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

The NBA returned to action last night with just one game, as the Hornets upset the Lakers in a late-night contest on the West Coast. That game was just an appetizer, as we have a full nine-game slate tonight for FanDuel DFS contests.

I always make it a point to recommend some higher-priced players for cash games and GPPs 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 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 EST on FanDuel. 

FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($9.2K) 

The Knicks must be licking their chops with this matchup against the Bulls as their first game coming out of the break. Chicago has been one of the worst defensive teams all season, and the Knicks are 2-0 against them this year, averaging 131.5 points in those wins. Their Vegas implied team total of 127.5 points is the highest on the slate today as well.

Brunson is my first click today for a few reasons. For one, the Bulls have allowed the third-most FD points to opposing point guards. Brunson has averaged 45 FD points in those two games, taking advantage of Chicago's weak defense.

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

And the other big thing here is the absence of Josh Hart in the Knicks' lineup. Hart is the second-leading assist guy on the team and often helps initiate the offense. Brunson sees a big spike in his assist rate with Hart off the floor and will likely be initiating the offense on most possessions tonight.

I love KAT tonight, but since I can only roster one center on FD, I'll be reserving KAT for tournaments and game stacks.

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12.8K)

We are only three weeks removed from Jokic delivering one of the most ridiculous lines of the season against the Hornets. He dropped 28-13-17 and four steals, which was good for 80 FanDuel points.

Yes, you read that correctly - 80 FD points! The big man has been good for 60+ in six of his last seven games. While I usually wouldn't advocate paying up for the most expensive player on the slate in cash, I think he has such a superior floor to any other option at the center position tonight in this matchup.

Yes, the Nuggets are heavy home favorites against the Hornets, but they have let plenty of lesser teams hang around long enough this season for their stars to put up some video game numbers - just look at what Jamal Murray did against Portland (71 FD points) right before the break. Oh, and the Hornets just beat the Lakers last night, so let's not just assume that Denver blows them out.

Franz Wagner, ORL - SF/PF ($8.8K)

I had a hard time deciding between Wagner and his teammate Paolo Banchero here, but with Jalen Suggs out for Orlando tonight, I want at least one of the Orlando big two in my lineups. Franz has flashed a higher ceiling this season with his scoring ability, but Paolo can also rack up boards and assists more quickly than Wagner.

I think Wagner is a super safe play here in this spot. We saw him dominate Atlanta right before the break, going for 37 actual points and 54 FD points on February 10. He's the first option on offense, while Banchero has taken on more of a point-forward role. Get some Paolo in your lineups, too, but for cash contests, I think I'm siding with Wagner as my Magic piece.

Others Under Consideration: Pascal Siakam - PF ($8.2K), Paolo Banchero - SF/PF ($8.7K), Karl-Anthony Towns - C ($9,900)

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Donovan Clingan, POR - C ($6.2K)

Clingan got everyone in the fantasy basketball community's attention with a 17-point, 20-rebound monster of a game against Denver right before the break. He's a beast on the glass and could dominate a Lakers team that has a very weak frontcourt at the moment.

NBA leaders in blocks per 36 minutes:

1. Victor Wembanyama - 4.1
2. Donovan Clingan - 3.4
3. Daniel Gafford - 3.1
4. Walker Kessler - 2.9
5. Jonathan Isaac - 2.7
6. Jay Huff - 2.6
7. Goga Bitadze - 2.5
8. Anthony Davis - 2.3
9. Isaiah Stewart - 2.2
10. Brook Lopez - 2.2

— Utility Sports (@_utilitysports) February 19, 2025

Clingan played 31 minutes in his last start, which was the most he's played all season. If Portland is finally ready to let him play that much, then he's still a value at this price based on his rebounding and block rates alone.

Norman Powell, LAC – SG/SF ($7.6K)

The conventional wisdom might be to avoid the Clippers tonight, as Kawhi Leonard is set to return to the lineup. However, I like this matchup for them against the Bucks, and the majority of DFS players might avoid this game, leaving the players from both sides at low ownership.

Powell flashed his scoring upside with 45 actual points against Utah right before the break. Leonard didn't play in that game. However, I still think Powell has some solid potential tonight, as the Bucks historically have struggled with spot-up three-point shooters. And you know how I feel about 7-8k players for tournaments on FanDuel, they always go under-owned!

Jayson Tatum, BOS - SF/PF ($10.4K)

The Celtics are fully healthy coming out of the break, so naturally, we should fade all of them against the Sixers tonight, right?

I hope that's what other DFS players do because I like both Jaylen Brown and Tatum tonight quite a bit against a Philly team that has been pretty bad defensively this season - even with Embiid.

Did you know that Tatum has averaged 61 FD points across two meetings with Philly this season? If the Sixers can keep it close, and we get 40+ minutes from Tatum, then I love his chances for another ceiling game.

Others Under Consideration: Rui Hachimura - SF/PF ($6.0K), Ja Morant - PG ($8.4K), Miles Bridges - SF/PF ($8.2K)

FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Jeremy Sochan, SAS – PF ($5.1K)

Victor Wembanyama is the one-star player that we know will probably miss tonight as he's doubtful with an illness. Knowing who replaces him in the starting lineup and who ends up soaking up most of his minutes and production will be a challenge, but Sochan could certainly be one of the guys who gets a nice boost.

Obi Toppin, IND - PF  ($4.8K)

Myles Turner is back for the Pacers, but that's going to eat into Thomas Bryant's minutes and role more than Toppin's. He's been their best offensive player off the bench, and this game against Memphis tonight is a juicy one for DFS with a massive total and tight spread.

Stephon Castle, SAS - PG/SG ($5.6K)

The focus for San Antonio's value tonight might be on the forwards and big men like Sochan, Keldon Johnson, and Mamu, but I really like Castle's upside here against the Suns. He and Chris Paul both see a nice boost in usage without Wemby on the floor, so while his minutes might not change much, he might be much more active and aggressive with them on offense tonight.

Max Strus, CLE – SG/SF ($5.3K)

Ty Jerome is questionable for the Cavs, which could open up some more minutes for Strus. While Mad Max starts for the Cavs, he's often the first guy off the floor as they like running Jerome and newly acquired De'Andre Hunter big minutes off the bench. Strus has been very productive lately, even in a 25 to 30-minute role.

Shaedon Sharpe, POR – SG/SF ($5.5K)

The Blazers are down Deandre Ayton and possibly a few key rotational players, as both Jerami Grant and Scoot Henderson are questionable. Sharpe stands to benefit if either of those other Blazers end up being out, he's a great per-minute guy even coming off the bench.

Others Under Consideration: Bogdan Bogdanovic- SG/SF ($4.5K), De'Andre Hunter - SF/PF ($5.4K), Jrue Holiday - PG/SG ($5.1K), Dalano Banton - PG/SG ($4.7K), Sandro Mamukelashvili - C ($3.8K)

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: Jalen Brunson
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Franz Wagner
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Karl-Anthony Towns
• My favorite VALUE play: Depends on the Spurs lineup, but probably Castle or Sochan. Mamu, if he starts!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis