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Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have reached the point in the season where the bottom teams are tanking and even getting fined for tanking too hard. This opens up, however, for some cheap value plays that can be slate winners. Attacking games with high point totals and keeping an eye on the news until the minute the slate locks is crucial at this time of the season.
This slate only has five games, but I won't focus much on the Magic-Pelicans game, as it has the lowest total on the slate. Also, we have a few injuries on the slate we have to keep an eye on, including Luka Doncic, Domantas Sabonis, Jonathan Kuminga, Lonzo Ball, and Yves Missi.
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/13/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EDT on DraftKings and FanDuel. Good luck, RotoBallers!
Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Here is a look at some of the higher-priced players we can use as building blocks for cash and GPP contests.
For good reason, Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the top-priced guys on the slate. He is averaging 56.5 FPPG this season and with the Lakers being down a few big men, this could be a big opportunity for Giannis to take over and make a big splash. Giannis will be my big spend-up option on this slate.
Cade Cunningham is also in a great position for a great game. My only worry here is a blowout. The Wizards have been atrocious this season but have also given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season. He has been a monster around the court, averaging nearly 48 FPPG. If you don't have Giannis, then I would make sure to have Cunningham in your lineup.
With LeBron James out, that leaves plenty of minutes open for Austin Reaves to expand on his role. There is also the chance that Luka Doncic may not play, which would put Reaves into the primary role on this depleted Lakers squad. In their last game, James was out and this resulted in a near triple-double from Reaves and 41 FP.
Top Core Plays:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. LAL - PF/C ($11,700 DK; $11,500 FD)
- Cade Cunningham, DET vs. WAS - PG ($10,300 DK; $10,400 FD)
- Austin Reaves, LAL at MIL - SG/SF ($7,500 DK; $7,900 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
This is where we talk about saving salary. Whether it's a severely underpriced backup or even as simple as a guy playing like someone who should be priced higher, this is where you'll find guys who make lineups work.
Kyshawn George is a little bit high for value but it can't be ignored how well he has played recently. With Bilal Coulibaly out and Kyle Kuzma gone, it has opened up more opportunities for George to get some usage. It has resulted in 30+ minutes played in five of the last six games with four of those resulting in 30+ FP performances.
Karlo Matkovic has kind of flown under the radar in this system. But he may see quite a few minutes in this matchup if Yves Missi misses out on this one. Without Kelly Olynyk to fill in for that role, it only leaves Matkovic and the most recently added Mo Bamba. Matkovic has seen 20+ minutes in four straight games, all resulting in 24+ FP. He gets a tough matchup, but at his price, he doesn't need much to make value.
The value is lacking, but a few other guys worth mentioning who could be of decent value are Tim Hardaway Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Ziaire Williams, and Gabe Vincent.
Top Value Plays:
- Kyshawn George, WAS at DET - SF/PF ($5,700 DK; $5,800 FD)
- Karlo Matkovic, NOP vs. ORL - PF/C ($4,200 DK; $4,900 FD)
- Jarred Vanderbilt, LAL at MIL ($4,300 DK; $4,400 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Damian Lillard has always played extremely well against the Lakers. With the Lakers depleted, he could continue this trend. He is the fourth-highest-priced PG on the slate but he has 50+ FP potential against the Lakers. On this five-game slate, Lillard makes for a solid GPP option at PG.
The Chicago Bulls are giving up the second-most fantasy points to PGs this season, which puts both Cam Thomas and D'Angelo Russell in solid spots to perform. I wouldn't play them together but I would get a little bit of both in different lineups.
Both have shown they can perform and put up 30+ FP in a game. I lean toward Thomas as he is the more consistent shooter but Russell does provide a bit more in the assist department. Russell makes for a much better play on DK at his price.
Cade Cunningham over his last 5 games:
27 PTS - 8 REB - 10 AST
28 PTS - 4 REB - 5 AST
31 PTS - 4 REB - 5 AST
37 PTS - 7 REB - 10 AST
29 PTS - 9 AST - 4 STL(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/zkDaZqztyN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 12, 2025
Top PG Options:
- Cade Cunningham, DET vs. WAS ($10,300 DK; $10,400 FD)
- Damian Lillard, MIL vs. LAL ($6,400 DK; $6,500 FD)
- Cam Thomas, BKN at CHI ($6,400 DK; $6,500 FD)
- D'Angelo Russell, BKN at CHI ($5,100 DK; $6,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Coby White should roll into a bigger role with Lonzo Ball likely out and Josh Giddey out with a sprained ankle. In the last game with those guys out, White finished with 47 FP and he does see a 3 percent usage bump with those guys out. A 27 percent usage rate is the highest on the team, which makes him an elite SG option on this slate. Tre Jones also makes for a sneaky cheaper option as well!
COBY WHITE DROPS A CAREER-HIGH 44 PTS!
🔥 16-28 FGM | 7-15 3PM | W 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WM33lUvIsL
— NBA (@NBA) March 7, 2025
Tim Hardaway Jr. makes for an ugly play, but he is dirt cheap and can shoot lights out. At only $4.2K on FD, he did have 24 FP against Washington just a few days ago. At 24 FP, he can get six times real quick and anything after that is just a bonus. He has been sitting in the 25-30-minute range, giving him plenty of chances to get the shot going.
Top SG Options:
- Austin Reaves, LAL at MIL ($7,500 DK; $7,900 FD)
- Coby White, CHI vs. BKN ($7,300 DK; $7,400 FD)
- Tim Hardaway Jr., DET vs. WAS ($4,100 DK; $4,200 FD)
- Tre Jones, CHI vs. BKN ($5,000 DK; $5,300 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
Jimmy Butler III is finding his footing over the last three games. He has finished with 40+ FP in three straight and even finished with a triple-double in his last game against Portland. He is a little pricy as he is pushing over $8K but has shown recently he can be worth five to six times his price. With this game being one of the highest totals on the night, he could be in for another big game.
DeMar DeRozan has been playing well recently, and in the last matchup against Golden State, he had 50 FP! If Domantas Sabonis is out, DeRozan could continue to be the primary scorer. He has a 30 percent usage rate when Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox are off the court. That is a near 5 percent boost to when they were on the court. Even if Sabonis is in, I still like DeRozan to be a big part of this offense.
Top SF Options:
- Jimmy Butler III, GSW vs. SAC ($7,900 DK; $8,300 FD)
- DeMar DeRozan, SAC at GSW ($8,300 DK; 7,800 FD)
- Kyshawn George, WAS at DET ($5,700 DK; $5,800 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
Cameron Johnson has been on fire recently, finishing with 37, 42, and 41 in his last three games. He is still not too expensive, either, and has a matchup with a high point total and a tight spread. The Bulls are giving up the sixth-most fantasy points and third-most points per game to opposing PFs this season, too.
Jarred Vanderbilt won't wow you by any measure but he should see a big uptick in minutes and usage in this game. LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes, and Rui Hachimura are all out, which should lead to Vanderbilt getting in some solid minutes in the frontcourt. At just above $4K as well on both sites, he makes for decent value that won't need much to hit his value.
THE CLAMPS. THE HUSTLE. JARRED VANDERBILT. @LAClippers 77@Lakers 83
Fourth quarter of the Battle of LA coming up on ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/TPybFm2Ayq
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2025
Top PF Options:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. LAL - PF/C ($11,700 DK; $11,500 FD)
- Cameron Johnson, BKN at CHI ($6,100 DK; $6,600 FD)
- Jarred Vanderbilt, LAL at MIL ($4,300 DK; $4,400 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Jonas Valanciunas may be in for another start if Domantas Sabonis is out once again. If that is the case, then JoVal could be in for a massive game. I have attacked the Warriors at the center position most of the season and I won't be stopping that anytime soon. JoVal has dropped 43+ FP in four of six games since Sabonis went down.
The center position is quite lacking on this slate. JoVal will likely be the No. 1 option on this slate if Sabonis is ruled out, but for GPP, I like Jalen Duren quite a bit. The Wizards have bled fantasy points to opposing centers this season, giving up the second most this season. He only played 24 minutes in their last game and finished with 35 FP. Hopefully, he is able to play more minutes as he can be a PPM monster.
Top C Options:
- Jonas Valanciunas, SAC at GSW ($7,900 DK; $7,200 FD)
- Jalen Duren, DET vs. WAS ($6,900 DK; $7,500 FD)
- Karlo Matkovic, NOP vs. ORL ($4,200 DK; $4,900 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Wizards at Pistons (235.5 o/u)
- Kings at Warriors (233.5 o/u)
- Nets at Bulls (230.5 o/u)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
On small slates like this one, I would keep the majority in the pool but maybe go lighter on some games. The Orlando/New Orleans game has quite a low point total compared to the rest of the games, so I would be much lighter on this one compared to the rest.
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: Austin Reaves
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Damian Lillard/Jalen Duren
- My favorite value play: Kyshawn George
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