FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Monday 1/6/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Happy Monday Rotoballers! We’ve got an exciting NBA slate to tip off the week on FanDuel tonight featuring nine games. Whether you’re looking to lock in safe plays for cash games or taking high-ceiling swings in GPPs, this article will help you navigate tonight's slate with confidence.

I've broken down a few core building blocks, tournament pivots, and value plays all tailored to FanDuel scoring and pricing below. Let’s dive into the action and make this Monday a profitable one!

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/6/25. 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. 

FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

Victor Wembanyama, SAS – PF/C ($12,000)

Victor Wembanyama has been an unstoppable force for the Spurs and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Over his last three games, he’s averaging a jaw-dropping 55.2 FD points, proving why he’s one of the most reliable DFS options on the slate. Tonight, he draws a fantastic matchup against the Chicago Bulls in what is projected to be the highest-scoring game of the night (236.5 total).

Wemby thrives in transition and dominates the paint, an area where Chicago has been especially vulnerable. His rebounding and shot-blocking provide a solid floor for cash games, while his offensive versatility makes him a slate-breaking GPP option.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL – PF ($11,900)

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the most reliable high-priced options in DFS. Milwaukee’s implied total of 118.8 is the 3rd highest on the slate. Despite his recent numbers taking a slight hit, he’s still averaging an elite 60.2 FD points per game.

Tonight’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors is favorable, as the Raptors rank 26th in defensive rating and struggle to defend against transition and interior scoring. Giannis’s ability to fill the stat sheet gives him one of the highest ceilings on the slate. Whether you’re building for safety in cash games or seeking upside in GPPs, Giannis should be at the top of your list.

Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK – C ($10,200)

Karl-Anthony Towns is in a prime position to deliver another monster performance. Averaging 52.6 FD points over his last three games, he’s been a cornerstone of consistency for the Knicks. Tonight, he faces an Orlando Magic team that is severely lacking in interior defensive presence, ranking 25th in pace and 29th in defensive rebounding percentage.

Towns’s versatility to score both inside and out makes him a matchup nightmare for the Magic’s bigs. Add in his ability to rebound at an elite level and contribute a few assists, and you have a player with both a solid floor and a ceiling that can win tournaments. Towns is a fantastic option for all formats, and with his recent form, he’s hard to ignore.

Tyrese Haliburton, IND – PG/SG ($9,100)

Haliburton continues to be a dynamic DFS option and tonight is should be no exception. Facing a Brooklyn Nets defense that ranks dead last in defensive rating and 29th in opponent points per game, Haliburton is in an ideal position to take advantage. Indiana’s seventh-ranked pace provides him with additional opportunities to rack up counting stats in a game projected to have plenty of possessions.

Haliburton’s ability to control the tempo, find open teammates, and score efficiently makes him a premier cash-game target. His consistent minutes and high usage further boost his appeal, making him a strong building block for your lineups. Against a Nets team that struggles in all phases defensively, Haliburton has the potential to put up a slate-breaking performance.

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM – PF/C ($8,800)

Jaren Jackson Jr. offers an excellent GPP pivot option with his elite defensive upside and sneaky scoring potential. Memphis leads the league in pace, creating a high-tempo environment that could lead to extra possessions and transition opportunities against a shorthanded Dallas squad missing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Jackson’s ability to block shots and grab boards makes him a high-ceiling option, and his offensive game is evolving, as he’s shown the ability to knock down threes and attack the rim effectively. The key to unlocking JJJ’s full potential is avoiding foul trouble, which has been his Achilles’ heel at times. If he stays on the court, his dual eligibility and high ceiling make him an exciting tournament play.

Malik Monk, SAC – SG ($7,300)

Malik Monk is thriving in his expanded role for the Kings with De’Aaron Fox sidelined, averaging 32.5 FD points over his last three games. Monk’s shot volume and ability to create offense have made him a go-to scoring option for Sacramento, and he’s also chipping in with assists and rebounds.

Tonight’s matchup against Miami may not jump off the page due to the Heat’s slow pace, but that could keep Monk’s ownership lower than it should be. With Sacramento implied for 113.5 points, Monk’s high usage and ability to light it up from deep make him a strong GPP pivot. If this game turns into a back-and-forth battle, Monk could easily outperform his salary tonight.

Zach LaVine, CHI – SG/SF ($7,700)

Zach LaVine’s scoring upside makes him an enticing tournament option against the Spurs, who rank 24th in defensive rating and 29th in opponent points per game. Chicago’s implied total of 117 points highlights their favorable offensive environment, and LaVine is primed to take advantage. His ability to knock down threes and attack the rim makes him a nightmare matchup for San Antonio’s porous defense.

While LaVine’s recent performances have been somewhat inconsistent, his ceiling is undeniable, especially in a fast-paced game with plenty of scoring opportunities. At a mid-range price, LaVine offers strong tournament appeal with the potential to post a breakout performance.

RJ Barrett, TOR – SF ($8,200)

RJ Barrett has quietly been one of Toronto’s most reliable contributors, averaging 43.3 FD points over his recent games. Tonight, he faces a Milwaukee defense that will likely focus its efforts on slowing down Pascal Siakam, leaving Barrett with opportunities to attack mismatches and carry more of the scoring load.

Barrett’s ability to get to the rim and draw fouls, combined with his improving perimeter shooting, makes him a strong GPP option. With his recent form and Milwaukee’s vulnerability to versatile scorers, Barrett has the upside to deliver a tournament-winning performance at modest ownership.

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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Keon Johnson, BKN – SG ($5,000)

Keon Johnson is stepping into an expanded role for Brooklyn due to multiple key injuries, making him a top value play on tonight’s slate. While he’s averaging 16.2 FD points in limited action, Johnson’s recent surge in usage and minutes makes him an intriguing low-cost option.

Facing Indiana, who plays at the seventh-fastest pace in the league, Johnson will have plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy points. With Brooklyn’s backcourt rotation thin, Johnson’s ability to score, facilitate, and contribute defensively gives him a path to outperform his salary, especially in this pace-up matchup.

Jalen Duren, DET – C ($6,000)

Jalen Duren is an excellent value option at center, especially in tonight’s matchup against Portland. The Trail Blazers rank 27th in defensive rating and 21st in rebounding percentage, setting the stage for Duren to dominate the interior. Known for his rebounding prowess and efficiency around the rim, Duren offers significant double-double upside at a fair price.

With Detroit implied for 116 points, his role as a key contributor in the paint makes him a great way to save salary without sacrificing upside. He’s particularly appealing for cash games but has the potential to pop in GPPs if he exceeds his typical workload.

Harrison Barnes, SAS – SF/PF ($4,300)

Harrison Barnes offers a solid floor at a near-minimum price in what is projected to be the highest-scoring game of the night. San Antonio’s matchup against Chicago features a 236.5 total, and Barnes’s steady minutes make him a viable punt play, particularly in cash games.

While his ceiling is limited compared to other players, Barnes can contribute in multiple categories. If he can hit a couple of threes or pull down a few extra rebounds, he could easily provide value at his low salary. His versatility in a fast-paced environment makes him a smart filler option for balanced lineup construction.

Spencer Dinwiddie, DAL – PG ($5,600)

With both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie is set to take on a significant workload for the Mavericks. At just $5,600, Dinwiddie’s ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him one of the top value plays on the slate.

The matchup against Memphis, who plays at the fastest pace in the league, provides an ideal environment for Dinwiddie to thrive. With the Mavericks leaning heavily on him to facilitate the offense, Dinwiddie’s floor and ceiling are both elevated, making him a fantastic option for both cash games and tournaments.

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

• Favorite Core Play: Victor Wembanyama – SAS
• Favorite Value Play: Keon Johnson – BKN
• Favorite Cash Play: Karl-Anthony Towns – NYK
• Favorite GPP Play: Jaren Jackson Jr. – MEM

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis