DraftKings NBA DFS Picks for Today (Thursday, 2/20/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Whether you enjoyed the break in the NBA season or hated every minute away from the hardwood, the NBA is back in action for real this Thursday after the Lakers and Hornets played a one-game special on Wednesday. Both of those two teams are back in action on Thursday joined by 16 other teams to give us a great 18-team player pool for DFS fantasy basketball contests, which tip off on DraftKings at 7:00 p.m. ET.

With so many teams back in action, there are plenty of options but a few stand out as awesome additions to your fantasy lineup. Let's dive in 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 2/20/25. 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

De'Aaron Fox, SA – PG/SG ($7,900)

Most teams will be close to full strength after the extended time off, which makes the few absences even more important to acknowledge and attack. The Spurs will likely be without Victor Wembanyama ($10,900; illness, doubtful) when they take on the Suns. As a result, Fox will have to carry more of the offensive workload and there will be more usage across the board for the Spurs, who bring a ton of value potential with the extra work.

Fox has played five games for the Spurs, averaging 41.05 DraftKings points per game with a 25.2% usage rate while playing a team-high 31.5 minutes per game. He made a huge splash with his 57.75 DraftKings points with a double-double in his Spurs' debut against the Hawks and has posted over 42 DraftKings points in three of his five games with San Antonio, including 46 DraftKings points against the Wizards with 30 points Monday.

De'Aaron Fox Highlights vs. Washington Wizards
🦊🦊🦊 pic.twitter.com/ZpDXvxKICx

— FoxMuse (@DFoxMuse) February 11, 2025

The Suns should be a favorable matchup for Fox on Thursday, and he will have to carry the offense, which makes him a great play to build around with a very high ceiling for a player under $8,000.

Pascal Siakam, IND – PF ($7,800)

Siakam is another great way to get an elite ceiling at less than a top salary. Spicy P was on a roll going into the All-Star break, and he gets a great matchup on Thursday against the Grizzlies, who play at the fastest pace in the NBA.

Before a down game just before the break, Siakam posted over 38 DraftKings points in seven of eight games, including games of 51.75 DraftKings points against the Spurs, 54 DraftKings points against the Pistons, and a game with 57.75 DraftKings points against the Clippers.

Back-to-back 52-FPT games 🔥

Siakam has been going HARD
🏀 52.2 FPTs vs DET
🏀 52.7 FPTs vs SAS
pic.twitter.com/MohEwklISd

— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) January 30, 2025

The Grizzlies have allowed the most DraftKings points per game this season to opposing power forwards, so Siakam could be set for a huge home game to continue the Pacers' push for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Jarrett Allen, CLE – C ($6,400)

The Cavaliers have been one of the best stories of the season and have a firm grasp on the top spot in the Eastern Conference coming out of the All-Star break. On Thursday, they'll be back in Jarrett Allen's old stomping grounds as they visit the Nets, who continue to struggle on the other end of the standings.

Allen is a great midrange option with a potential "revenge game" storyline on top of excellent recent form.

My favorite subplot of the @cavs success this year is the development of Evan Mobley & Jarrett Allen as passers.

Went to the white board to show how Kenny Atkinson has unlocked the big man tandem & why when it’s clicking, it’s so hard to stop #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/POiQIrxSdc

— Mikey McNuggets (@MikeLucasTV) February 19, 2025

Allen had double-digit rebounds in five straight games and double-digit boards in 11 of his last 13. He had at least 36 DraftKings points in each of his last five games with a high point of 45.5 DraftKings points against the Celtics. Allen's well-rounded stat lines should continue even with De'Andre Hunter ($4,900) acclimating to his new squad since Allen doesn't need a ton of usage to stack up production. He should dominate the Nets on the blocks, and Brooklyn has allowed the sixth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing centers.

Others Under Consideration: Jayson Tatum - SF/PF  ($10,000), Franz Wagner - SF ($8,600), Jamal Murray - PG/SG ($8,100), Ja Morant - PG ($8,500)

DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,500)

The Joker was on a whole different level before the All-Star break, and he returns from the time off with a cushy matchup against the Hornets, who will be playing for the second night in a row. Jokic is extremely expensive, but if there's enough value for you to save enough salary to have a pay-up spot in your tournament lineup, Jokic's ceiling is unmatched.

He had over 65 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games including four double-doubles and bonkers averages of 30.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while playing just 33.6 minutes per game.

