DraftKings NBA DFS Picks for Today (Wednesday, 1/29/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

On Wednesday night, the NBA continues its busy week with a nine-game main slate on DraftKings. The 76ers are the only team on the main slate playing for a second night in a row as they host the Kings, while the Cavs and Wizards are on the front half of their back-to-back sets. The Nuggets are in New York, and Kawhi Leonard's Clippers are in San Antonio in just a couple of the really fun matchups that make up this slate. DraftKings leaves out the two late games from Phoenix and San Francisco.

With 18 teams in the player pool, options abound this Wednesday, so let's dive into the matchups and find some good options to build around from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/29/25. 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. 

DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks

Scottie Barnes, TOR – PG/SF ($9,300)

The Raptors are in Washington to face the Wizards, who allow the most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards and the most points per game in general. Barnes should be perfectly positioned for a huge game coming off winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week and still operating without Immanuel Quickley (hip) for at least one more game.

Barnes had 56.25 DraftKings points in this matchup against the Pelicans on Monday:

Scottie Barnes' stats vs. New Orleans:

21 POINTS
11 REBOUNDS
8 ASSISTS
3 STEALS pic.twitter.com/QjKlHdFetf

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) January 28, 2025

He has over 50 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and at least 43 DraftKings points in seven of his last nine. Over that nine-game stretch, he averaged 48.4 DraftKings points per game and 1.33 DraftKings points per minute. He can stuff the stat sheet in multiple categories when he's at his best, and he should be in a great smash spot to go off on Wednesday in Washington.

Miles Bridges, CHA – PF ($8,200)

The Hornets will be without LaMelo Ball (ankle), Mark Williams (foot), Cody Martin (abdomen), and Josh Green (f00t) in addition to Brandon Miller (wrist). With so few offensive options, Bridges should have a monster workload against the Nets, who are also dealing with multiple injury absences.

On Monday, Ball rolled his ankle and left the game early against the Lakers, and in his absence, Bridges picked up the workload. Bridges took 23 shots (including 11 three-pointers) and finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and 46.0 DraftKings points.

CLEAR THE WAY FOR MILES BRIDGES!!

He puts down the ferocious one-handed jam 💥 pic.twitter.com/WpIqVhycYX

— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2025

In the four games that Bridges has played this season without both Ball and Miller, he led the team with a 32.9% usage rate and averaged 44.6 DraftKings points per contest. The Nets-Hornets game may not be a pretty one to watch, but Bridges should get a ton of usage and have a good chance to return outstanding value.

Jalen Duren, DET – C ($5,800)

The Pistons have shown huge improvement this season, and Duren has been posting very strong numbers lately. He scored double-digit points in eight straight games and put up five double-doubles in his last six games, averaging 37.5 DraftKings points over that span on 13.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocked shots per contest.

He had 41.5 DraftKings points against the Cavs in his most recent game and also posted 50 DraftKings points against the Rockets during this recent run.

Cade Cunningham with the hook toss to Jalen Duren for the Dunk
Pistons blowing Atlanta out in their building@woodwardsports pic.twitter.com/o3cCkBMfaE

— Anson Wells (@DetroitHeckler) January 23, 2025

Also during this productive stretch, he faced the Pacers earlier this month, racking up 17 points and 17 rebounds in 27 minutes to earn 43.25 DraftKings points. That performance was his third double-double against Indiana this season averaging 14.7 points and 14.0 rebounds per game. Getting him under $6,000 is a very affordable way to get both a high ceiling and a high floor at center based on his recent success and success in this specific matchup.

Others Under Consideration: Tyrese Maxey - PG ($9,800), Jalen Brunson - PG ($8,700), Domantas Sabonis - C ($9,900), Tyler Herro - PG ($8,800), RJ Barrett - SF ($7,800)

DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,300)

The Joker is extremely expensive but he continues to regularly deliver so many fantasy points that he still ends up a good value play even though his salary is north of $12,000. He has a tougher matchup against the Knicks in New York, which is why he's not a core play for me tonight, but he still brings such a high ceiling that he has to be a tournament consideration.

Over his last 13 games, Jokic has produced an incredible 2.08 DraftKings points per minute and 72.5 DraftKings points per game. He has nine triple-doubles over that stretch while averaging 28.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 11.6 assists. On Monday he smashed the Bulls for 76 DraftKings points with this stat line:

NIKOLA JOKIC TONIGHT:

33 POINTS
14 ASSISTS
12 REBOUNDS
71% FG
40 MINUTES

(via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/YVngi8iJ3Y

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 28, 2025

Jaylen Brown, BOS - SG/SF ($7,600)

Jayson Tatum ($9,600; knee) is questionable, and his numbers have been a little down lately while playing through knee tendinopathy. Brown will be a great play if Tatum is out and he picks up more work, but he has been a solid play over the last few weeks while playing alongside Tatum as well.

Brown has over 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and five of his last seven. He has 20+ points in each of those five games, including each of his last two contests.

In the three games he played this season without Tatum, he averaged 48.2 DraftKings points and led the team with a 32.0% usage rate. He's a strong tournament play either way but becomes a core option if Tatum is ruled out.

Kel'el Ware, MIA - C ($6,200)

Center is so stacked on Wednesday night that I'm planning to use my UTIL spot for a center in just about every build. While the Heat have had plenty of drama lately, one bright spot has been the emergence of 20-year-old big man Kel'el Ware. He started the last four games for Miami and posted three double-doubles and over 39 DraftKings points in four of his last five games.

Kel’el Ware 19-10, 7/8 FG, 4/4 3P pic.twitter.com/EEGI1pY8JS

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 28, 2025

Ware and the Heat host the Cavaliers in a tough matchup, but one that should result in more huge minutes for Ware. He played 42 minutes in Monday's masterful performance against the Magic, racking up 39.5 DraftKings points. He has that kind of potential again on Wednesday, but his salary is still only barely over $6,000.

Ayo Dosunmu, CHI - PG/SG ($5,800)

The Bulls will be without Zach LaVine (personal) on Wednesday in Boston, and Coby White ($6,200; ankle) is officially questionable after coach Billy Donovan said he was doubtful to return until later on Chicago's three-game road trip. Without those two guards, more work will be available for Dosunmu, who has shown an extremely high ceiling when asked to carry more of the load.

He had a triple-double of 27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds for 67.5 DraftKings points in one game that White missed, showing off his sky-high ceiling.

The timing could be perfect for another monster game since Dosunmu just returned to the starting lineup for the first time on Monday after working his way back from a calf strain. He had 17 points and 29.5 DraftKings points in 34 minutes against the Nuggets. The matchup is also one that Dosunmu has enjoyed in the past.

Ayo Dosunmu vs. Boston:

17 points
7-14 FG
8 rebounds
4 assists
2 steals

Ayo has the best FG% against the Celtics by ANY guard in NBA history (59% in his career) 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OLXRz538eY

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 20, 2024

If both White and LaVine are out on Wednesday, it would be the first game both have been sidelined in the same contest all season. While Josh Giddey ($7,700) and Lonzo Ball ($4,800) also have good upside in their absence, Dosunmu's multi-category production makes him an awesome play under $6,000 on Wednesday night.

Others Under Consideration: Victor Wembanyama - C ($11,100), Donovan Mitchell - PG/SG ($8,400), Trey Murphy III - SG/SF ($7,700), Josh Giddey - PG ($7,700), James Harden - PG ($9,400), Russell Westbrook - PG ($6,300), Alexandre Sarr - PF/C ($5,500)

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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks

Josh Okogie, CHA – SF/PF ($4,300)

Much of the value on Wednesday's slate comes from the short-handed Hornets who will have to cobble together a starting five and find players ready to take on usage. Okogie is a great play at only $4,300, especially with Martin and Green joining Williams and Ball on the sidelines.

Okogie has played five games for the Hornets since being acquired in the trade that sent Nick Richards to Phoenix. He played limited minutes in his first two games but then dropped a double-double and 40 DraftKings points against the Trail Blazers last Friday. He stepped up on Monday as well after Ball's injury, scoring 19 points in 25 minutes for 33 DraftKings points.

In addition to scoring his season-high 19 points (in a Hornets uniform), Josh Okogie's four steals against the Lakers, marks his fourth straight game with three-plus steals – the longest streak since Gerald Wallace (7) in 2007. pic.twitter.com/VBBzZ2UgSZ

— CLTure® ( culture ) (@CLTure) January 28, 2025

Typically, Okogie fills in non-scoring stats very well due to his hustle on both ends of the floor. Given some extra usage in a favorable matchup against the Nets, he is in a smash value spot at barely over $4,000.

