FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks and Helper: Sunday 2/25/24

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

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,400): Oklahoma City's emerging MVP contender is third overall with a 47.1 fantasy projection against a Houston Rockets' unit allowing 47.7 FanDuel points per game to his position. In their last meeting, SAG went off for 33 real-life points and 64.6 FanDuel points at a salary 1.7% lower than today's.

Stephen Curry ($9,300): In his last 11 games, Curry has been playing on a high level, recording 1.31 FanDuel points per minute and 43.1 FanDuel points per contest. The Warriors' superstar has displayed mixed results versus a Denver Nuggets' defense ranked 15th in opposing three point percentage, averaging 23.6 real-life points and 37.4 FanDuel points in three prior meetings.

James Harden ($8,700): Despite recent uneven production, Harden is tenth among guards in value with a 4.79 and a 41.7 fantasy projection versus a Sacramento Kings' team he has averaged 44.1 FanDuel points against.

Dejounte Murray ($8,200): After Trae Young was ruled out, Murray's production is boosted to 1.18 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 28.1% usage rate with Sunday's other inactives.

Anfernee Simons ($7,600): In 139 minutes with Portland's short-handed rotation, Simons sees a sneaky increase to 1.19 FanDuel points per minute with a 31.2% usage rate.

Coby White ($7,500): Chicago's fifth year guard has produced his best season in his career, accounting for 0.93 FanDuel points and 0.57 real-life points per minute with Sunday's current injuries.

Devin Vassell ($7,400): The 23-year old has played his best basketball this month, recording 21.6 real-life points per game and 1.05 FanDuel points per minute.

Collin Sexton ($6,700): Despite inconsistent playing time, Sexton has been extremely efficient with Utah's current rotation, producing 1.21 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.9% usage rate.

Brandin Podziemski ($6,400): Since Golden State's rookie was moved into their starting lineup earlier this month, Podziemski has accounted for 0.86 FanDuel points per minute and 26.5 FanDuel points per contest.

Tre Mann ($6,300): In his last five starts, Mann has provided underrated production, scoring 1.01 FanDuel points per minute and 30.6 FanDuel points per game.

Bogdan Bogdanovic ($6,300): Atlanta's guard should see an expanded role with Trae Young inactive, recording 0.72 FanDuel points per minute and a 19.5% usage rate with today's injuries.

Keyonte George ($6,000): Utah's rookie has played well since he was given a first unit role on February 12th, averaging 0.88 FanDuel points per minute and 29.3 FanDuel points per game.

Tre Jones ($5,800): At his lowest salary in February, Jones is third among guards in value with a 5.05 rating and a 29.3 fantasy projection.

Jalen Suggs ($5,600): With the Magic dealing with a short-handed rotation, Suggs' production sees a noticeable boost to a 25.2% usage rate.

Jordan Hawkins ($5,400): New Orleans' rookie should be on track to play plenty of minutes with four players ruled out or suspended, averaging 0.84 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.7% usage rate with today's rotation.

Forwards

Victor Wembanyama ($11,600): Despite a 11.5% salary increase, San Antonio's leading contender to win Rookie of the Year is second overall with a 48.8 fantasy projection versus a Utah Jazz defense giving up 55.9 FanDuel points per game to his position. In his last nine games, Wembanyama has produced an eye-popping 1.91 FanDuel points per minute and a 32.3% usage rate.

Domantas Sabonis ($10,700): Sacramento's versatile big man has been producing at a torrid pace, accounting for six triple-doubles this month while also recording 1.51 FanDuel points per minute.

Zion Williamson($9,200): If Williamson is able to suit up afte he was listed as questionable, "Point Zion" should be in full effect with multiple guards out on Sunday while also averaging a 27.1% usage rate with New Orleans' rotation.

Kawhi Leonard ($8,900): In his past eight games, "The Claw" has produced 1.19 FanDuel points per minute and 40.0 FanDuel points per contest.

Miles Bridges ($8,800): Charlotte's forward is second among his team's starting unit in fantasy production (1.03 FanDuel points per minute) and second in usage (23.0%) in 245 minutes with Sunday's rotation.

Franz Wagner ($8,100): Even after consecutive disappointing performances, Wagner is still averaging 1.07 FanDuel points per minute and 36.5 FanDuel points per contest in February. With Gary Harris and Paolo Banchero now ruled out, the Magic forward sees an increase to 1.12 FanDuel points per minute with a 27.8% usage rate.

Paul George ($8,100): After a 2.4% salary drop, PG is sixth among forwards in value with a 5.02 rating and a 40.7 fantasy projection.

Jalen Williams ($8,000): Since his return on February 6th, Oklahoma City's second-year forward has been outstanding, producing 1.16 FanDuel points per minute and a 24.7% usage rate.

Lauri Markkanen ($7,900): At his lowest salary this month, Markkanen ranks as an optimal play in all formats with a 5.05 value rating and a 39.9 fantasy projection.

DeMar DeRozan ($7,800): Chicago's veteran is sixth overall in value with a 5.17 rating and a 40.3 fantasy projection after producing 1.09 FanDuel points per minute with today's injuries.

Jerami Grant ($7,300): In 166 minutes with Portland's inactives, Grant is ranked second among his team's starting unit in fantasy production (0.98 FanDuel points per minute) and first in usage (34.1%).

John Collins ($6,600): Utah's big man has accounted for his best month this season, recording 15.3 real-life points and 34.7 FanDuel points per game.

Aaron Gordon ($6,300): The 28-year old is today's top value option with 5.49 rating and a 34.6 fantasy projection versus a Golden State Warriors' unit ranked 21st in FanDuel points (48.3) allowed per game to power fowards.

Keegan Murray ($5,500): After a 11.2% decrease to his lowest salary since December 11th, Murray is fourth among forwards in value with a 5.09 rating and a 28.0 fantasy projection.

Taylor Hendricks ($4,300): Utah's rookie should be a popular value option after making his first career start on Thursday night. In 165 minutes with today's rotation, Hendricks is averaging 0.80 FanDuel points per minute and a 14.9% usage rate.

Jonathan Isaac ($4,200): Orlando's defensive specialist is second among forwards in value with a 5.23 rating and a 22.0 fantasy projection after producing 1.10 FanDuel points per minute in his last nine games.

Centers

Nikola Jokic ($12,100): Denver's two-time MVP winner is today's top option with a 56.3 fantasy projection versus a Golden State defense allowing 55.6 FanDuel points per game to centers. "Joker" is averaging 31.6 real-life points and 61.2 FanDuel points in three prior games in this matchup.

Alperen Sengun ($8,300): At his lowest salary since December 20th, the 21-year old is an intriguing option, averaging 1.29 FanDuel points per minute and a 27.4% usage rate with today'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.