After celebrating his 30th birthday yesterday, Jokic will look to pick up where he left off before the break on his way to one of the best statistical seasons in NBA history.

Brilliant skill.
Physical dominance.
Unselfish leadership.
Unflappable clutchness.
Consistent greatness.

On his 30th birthday... Nikola Jokić is in rarified NBA air.

Here are his TOP 30 PLAYS so far 🔥 pic.twitter.com/exwjeMkD5W

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2025

Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($8,400)

Brunson and the Knicks host the Bulls in a very favorable matchup at Madison Square Garden. The Bulls have allowed the most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards, so Brunson should be in a smash spot.

Jalen Brunson is on pace to become the first player to average 25+ PPG and 7+ APG with 2.5 or less turnovers per game since turnovers were first officially tracked in 1977-78. pic.twitter.com/e1DMlIf13R

— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2025

In his last game before the break, Brunson led the Knicks to a 149-148 win over the Hawks with 38 points, eight assists, and 51.75 DraftKings points. He scored at least 28 points in four of his last five games and had at least 43 DraftKings points in each of those four outings.

In his two matchups against the Bulls this season, he averaged 45.9 DraftKings points. He most recently faced them on January 4, producing 51.5 DraftKings points on 33 points and eight assists in 33 minutes.

Precious Achiuwa, NYK - PF/C ($5,700)

Achiuwa is another one of the Knicks in a good fantasy spot on Thursday night. He had been filling in for OG Anunoby ($6,200; foot, questionable) for the last five games, but now he'll also have time available with Josh Hart (knee) out for Thursday's game.

With more work Achiuwa has flourished, averaging 30.9 DraftKings points per game over his six contests in February on 12.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 34.8 minutes per game. In the Knicks' huge win over the Hawks last Wednesday, Achiuwa had a season-high 26 points and 43.5 DraftKings points.

.@PreciousAchiuwa had one of his best showings of the season 📈 pic.twitter.com/fRVh3bLMKj

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 13, 2025

Anfernee Simons, POR - PG/SG ($6,500)

Simons has stepped up lately for the Trail Blazers, and he could have to carry even more of the workload on Thursday against the Lakers depending on the status of Scoot Henderson ($6,100; ankle, questionable). With Henderson out for the team's final game before the break, Simons had 26 points and 39.25 DraftKings points against the Nuggets in Denver.

In six of his last seven games, Simons has over 34 DraftKings points with a high point of 46.5 DraftKings points in a bit home win over the Kings in his last game at the Moda Center.

Anfernee Simons' 8th triple put the finishing touches on another @trailblazers win 💦

They've now won 6 straight and 10 of their last 11! pic.twitter.com/RVhm4jxTnT

— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2025

He'll be back on his home court on Thursday night as the Blazers host the Lakers, who are on the second night of their back-to-back. At just $6,500, Simons brings a very high ceiling, especially if more usage comes his way Thursday night.

Others Under Consideration: Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C ($11,500), Karl-Anthony Towns - C ($9,700), Trae Young - PG ($9,400), Kevin Durant - PF/C ($9,200), James Harden - PG ($9,300), Miles Bridges - PF ($8,700), Dyson Daniels - SG ($7,000), Josh Giddey - PG ($7,200), Jaylen Brown - SG/SF ($8,000), Tyrese Haliburton - PG ($8,000), Stephon Castle - PG/SG ($6,200)

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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks

Jeremy Sochan, SA – PF/C ($4,500)

Without Wemby, the Spurs have several excellent value plays due to all the usage available. Sochan has a high ceiling but can be inconsistent. He scored double-digit points in four of his last six games before the All-Star break but managed just four points in his last game.

Typically, Sochan chips in strong non-scoring numbers, and he averaged 23.2 DraftKings points per game in his last six contests including three with 30+ DraftKings points. In his three contests without Wemby this season, Sochan averaged 25.5 DraftKings points per game with a 19.0% usage rate. Those games were all before Fox was running the show, so it will have a different feel on Thursday. However, Sochan has shown a solid connection with his new point guard and should get enough minutes and usage to return excellent value at this salary of well under $5,000.

Jeremy Sochan finished with 14 of his 15 points being scored in the paint last night.

