FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Saturday 3/2/24

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

Devin Booker ($9,500): In a matchup versus a Houston Rockets' defense allowing 48.6 FanDuel points per game to his position, Booker stands fourth overall with a 43.5 fantasy projection. Phoenix's guard has played well against the Rockets this season, averaging 26.6 real-life points and 43.0 FanDuel points in three prior meetings.

Jamal Murray ($8,000): If Murray is active after he was labeled as questionable, the 27-year old would be an optimal choice among guards, ranking third in value with a 4.82 rating and a 39.1 fantasy projection against a Los Angeles Lakers' team giving up 50.3 FanDuel points per game to his position. Expect Reggie Jackson to step in at point guard if Murray is inactive while also producing 0.90 FanDuel points per minute in this split.

Anfernee Simons ($7,700): With Deandre Ayton uncertain to play and today's other expected inactives, Simons ranks first among his team's starting unit in usage (31.4%) and third in fantasy production (0.95 FanDuel points per minute).

Fred VanVleet ($7,700): Since his return on February 22nd, VanVleet has produced 28.1 FanDuel points per game and a 19.2% usage rate. Houston's veteran is fifth overall in value with a 5.07 rating and a 39.1 fantasy projection versus a Phoenix Suns' team ranked 23rd in FanDuel points (50.2) allowed per game to point guards.

Vince Williams Jr. ($6,900): Despite some recent inconsistent performances in his last seven games, Williams Jr. ranks third among his team's projected starting unit in fantasy production (0.91 FanDuel points per minute).

Austin Reaves ($6,700): The Lakers' guard has provided consistent production since February 8th, averaging 0.97 FanDuel points per minute and 32.9 FanDuel points per game while his salary has dropped by 12.9%.

Jalen Green ($6,500): In an underrated spot versus a Phoenix defense giving up 42.8 FanDuel points per game to shooting guards, Green is seventh among his position with a 26.4 fantasy projection. The 21-year old is averaging 23.6 real-life points and 35.3 FanDuel points in this matchup.

Jordan Goodwin ($5,800): If Luke Kennard, Derrick Rose, and John Konchar are ruled out, Goodwin will be a popular value option, standing second overall with a 5.94 rating and a 34.5 fantasy projection.

Grayson Allen ($5,600): With Phoenix's big three expected to play on Saturday, Allen is producing 0.70 FanDuel points per minute and a 12.0% usage rate with this unit on the floor.

Dillon Brooks ($4,700): At his lowest salary since January 13th, Brooks offers some value with a 4.38 rating and a 20.5 fantasy projection.

Forwards

Anthony Davis ($11,400): Despite a 1.7% salary increase, AD is second overall with a 54.1 fantasy projection versus a Denver Nuggets defense allowing 54.5 FanDuel points per game to his position. With today's expected rotation, Davis is averaging 1.54 FanDuel points per minute and a 26.5% usage rate.

LeBron James ($10,200): "King James" has really turned it on since February 3rd, accounting for 1.35 FanDuel points per minute and 49.4 FanDuel points per contest. In two prior encounters, the Lakers' superstar has produced 23 real-life points and 45.7 FanDuel points per game.

Kevin Durant ($9,700): In an underrated matchup against a Houston unit ranked 22nd in fantasy production (49.0) allowed per game to his position, KD is fifth overall with a 43.2 fantasy projection at his median salary in the last two weeks.

Jerami Grant ($7,600): At his highest salary this season, Grant is fifth among forwards with a 32.2 fantasy projection versus a Memphis team he has averaged 21 real-life points and 30.7 FanDuel points against.

Michael Porter Jr. ($6,800): If Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are ruled out, Porter's production is boosted to 0.89 FanDuel points per minute with a 23.5% usage rate.

Aaron Gordon $6,700): Denver's power forward is currently tenth overall in value with a 4.77 rating and a 32.0 fantasy projection despite a 4.6% salary increase.

Gregory Jackson ($5,500): Despite operating off the Grizzlies' bench, the 19-year old is third overall in value with a 5.21 rating and a 28.7 fantasy projection.

Rui Hachimura ($5,300): After producing 0.78 FanDuel points per minute and 23.8 FanDuel points per game in his last four starts, Hachimura is third among forwards in value with a 4.78 rating and a 25.4 fantasy projection.

Ziaire Williams ($4,900): In his last five starts, Williams is averaging 0.81 FanDuel points per minuet and a 19.6% usage rate. Even at his highest salary this season, the Grizzlies' forward is sixth overall in value with a 4.93 rating and a 24.2 fantasy projection.

Kris Murray ($4,700): Since Portland's rookie was given a starting role on February 23rd, Murray has accounted for 0.74 FanDuel points per minute and a 13.9% usage rate.

Toumani Camara ($4,600): The 23-year old is another lower salary option to consider, ranking seventh among forwards in value with a 4.68 rating and a 21.5 fantasy projection.

Centers

Nikola Jokic ($12,300): At his median salary in the last week, Jokic is today's top option with a 58.6 fantasy projection versus a Lakers' unit ranked 17th in FanDuel points (54.7) allowed per game to centers. Denver's leading MVP contender has played well in this matchup, producing 26.5 real-life points and 60.6 FanDuel points in two previous contests.

Alperen Sengun ($8,200): In his last five games, Sengun is averaging 35.4 FanDuel points per game while his salary has dropped by 5.7%.

Duop Reath ($5,000): If Deandre Ayton is ruled out again, Reath immediately becomes a viable value option, producing 1.03 FanDuel points per minute with Portland's other injuries.

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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.