FanDuel Daily Fantasy Basketball Helper: Sunday 4/3/22

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

Jordan Poole ($8,200) - If the Warriors elect to rest their veterans or starters, Poole could be in line for an alpha role against a Kings' team ranked 27th in defensive rating and 29th in points allowed per game. Even at an elevated salary, Golden State's explosive guard is averaging 1.07 FanDuel points and a 32.0% usage rate in 625.1 minutes when the Warriors have decided to rest Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green.

Chris Paul ($8,000) - Phoenix's star point guard will play a clear lead role in a revenge opportunity against a Thunder team ranked 24th in FanDuel points allowed to his position this year. In a 275.9 minutes sample size with three current starters resting, Paul is averaging 1.25 FanDuel points and a 23.5% usage rate.

Theo Maledon ($7,500) - In his last five starts, Maledon has recently been carrying his struggling team, recording 0.65 real-life points, 0.16 assists, and a 27.1% usage rate per minute. Despite some recent blowouts, the Thunder's guard is still averaging 34.8 minutes during this span.

Jalen Green ($6,700) - Since March 25th, Houston's rookie has taken control of his offense, leading his team with 0.81 real-life points, 0.60 shot attempts, and a 28.4% usage rate. Green should not have trouble against a Timberwolves' team ranked 26th in FanDuel points allowed to shooting guards.

Tyler Herro ($6,200) - At this lowest price point since March 2nd, Herro is an intriguing play in all formats despite a difficult matchup against a Raptors' team ranked first in points allowed in their past three contests. In 381.0 minutes with Jimmy Butler off the floor this season, the Heat's sixth man sees a 0.07 increase to 1.09 FanDuel points mostly due to his 1.7% boost in his assist rate.

Cameron Payne ($5,100) - With Devin Booker, Jae Crowder, and Deandre Ayton ruled out., Payne's production increases by 0.08 to 1.10 FanDuel points and a 28.3% usage rate.

Keon Johnson ($4,700) - Portland's rookie shooting guard has recently seen more minutes after he was named their starter on March 25th. In 143.8 minutes during his last five starts, Johnson is averaging 0.82 FanDuel points and 0.42 shot attempts per minute.

Forwards

Paul George ($9,900) Since his return on March 29th, George's FanDuel salary has increased by 6.4%. In his past two starts, the Clippers' forward has been their clear offensive leader, averaging an elite 1.54 FanDuel points, 0.64 field goal attempts, and a 41.4% usage rate per minute.

Brandon Ingram ($8,600) - In his last three starts with C.J. McCollum, Ingram leads his team in production, accounting for 1.49 FanDuel points per minute and a 34.1% usage rate. The Pelicans' forward has an underrated matchup against a recently weak Los Angeles' unit allowing a 123.0 defensive rating in their last three games

Bam Adebayo ($8,400) - With Jimmy Butler ruled out, Adebayo sees a 0.11 boost to 1.35 FanDuel points and a 26.0% usage rate against a Toronto team ranked 16th in FanDuel points allowed to power forwards this season.

Anthony Edwards ($7,600) - After three stellar fantasy performances, Edwards' FanDuel salary is currently at his second highest in the past four weeks. The 20-year old has found some success against the Rockets in their two meetings this season, averaging 40.6 FanDuel points.

RJ Barrett ($7,300) - In New York's last five games, Barrett's FanDuel salary has moved down 6.4% from $7,800. Despite playing their third game in the past five days, the Knicks have a good matchup against a Magic team ranked 19th in points allowed and seventh among the slate in pace.

Keldon Johnson ($7,300) - San Antonio's young small forward has taken an offensive leap since All-Star Break, producing 20.2 real-life points on 15.9 shot attempts. In a mouth-watering opportunity against a Portland unit ranked last in defensive rating, Johnson is in a prime spot to continue his hot streak.

Cameron Johnson ($5,000) - Phoenix's emerging forward sees a 0.12 boost to 0.96 FanDuel points in a 493.0 minute sample size with today's injuries. After a 17-minute stint in his return on Friday, Johnson should see a larger offensive role regardless if he is coming off the bench or starting.

Obi Toppin ($4,400) - New York's young forward has a favorable opportunity against a Magic squad ranked 28th in FanDuel points allowed per game to power forwards this season. Toppin is producing 0.91 FanDuel points and a 19.4% usage rate with New York's current inactives.

Jonathan Kuminga ($4,100) - If the Warriors decide to rest some of their starters for the second half of their back-to-back, Golden State's rookie should see a boost in playing time. In 1118.4 minutes this season, Kuminga has been fairly aggressive overall on offense, producing 0.52 real-life points and 0.38 shot attempts per minute.

Greg Brown ($3,700) - In his last two starts, Brown recorded 0.80 FanDuel points per minute and a 15.9% usage rate. Portland's power forward currently rates as numberFire's top value option at his position with a 24.4 FanDuel point projection.

Centers

Joel Embiid ($11,200) - Philadelphia's superstar stands as numberFire's top rated player with a 52.7 FanDuel point projection. In three previous encounters against the Cavaliers this season, Embiid has been unstoppable, averaging 32.3 real-life points, 13.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,700) - At his second lowest salary point this season, KAT is an optimal play in all formats against a soft Rockets' interior ranked last in both points allowed in the paint and FanDuel points allowed to centers. Minnesota's versatile big man seems to love this matchup after he accounted for 54.0 and 62.3 FanDuel points in their previous two meetings.

Alperen Sengun ($5,800) - After a two-game absence, Houston's 19-year old rookie is expected to return against a Minnesota unit ranked 21st in FanDuel points allowed to the five spot. Sengun has been efficient when given playing time, averaging 1.12 FanDuel points and a 22.0% usage rate in a 489.6 minute sample size with today's injuries.

Damian Jones ($5,500) - In 167.5 minutes since March 20th, Jones has been in excellent form, accounting for 1.27 FanDuel points per minute. Sacramento's big man has displayed a recent high fantasy point ceiling by contributing in multiple categories including 0.30 rebounds, 0.07 blocks, and 0.07 assists per minute.

JaVale McGee ($3,600) - Phoenix's veteran center should have an active role against a Thunder team ranked 28th in FanDuel points allowed to the center position this season. In 434.9 minutes with the Suns' current inactives, McGee is averaging 1.37 FanDuel points and a 25.0% usage rate.