 27-year old has been on fire in his last six games, accounting for 1.12 FanDuel points per minute and an eye-popping 45.3 FanDuel points per appearance while his salary has jumped by 41.3%.

Jalen Green ($7,700): Despite last night's disappointing performance, Houston's third-year guard ranks first among his team's starting unit in usage (39.0%) and secondin fantasy production (1.19 FanDuel points per minute) with Saturday's expected rotation.

Amen Thompson ($7,300): In his last two starts, the Rockets' rookie is producing 1.0 FanDuel point per minute and a 17.95 usage rate while logging 32.8 minutes per game.

Vince Williams Jr. ($7,100): With so many injuries in Memphis Grizzlies' rotation, the 23-year old has played an increased role, recording 1.06 FanDuel points per minute with today's current inactives.

Tyus Jones ($6,400): After a 4.4% decrease in salary, Washington's veteran ranks as an optimal mid-range option, standing seventh among guards with a 4.95 rating and a 31.7 fantasy projection.

Kelly Oubre ($6,300): At his second lowest salary this month, Oubre is fourth overall in value with a 5.59 rating and a 35.2 fantasy projection versus a Washington team ranked 27th in defensive rating.

Jordan Poole ($5,800): While Poole's inconsistent performances are always a concern, Washington's guard is still an option to save some salary, ranking fourth overall with a 5.19 rating and a 30.1 fantasy projection.

Buddy Hield ($5,800) / Cameron Payne ($4,600): If Tyrese Maxey is unable to go, both players would see similar roles they played in their Philadelphia debuts with Hield producing 0.80 FanDuel points per minute and a 23.2% usage rate while Payne recorded 1.11 FanDuel points per minute and a 21.7% usage rate.

Forwards

Kevin Durant ($10,400): In a revenge matchup versus a Golden State unit giving up 48.4 FanDuel points per game to his position, Durant is fourth overall with a 44.3 fantasy projection. Phoenix's forward is averaging 25.0 real-life points and 40.6 FanDuel points in this matchup in two previous meetings.

Miles Bridges ($9,300): Since January 24th, Bridges is second on his team in usage (27.5%) and fantasy production (1.12 FanDuel points per minute) while his salary has surged by 16.2%.

Paolo Banchero ($8,800): Orlando's second-year big man is really established himself in his last eight games, recording 1.27 FanDuel points per minute and 44.5 FanDuel points per contest.

Tobias Harris ($8,100): While Harris has dealt with some struggles in his last six games, the veteran has still produced 1.09 FanDuel points per minute during this time period.

Jonathan Kuminga ($7,500): Even at his second highest salary this season, the 21-year old is an intriguing option after he accounted for 38.6 FanDuel points per game since January 12th.

Brandon Miller ($7,400): Charlotte's rookie has scored at least 16 real-life points in his last seven games while producing 41.4 FanDuel points per appearance.

Onyeka Okongwu ($7,300): With Clint Capela sidelined, Okongwu has been impressive in his three starts, recording 1.03 FanDuel points per minute and 35.7 FanDuel points per contest.

Josh Hart ($7,300): Since January 30th, Hart has displayed his versatile skillset, averaging 12.0 real-life points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in his last five starts.

Precious Achiuwa ($7,100): New York's big man has seen a huge workload since he was given a starting role on January 29th, logging 39.9 minutes per game and 0.81 FanDuel points per minute.

Deni Avdija ($6,000): In 296 minutes with today's current rotation, Avdija is averaging an efficient 1.03 FanDuel points per minute and a 19.8% usage rate.

Dillon Brooks ($5,600): After producing 1.35 FanDuel points per minute with Houston's injuries, Brooks offers underrated value with a 4.98 rating and a 27.9 fantasy projection.

Bilal Coulibaly ($4,600): Washington's rookie could see an extended role after he played well in his fourth start on Friday, accounting for 1.20 FanDuel points per minute and a 28.6% usage rate.

Centers

Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,700): In 164 minutes with Saturday's expected rotation, Jackson Jr. has been impressive for his short-handed team, accounting for 1.38 FanDuel points per minute and a 38.3% usage rate. The Grizzlies' defensive enforcer is fifth overall with a 44.2 fantasy projection versus a Charlotte team giving up the third most production (60.0 FanDuel points per game) to his position.

Nick Richards ($5,800): After a 6.4% salary decrease, Richards is third overall in value with a 5.41 rating and a 32.0 fantasy projection versus a Memphis unit ranked 25th in FanDuel points (57.9) allowed to his position.

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.