FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Saturday 3/5/22
The NBA scene changes on a week-to-week, day-to-day, and -- depending on injury news -- even a minute-to-minute basis, making every slate a unique one that requires an ever-changing approach.
With so much changing so quickly, we're here with plenty of tools to help you out. We have daily projections, a matchup heat map, a lineup optimizer, and a bunch of other great resources to help give you an edge.
Daily fantasy NBA is very reliant on opportunity, so you'll need to make sure that you're up-to-date with key injuries. Our projections update up until tip-off to reflect current news, and we also have player news updates. The projected numbers referenced below may change throughout the day.
We'll be coming at you with this primer every day, breaking down a few of the day's top plays at each position.
Guards
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, (FanDuel Salary: $9,600) - There are a few juicy game environments on this five-game slate, but the San Antonio Spurs-Charlotte Hornets matchup stands out from the pack. Both teams are in the top six in pace over the last 15 games. The game boasts a 241.5-point total -- a slate-leading clip by 9.0 points -- and 3.5-point spread. There are two other games with a total of at least 230.0, but both carry double-digit spreads. You can make a case for Murray as the best overall play of the night.
Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, $6,700 - Simons has a dope matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Portland Trail Blazers are missing a lot of bodies, making them a great source of value. It's a game with a 232.5-point total, but there is blowout risk with the spread at 13.0 (in Minnesota's favor). In addition to the usual absences of Jusuf Nurkic and Damian Lillard, Portland will also be sans Justise Winslow, Josh Hart, Eric Bledsoe and Nassir Little. With the Blazers' expected inactives -- plus C.J. McCollum and Norman Powell -- off the floor this season, Simons owns a huge 36.9% usage rate, according to RotoGrinders' CourtIQ.
Others to Consider: Ja Morant ($10,500), Cole Anthony ($5,700), LaMelo Ball ($8,000), Terry Rozier ($7,600), Keon Johnson ($3,500)
Wings
Miles Bridges, SF, $7,100 - Bridges is my favorite way to get a piece of Charlotte in what profiles as the DFS game of the night. Bridges has logged at least 36 minutes in four of his last six games, and he's gone for at least 41.2 FanDuel points three times in that span. Over the last 15 games, the Spurs are 3rd in pace and 21st in defensive efficiency. It's a great matchup, and Bridges can produce a ceiling game in this spot.
Trendon Watford, PF, $3,500 - Watford is a beneficiary of all the Portland absences. In the split with Portland's expected inactives off the floor, Watford has put up 0.92 FanDuel points per minute. He scored 33.4 FanDuel points in 30 minutes last time out and is capable of a similar output tonight, making him an elite point-per-dollar option and someone who figures to be very popular.
Others to Consider: LeBron James ($10,300), Andrew Wiggins ($5,700), C.J. Elleby ($3,900), Greg Brown ($3,500)
Bigs
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, $9,300 - With so much value available, it's not too hard to get to Joel Embiid ($11,000). But I'm pretty into Towns, who can crush it against the Blazers. Even at full strength, Portland's D is bad, sitting 23rd in defensive rating over the last 15 games. They probably won't offer much resistance tonight. Minnesota could once again be without Anthony Edwards. In that split this season, Towns produces 1.43 FanDuel points per minute on a 32.7% usage rate. If the blowout risk against the depleted Blazers pushes you to Embiid, you won't get much of an argument from me.
Drew Eubanks, PF/C, $3,900 - Eubanks is another of the sweet low-salary plays on Portland. As of early Saturday, our model projects him for 27.7 FanDuel points, which amounts to a silly 7.09 per $1,000. He's scored 23.6 and 27.0 FanDuel points in his last two outings and is eligible at power forward, giving him gobs of appeal.
Others to Consider: Joel Embiid ($11,000), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($6,800), Mohamed Bamba ($4,600)
