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On the first Friday of 2025, the NBA has seven games on the main slate on DraftKings, which leaves off the two late games in Los Angeles and Sacramento. With 14 teams in the player pool, there are still plenty of strong options to consider from some very interesting matchups. Of the 14 teams on the main slate, the Celtics and Thunder are the only two playing for a second day in a row while the Nuggets, Spurs, Pistons, and Knicks are on the front half of their back-to-back sets that conclude Saturday.
Friday's main slate features some strong fantasy options to consider, so let's look at the best of these matchups from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out CeeGee's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/03/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,200)
Even though his salary is elevated to over $12,000, Jokic's recent production has been so impressive that he still deserves consideration as a core pick despite his hefty salary. Especially on a slate where there is already plenty of value to pick from with more likely on the way as news breaks, Jokic is a good place to start your lineup construction.
The 29-year-old big man has to go off to be worth a look at this salary, but he's been doing just that on a nightly basis. He has 20+ points in nine straight games averaging 29.0 points, 12.4 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 36.2 minutes per game. He has posted three triple-doubles in his last four games, earning over 70 DraftKings points in each contest.
The Joker's triple-double against the Hawks on Wednesday was extra impressive since he achieved his numbers so quickly, averaging 2.51 DraftKings points per minute.
Jokić's triple-double for the Nuggets was so efficient, it was DIZZYING 😵💫
🃏 23 PTS
🃏 17 REB
🃏 15 AST
🃏 IN 29 MINUTESIt's the FIRST game of 20+p, 15+r, & 15+a in under 30 MIN in NBA HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/Aw1KrpVFhp
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2025
Jokic will be facing the Spurs for the first time this season, but last year he averaged 33.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in his four games against San Antonio.
Trey Murphy III, NOP – SG/SF ($7,300)
The Pelicans have a favorable matchup against the Wizards, and Murphy will look to continue his scoring binge. With Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) still out, Murphy has taken a larger role in the offense and regularly put up big numbers over the last few weeks.
In his last seven games, he has averaged 40.2 DraftKings points per game while playing a team-high 35.2 minutes per game and producing 26.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 4.0 three-pointers per game.
Murphy III has now scored 20+ points in eight of his last 10 games, and entered tonight averaging 24.8 ppg in his previous six contests. https://t.co/UqSMlyrPmD
— Pelicans PR (@PelicansPR) January 2, 2025
Murphy finished that game with 34 points and 45.5 DraftKings points to start the New Year right, and he's in an even more favorable spot on Friday at home against the Wizards.
Russell Westbrook, DEN – PG ($6,600)
Jokic isn't the only Nuggets option who has been playing well enough to deserve a spot in core plays. As you'll see at the end of this post, the Nuggets are a great stack to consider, and Westbrook should remain a huge part of the rotation with Aaron Gordon (calf) already ruled out for Friday and also unlikely to return Saturday, per coach Mike Malone.
With Gordon out the last four games, Westbrook has moved into the starting lineup and averaged 12.8 points, 9.0 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals for 37.8 DraftKings points per game.
🎞️
-Joker to Russ
-Russ to Joker
-Joker to Russ
-Russ to Joker
-Joker to RussThe Russell Westbrook <-> Nikola Jokic synergy is real#Nuggets #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/BvfvtlRz7O
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) January 2, 2025
He had a throwback triple-double and 56 DraftKings points against the Jazz to close out 2024 and finished with 16 points, 11 assists, and 36 DraftKings points in 26 minutes against the Hawks on New Year's Day.
Others Under Consideration: Jayson Tatum - SF/PF ($10,200), Dejounte Murray - PG ($8,700), Kyrie Irving - PG/SG ($9,200), Alperen Sengun - C ($9,400)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Cade Cunningham, DET - PG ($9,900)
The Pistons lost Jaden Ivey (leg) for a while after the guard suffered a fractured fibula Wednesday against Orlando. Without Ivey, Cunningham will have to carry even more of the scoring load for the Pistons as they host the Hornets on Friday.