Moussa Diabate, CHA – C ($3,700)

Diabate should play big minutes in the middle for the Hornets with Williams out and Richards traded away. On Saturday in that scenario, Taj Gibson ($3,000) got the start, but Diabate played 29 minutes off the bench. He finished with nine points, 13 rebounds and 33.25 DraftKings points against the Pelicans.

Moussa Diabate throws it down with AUTHORITY 🤯pic.twitter.com/EoBELnOtcO

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 25, 2025

With plenty of chances against the Nets, Diabate should have no trouble delivering value. Unfortunately, he's only center eligible, though, adding to the l0gjam at the position on Wednesday.

Bruce Brown, TOR – SG/SF ($4,500)

With plenty of point guards and centers available, Brown's eligibility at shooting guard and small forward helps him fit into roster builds. He has been getting good run for the Raptors coming off the bench and has produced over 30 DraftKings points in three of his last four games.

He has scored 12+ points in four of his last five contests, averaging 27.2 DraftKings points on 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 24.1 minutes per game. In a great matchup against the Wizards, Brown brings very nice upside.

Justin Edwards, PHI – SF/PF ($3,900)

The Sixers injury report will be a critical one to watch for as they finish their back-to-back against the Kings. Paul George (finger) and Joel Embiid (knee) are expected to miss the game and Andre Drummond (toe) and Caleb Martin (hip) sat out Tuesday as well. On top of that, Guerschon Yabusele ($6,100) had to leave Tuesday's game with a knee injury, although he was able to return. With so many options sidelined, Edwards could be set up for more playing time, and that would make him a strong forward play under $4,000.

He logged 28+ minutes in four of his last five games including in Tuesday's win over the Lakers. In that game, Edwards totaled 22 DraftKings points on seven points, three assists, three steals, and four rebounds. Tuesday's matchup was also Edwards' first start of the season, and if he gets the nod in the starting five again on Wednesday against the Kings, he'll be a strong value play at forward, where there's much more roster scarcity on Wednesday.

Others Under Consideration: Nick Smith Jr. - SG/SF ($5,000), Keegan Murray - PF ($4,800), Ty Jerome - PG ($4,400), Kyshawn George - SF/PF ($4,000), Aaron Nesmith - SG/SF ($3,300)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack

Nuggets at Knicks (240 total)

This matchup at Madison Square Garden should be a great one, and it has the highest point total on the board, meaning fantasy goodness should be flowing as well. Nikola Jokic ($12,300) is the heart of the Nuggets' offense, and he can be stacked up with guards Russell Westbrook ($6,300) and Jamal Murray ($7,300) while forwards Peyton Watson ($3,600) and Aaron Gordon ($4,300) are solid sources of salary relief.

For the home team, the Knicks' rotation doesn't run extremely deep, so the big names to build around are the ones you would expect. Jalen Brunson ($8,700) brings a very high ceiling for a play under $9,000 and Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,700) has been remarkably consistent in his first season with the Knicks. Mikal Bridges ($6,400) has been heating up lately, and OG Anunoby ($6,300) always has boom-or-bust potential. The Knicks don't offer a ton of value options since they don't go deep, but Precious Achiuwa ($4,400) has been playing meaningful minutes off the bench and could help with the effort to contain Jokic.

Bulls at Celtics (235.5 total)

The Bulls will most likely be without LaVine and White, opening heavy usage for Josh Giddey ($7,700), Lonzo Ball ($4,800), and Ayo Dosunmu ($5,800), as mentioned above. Patrick Williams ($4,000) and Jalen Smith ($3,800) could be great value options in the frontcourt if they get extra minutes and usage. Nikola Vucevic ($8,500) is very expensive but will likely serve as the focal point of the offense with so any high-usage guards on the sidelines.

For Boston, Tatum's injury status is the key piece to watch. If he's out Jaylen Brown ($7,600), Derrick White ($6,700), Kristaps Porzingis ($6,900), and even Payton Pritchard ($5,000) will help pick up the slack in a very favorable matchup against the Bulls. Chicago plays at the third-fastest pace in the NBA and ranks in the bottom eight for defensive efficiency. The Celtics should be able to score plenty of points, so keep an eye on who is available and who will pick up the slack.

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: Miles Bridges
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Scottie Barnes
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jaylen Brown (especially if Tatum is out)
• My favorite VALUE play: Josh Okogie

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis