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

These are the studs I’m anchoring my lineups around tonight. They’ve got the matchups, usage, and FanDuel salaries that make them must-haves.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC - PG ($11.4K)

Alright, let’s talk about the king of this slate, SGA. This guy’s been an absolute monster all season, and tonight’s setup against Sacramento could push him into the stratosphere. With Holmgren and Jalen Williams both listed as questionable with hip issues, the Thunder might have to put the ball in Shai’s hands even more than usual, and that’s saying something, considering he’s already averaging 32.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.

His usage rate jumps to over 38% when those frontcourt guys sit, and the Kings are a perfect target. Sacramento ranks 21st in defensive rating and struggles to contain elite guards, giving up the 12th-most FanDuel points to point guards this year. The game’s got a 229.5 total with OKC favored by 9.5, so Shai could feast early and still get some run in garbage time.

At $11,400, he’s not cheap, but his floor is around 45 FD points, and the ceiling? We’re talking 55-60 if the injury dominoes fall his way. He’s my cash game lock and a GPP priority. Don’t overthink this one.

Karl-Anthony Towns - NYK - C ($9.8K)

KAT’s been a revelation in New York, and tonight’s matchup against Dallas has me salivating. With Brunson sidelined (ankle) and Miles McBride out too (groin), the Knicks are down their primary playmaker, meaning Towns will shoulder a massive offensive load. He’s already averaging 24.5 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, and over his last three outings, he’s producing at a slick 1.36 FD points-per-minute clip.

Now, let’s talk about the Mavericks. They’re missing Anthony Davis (rest), which weakens their frontcourt significantly. Dallas ranks 19th in defensive rating and has been soft against bigs who can stretch the floor and attack the glass, allowing the ninth-most rebounds per game to centers. The game has a 223.5 total, and with New York favored by 8.0, Towns could dominate in a pace-up spot.

I’m expecting 45-50 FD points as a baseline, and if he gets hot from deep or racks up a few assists (he’s at 3.0 per game), we’re looking at a 55+ FD point night. He’s a cash game staple and a GPP cornerstone. Plug him in and build around him.

Desmond Bane - MEM - SG/SF ($8.4K)

Morant’s hamstring injury is the gift that keeps on giving for Bane, and tonight’s matchup against Utah is straight-up delicious. The Jazz are a DFS dream: 29th in defensive rating, fifth-fastest pace in the league, and they’ve been hemorrhaging points to shooting guards (fourth-most in the NBA). Bane’s usage spikes to 28% without Morant on the floor, and he’s delivered big in those spots this season, averaging 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.

His last three games show a 1.17 FD points-per-minute rate, and with a slate-high 240.5 game total, this could turn into a track meet where Bane racks up stats across the board. Memphis is favored by 10.0, but Utah’s pace should keep this competitive enough for Bane to get his full minutes.

At $8,400, he’s a steal for his 40+ FD point upside, and if he hits a few threes (he’s taking 9.0 attempts per game in Morant’s absence), we could see him push 50. He’s a no-brainer in cash games and a GPP stud with multi-position eligibility. I love the flexibility here.

Paolo Banchero - ORL - PF/SF ($9.6K)

Paolo’s been balling out, and Charlotte’s the perfect punching bag for him tonight. The Hornets rank 23rd in defensive rating and get torched by power forwards, giving up the sixth-most FanDuel points to the position this season. Banchero’s been a usage monster, sitting at 32% and averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.

Over his last three games, he’s bumped that up to 31.0 points and 8.8 rebounds, showing off a 1.27 FD points-per-minute rate. Orlando’s favored by 5.0 in a 210.5-point total game, which might sound low, but Charlotte’s 14th-ranked rebounding rate and 25th-ranked three-point defense mean Paolo can dominate inside and out. He’s a lock for 40+ FD points, and if the game stays close or he gets to the line (5.0 FTA per game), 50 isn’t out of the question.

At $9,600, he’s a cash game anchor with GPP upside, especially with his dual eligibility giving you roster flexibility. This is the kind of matchup you dream about. Don’t sleep on him tonight.

These guys might not be the chalk, but their upside could separate you in GPPs. Let’s get sneaky!

