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Zach's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Friday, 3/28/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
Friday starts another amazing sports weekend with baseball, college basketball, and the NBA all bringing plenty of excitement to the stage. Friday night, the NBA tips off the weekend with seven games on the main DraftKings slate, which begins at 7:00 p.m. ET and includes an NBA TV showcase between the Suns and the Timberwolves.
Of the 14 teams taking the floor, only the Cavs and the Jazz are playing for the second day in a row, while the Nets are the only squad on the front half of their back-to-back. Taking a look at all the matchups, some players stand out as strong options from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for help for your FanDuel lineup, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/28/25. 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 DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Miles Bridges, CHA – PF ($8.9K)
The Hornets ruled out Lonzo Ball (ankle), which should leave room for Bridges to be the focus of the offense. He's looking to bounce back from a down game against the Magic in which he scored just 11 points, but over his last 10 games, he is still averaging 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 blocked shot in 32.8 minutes for 43.6 DraftKings points per game.
Miles Bridges becomes the fourth player in franchise history to make 700 career 3-pointers 🎯@SharonviewFCU // #MemorableMoments pic.twitter.com/OImLAUOUCs
— Hornets On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Hornets) March 9, 2025
Since January 1, Bridges has played 12 games without Ball and averaged 44.4 DraftKings points with a team-leading 31.6% usage rate in those 12 games.
Bridges showed his high ceiling with three straight games of at least 54 DraftKings points earlier this month, and his matchup against the Raptors on Friday night should set him up for another big stat line.
Kawhi Leonard, LAC – SF/PF ($8.8K)
Kawhi has been cooking for the Clippers this month, and he kept rolling on Wednesday with 27 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and 52.5 DraftKings points in a win over the Knicks.
Kawhi Leonard 27-10-7, 10/18 FG pic.twitter.com/VlHQGmH4HY
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 27, 2025
He has played at least 35 minutes in each of his last four games and posted at least 43 DraftKings points in seven straight. He's still under $9K despite the recent surge, but as long as he gets his regular playing time against the Nets, he should be set up for more success.
There is some danger of a blowout, but Kahwi had 45 DraftKings points in only 27 minutes against the Hornets last week in a blowout, showing he can still be productive even in that game script. At this point in the season, Leonard is fully healthy and ready to lead the Clippers down the stretch and into the postseason.
Jose Alvarado, NOP – PG ($5.1K)
The Pelicans have had a brutal season of injuries, and on Friday night, they'll be without Zion Williamson (back) and CJ McCollum (foot) in addition to all the players out for the season. With limited options, Alvarado should have a good opportunity to step up into a larger role and be a strong fantasy contributor at just over $5K.
On Sunday and Monday, he played 28 minutes in each of the two games of the back-to-back. He had 10 points and 31 DraftKings points against the Pistons, followed by nine points and 26.25 DraftKings points against the Sixers.
Jose Alvarado 👉 Jordan Hawkins 🔨pic.twitter.com/2LcvsXWDNg
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) March 25, 2025
He always turns in good non-scoring numbers and brings both a high floor and a high ceiling at his affordable salary in Friday's matchup.
Others Under Consideration: Scottie Barnes - PG/SF ($8.5K), Evan Mobley - PF/C ($8.6K), Darius Garland - PG ($8.5K)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Karl-Anthony Towns, NY - C ($10.2K)
The Knicks visit the Bucks on Friday, but both teams will be without their star point guards. Damian Lillard (calf) and Jalen Brunson (ankle) remain out, and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11.5K; foot, questionable) could also be sidelined. Without Brunson available, Towns has stepped up for the Knicks and helped carry the load on offense.
He has scored at least 24 points in five straight games, with over 52 DraftKings points in each of his last three contests. He had a triple-double on Tuesday for 63.4 DraftKings points against the Mavs and followed that with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 63 DraftKings points against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Karl-Anthony Towns with a BEAUTIFUL spin and slam 💥pic.twitter.com/Z9J9ncGfQU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 27, 2025
Especially if Giannis is out, Towns will have a favorable matchup in Milwaukee and is one of my favorite pay-up options on the slate.
Devin Booker, PHX – PG/SG ($9K)
Booker has dished out three straight double-doubles coming into Friday's road matchup in Minnesota. While his outside shot has been off (just 2-for-15), he has still been productive by stepping up his assists and finishing with 36, 44.75, and 38.25 DraftKings points in those three games. He also hit the game-winner over the Bucks
Most game-winning field goals in the final 3 seconds of 4Q/OT, since 2016-17:
1t. Devin Booker, 7
1t. Nikola Jokic, 7(via @Stathead) pic.twitter.com/DAR9fXaMv5
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 25, 2025
He has the potential to bounce back with a massive game and is running the offense well for the Suns as they try to climb into the Play-In Tournament. A matchup with the Wolves isn't easy, but Booker's ceiling is always high, making him a strong option to use in tournament lineups on Friday.
Michael Porter Jr., DEN – SF ($6.9K)
The Nuggets got Nikola Jokic ($12.3K; ankle, probable) on Wednesday, and he dropped a 39-point triple-double in his return. Jamal Murray ($8.5K; hamstring, questionable) is uncertain for Friday's game, but Porter Jr. (back) got the probable tag, meaning he is trending towards being available as well.
MPJ flourished in Jokic's return, knocking down six three-pointers on his way to 23 points and 51 DraftKings points.
Michael Porter Jr. vs Bucks: pic.twitter.com/Km59VqDBjU
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 27, 2025
He has produced over 40 DraftKings points in four of his last 11 games and should be in a smash spot against the Jazz on Friday. He has been inconsistent since he's dealing with injuries, which is why I like him better for tournaments than as a core play this Friday. However, his ceiling for a player under $7K makes him definitely worth a look, especially if Murray takes the game off.
Collin Sexton, UTA - PG/SG ($5.9K)
On the other side of that final game on the slate, Sexton has been busy for the Jazz and makes sense as a value guard play with good potential. Jordan Clarkson (foot) is out for the season, leaving Sexton to share time with youngsters Keyonte George ($6.3K) and Isaiah Collier ($5.3K) in the backcourt.
Sexton had 21 points and 32.25 DraftKings points against the Rockets on Thursday night and has at least 15 points and 28 DraftKings points in five of his last six contests.
The Jazz are playing for the second night in a row as they visit the Nuggets, so keep a close eye on who is in or out of the rotation when the injury report drops. If it looks like Sexton will get his normal minutes, though, he'll be a strong play under $6K in a favorable matchup against Denver, who has allowed the third-most DraftKings points to shooting guards this season.
Others Under Consideration: Nikola Jokic - C ($12.3K), Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/C ($11.5K), James Harden - PG ($9.6K), OG Anunoby - SF/PF ($7K), Ivica Zubac - C ($8.1K), Jalen Duren - C ($7.2K), Immanuel Quickley - PG ($6.7K), Kyle Kuzma - SF/PF ($6.2K)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Yves Missi, NOP – C ($4.5K)
Without Zion, Missi has been more involved in the offense for the Pelicans and continues to do good work on the glass. He produced at least 30 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and fell just one rebound short of a double-double in his last game against the Sixers in his return from a one-game absence.
Elfrid Payton ↗️ Yves Missi 💥
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) March 25, 2025
Missi has the potential to be around 30 DraftKings points and another double-double on Friday at home against Golden State, which is enough to make him one of the best value plays on the board since his salary is only $4.5K.
Elfrid Payton, NOP – PG ($3.2K)
On the other end of the lob in the highlight above, Payton picked up one of his 14 assists on Monday. He finished with 39 DraftKings points on six points, 14 dimes, six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in 25 minutes.
He's barely more than the minimum salary on DraftKings, and even though he's playing on a 10-day contract, he brings an extremely high ceiling against the Warriors. He also brings a very low floor, but the Pelicans have so few other options in the backcourt that he is definitely worth considering to give your lineup good upside while also stretching your salary cap space.
Elfrid Payton runs the offense with such ease. Regardless of who the Pelicans draft or add, a guy with his skillset can be valuable for this team.
Will be interesting to see if he sticks around this offseason.
— Raphael Rattler (@Raphael_Rattler) March 25, 2025
KJ Simpson, CHA – PG ($4K)
With Ball out, Simpson will likely move into the starting lineup as another cheap option at point guard. Simpson played 33 minutes in his last start, which came against the Thunder last Friday. That game was also his first back with the team after helping the Greensboro Swarm clinch their first trip to the postseason.
🎙️ Charles Lee: "Looking forward to having KJ (Simpson) back with the group."
"He had a great stint with us. He continues to help the Swarm on their playoff hunt and it was fun watching his games there. He just approaches every opportunity that he gets with the right mindset." pic.twitter.com/l2MYJ1Stkh
— r/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) March 22, 2025
Simpson stepped into that game with 10 points, eight assists, and 25.25 DraftKings points, but he played a much smaller role in his last two games while backing up Ball. If he gets the start Friday against Toronto, he's another great cost-saving option.
Marcus Sasser, DET – PG/SG ($3.3K)
Sasser has had back-to-back monster games while helping to fill in for Cade Cunningham (calf). In the two games without Cunningham, Sasser dropped 20 points against the Pelicans and 27 points against the Spurs.
Marcus Sasser 27 PTS on 9/12 FG 🪣 pic.twitter.com/nraGrs6NVZ
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 26, 2025
He had 27.75 and 36.5 DraftKings points while playing 26 minutes in each of those two contests. On Friday, the competition steps way up as the Pistons host the Cavs, but Sasser has shown enough offensive upside to still be an excellent option under $4K on Friday.
The values this Friday are very guard-heavy, so it seems to be a slate that lends itself to paying up in the frontcourt and jamming in multiple cheap guards in the backcourt and utility spot.
Others Under Consideration: Ausar Thompson - SF/PF ($4.5K), Ryan Rollins - PG ($4.2K), Ja'Kobe Walter - SG/SF ($3.9K), Jordan Hawkins - PG/SG ($4.5K), Jusuf Nurkic - C ($3.9K), Tyler Kolek - PG ($3.2K), Karlo Matkovic - PF/C ($4.2K)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Jazz at Nuggets (239 total)
The Jazz are playing for the second night in a row, so there could be multiple players rested or available. Lauri Markkanen ($7.1K; conditioning) has missed five straight but could return, and Walker Kessler ($7K) has been resting often lately. Depending on who is available, Sexton ($5.9K), George ($6.3K), Kyle Filipowski ($6K), Brice Sensabaugh ($3.7K), and Johnny Juzang ($3.4K) could be good options to include since the game should be high-scoring and uptempo.
For the home team, the big uncertainty to watch is Murray ($8.5K). Obviously, Jokic ($12.3K) is a great place to start a Nuggets stack, and you can build around him with Porter ($6.9K), Aaron Gordon ($6.2K), Christian Braun ($6K) and even Jalen Pickett ($3.2K) if Murray is out. The Nuggets don't have a lot of cheap options, but their premium players usually deliver in premium spots like this one.
Cavaliers at Pistons (230 total)
Like the Jazz, the Cavs are playing for the second night in a row, so watch their injury report closely. Donovan Mitchell ($8.8K) returned from a groin injury and went off for 63 DraftKings points against the Spurs on Thursday, while Jarrett Allen ($6.7K) filled in for the resting Mobley ($8.6K) with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 52.25 DraftKings points. Mobley could return and team up with Garland ($8.5K) to carry more of the load on Friday, especially if Mitchell or Allen rests. De'Andre Hunter ($4.7K), Max Strus ($4.3K), and Isaac Okoro ($3.1K) can be cheap ways to round out the stack, depending on who is available.
On the Pistons' side, there is plenty of usage available with Cunningham out for a third straight game. Veterans Tobias Harris ($6K) and Dennis Schroder ($5.1K) have stepped up and helped carry the load, while Marcus Sasser ($3.3K) has helped carry extra scoring. Malik Beasley ($5.2K) and Duren ($7.2K) also have high ceilings despite the challenging matchup at home against the dominant Cavs.
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: Kawhi Leonard
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Kawhi Leonard
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Karl-Anthony Towns
- My favorite VALUE play: Yves Missi
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