FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Wednesday, 3/12/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

We get all nine NBA games on the FanDuel slate tonight, including the two late games that DraftKings isn't including in their slate. Navigating these slates lately has been incredibly difficult, and I won't lie. But if you are willing to dig into the best spots first thing in the morning and then prepare to pivot when the best values open up later in the day, you can still find your way into the green. There is no shortage of injury news today, and get used to it, folks, because this will likely be the norm for the rest of the regular season.

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 3/12/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EST on FanDuel. 

FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($13K) 

There is going to be so much value on this slate with how many players have already been ruled out and with so many others still questionable. While Jokic is as expensive as he's ever been, I think it makes sense to lock him into builds for the raw points tonight.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only other player with a similar floor/ceiling, and he's facing a very tough Celtics team tonight. Jayson Tatum is questionable in that game, and there simply aren't any other 10K+ studs to prioritize tonight.

Jokic has gone for 94, 63, and 73 FD points in his last three games. He may end up facing Rudy Gobert tonight if Gobert returns, but that's not a concern, as Gobert has never really been able to stop him anyway. And if he gets Naz Reid's and Julius Randle's defense instead of Gobert's - look out because he's going to smash.

Spencer Dinwiddie, DAL - PG/SG ($5.9K)

Brandon Williams was sidelined on Monday, allowing Dinwiddie to regain his status as the lead guard in Dallas. He poured in 28-7-6 on his way to 46 FD points in a vintage throwback game that reminded us of how good he can be.

Williams is questionable tonight, and the Mavericks don't have any other healthy guards. This rematch against the Spurs is a good one for fantasy purposes, as it's one of the few games on the docket with a pretty tight spread and a solid total. The Mavs' injury news is important tonight, with P.J. Washington's status also affecting whether or not we pay up for Naji Marshall once more.

Bam Adebayo, MIA - PF/C ($9K)

Kevin Durant is $500 more expensive in a pretty good spot, but I am going to roll with Bam here as he's facing the Clippers on the second half of a back-to-back and in the best form of the season with his recent output.

Bam has cracked 50+ FD points in four of his last five games, and before you stop me and say, "Yeah, Dan, but Kel'el Ware has been hurt," I should remind you that Ware has suited up and played in the last two games for Miami.

Bam Adebayo over the last 6 games:

23 PTS - 14 REB - 8 AST
22 PTS - 6 REB - 2 AST
29 PTS - 13 REB - 4 AST
34 PTS - 12 REB - 5 AST
19 PTS - 15 REB - 5 AST
30 PTS - 7 REB - 4 AST

Bam is hooping. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xXNoenB9R4

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 11, 2025

I love the PF eligibility here, as it allows us to play Jokic at the center position and Bam at PF. We have so much value at the guard positions that paying up for big men makes for an elite floor/ceiling combo in my opinion.

Others Under Consideration: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG ($11.5K), Kevin Durant - PF/SF ($9.5K)

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

OG Anunoby, NYK - SF/PF ($7.1K)

A lot of DFS players flocked to Josh Hart (8K) last game with Jalen Brunson out, but it was Anunoby who went off for 24-7-8 and five steals! Those defensive stats are gold on FanDuel and allowed him to amass 58 FD points.

While Hart is still a good bet to help facilitate more often as a point-forward, Anunoby has shown he can chip in across the board and he has the superior upside in defensive stats.

Tonight, the Knicks are only four-point favorites against the Blazers, and we know that Portland has been pesky this season in terms of hanging with better clubs. I like some pieces of this game for tournaments, especially OG, who just feels way too cheap for his ceiling.

Collin Sexton, UTA – PG/SG ($6K)

The Jazz have been tanking for a month already, so it's no surprise that Keyonte George is set to rest tonight while Sexton and Isaiah Collier start in the backcourt. Jordan Clarkson is questionable as the combo guard coming off the bench, but even if he plays, I don't think it takes too much away from Sexton, especially at this reduced price.

We finally saw Sexton player over 30 minutes against Boston and he played quite well, scoring 16 points while dishing out 13 dimes. He's easily the best guard in the backcourt for Utah when healthy and getting minutes and I love going after Memphis's defense (or lack thereof) with opponents. They won't have Jaren Jackson Jr. to guard the rim and could be missing some other interior players like Brandon Clarke, too.

Dyson Daniels, ATL - PG/SG ($8K)

Trae Young could sit out again tonight, which brings Daniels squarely into the fold, even at what might seem like too high of a price for a guy who's known more for his defense than his offense.

Daniels stepped it up in a big way on Monday against the Sixers by posting 25 points, six boards, and nine assists. His steals have been amazing this year and at three FD points apiece, they help give him a very solid floor even if his shot isn't falling.

Dyson Daniels last night:
-25 points
-9 assists
-6 rebounds
-2 steals
-10/14 from the field

Restoring that feeling
pic.twitter.com/Ag2gU8yEeP

— Dyson 1st Team All Defense (@Preet410_) March 12, 2025

The Hornets play some sloppy basketball, and Daniels is an opportunistic thief. He has four steals and two blocks against them in two games already this season. If Trae plays, we can move on from Daniels at this price, but I have a feeling he might sit out again tonight.

Others Under Consideration: Miles Bridges - SF/PF ($8.9K), Alperen Sengun - C ($8.8K)

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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Jared Butler, PHI – PG ($4.6K)

Tyrese Maxey and Paul George are officially out, with Kelly Oubre Jr. still questionable. While Lonnie Walker IV was the trendy play the last time the Sixers sat everyone, Butler was also productive with 22.6 FD points in 23 minutes and 31.5 FD points in 29 minutes against Utah the game before that.

Butler can pile up stats in a hurry, and tonight's game against Toronto has the makings of a tank-fest shootout, with both teams playing a bunch of bench players.

Jamal Shead, TOR - PG ($4.5K)

On the other side of this game is Shead, who should start with Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett already ruled out. Scottie Barnes is questionable, too, so we could see Toronto go with a full youth movement in this one.

JAMAL SHEAD EXPLODES FOR THE PUTBACK 😤 pic.twitter.com/o5z2DJ5g7w

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2025

Georges Niang, ATL - PF ($4.6K)

The Hawks have plenty of value options tonight if Trae sits out. But even if Trae plays, I like Risacher and Niang at their prices in what is a great matchup here against a terrible defensive team in Charlotte.

GG Jackson II, MEM – SF/PF ($4.5K)

Memphis could be very shorthanded in the frontcourt again tonight. They have one of the better matchups against a Utah team that is clearly tanking and has been gashed by opposing offenses all season long.

Jackson poured in 27 FD points in 25 minutes against Phoenix on Monday and has been a solid point-per-minute player throughout his career. I like the upside at this price; just make sure to monitor the Memphis injury report.

Others Under Consideration: Keaton Wallace (if Trae Young misses) - PG ($4.4K), A.J. Lawson - SG/SF ($4.7K), Zaccharie Risacher - SF ($4.8K), Ricky Council IV- SG (4.2K)

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: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: OG Anunoby
• My favorite VALUE play: Jamal Shead

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis