NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (11/4/25)

November 4, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Max Kulish's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on November 4th, 2025.

Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! Tonight, we have a four-game, early games only slate on tap, highlighted by a pair of surprising 5-1 teams, the Bulls and Sixers, facing off in Chicago. These articles focus on the best overall plays, which are typically more suited to cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.

As always, we have a few key injury spots to monitor as we move throughout the day. Most notably, LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson, who are both looking to return after missing their team's previous game. There are many more players out, and there will likely be random players scratched, so keep a close eye on the NBA injury news and make adjustments as needed.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 11/4/25. 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 and DraftKings. 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 our experts are talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

NBA DFS Core Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - PF ($12,100 DK / $12,200 FD)

Giannis has continued his rampage early this season, fresh off another 60-piece in DFS last night, capped off by a game-winning shot. Currently sporting a 34.3% usage rate, good for second in the league, it doesn't seem like the Bucks will stop relying on their superstar anytime soon. Giannis is the slate's most expensive option at $11.5K; his next-highest priced teammate is Myles Turner at $6.2K.

Tonight, he has an excellent matchup against the Raptors, who he already lit up for 68.5 fantasy points in the second game of the season. He has an elite floor/ceiling combo, making him a great place to start lineups in both cash and tournament games.

GIANNIS HITS THE GAME WINNER AT THE BUZZER! pic.twitter.com/Tz0aoHxFXA

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 4, 2025

Tyrese Maxey, PHI - PG (DK $9.9K, FD $9.8K)

Maxey leads the high-scoring 76ers (1st in team PPG) into a showdown with the Bulls (7th in team PPG), two unexpected 5-1 teams in the early stages of the season. Maxey is coming off his lowest fantasy output of the season, only 47.5 points, in a blowout win over the lowly Nets. Maxey leads the NBA in minutes per game at 42.5, and "only" played 39 minutes in this game.

This game has the highest implied total on the slate (239.5), so you can't really ask for a better fantasy environment on paper. Maxey boasts a healthy 28.5% usage rate so far this year. The combination of that amount of usage with a virtual guarantee of 40 minutes of playing time makes Maxey a great profile fit for a core player. However, with Joel Embiid scheduled to play and Jared McCain in line to make his season debut, Maxey's ownership should come at a discount.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, ATL - PG/SF (DK $7.7K, FD $7.2K)

Alexander-Walker has been excellent both for the Hawks and for fantasy owners so far this year. He hasn't scored less than 25 fantasy points in any game so far, and is currently starting for the Hawks in the absence of Trae Young. In his two starts, he's scored 32.25 and 26.75 fantasy points. While those aren't exactly eye-popping numbers, NAW's role is undeniable.

As for tournaments, fading NAW could be a sharp play. As I just mentioned, his ceiling isn't exactly slate-breaking, and he is rosterable at five of eight positions, making him even more accessible and likely to drive his ownership even higher.

NBA DFS GPP Pivots

Jalen Johnson, ATL - PF ($8.6K DK, $8.5K FD)

Johnson has become the de facto #1 option in Atlanta with Trae Young sidelined. Johnson is a great player in real life, but isn't exactly a sexy click at this price range. He's able to fill up a stat sheet, but doesn't really profile as a high-volume scorer. Ironically, an apt comparison for him might be a poor man's Paolo Banchero. He can find ceiling performances by having an impact defensively, which profiles well against the Magic, who turn the ball over 16+ times per game. With the Magic ranked 9th best against PFs in fantasy and middling projections, ownership should stay in check.

Jalen Johnson this season:

21.2 PPG
9.0 RPG
5.0 APG
1.5 SPG
58.4 FG%

Leading the Hawks in points. pic.twitter.com/2d6qvVU66e

— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 3, 2025

Joel Embiid, PHI - C ($7.6K DK, $5.5K FD)

Until Embiid's playing time increases, he simply can't be considered as anything other than a GPP play. With that said, this seems like as good a spot as you can ask for. Embiid hasn't played since Friday, and with the Sixers on the front half of a back-to-back, Embiid won't play tomorrow. Presumably, he should be used at his maximum capacity tonight. What exactly that could mean is up in the air, but he has seen his minutes increase in three straight appearances.

Also worth noting that historically Embiid has dominated against Chicago (29.4/11.7/4.5 over 17 games), as well as Bulls' center Nikola Vucevic (25.2/11.3/3.8 in 19 games).

NBA DFS Value Picks

Wendell Carter Jr., ORL - C (DK $5.5K, FD $5.9K)

Center is much weaker compared to a typical slate, making an option like Carter Jr. much more appealing. If you exclude the game against the Pistons, where he exited early, Carter Jr. is averaging 30.2 fantasy PPG, which would be a great return at this price tag.

Kevin Huerter, CHI - SG (DK $4.5K, FD $5.0K)

While Coby White remains out, Huerter has been Chicago's sixth man and keeps on delivering in that role. Although he scored less than 10 points for the first time this season in his last game, he still finished with 19.75 fantasy points. In a game with such a lofty implied total, you can assume there will be plenty of buckets to go around, which is a perfect formula for a player like Huerter.

Moussa Diabate, CHA - C (DK $3.9K, FD $5.2K)

Diabate has been great for Charlotte so far this season, coming off the bench. Generally speaking, Diabate has been extremely efficient during his time on the floor - averaging 23.6 fantasy PPG in only 20 minutes per game. The Pelicans rank second-to-last against centers in fantasy this season, making this an awesome spot for him.

Jalen Smith, CHI - C (DK $3.2K, FD $5.2K)

Smith has also been one of the best backup centers in the league this year, and has also been extremely efficient on a per-minute basis. Typically playing 15-17 minutes per night, Smith is averaging 17.1 fantasy PPG per game. Coming off three straight games of 16+ fantasy points, Smith's price has actually decreased for some reason.  He's an underrated piece in tonight's premiere game environment.

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

76ers @ Bulls (239.5 O/U) - The slate's highest implied total with two teams that are in the top seven of PPG. The Bulls look to be one of the most popular teams as a whole tonight.

Bucks @ Raptors (237.5 O/U) - The only game that sniffs 76ers/Bulls implied total, this game is very interesting for tournaments. Besides Giannis, no player on either side is projected to carry much ownership. If this game does get in that 240 points range, I'd bet this is the game that is the key to GPPs.

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: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jalen Johnson
• My favorite VALUE play: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis