FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Thursday, 3/6/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have a solid Thursday night slate ahead of us. It is a small six-game slate but this one has some potentially high-scoring games. Rockets-Pelicans, Lakers-Knicks, and Hawks-Pacers are all pushing 228+ point totals. There are quite a few injuries on this slate and some unknowns so keep an eye on the injury reports for this slate as it could make this slate a bit messy!

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 Thunder Dan Palyo likes by reading his piece here.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 3/6/25. 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

Alperen Sengun, HOU - C ($8.8K) 

Sengun may have one of the best matchups on the slate, which makes him a very chalky option. For cash games, he's the safest option on this slate. The Pelicans have been blistered by centers this season giving up the second-most fantasy points. Sengun has scored 40+ FP in four of his last five games and I expect similar if not better in this matchup.

Paolo Banchero, ORL - SF/PF ($8.9K)

Paolo is coming off one of his best games of the season. He finished with nearly 75 FP! I don't expect him to replicate that by any means but he does get a fantastic matchup against a beaten-up Bulls squad that is already giving up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing forwards. I think a lot had to do with Cole Anthony being out, which resulted in Paolo being the primary ballhandler and Cole could be out once again putting the ball right back into Paolo's hand.

Zion Williamson, NOP - PF ($9.5K)

This is exactly what we have been waiting for from Zion. It's a shame this Pelicans team has been so injury-riddled because they had such a solid lineup. Zion has pushed out 50+ FP in three straight games and this has all been with 31 minutes or less played.  Pelicans are only five-point underdogs and should contest in this one, The more minutes for Zion to cook the better.

Zion Williamson over his last 16 games:

• 27.3 MPG
• 26.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.4 APG
• 62.9 FG%, 64.2 TS%
• +32

Superstar. pic.twitter.com/WwaIUvxw9x

— ʜᴠ (@hoopvenue_) March 5, 2025

Others Under Consideration: Luka Doncic - PG ($11.4K), Stephen Curry - PG ($9K)

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Nicolas Claxton, BKN - C ($6.3K)

Nic Claxton makes for intriguing tournament play. For most of the season, I've been targeting big men against the Warriors, and that should continue here. Claxton hasn't been extremely flashy, but he should be able to eat off the glass tonight, considering the Warriors give up the third most rebounds to centers this season. A lot of people will look to Sengun in cash games but I think Claxton is a solid pivot to ease off some ownership.

Quentin Grimes, PHI – SG/SF ($6.7K)

Philly is looking light on the roster, Maxey is out once again and Paul George is questionable again. Grimes and Kelly Oubre are going to be the main scorers on this Philly offense. With Philly being so low on guys, even if this blows out, Grimes is likely going to see big minutes. His last three games have resulted in 62, 31, and 43 FP performances. Boston may sit some guys tomorrow, making this one a bit closer and could lead to another star performance from Grimes.

Quentin Grimes tonight:

30 Points
3 Rebounds
3 Steals
12/18 FGM

Found a home in Philly. 🔥 (via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/waKvDopXUd

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 5, 2025

Caris LeVert, ATL - SG/SF ($5.9K)

Caris Levert has filled his new role nicely. He has 30+ in three straight games and now gets an elite matchup. This game has the highest point total on the slate by almost 20 points. This game could be a bloodbath and with the way Caris has been shooting the ball, I'll have plenty of Caris on this slate.

CARIS LEVERT EURO STEP LAY FOR THE WIN IN MEMPHIS 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/lAPQNYx3XC

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 4, 2025

Others Under Consideration: Amen Thompson - SG/SF ($8.7K), Brandin Podziemski - SG/PG ($6.4K)

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Jamie Calandro! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Jamie's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code THUNDERDAN at checkout to save 10 percent.

FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Tre Jones, CHI – PG/SG ($4.6K)

Tre Jones could once again be in for a larger role. Chicago has the injury bug right now and if Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball are out then I expect Jones to take on a bigger role. He played 33 minutes in their loss to Cleveland and finished with 30 FP, and at 4.6k I will gladly take that. Take a look at Talen Horton-Tucker as well, as he saw a big increase in minutes with Giddey and Ball out.

Andrew Nembhard, IND - PG ($5.6K)

Nembhard is in a good position to play 34+ minutes in this one. Bennedict Mathurin could miss his fourth game in a row and now Tyrese Haliburton is questionable with a hip issue. If they both end up playing, then it is probably safer to fade Nembhard, but if one or both are out then start him up, as he has a big ceiling when either of those guys are out.

Matas Buzelis, CHI - SF/PF ($5.7K)

Nikola Vucevic and Patrick Williams are both questionable for this game and if they are out, then Buzelis should continue to see solid minutes. In games, Buzelis sees 29+ minutes, and he has scored 30+ FP in all six games. And at 5.7k that is good for nearly 6x his price, Buzelis makes for a solid value play in the case these guys are out and could see extra time if Giddey and Ball are out as well.

Payton Pritchard, BOS – PG ($5.7K)

I'm gonna ride the hot hand of Pritchard if he continues to play a larger role. We will have to watch the injury report to see if Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis play. If those guys remain out or if anyone is added to the injury report, then Payton Pritchard could be in for another big game after going off for a career-high of 43 points! He is still relatively cheap, however, so this could be a decent value spot if some of those guys remain out for this contest.

Payton Pritchard vs. the Trail Blazers

▫️41 Points
▫️10 Rebounds
▫️5 Assists
▫️14-20 FG
▫️10-16 3PT
▫️OFF THE BENCH

The league isn’t ready for the rise of Payton Pritchard 😤☘️ pic.twitter.com/7igU49a5fH

— 𝙍𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮 ☘️ (@CelticsRiley) March 6, 2025

Others Under Consideration: Andre Drummond- C ($5.8K), Mouhamed Gueye - PF/C ($4.4K), Trendon Watford - PF/C ($4.5K)

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: Zion Williamson
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Alperen Sengun
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Nicolas Claxton
• My favorite VALUE play: Andrew Nembhard and Tre Jones

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis