FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Saturday 4/22/23

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.

Guards

Devin Booker ($10,300): Since the start of the playoffs, Booker's FanDuel salary has increased by 8.4% to his third highest salary in 2023 while averaging 1.30 FanDuel points per minute and a 29.3% usage rate.

Russell Westbrook ($9,900): In 158 minutes this season with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George off the floor this season, Westbrook's fantasy production increases by 0.42 to 1.45 FanDuel points per minute.

Jrue Holiday ($9,200): If Giannis Antetokounmpo is ruled out on Saturday, Holiday's fantasy output jumps by 0.22 to 1.29 FanDuel points per minute with a 30.6% usage rate.

James Harden ($8,700): After a 5.4% salary decrease to his lowest point during the playoffs, "The Beard" rates as an optimal option especially when considering his increased offensive role with Joel Embiid ruled out. In 715 minutes with today's expected rotation, Harden's fantasy output is boosted by 0.25 to 1.35 FanDuel points per minute.

Khris Middleton ($8,000): In 458 minutes with Antetokounmpo off the floor this season, Middleton's production stands at 1.28 FanDuel points per minute with a 32.4% usage rate.

Chris Paul ($7,800): Despite recording a 17.7% usage rate this postseason, Paul has produced 0.99 FanDuel points per minute due to his ability to accumulate peripheral metrics, averaging 0.18 rebounds, 0.21 assists, and 0.05 steals per minute.

Desmond Bane ($7,800): If Ja Morant is unable to suit up versus a Los Angeles Lakers ranked seventh among current playoff teams in defensive rating, Bane's fantasy output moves up by 0.16 to 1.17 FanDuel points per minute with a 28.5% usage rate.

Spencer Dinwiddie ($7,100): In the past week, Dinwiddie's salary has decreased by 6.5% to his second lowest salary this postseason while recording 0.79 FanDuel points per minute and a 22.9% usage rate.

Norman Powell ($7,000): After a monster 51.5 fantasy point performance in Game 3, Powell's salary has skyrocketed 22.8% to his highest point this season. The Clippers' veteran is averaging 1.17 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 31.5% usage rate with Saturday's inactives.

Tyrese Maxey ($7,000): Philadelphia's young guard ranks second among his team's projected starting lineup in fantasy production (1.07 FanDuel points per minute) and first in usage (29.5%) after Embiid was ruled out.

Austin Reaves ($5,700): After a 5.0% decline, the Lakers' shooting guard rates as an optimal option at his median salary this postseason. In 67 minutes versus a Memphis Grizzlies' unit ranked ninth among playoff teams in defensive rating, Reaves is averaging 0.91 FanDuel points per minute.

Eric Gordon ($4,800): The 34-year old veteran is recording 0.82 FanDuel points per minute and a 16.3% usage rate in 115 minutes with Saturday's expected rotation.

Max Strus ($4,600): At his lowest salary this postseason, Strus is another value option to evaluate, producing 0.70 FanDuel points per minute with Tyler Herro off the floor this season.

Nah'Shon Hyland ($4,300): Despite a 16.2% salary increase, Hyland is an intriguing option with his offensive role off the bench, recording 1.08 FanDuel points per minute and a 28.1% usage rate.

Forwards

Anthony Davis ($11,800): In 74 minutes this postseason, "The Brow" ranks first among his team in fantasy production (1.46 FanDuel points per minute) and third in usage (22.3%).

LeBron James ($11,000): The Lakers' superstar has accounted for a team-high 29.5% usage rate while recording 1.42 FanDuel points per minute so far in the playoffs.

Kevin Durant ($10,000): During Phoenix's current playoff run, the Suns' superstar is second among his team's starting unit in fantasy production (1.14 FanDuel points per minute) and usage (24.8%).

Jimmy Butler ($9,700): After a 3% decrease to his median salary point this postseason, Miami's leading scorer will be a popular option at the forward positions. In 938 minutes this season with today's inactives, Butler is recording 1.29 FanDuel points per minute.

Jaren Jackson Jr. ($9,000): The Grizzlies' defensive player of the year is averaging 1.37 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 30.2% usage rate if Morant is inactive.

Mikal Bridges ($8,200): In 1040 minutes this season with Brooklyn, Bridges has accounted for 1.11 FanDuel points per minute and a team-high 30.6% usage rate.

Bobby Portis ($7,400): Milwaukee's power forward would see a 0.20 increase in his fantasy average to 1.20 FanDuel points per minute if Antetokounmpo is inactive against a Miami Heat unit ranked last in defensive rating.

Tobias Harris ($6,600): In 840 minutes with Embiid off the floor this season, Harris' fantasy output moves up by 0.22 to 1.03 FanDuel points per minute with a 22.7% usage rate.

Cameron Johnson ($6,100): The 27-year old has been provided consistent offensive production this series, recording at least 17 real-life points per game and 0.85 FanDuel points per minute.

Xavier Tillman ($5,500): Despite a 12.2% jump, the Grizzlies' big man ranks 15th among his positions in salary against a Los Angeles Lakers' defense ranked 14th among current playoffs teams in points allowed in the paint. In 53 minutes this postseason, Tillman is recording 1.03 FanDuel points per minute.

Rui Hachimura ($5,500): Even in a second unit role, Hachimura ranks third among his team in fantasy production (1.11 FanDuel points per minute) and second in usage (22.5%).

Centers

Bam Adebayo ($8,000): After a 4.7% drop, Adebayo's salary stands at his lowest point this series against a Milwaukee Bucks' defense ranked 12th in points allowed in the paint this postseason. In 898 minutes with Saturday's injuries, Miami's center is averaging 1.20 FanDuel points per minute.

Brook Lopez ($7,800): The 35-year old would see a 0.19 boost in his fantasy production to 1.13 FanDuel points per minute if Milwaukee is missing their top offensive option.