FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Saturday 4/9/22
If you're new to daily fantasy basketball -- maybe you started your DFS journey during the MLB or NFL seasons, or maybe basketball is your sport and this will be your first year giving it a shot -- you're in for a treat. 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 basketball is very reliant on a player's 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, we have player news updates, and the FanDuel Scout app will send push notifications for pressing updates regarding your players.
We'll also be coming at you with this primer every day, breaking down a few of the day's top plays at each position.
Let's break down today's main slate on FanDuel.
| Team | Implied Total | O/U | Spread | Key Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAC | 107 | 225.5 | 11.5 | |
| SA | 107.25 | 221.5 | 7 | Murray, Johnson, Poeltl, Vassell OUT |
| NO | 113.25 | 232.5 | 6 | Ingram questionable |
| GS | 114.25 | 221.5 | -7 | Thompson OUT |
| LAC | 118.5 | 225.5 | -11.5 | |
| MEM | 119.25 | 232.5 | -6 | Morant questionable |
Guards
Ja Morant ($9,100) - After a nine-game absence, Morant appears closer to a potential return to the court against a New Orleans Pelicans' team ranked 16th in defensive rating and fourth among the slate in pace. In 1864.9 minutes this season, the Grizzlies' star point guard is averaging 1.36 FanDuel points and a 33.8% usage rate.
C.J. McCollum ($8,300) - With Brandon Ingram listed as questionable, McCollum could be relied on to carry the offensive burden on Saturday night if the Pelicans' forward remains sidelined. The 30-year old has an underrated opportunity against a Memphis team allowing 40.2 FanDuel points to shooting guards per game.
Jordan Poole ($7,900) - At his lowest salary point in April, Poole is an optimal play with his elevated role against an uptempo San Antonio team playing with a 101.3 pace. In 911.9 minutes with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry off the floor this season, the Warriors guard sees a 0.09 increase to 1.06 FanDuel points mostly due to his 6.3% boost in his assist rate.
Desmond Bane ($6,800) - Since April 1st, Bane's FanDuel salary has decreased by 6.8%. If Morant is unable to go, the Grizzlies' guard has accounted for 1.13 FanDuel points and 0.50 shot attempts in a 1051.6 minutes sample size.
Tre Jones ($6,500) - Despite a low implied team total, the Spurs will be a popular source for value after four of their starters were ruled out. Even at an elevated salary, San Antonio's rookie still ranks second in value among his position with a 4.89 rating and a 31.8 FanDuel point projection.
Joshua Primo ($4,300) - Primo sees a noticeable 0.11 boost to 0.74 FanDuel points per minute and a 19.0% usage rate in 105.2 minutes with today's injuries. Despite inconsistent shooting, San Antonio's young guard has contributed in other categories, recording 0.10 rebounds, 0.11 assists, and a 1.8% block rate per minute.
Forwards
Paul George ($9,000) - Since his return on March 29th, George's FanDuel salary has moved down to his lowest point. The Clippers' star forward currently rates as numberFire's top option for today's three-game slate with a 41.0 FanDuel point projection.
Draymond Green ($6,200) - Green is always an intriguing option with his ability to contribute in all categories. In 309.7 minutes despite a 13.5% usage rate, the Warriors' outspoken leader is still accounting for 0.26 rebounds, 0.23 assists, and 0.04 blocks per minute.
Andrew Wiggins ($6,200) - Golden State's forward has a great spot against a Sacramento squad ranked 29th in points allowed per game. Wiggins currently ranks second among his team with a 26.8% usage rate and 0.44 field goal attempts in a 637.1 minute sample size with's today inactives.
Jaxson Hayes ($5,700) - In five games since March 30th, Hayes has been in form, accounting for 1.12 FanDuel points per minute. During this span, the former first round pick has contributed 0.58 real-life points and 0.24 rebounds per minute.
Josh Richardson ($4,700) - San Antonio's veteran is an ideal option after his FanDuel salary moved down 9.6% in his last four games. In 50.1 minutes with today's inactives, Richardson has accounted for 0.82 FanDuel points and a 21.6% usage rate.
Centers
Jonas Valanciunas ($7,800) - Valanciunas' FanDuel salary has moved down 6.0% after New Orleans' center averaged 16.4 FanDuel points in his last two contests. The 29-year old currently ranks first among his position with a 38.6 FanDuel point projection and second in value with a 4.95 rating.
Damian Jones ($6,300) - Sacramento's big man has turned up his offensive production in his last seven starts, averaging 0.58 real-life points and 0.31 field goal attempts per minute. The Kings' center has a sneaky spot against a Los Angeles' team ranked 21st at his position in FanDuel points allowed.
Ivica Zubac ($5,600) - After two recent double-doubles, Zubac's FanDuel salary has remained at his highest point this month. The Clippers have a mouth-watering matchup against a Kings' unit ranked 29th in points allowed in the paint.
Zach Collins ($5,000) - In 66.0 minutes with San Antonio's current injuries, Collins' fantasy output increases to 1.13 FanDuel points per minute. San Antonio's big man has found his groove in his last four games, averaging 0.59 real-life points and a 23.1% usage rate per minute.
