FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Friday, 1/17/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

If you love grinding DFS slates day in and day out throughout these cold winter days, then you've come to the right place. FanDuel has a solid nine-game slate on tap, and thanks to the Utah Jazz (who are sitting half their team tonight), we have plenty of value to make it a high-scoring Stars-and-Scrubs slate.

I recommend some higher-priced players for cash games and GPPs in today's edition while highlighting some of my favorite value plays and game stacks. If you want DraftKings picks, see who Zach Thompson likes by reading his piece here.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/17/25. 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 FanDuel. 

Today's FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

LaMelo Ball, CHA - PG ($10,300) 

When we check the flow chart today we have a huge DvP hit with "point guards against the Bulls" once again as Charlotte star LaMelo Ball gets a matchup with Chicago.

LaMelo Ball has been GOING CRAZY with the one-legged 3’s this season 🤯

🔸LaMelo Ball: 21-53 - 40%
🔸LeBron James: 3-5 - 60%
🔸Trae Young: 3-7 - 43%
🔸Victor Wembanyama: 2-6 - 33%
🔸Tyrese Haliburton: 1-6 - 17%

(via Sport Radar) pic.twitter.com/OYxvamQHbQ

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) January 16, 2025

Ball is in great form, having scored 50+ FD points in three straight, and now gets a soft Chicago defense that allows the second-most FD points to opposing point guards.

We were ready to roll Trae Young in this spot on Wednesday before he was ruled out, but his backup - Keaton Wallace - fared quite well with a 27-6-6 line of his own and four steals!

This is an eruption spot for Ball, who finally has Mikal Bridges and Mark Williams healthy at the same time as reliable scorers to whom he can pass for some easy assists, too.

Trey Murphy III, NO - SG/SF ($7,900)

Murphy continued his strong play on Wednesday night, posting 52 FD points on the strength of a 24-10-4 line and four combined blocks/steals.

With Zion Williamson back in the lineup tonight, those boards might not all be there, but Murphy will surely be firing up shots and gets a very soft opponent in the Utah Jazz - who are without most of their starters.

As long as the Pelicans don't blow this game open too early, Murphy should be in a great spot to replicate his recent success.

Jalen Williams, OKC - SF/PF ($8,700)

With Isaiah Hartenstein out (and Chet Holmgren still out), we are back to OKC playing swingman Jalen Williams at center in some super small-ball lineups.

Williams seems to thrive in that role and continued his strong play last night with a 19-6-5 line against the Cavs in an unexpected blowout of Cleveland. He had five blocks/steals and continues to pile up defensive stats this season.

Dallas is without Dereck Lively II tonight and has been soft on the interior all year. Look for Williams to continue his strong play with a big performance tonight. He brings a very safe floor with a nice ceiling (thanks to the defensive stats) as well.

Others Under Consideration: Jalen Brunson - PG ($9,300), Victor Wembanyama - PF/C ($12,000)

Today's FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Mark Williams, CHA - C ($7,200)

Mark Williams has officially arrived, and with Nick Richards now in Phoenix, it could be a huge year for the Hornets big man (if he can stay healthy!)

Williams has gone nuclear in two straight games and now faces a Bulls team that is notoriously soft on the interior. Williams should dominate the glass and have plenty of opportunities for easy buckets, with Nikola Vucevic patrolling the paint for Chicago.

Mark Williams is a mean machine. Throw it down on his former teammate, Mason Plumlee pic.twitter.com/7aISSurgb8

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) January 13, 2025

With FanDuel jacking up Daniel Gafford's price to $7,000, I'd much rather just pay a few hundred bucks more for Williams and his massive ceiling. We can pair him with LaMelo, too, the two of them have been a formidable duo in their limited time together this season.

Scottie Barnes, TOR – SF/PF ($9,100)

Barnes should be running the point tonight for much of this game as Immanuel Quickley remains out for Toronto.

Hopefully, the Raptors can continue their solid recent play and keep this one close against Milwaukee. I feel pretty good about their chances as they are coming off an upset of the Celtics in a game in which they were 15-point underdogs!

Barnes can stuff the stat sheet across the board, including with defensive stats, so I am more than willing to pay 9k for him as I think he brings a legit 50+ FD point ceiling in this spot.

Others Under Consideration: Miles Bridges - SF/PF ($7,700), Jimmy Butler- SF/PF ($7,600)

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Today's FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Drew Eubanks, UTA – C ($4,200), Kyle Filipowski, UTA - PF/C ($4,100)

Utah is missing John Collins, Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, and Micah Potter in the front court tonight. That means Eubanks should likely draw the start at center and Filipowski at PF.

Eubanks is a journeyman but has always been effective with minutes. He's averaging 30 FD points over his last two games, while Filipowski has been a bit more spotty with his production. Both guys have a chance to play 30+ minutes tonight against a New Orleans team that has been below-average defensively this season.

Brice Sensabaugh, UTA - SF ($5,200)

Sensabaugh has been coming off the bench, but rookie Cody Williams has not done much offensively, and the Jazz need offense in the worst way.

Sensabaugh scored 27 and 34 points in games earlier this month, and he attempted 16 shots in Wednesday's loss to the Hornets. Expect him to be firing up shots tonight, too.

Jonathan Isaac, ORL - SF/PF ($4,700)

This play didn't work out quite like I wanted it to on Wednesday as the Magic were handled easily by the Bucks, but Isaac should have an opportunity tonight to play solid minutes with Goga Bitadze out again. He can stuff the stat sheet in a hurry so we just need 20 minutes or more from him.

Noah Clowney, BKN – PF/C ($5,100)

It was ugly for Brooklyn on Wednesday night as they were thoroughly trounced by the Clippers but Clowney is only two games removed from a solid outing against Portland.

If the Nets get a little healthier and can be more competitive, then Clowney is in a good spot to produce. He should get overlooked today with all this Utah value.

Others Under Consideration: Day'Ron Sharpe - C ($4,600), Jaylin Williams - C ($4,800), Isaiah Collier - PG ($4,700)

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: LaMelo Ball
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: LaMelo Ball
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Mark Williams
• My favorite VALUE play: Drew Eubanks

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis