RADIO
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 3/3/25. 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.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code NEW! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks
These are the guys I’m building around in as foundational pieces of my lineups tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC - PG ($11,500)
SGA is the slate’s undisputed top dog, and I’m not even blinking at his $11,500 price tag. The Thunder are 11-point favorites at home against a Houston team that’s falling apart at the seams, Fred VanVleet’s already ruled out with an ankle injury, Amen Thompson (shoulder) and Alperen Sengun (back) are questionable, and Dillon Brooks (knee) is doubtful at best. That’s a depleted Rockets squad limping into OKC, and Shai’s ready to pounce.
He’s rocking a 33% usage rate this season, and with Chet Holmgren out (ankle), the offense runs through him even more. His last three games he's been scorching 34.3 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 5.2 RPG, with a FD points-per-minute rate of 1.59. Houston’s defense ranks top-five in points allowed, but their backcourt injuries leave them vulnerable to SGA’s relentless drives and mid-range game. He’s got a floor of 45 FD points and a ceiling pushing 60 if this turns into a rout. For cash games, he’s my no-doubt anchor—set it and forget it.
Jaren Jackson Jr. - MEM - PF/C ($8,800)
JJJ is a must-play for me in the slate’s marquee game: Memphis vs. Atlanta, with a ridiculous 253.5 Vegas total. Ja Morant’s shoulder injury has him listed as questionable, and if he sits, Jackson’s usage could jump from his steady 28% into the low-to-mid 30s. Even if Morant plays, this matchup is too juicy to ignore. The Hawks rank 2nd in pace and 23rd in points allowed per game, setting up for a perfect uptempo spot.
JJJ’s been a model of consistency, averaging 22.9 PPG and 6 RPG, with a 1.36 FD points-per-minute clip. Atlanta’s frontcourt defense isn’t scaring anyone, they’re 27th in rebounding rate ,and Jackson’s ability to score inside and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting gives him a legit shot at 25-30 points and 6-8 boards. That’s 40-50 FD points, and if Morant’s out, tack on a few extra shots and a ceiling closer to 55. He’s a core piece for me in all formats, don’t overthink this one.
Tyrese Maxey - PHI - PG ($9,700)
Maxey’s been the Sixers’ heartbeat, and tonight’s matchup against Portland has me salivating. Paul George is questionable with a groin issue, and if he’s limited or scratched, Maxey’s usage (already 30%) could climb even higher. The Blazers aren’t a defensive juggernaut, 18th in pace, and 18th in points allowed, and they’ve been leaky against quick guards like Maxey, who’s averaging 27.2 PPG and 6 APG on the season. His last three games show a slight dip to 24.7 PPG, but that’s just noise mostly, he’s still logging 38+ minutes and taking 20+ shots in big spots.
At $9,700, he’s priced perfectly for his 45-50 FD point upside, I’ve seen him hit 50+ multiple times this year when the matchup’s right. Portland’s backcourt duo of Anfernee Simons and Toumani Camara won’t keep up with his speed, and if George sits, Maxey could flirt with 30 points and 8 assists. He’s a cash game lock for his floor and a GPP stud for his ceiling.
Bam Adebayo - MIA - C/PF ($8,600)
Bam’s my rock in the paint tonight, and this Washington matchup is a DFS dream. The Wizards are a mess, 30th in offensive rating and points per game, and now Jordan Poole’s out with an elbow injury, leaving their offense in shambles as 9-point underdogs. Miami’s implied total of 114.3 suggests a comfy win, and Bam’s primed to dominate. He’s averaging 16.9 PPG and 10 RPG on the year, but his last three games show a tasty uptick to 19.3 PPG and 7 RPG, with a steady 1.15 FD points-per-minute rate.
Washington’s frontcourt, led by Alexandre Sarr, doesn’t have the muscle to handle Bam’s physicality, he’s a double-double waiting to happen, and his passing (4.3 APG) adds a bonus layer of upside. At $8,600, you’re getting a floor of 35-40 FD points with a real shot at 50 if Miami feeds him in the post or he snags a few steals. He’s the definition of cash game safety, and I’m leaning on him hard to balance out those pricier guards.
FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
These players might fly under the radar ownership-wise but have ceilings that rival the chalk.
Desmond Bane - MEM - SG/SF ($8,000)
Bane’s my favorite tournament pivot in the Memphis-Atlanta track meet (253.5 Vegas total). Ja Morant’s shoulder injury has him questionable, and if he’s sidelined, Bane steps up as the Grizzlies’ offensive engine. He’s already averaging 18.1 PPG and 5.5 APG on 22% usage, but his minutes have ballooned to 38.1 over the last three games. Atlanta’s defense is a sieve, 27th in points allowed per game and 25th in 3-point percentage allowed, making this a golden spot for Bane.
If Morant sits, Bane could see 25+ shots and push his usage into the high 20s, giving him a clear path to 45-50 FD points. Even if Morant plays, the pace-up environment (projected 104.2) keeps his ceiling in play. At $8,000, he’s $800 cheaper than Jaren Jackson Jr. and likely lower-owned, making him a sneaky leverage play to differentiate your GPP lineups.
Jalen Green - HOU - SG ($7,100)
Houston’s injury chaos could turn Jalen Green into a one-man wrecking crew against OKC, and at $7,100, he’s a steal for his upside. Fred VanVleet is out (ankle), Alperen Sengun (back) and Amen Thompson (shoulder) are questionable, and Dillon Brooks (knee) is a long shot to play. That leaves Green, who’s already humming with a 27% usage rate, as the Rockets’ go-to guy. He’s been on fire lately, averaging 23.7 PPG over his last three games, with a FD points-per-minute clip of 0.97 that spikes when he’s the focal point.
OKC’s defense is elite (2nd in PAPG), but with Houston’s rotation gutted, Green could see 20+ field goal attempts just out of necessity. A 30-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist line isn’t far-fetched, putting him in the 40-45 FD point range. The big names like Shai and Maxey will draw the ownership, so Green’s a perfect contrarian play at this price, low ownership, high ceiling, and a desperate team leaning on him. Don’t sleep on this potential blowup spot.
Dyson Daniels - ATL - SG/PG ($7,800)
Daniels has quietly morphed into a DFS darling, and this Memphis matchup has all the makings of a breakout. The Hawks play at the league’s 2nd-fastest pace, and with Memphis’ implied total at a slate-high 130.8, this game could be a fantasy goldmine. Daniels thrives is averaging 14 PPG, 4 APG, and 5.6 RPG on the season, and his last three games show a juicy uptick to 17.3 PPG and 1.08 FD points per minute.
The Grizzlies’ perimeter defense is shaky (25th in 3P% allowed, 17th in 3PA), and Daniels’ knack for scoring, crashing the boards, and racking up steals (he’s good for 1-2 per game) fits the bill perfectly. At $7,800, he’s priced in that awkward mid-tier range where ownership tends to dip, but his ceiling is legit 40-45 FD points if this game stays tight. Pair him with a chalky stud like SGA or Maxey, and you’ve got a lineup with balance and differentiation. He’s my sneaky Hawks play in this barnburner.
Jonas Valanciunas - SAC - C ($5,700)
With Domantas Sabonis sidelined (hamstring), Valanciunas steps into the spotlight against Dallas, and at $5,700, he’s a budget-friendly tournament dart with serious pop. JV’s been efficient in limited minutes, averaging 11 PPG and 7.8 RPG on 23% usage, with a stout 1.31 FD points-per-minute rate. Sabonis’ absence likely bumps him to 25-30 minutes as the Kings’ starting center.
Dallas ranks 16th in points allowed and 18th in defensive rating, so it’s not a cakewalk, but Valanciunas’ veteran savvy and rebounding prowess. A 15-point, 10-rebound double-double is well within reach, with a sprinkle of assists or blocks pushing him to 30-35 FD points. The big dogs like Bam Adebayo and JJJ will soak up ownership, leaving JV as a low-owned pivot with a ceiling that rivals pricier centers. He’s not a cash game play, too much risk, but for GPPs, this is the kind of cheap upside that can catapult you up the leaderboards.
FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks
Let’s dig into some salary savers who can help you fit those studs into your lineup.
Bub Carrington - WAS - PG ($5,300)
Jordan Poole’s elbow injury has him ruled out, and that thrusts rookie Carlton Carrington into the starting point guard gig against Miami. At $5,300, this is a screaming value play you can’t ignore. Carrington’s been logging 29.3 minutes per game, averaging 9 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 4 RPG with a tidy 0.72 FD points-per-minute rate.
The Heat’s defense is no picnic (7th in PAPG, 11th in D-Rating), but Washington’s offense is so thin without Poole that Carrington should see 30+ minutes and 10-12 shot attempts, plus a handful of assists running the show. His floor is a safe 20-25 FD points, think 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, but if he gets hot or snags a couple steals, 30+ is in play. He’s a cash game staple to pair with a high-end stud like SGA, and even in GPPs, his low price keeps your lineup flexible. Don’t overthink this one, opportunity meets affordability right here.
Quentin Grimes - PHI - SG/SF ($6,200)
If Paul George sits, Grimes could see 25-30 minutes against Portland. He broke the slate yesterday and exploded for 44 real life points and 63 Fanduel Points. At $6,200, he’s a bargain for a potential 25-30 FD point night, say, 12 points, 5 rebounds, and a couple assists or steals. His multi-category upside shines in a pace-down game, and if George is out, Grimes becomes a near-lock for 1.0 FD points per minute. He’s a cash game filler with GPP appeal if the injury dominoes fall his way, keep an eye on that Sixers update.
Donovan Clingan - POR - C ($6,100)
Clingan’s a per-minute monster, and at $6,100, he’s my favorite value big against Philly. The rookie center’s averaging just 16.6 minutes per game, but that’s spiked to 20.9 over his last three, and he’s producing at an elite 1.24 FD points-per-minute clip. With 5.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and a knack for blocking shots, Clingan’s a stat-stuffer waiting to happen.
The Sixers’ interior defense isn’t imposing, 24th in defensive rating, and 16th in rebounding rate, and with Andre Drummond likely starting, Clingan could exploit 20-25 minutes against a beatable frontcourt. A 10-point, 8-rebound, 2-block line gets him to 25-30 FD points, and at this price, that’s a massive win. He’s a plug-and-play option for cash games to save salary, and in GPPs, his ceiling could touch 35 if Portland leans on him in a close game.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- Top Overall Play: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,500)
- Best Value: Carlton Carrington ($5,300)
- Best Cash Play: Tyrese Maxey ($9,700)
- Top GPP Target: Desmond Bane ($8,000)
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!
