NBA DFS Picks for Daily Fantasy Basketball on DraftKings and FanDuel (4/25/24)

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have a crisp three-game slate tonight with a few teams trailing two games to none. Luckily we don't have much injury news, the usuals in Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis all showed up on the report but I would be surprised to see any of them miss time. The only player that could be out is Mitchell Robinson who has a sore ankle he's been dealing with as he only played 18 minutes in game two. It's something to keep an eye on throughout the day!

The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/25/24. 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. EDT on FanDuel and DraftKings. 

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

The former MVP is once again on a tear. Nikola Jokic has had 63 and 69 fantasy points in his two games so far this postseason and has shown no sign of slowing down. His hefty price is the only thing that makes him tough to get to, but he has shown to be well worth every penny and should be good for five times his price.

Jarrett Allen has dominated against Orlando so far and did so in their two most recent games during the regular season. He has put up 46 and 57 fantasy points so far during the playoffs and has been a monster on the boards. If you don't want another big man I do recommend Donovan Mitchell heavily as well as he has been great to start the playoffs.

Tyrese Maxey is playing almost entire games during the playoffs so far. He has finished with 43+ minutes in both games and this resulted in 56 and 44 FP. The 76ers aren't getting much production outside of Maxey and Embiid.

Tyrese Maxey has become the first player to be named Most Improved Player after averaging 20 points per game in the prior season, per @hoopshype pic.twitter.com/DIU7tbwJsF

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 24, 2024

This has led to Maxey having some crazy good games. We also get him at a slight discount compared to Jalen Brunson who has so far been putting out worse stats. The 76ers need this one, I expect a monster game from Tyrese Maxey.

1. Nikola Jokic, DEN at LAL – C ($11.5K DK; $12.2K FD)
2. Jarrett Allen, CLE at ORL – PF/C ($7.4K DK; $8.4K FD)
3. Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs NYK – PG ($7.9K DK; $8.8K FD)

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

I wanted to find some value in each of the spots, and PG was pretty tough. I think Kyle Lowry is a viable option but I like Jalen Suggs quite a bit. He's produced decently well in his first two playoff games and as long as he has no issues with his knee, I will take the decent value at 5.8k on FD.

Max Strus hasn't been producing heavily but we all have seen he can have nights where everything is going his way. He is a cheaper option at 5.6k, there isn't much else below him to choose from at the SG position so taking a shot on a guy who gets the minutes is worth it to me.

I'm not particularly fond of this play because he has played so awful to start the series but maybe he just needed to be home to get back to work. He is pretty cheap though at only 5k which feels like incredible value on this slate. He had a four-game stretch at the end of the season where he looked great, so the potential is there and the minutes are too. He has averaged 33 minutes a game across three games(including Play-in). With the lack of value, we have to take risks here and there.

Top Value Plays:

1. Jalen Suggs, BOS vs. MIA - PG ($6K DK; $6.7K FD)
2. Max Strus, CLE at ORL - SG/SF ($5.4K DK; $5.6K FD)
3. Rui Hachimura, LAL vs DEN - PF/SF ($5.1K DK; $5.5K FD)

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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

Jamal Murray is coming off an incredible buzzer-beater to beat the Lakers in game two. They were down quite a bit in that game and they came back on some great play late in the fourth by Murray.

JAMAL MURRAY AT THE BUZZER

THE NUGGETS HAVE BEATEN THE LAKERS 10 STRAIGHT TIMES
pic.twitter.com/2u0cmAQMZP

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 23, 2024

The Lakers struggle against opposing PGs giving up the third most fantasy points over the last fifteen games. Jamal is the type of player to get you 30-40 FP a game with the occasional ceiling game here and there. He's played well so far against the Lakers so I will continue to ride the hot hand.

Top PG Options:

1. Tyrese Maxey, PHI vs NYK – PG ($7.9K DK; $8.8K FD)
2. Jamal Murray, DEN at LAL – PG ($8.1K DK; $8.7K FD)
3. Jalen Suggs, ORL vs. CLE - PG ($5.3K DK; $5.8K FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

Donte DiVincenzo had a pretty poor shooting night in game one but bounced back quite nicely in game two and came out of the game with 33 fantasy points. The SG position is pretty mediocre and unless you are paying up for Donovan Mitchell, then I recommend that you make this slot your cheap one.

DiVincenzo's minutes are solid and are good for 35 minutes or more each night. As long as the shot is falling, then I expect him to pay off his price.

Top SG Options:

1. Donte DiVincenzo, NYK at PHI - SG/SF ($6.4K DK; $6.7K FD)
2. Max Strus, CLE at ORL - SG/SF ($5.4K DK; $5.6K FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

Playoff Lebron James is a different breed. He has had 60+ fantasy in two of the three playoff games(including Play-In). His price with the lack of value on this slate makes it a bit tough to get him with another star but Lebron in a playoff game and at home with the season on the line possibly. They need a win here and I will play the narrative, LeBron could have a masterclass showing tonight and I want in on it.

Josh Hart is something else, the dude eats minutes like crazy and played the entire game against the 76ers in their last outing. He finished with 53 fantasy points in 48 minutes. His shooting recently has been much better and he has been a crucial part of this Knicks offense. His price is getting up there but as long as he continues to get the minutes, I expect Josh to continue balling out.

Top SF Options:

1. Lebron James, LAL vs DEN - PF/SF ($9.5K DK; $10.5K FD)
2. Josh Hart, NYK at PHI - SF/PF ($7.3K DK; $7.8K FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

Michael Porter Jr. has played extremely well in the playoffs so far. They will need that to continue here against the Lakers who are trying to get their first win of the series. He has averaged 39 fantasy points in his two playoff games so far this season and oddly enough Anthony Davis has been so worried about Jokic that it gives MPJ a decent shot to run his stats up.

The Lakers are giving up the third most fantasy points to opposing PFs over the last 15 games, which makes Aaron Gordon intriguing as well.

Top PF Options:

1. Michael Porter Jr., DEN at LAL - SF/PF ($6.3K DK; $7.1K FD)
2. Rui Hachimura, LAL vs DEN - PF/SF ($5.1K DK; $5.5K FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

I've already mentioned Jokic and Allen, but to round out the centers I like Isaiah Hartenstein if Mitchell Robinson is hindered in any way. His minutes increased to 30 while Robinson only ended up playing 18 minutes. If you are looking for a discounted center then I believe Isaiah is the way to go.

He had 36 fantasy points in his last game against the 76ers in 30 minutes. His ability to get blocks is a big reason he becomes fantasy-viable. However, if it comes out that Mitchell Robinson is a full-go he is an option to pivot to for cheaper.

Top C Options:

1. Nikola Jokic, DEN at LAL – C ($11.5K DK; $12.2K FD)
2. Jarrett Allen, CLE at ORL – PF/C ($7.4K DK; $8.4K FD)
3. Isaiah Hartenstein, NYK at PHI - C ($5.3K DK; $6.9K FD)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

1. Nuggets at Lakers (216.5 total)
2. Knicks at 76ers (201.5 total)

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

1. Outside of a few select players, I'm fading Orlando for the most part today. The spots are better in the other two games and the total is really low for this game.
2. The rotations are tight for all teams so fading may not be an option. It may be one of those slates where you pick one stud and just build around that, the value is severely lacking to have multiple.

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: LeBron James
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jarrett Allen
• My favorite value play: Jalen Suggs

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis