NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/16/25)

We continue with "Silly Season" in the NBA, where we see a lot of instances of teams resting starters to tank for a better draft pick or preserve health for the playoffs. In these articles, I focus on the top plays, traditionally geared toward cash games. However, with over a decade of NBA DFS experience under my belt—and as someone who rarely dives into cash formats—I'm selecting picks that also typically come with high upside. That means they offer the steady floor needed for cash games while packing the high ceiling we need for tournaments.

This is shaping up to be a tricky five-game slate. None of the game environments pop off the page, but the Timberwolves and Thunder are in the best spots against the Jazz and Bucks, respectively. There isn't much value available, making it hard to get to players like SGA and Giannis. I think we're going to have to get a little creative on this slate.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/16/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 6:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings and FanDuel. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Here is a look at some of the higher-priced players we can use as building blocks for cash and GPP contests.

I can't stop anyone from playing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight. I will not be going that route due to the lack of value available, but you can't argue with the 70+ DK point ceilings they bring to the table. I will prioritize an underpriced Anthony Edwards and a few key mid-range value pieces in my builds tonight, though. Edwards has been a bit underwhelming over his last five games, but he's facing a team that allows the second-most fantasy points per game in the Jazz tonight.

Randle also gets the Jazz, and he's in great form, averaging 41.6 DK PPG over his last five contests. Utah has no personnel to slow him down; they're allowing the most fantasy points per game to PFs over their previous seven games.

Okongwu can provide a "dud" game here and there, but he's also an excellent bet for a 40-50+ DK-point game with Clint Capela out of the lineup. He holds a solid 1.12 FPTS/min rate with Capela off the floor, and the Nets allow the 12th-most fantasy points per game to Cs this season.

Avdija is the king of silly season basketball. He's getting all the minutes he can handle on the mediocre Blazers, and he's making the most of it as he has games with 53.25, 68, and 62.5 DK points over his last five outings. There's a risk and some extreme upside here, mainly if Anfernee Simons gets ruled out.

Top Core Plays:

1. Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. UTA - SG ($9,100 DK; $9,400 FD)
2. Julius Randle, MIN vs. UTA - PF/C ($7,400 DK; $7,100 FD)
3. Onyeka Okongwu, ATL @ BKN - C ($7,000 DK; $7,700 FD)
4. Deni Avdija, POR vs. TOR - SF/PF ($6,800 DK; $7,500 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

This is where we talk about saving salary. Whether it's a severely underpriced backup or even as simple as a guy playing like someone who should be priced higher, this is where you'll find guys who make lineups work.

Sorting the best value picks of the day by fantasy points per dollar:

We get a lot of T-Wolves here and both Donte D and NAW as two potentially chalky punt plays.

Keon Johnson pops here in a matchup against Atlanta. Remember that the Nets have shut down Cam Thomas so there is plenty of usage to go around in Brooklyn.

Donovan Clingan is 6K on DraftKings but could smash against Toronto as they have allowed huge games to opposing centers.

Top Value Plays:

1. Donte DiVincenzo, MIN vs. UTA - PG/SG ($5,500 DK; $5,400 FD)
2. Donovan Clingan, POR vs. TOR - C ($5,300 DK; $6,000 FD)
3. Georges Niang, ATL @ BKN - PF ($3,900 DK; $4,400 FD)
4. Keon Johnson, BKN vs. ATL - SG/SF ($5,200 DK, $5,200 FD)

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: Anthony Edwards
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Deni Avdija
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Donovan Clingan
• My favorite value play: Donte DiVincenzo

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis