FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Saturday 4/2/22

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.

Guards

Trae Young ($9,900) - Since March 20th, Atlanta's superstar guard has been on a roll, producing 1.41 FanDuel points per minute and a 32.2% usage rate. In a great matchup against a Nets' team ranked 25th in FanDuel points allowed to point guards this season, Young rates as numberFire's second overall player for tonight's three-game slate with a 46.9 projection.

Kyrie Irving ($9,200) - Brooklyn's superstar is an intriguing play in all formats after Irving's FanDuel salary moved down to his lowest point since January 8th. In his new unrestricted role during Brooklyn's past five games, the 30-year old averaged 39.2 FanDuel points in 39.7 minutes.

Donovan Mitchell ($8,100) - At his third lowest salary this season, Mitchell has an underrated opportunity against a recently weak Golden State defense ranked 18th in points allowed in their last three contests. In 1448.0 minutes this season with today's inactives, Utah's offensive leader is averaging 1.18 FanDuel points and 0.60 field goal attempts per minute.

Jordan Poole ($8,000) - After a 60.3 fantasy performance on Wednesday, Poole's FanDuel salary has moved to his highest point. In 1147.5 minutes with Stephen Curry off the floor this season, the Warriors' guard has seen a 0.08 boost to 1.05 FanDuel points and a 30.7% usage rate.

Zach LaVine ($7,300) - Since his return on March 14th, LaVine's FanDuel salary has decreased by $600 to his lowest salary this season. During this span, Chicago's high-flying guard has remained a crucial piece of their offense, accounting for 0.46 shot attempts per minute and a 28.2% usage rate.

Klay Thompson ($7,000) - Golden State's starting shooting guard will handle the offensive burden against a Jazz team ranked 12th in FanDuel points allowed to his position this year. In 346.6 minutes with today's current injuries, the 32-year old is averaging 0.65 real-life points, 0.16 rebounds, and 0.09 assists.

Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5,900) - Atlanta's sixth man sees a noticeable 0.12 boost to 1.07 FanDuel points per minute and a 25.2% usage rate in 773.0 minutes with John Collins off the floor and today's injuries. Bogdanovic has a favorable spot against a Nets' defense ranked 22nd in FanDuel points allowed to shooting guards this season.

Alex Caruso ($4,300) - In his last seven starts, Caruso produced 0.69 FanDuel points per minute and a 10.6% usage rate. After a $700 salary decrease from $5,000, Chicago's starting guard rates as numberFire's top value option at his position with a 26.2 FanDuel point projection.

Forwards

Kevin Durant ($10,800) - The Nets are in a prime spot against a Hawks' team ranked 26th overall in defensive rating and second among tonight's slate in pace. Brooklyn's superstar has destroyed the Hawks in his previous two meetings, scoring 50.9 and 53.0 FanDuel points.

DeMar DeRozan ($8,900) - After a 50 real-life point explosion on Thursday, DeRozan's FanDuel salary has increased by 7.2%. As numberFire's fourth rated player with a 41.8 projection, Chicago's All-Star should not go overlooked despite his recent salary movement.

Bam Adebayo ($8,400) - In the Heat's last three games, Adebayo's FanDuel salary has moved up 3.7% from $8,100. Miami's versatile big man will likely have his way against a Bulls' team ranked 23rd in points allowed in the paint.

Jimmy Butler ($7,800) - Miami's controversial star is an ideal option at his second lowest salary point in the past four weeks. In a sweet revenge opportunity against a Bulls' unit ranked 20th in defensive rating, Butler rates as our third overall forward with a 41.5 projection.

Draymond Green ($6,000) - Despite scoring eight real-life points in his last contest, Green still managed to stuff the stat sheet with a 41.5 fantasy performance on Wednesday. Golden State's forward appears ready for more playing time after the 32-year logged the most minutes (31) since his return on March 14th.

Andrew Wiggins ($5,600) - At his second lowest salary this season, Wiggins is an optimal play in all formats against a Jazz team ranked 15th in points allowed in their last three games. Golden State's forward is averaging 0.86 FanDuel points and 0.43 shot attempts in a 770.2 minute sample size with Curry off the floor.

Centers

Rudy Gobert ($8,300) - Gobert's FanDuel salary has moved to his second highest point in the last month after Utah's center averaged 47.0 FanDuel points in his last two contests. In his two previous meetings against Golden State, Utah's star center had some success, accounting for 16.0 points, 18.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.

Nikola Vucevic ($7,700) - Chicago's big man has recently displayed consistency in the past four weeks, producing 1.15 FanDuel points per minute. Even as numberFire's top rated center with a 41.8 FanDuel projection, Vuvevic could be overlooked due to his tough matchup against a Heat team ranked first in FanDuel points allowed to the five spot.

Andre Drummond ($6,800) - Since All-Star Break, Brooklyn's veteran center has provided underestimated value, averaging 12.3 real-life points and 9.5 rebounds in 16 games during this span. In today's highest projected game total, Drummond has sneaky potential to hit his ceiling against a Hawks' interior allowing 53.7 FanDuel points per game to his position this season.

Clint Capela ($6,400) - After three recent double-doubles, Capela's FanDuel salary has increased $300 since March 25th. Atlanta's big man has a middling matchup against a Nets' unit ranked seventh overall in FanDuel points allowed to the center position this season and 16th in points allowed in the paint.