Cunningham and Ivey were each in the midst of breakout seasons in the Detroit backcourt. Cunningham is averaging 51.2 DraftKings points per game on the season and producing 1.43 DraftKings points per minute with a usage rate of 31.8%. Without Ivey on the floor, though, he has been even busier, posting a 34.1% usage rate and putting up 1.47 DraftKings points per minute.
In the three games Ivey missed this season, Cunningham averaged 65.3 DraftKings points, so there's a chance that Cade will go off against the Hornets in this favorable matchup, as he tries to keep Detroit afloat while Ivey recovers.
Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C ($10,400)
The Knicks continue to get great numbers from KAT almost every night. With Jalen Brunson ($8,900; calf, questionable) out on Wednesday, Towns dropped one of his most impressive stat lines of the season and finished with 69.25 DraftKings points while leading the Knicks to their ninth straight win.
Karl-Anthony Towns put on a show against the Jazz tonight! 📸
🔥 31 Points
💪 21 Rebounds
👀 4 AssistsWhat do you grade KAT's performance tonight?! pic.twitter.com/PDinocADuJ
— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) January 2, 2025
If Brunson misses Friday's game, Towns will have to carry the load in Oklahoma City which sets him up in another smash spot. He hasn't been quite as productive as Jokic, but his salary is much easier to work with, making him a strong alternative if he comes close to matching Jokic's output
Jalen Suggs, ORL - PG/SG ($8,300)
The Magic are in Toronto on Friday night to take on the Raptors, and Suggs will again be the focus of the offense with Paolo Banchero (oblique) and Franz Wagner (oblique) still working their way back from injury.
Suggs started 2025 with 24 points and 44 DraftKings points in the Magic's loss in Detroit and has at least 35 DraftKings points in four of his last five games.
Jalen Suggs behind the back to Goga Bitadze 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zRutnhJDd1
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 2, 2025
Against the Raptors, Suggs has the potential for another big stat line, and his upside makes him a good fit for tournament lineups. His elevated scoring has coincided with a dip in non-scoring numbers, though, which is why he didn't quite make it into my core plays for Friday.
Miles Bridges, CHA - PF ($7,700)
Bridges has been in an expanded role for the Hornets in their past few games with Lonzo Ball ($9,700; ankle/wrist, questionable) and Brandon Miller ($8,600; ankle, questionable) out. On Friday in Detroit, he could remain the focal point of the offense or get some help, but regardless of who plays around him, he has shown enough upside to be a consideration for tournament lineups.
On Monday, Bridges had 31 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and 59 DraftKings points, highlighted by this three-pointer to force overtime.
MILES BRIDGES INSANE 3 TO TIE THE GAME AT 98...
1.5 SECONDS LEFT ON NBA LEAGUE PASS! pic.twitter.com/QyDTrxKU72
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2024
He has at least 47 DraftKings points in three straight games, so keep a close eye on the Hornets' injury report to see how much work he will get against the Pistons. If both Miller and Ball miss another game or are limited in their return, Bridges has the potential to be one of the top plays on the slate.
Others Under Consideration: Victor Wembanyama - C ($11,500), Donovan Mitchell - PG/SG ($8,400), CJ McCollum - PG/SG ($7,500), Goga Bitadze - C ($7,200), Immanuel Quickley - PG/SG ($6,900), Devin Vassell -SG/SF ($6,200), Yves Missi - C ($5,800)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Stephon Castle, SA – PG/SG ($3,400)
One big spot to attack for value plays on Friday is the Spurs as they visit Denver. They'll be without Jeremy Sochan (back) which opens some great opportunities on the wing. Castle is one of the options to get more work, and the rookie has shown potential to produce when given expanded playing time.
On Tuesday when Sochan left early, Castle chipped in 15 points and 29.5 DraftKings points against the Clippers. Castle started the second half in Sochan's place which could indicate he'll be in the starting five for this contest in Denver. He's been boom or bust as he's adjusted to the NBA this season, but at this extremely affordable salary, he's an elite value if he gets the start on Friday.
Ausar Thompson, DET – SF/PF ($4,000)
Thompson is another young player who will likely get more minutes in his team's rotation on Friday due to injury. With Ivey out, Thompson should be able to continue to ramp up his workload after the 21-year-old got a late start to the season due to a blood clot. He played 24 and 25 minutes in the last two games and produced 24 and 21.25 DraftKings points.
In the two games that Ivey missed in mid-December, Thompson moved into the starting lineup and produced 40.75 DraftKings points against the Heat and 19.5 DraftKings points against the Jazz. Here are his highlights in that big game against Miami, which showcases his upside if he takes Ivey's role next to Cade:
Ausar Thompson vs Miami Heat
19 PTS | 9 REB | 4 STL
Ausar is back, y’all. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/MH4TD5muvs
— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) December 17, 2024
Cam Whitmore, HOU – SF/PF ($3,900)
Ausar's brother Amen Thompson (suspension) is out for the Rockets on Friday as he finishes serving his suspension. His absence opens up playing time for Whitmore since Tari Eason ($4,800; leg, doubtful) has been out since mid-December and is likely to miss an eighth straight game.
Whitmore played 24 minutes against the Mavs on Wednesday in Thompson's absence and poured in 18 points on his way to 25.75 DraftKings points. He struggled in his two previous games in a reduced role but has scored at least 17 points in each of his last three games with at least 20 minutes, producing 32.5, 37.5, and 25.75 DraftKings points in those three contests.
Cam Whitmore made a BIG impact off the bench tonight 👏
📊 18 PTS | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 7-9 FG@MemorialHermann | #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/oIZxKUtAH8
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 2, 2025
Jonas Valanciunas, WAS – C ($5,100)
Valanciunas costs more than the young options covered in my values so far, but the veteran big man brings excellent value potential as he returns to New Orleans to face his former team. Valanciunas has scored double-digit points in four of his last five games while averaging 14.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 36.0 DraftKings points per game despite playing just 23 minutes per game and coming off the bench in four of those five contests.
🇱🇹 Jonas Valančiūnas today highlights vs. Bulls:
🏀 14 POINTS
🏀 6 ASSISTS
🏀 6 REBOUNDSWizards won against Bulls 125-107 ✅ pic.twitter.com/AK8lK7cXid
— DV highlights (@DVhighlights) January 2, 2025
He is expected to be one of the hottest names at the trade deadline with his good production in his limited role. For DFS, he can be boom or bust coming off the bench depending on game flow, but he brings a ton of upside for a play just over $5,000.
Others Under Consideration: Keldon Johnson - SF/PF ($4,000), Herbert Jones - SF/PF ($5,300), Peyton Watson - PF ($3,900), Tobias Harris - PF ($4,900), Cason Wallace - PG/SF ($3,800)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Spurs at Nuggets (236.5 total)
The Nuggets and Spurs present one of the best matchups of the night, and the contest also brings the highest point total on the board. With Sochan out, Wemby, Vassell, and Chris Paul ($6,300) will all be in mine for more work while Castle, Johnson, and Julian Champagnie ($3,900) bring great value potential while helping pick up Sochan's workload.
As the favorite in this game, the Nuggets have the highest implied team total on the night, and building around Jokic and Westbrook is a great place to start the core of your roster. Christian Braun ($5,000), Michael Porter Jr. ($6,500), Murray, and Watson can all be nice additional pieces of the stack that should find success on Friday.
Wizards at Pelicans (232.5 total)
The second-highest point total on the slate is the matchup in New Orleans between the Wizards and Pelicans, who have gone a combined 11-54 and have the worst records in their respective conferences. Still, there's fantasy value from both sides. Washington got Jordan Poole ($8,200) back on Wednesday, and he had 30 points and 43.25 DraftKings points against the Bulls. Malcolm Brogdon ($6,000) stayed involved as well while Alexandre Sarr ($5,900), Corey Kispert ($4,700), and Bub Carrington ($4,800) bring good value potential along with Valanciunas.
The Pelicans have relied heavily on Murphy in the front court while Murray and McCollum carry the load in the backcourt. Missi has also played well at center so far in his rookie season, and Jose Alvarado ($5,900) is expected to return to action on Friday as well. Alvarado's salary is a little high compared to his expected workload, but his return will help the team dynamic and hopefully get the Pelicans headed in the right direction now that they're starting to get healthy.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Trey Murphy III
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Cade Cunningham
- My favorite VALUE play: Stephon Castle
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