With the attention Fox draws, Sochan found himself wide open under the rim a couple of times

More at https://t.co/XGJbkw1irU pic.twitter.com/i0O7qohvlZ

— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) February 7, 2025

Bol Bol, PHX – PF ($4,800)

The Suns continued to move pieces around to try and get just the right fit, and just before the break, they had success relying on Bol Bol. Bol had hardly played at all until the last four games before the break, and then he went off for 24.25, 40.75, 52.5, and 26.0 DraftKings points in four games. He started the last two of those games, which were both Phoenix losses but big games for Bol.

A look at Bol Bol’s last 3 games ⬇️

(16.3 PPG 8.0 RPG 3.7 BPG 59% TS) pic.twitter.com/6tEyn3iCwF

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) February 12, 2025

His role is uncertain given the constantly shifting rotation for the Suns, but he's still under $5,000 and has a great upside on Thursday night against the Spurs without Wemby.

Day'Ron Sharpe, BKN – C ($4,200)

The Nets will need all the size they can manage against the over-sized Cavs on Thursday night, so Sharpe will be a key contributor to their rotation. The 23-year-old has played all 32 of his games off the bench for Brooklyn after getting a delayed start to the season due to injury.

Lately, he has been solid with at least eight points scored in six straight games while averaging 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 blocked shots, and 24.0 DraftKings points. He normally doesn't get enough time to have an extremely high ceiling, but he consistently has produced enough to be worth this low salary.

Vince Williams Jr., MEM – SG/SF($3,100)

If you're looking for an extremely cheap play and no one pops up before tip-off due to injuries, take a look at Williams, who is working his way back from missing most of the season for the Grizzlies. He has only played six games and 14.5 minutes per game, but he played increasing minutes in each of his last three appearances before the All-Star break, finishing with seven points, nine rebounds, and 19.75 DraftKings points in 17 minutes against the Suns last Tuesday.

Williams has proven he can be a major contributor on the wing when healthy, and the Grizzlies look ready to give him a big role once he ramps back up after his 35-game absence with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain. He will still play a limited role against the Pacers, but he's worth watching to see how his recovery progresses and can be used as a punt play with his salary barely over the minimum.

Others Under Consideration: Keon Johnson - PG/SG ($4,900), Cameron Payne - PG/SG ($3,300), Harrison Barnes - SF/PF ($4,800), Trendon Watford - PF/C ($4,000), Matas Buzelis - PF ($4,700), Wendell Carter Jr. - C ($4,100), Keldon Johnson - SF/PF ($4,000)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack

Grizzlies at Pacers (249.5 total)

This is the highest point total on the board by a pretty wide margin and one of the highest totals we've had in a long time. The Grizzlies and Pacers both play fast and score points. Memphis ranks first and Indiana sixth in pace on the season and over the last 10 games both are in the top six as well. The Grizzlies are getting healthy and figuring out their rotation after the trade deadline, but Ja Morant ($8,500), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100), and Desmond Bane ($7,500) are great places to start the stack since they carry most of the workload. There are affordable contributors as well with Zach Edey ($4,700), Jaylen Wells ($4,700), Luke Kennard ($4,200), and GG Jackson II ($4,100) all under $5,000 but playing meaningful minutes.

For the home tea, I love Pascal Siakam ($7,800) in this spot while Tyrese Haliburton ($8,000) brings boom-or-bust potential that makes him perfect for tournament lineups. Myles Turner ($6,000) is also off the injury report after missing three games with a neck injury. The Pacers don't have quite as many cheap plays, but Bennedict Mathurin ($5,200) and T.J. McConnell ($4,100) do bring a high ceiling.

Bulls at Knicks (243 total)

The Bulls are still adjusting to their new rotation after trading away Zach LaVine to the Kings, and they'll be without Patrick Williams (knee) on Thursday night. Nikola Vucevic ($7,700), Josh Giddey ($7,200), Coby White ($6,600), and Ayo Dosunmu ($5,600) each have the potential to improve their production with LaVine's vacated usage and have had big games but not been consistent over their last few contests. With Williams out, Matas Buzelis ($4,700) and Jalen Smith ($3,700) become interesting value plays that can also fit into the stack.

The Knicks are a great stack against the Bulls, and it all starts with Jalen Brunson ($8,400), who I spotlighted above. With Josh Hart missing his first game of the year, Precious Achiuwa ($5,700), Mikal Bridges ($6,400), and Miles McBride ($4,000) will all be in good spots to return value and OG Anunoby ($6,200) could step right into a big role if he's available for the first time since February 1.

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: Pascal Siakam
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: De'Aaron Fox
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jalen Brunson
• My favorite VALUE play: Bol Bol

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis