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

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.

Guards

Anthony Edwards ($9,700): "Ant-Man" is second overall with a 39.9 fantasy projection in an ideal spot against a Brooklyn Nets' defense ranked 22nd in FanDuel points (43.3) allowed per game to his position. Edwards has been on a tear in his last seven games, accounting for 51.4 FanDuel points per contest and 1.44 FanDuel points per minute.

Jalen Brunson ($9,500): In 304 minutes with today's rotation, New York's All-Star is first among his team in fantasy production (1.28 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (35.9%). Despite recording 46.6 FanDuel points per game in his last seven appearances, Brunson's salary has somehow decreased by 4.0% to his lowest point in February.

Cade Cunningham ($8,500): Since February 2nd, Cunningham has averaged 1.20 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.0% usage rate. In an underrated matchup versus an Orlando Magic defense allowing 49.8 FanDuel points per game to his position, Cunningham is third among guards with a 38.7 fantasy projection at his highest salary this month.

Donte DiVincenzo ($7,700): The 27-year old is in the middle of his best offensive month this season, accounting for 23.9 real-life points per game and 1.02 FanDuel points per minute.

Derrick White ($7,500): Boston's versatile guard has been on a roll in his last three games, producing 1.14 FanDuel points per minute and 37.6 FanDuel points per contest. Despite a tough matchup against a New York Knicks' team ranked ninth in defensive rating, White has averaged 32.2 FanDuel points in three prior meetings.

Cameron Thomas ($7,200): In his last eight starts, Thomas has been the centerpiece of Brooklyn's offense, accounting for a 29.5% usage rate and 0.99 FanDuel points per minute.

Jrue Holiday ($6,800): After a 2.8% decrease to his lowest salary point in February, Holiday is today's top value option among his position with a 5.25 rating and a 35.7 fantasy projection.

Jaden Ivey ($6,600): Despite some inconsistent performances this month, Detroit's second-year guard ranks second among his team's starting unit in usage (26.9%) while averaging 0.86 FanDuel points per minute.

Jalen Suggs ($5,400): At his lowest salary this month, the 22-year old is second among guards in value with a 4.94 rating and a 26.7 fantasy projection after he produced 0.90 FanDuel points per minute and a 20.7% usage rate with Saturday's injuries.

Gary Harris ($4,200): After seeing 28 minutes in a starting role on Thursday with Markelle Fultz inactive, Harris rates as a viable value option with a 4.07 rating and a 17.1 fantasy projection. In 738 minutes with today's expected rotation, Harris is averaging 0.62 FanDuel points per minute and a 12.3% usage rate.

Forwards

Jayson Tatum ($10,500): At his highest salary this month, Tatum is today's top overall option with a 43.4 fantasy projection in a matchup he has produced a ton of success in, averaging 31.3 real-life points and 51.2 FanDuel points in three prior meetings.

Kristaps Porzingis ($8,600): In his last three seven contests, Porzingis is second among Boston's starting five in fantasy production (1.41 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (30.1%). Even in a challenging matchup against a New York defense allowing the fewest FanDuel points (48.3) to his position, Porzingis is ninth overall with a 36.6 fantasy projection.

Paolo Banchero ($8,500): Orlando's emerging star has a prime spot for a ceiling performance, ranking fifth overall with a 38.5 fantasy projection against a Detroit Pistons' unit giving up 49.1 FanDuel points per game to power forwards. In 1435 minutes with Saturday's inactives, Banchero is averaging 1.19 FanDuel points per minute and a 30.7% usage rate.

Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,200): KAT could be overlooked on Saturday despite recording 1.11 FanDuel points per minute and a 29% usage rate in his last eight games. Minnesota's big man is third among forwards in value with a 4.68 rating and a 38.4 fantasy projection.

Jaylen Brown ($8,200): At his second lowest salary in February, Brown is seventh among his positions in value with a 4.37 rating and a 35.9 fantasy projection.

Franz Wagner ($8,000): The 22-year old should be a popular option after producing 1.11 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.1% usage rate with Orlando's expected rotation. Wagner has played well against the Pistons this season in two prior meetings, averaging 32.5 real-life points and 40.7 FanDuel points per game.

Mikal Bridges ($7,600): After producing 0.89 FanDuel points per minute and 31.6 FanDuel points per game in his last eight appearances, the 27-year old is sixth among forwards in value with a 4.38 rating and a 33.3 fantasy projection.

Josh Hart ($6,900): Despite producing a 15.1% usage rate with today's rotation, Hart has still remained efficient, accounting for 0.79 FanDuel points per minute.

Simone Fontecchio ($5,400): Since his tenure started with Detroit, Fontecchio has produced 0.85 FanDuel points per minute and a 20.0% usage rate.

Jaden McDaniels ($4,500): The Timberwolves' reliable perimeter defender is second among forwards in value with a 4.77 rating and a 21.5 fantasy projection at his second lowest salary this month.

Jonathan Isaac ($4,400): In 484 minutes with Saturday's injuries, Isaac has been extremely efficient when on the floor, recording 1.15 FanDuel points per minute.

Centers

Nicolas Claxton ($7,300): Even in a tough spot versus a Minnesota Timberwolves' defense ranked third in fantasy production (49.9 FanDuel points per game) allowed to his position, Claxton went off in their last meeting, producing 47.2 FanDuel points. Brooklyn's fifth-year big man is sixth overall in value with a 4.75 rating and a 34.7 fantasy projection.

Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,600): If seeking a mid-salary option at this position, Carter Jr. could be a sneaky choice, averaging 0.84 FanDuel points per minute and a 16.6% usage rate with the Magic's rotation.

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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.