Darius Garland - CLE - PG ($7.7K)

Alright, let’s talk about a guy who’s primed to pop off with Donovan Mitchell taking the night off. Garland gets the keys to the Cavs’ offense against Portland, and this is where he shines. Without Mitchell, his usage rate climbs to 30%, and he’s been a beast in those spots this season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. Over his last three games with Mitchell off the floor, he’s hit 1.17 FD points per minute, which is elite production for a guy priced at just $7,700.

Portland’s defense is middle-of-the-pack (16th in D-rating), but they’ve been generous to point guards, allowing 10.5 assists per game and the 15th-most FanDuel points to the position. The game’s got a 230.5 total with Cleveland favored by 6.5, so Garland should see plenty of run to rack up stats. With SGA ($11,400) and LaMelo Ball ($9,200) soaking up ownership at point guard, Garland could slide in at 10-15% owned, making him a perfect GPP pivot.

I’m eyeing 40-45 FD points here, and if he gets hot from three (he’s taking 7.0 attempts per game in Mitchell’s absence), 50 isn’t out of reach. Sneaky upside at a discount, sign me up!

Amen Thompson - HOU - SG/SF ($8.6K)

Houston’s got a dream spot tonight with a 121.5 implied total against Atlanta, and Amen Thompson’s the kind of multi-category monster that thrives in GPPs. The Hawks play at the second-fastest pace in the league and rank 17th in defensive rating, leaving the door wide open for Thompson to fill up the stat sheet. He’s averaging 14.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, but his last three games show even more juice: 15.5 points, 9.0 boards, and 4.0 dimes.

That’s a 1.10 FD points-per-minute rate, and in a game with a 234.5 total, he could easily see 32-34 minutes against Atlanta’s shaky wing defense (27th in points allowed to small forwards). Thompson’s versatility, scoring, rebounding, passing, and even some steals, makes him a FanDuel scoring machine, and at $8,600, he’s more expensive than teammate Jalen Green ($7,400), who’ll likely draw more ownership.

I’m projecting 40+ FD points as his ceiling, and if this turns into a track meet (projected pace of 101.2), he could flirt with 50. Low ownership plus high upside? That’s the GPP recipe we’re cooking with here.

Deni Avdija - POR - SF/PF ($8.4K)

Avdija’s been on fire lately, and he’s got a golden opportunity to keep the hot streak going against Cleveland tonight. Over his last three games, he’s been unstoppable, scoring 24.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, good for a scorching 1.08 FD points-per-minute rate. The Cavs are down Mitchell (rest), which doesn’t kill their defense entirely. They’re still eighth in defensive rating, but it does lighten the load on Portland’s offense.

Cleveland allows the 10th-most rebounds per game to power forwards, and Avdija’s been crashing the glass hard. His usage is up to 22% with Jerami Grant out (knee), and in a game with a 230.5 total, he’s got the green light to keep firing. The Trail Blazers are 6.5-point underdogs, but Avdija’s recent form suggests he can thrive regardless of the game script.

At $8,400, he’s a steal for his 45+ FD point ceiling, especially since ownership might stay modest with chalkier names like Banchero ($9,600) and Miles Bridges ($8,500) in similar positions. He’s a GPP differentiator, multi-category production, dual eligibility, and a knack for big nights. If he drops another 20-10-5 line, you’ll be laughing all the way to the top of the leaderboard.

Alperen Sengun - HOU - C ($9.1K)

Sengun’s the ultimate risk-reward play tonight, and I’m here for it in GPPs. He’s facing Atlanta, who runs at a top-two pace and ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint, basically a neon sign saying “feed the big man.” Sengun’s averaging 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, but his last three games have been a bit shaky, dipping to a 1.35 FD points-per-minute rate.

That inconsistency might scare off the masses, keeping his ownership down despite a dreamy matchup. Houston’s 121.5 implied total and the game’s 234.5 overall total scream upside, especially if Sengun gets his usual 30-32 minutes. The Hawks struggle to defend skilled bigs, and Sengun’s passing (4.9 APG) adds extra juice on FanDuel with those assist points. He’s had 50+ FD point games this season when everything clicks, and this could be one of those nights if he shakes off the rust.

At $9,100, he’s a bargain compared to KAT ($9,800), and with ownership potentially in the 15-20% range, he’s a leverage play against the field. Roll the dice here, and you might catch a 20-12-6 line that catapults you up the GPP standings.