NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (11/5/25)

November 5, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Jamie Calandro's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on November 5th, 2025.

It's Wednesday, which is always a fun day in the Association! Tonight, we have eight games to tackle on DraftKings, while FanDuel will feature the extra three late games starting at 10:00 PM EST. It's important to remember that when building your lineups across the sites may (and probably should) look wildly different from one another.

Is anybody going to be able to beat OKC? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making another early case for MVP, as he's putting up elite numbers even though he rarely needs to play the fourth quarter. Tonight, Portland gets the first crack at giving them their first loss, but that game is only available on FanDuel.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 11/5/25. 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 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

Cade Cunningham, DET - PG ($10,200 DK/$10,300)

Nikola Jokic seems like the obvious choice here since he's once again averaging a massive triple-double to start the season. However, price matters in DFS, and you can get Cade Cunningham for $1,800 less and not sacrifice a great deal of upside. Cunningham is rocking a 28.9% usage rate while averaging 23.6 PPG and a career-best 9.6 APG which is second in the NBA.

Whatever magic the Jazz had at the very beginning of the season has evaporated completely. They're last in transition defense over the last three games and have allowed the most catch-and-shoot opportunities by far in that span. They've fallen to dead last in overall defensive efficiency, which is something considering some of the turnstile defenses we've seen so far.

Detroit is pushing the pace a lot this year (seventh), and Jaden Ivey remains out for Detroit. In addition, Tobias Harris will miss another game and Cunningham has a 2.2% usage boost when he's out.

Pascal Siakam, IND - PF on DK ($9,500), PF/C on FD ($9,600)

A $9,500 price tag for Pascal Siakam? Too much, right? Not so fast. With Indiana decimated by injury, Siakam has taken on an elite alpha role. His usage rate is over 30% and he's averaging 26.0/8.4/5.3 on 35.6 minutes per game. If you're worried about the offensive efficiency of the Pacers, fear not, as they take on Brooklyn who has allowed the most PPG in the league so far.

Quenton Jackson's absence is tough for the Pacers, as he was pushing the pace in an almost Haliburton-like role. However, this should amplify Siakam's assist rate along with giving him more shots in an expected close game against one of the league's worst defenses.

NBA DFS GPP Pivots

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,000 DK/$12,300 FD)

Why pay for Nikola Jokic when you can get Cunningham and Siakam for an extra $2,000-$2,500 less? Because he's the literal GOAT, that's why. Jokic is averaging a triple-double to begin the season (22.7/13.2/11.3) and is already stating his early case for another MVP.

A usual force inside, Miami has been a sieve defensively there this year. They've allowed the sixth most points in the paint and are 21st in rebounding rate. Thanks to the cheaper studs listed above, Jokic is currently seeing depressed ownership that doesn't match his ceiling. Jamal Murray is questionable as well, and if he sits, Jokic is even better.

Cam Thomas, BKN - SG ($7,100 DK/$6,700 FD)

If you look at his box score, Cam Thomas is one of the most volatile assets in fantasy, and playing on the Nets doesn't do anything for his stability. The Nets are 28th in offensive efficiency and rank 27th in EFF FG%. However, there are more positive paths than negative ones tonight.

Thomas is currently flashing an elite 31.9% usage rate, which is more than Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Victor Wembanyama, and LaMelo Ball. He's also taken 19 or more shots in five of his seven games this year, and Michael Porter Jr. has a questionable tag. Take advantage of the depressed ownership in GPPs and hope his shot is falling.

NBA DFS Value Picks

D'Angelo Russell, DAL - PG/SG on DK ($6,100 DK), PG on FD ($5,600)

D'Angelo Russell is a lot like Cam Thomas, where he can fill it up fast but also bust your lineups in the blink of an eye. Anthony Davis is questionable, and Russell's price tag would be harder to justify if Davis were to return to the court.

Russell has played 29 minutes or more in three of the last four games and has a 30.6% usage rate over that span. This matchup could not be better than their last, as Dallas goes from playing Houston (first in defensive efficiency) to New Orleans (29th), who are also playing on a back-to-back.

Jarace Walker, IND - SF/PF on DK ($5,800), PF/C on FD ($5,600)

In addition to Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana is missing Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, and now Quenton Jackson and Johnny Furphy have also been ruled out. Pacer values are going to be the name of the game, and former lottery pick Jarace Walker is the headliner.

Siakam is the engine behind the Pacers, but Walker has averaged over seven more DK PPG with the above players out and has a 20.8% usage rate and 22% assist rate. Brooklyn has allowed the fourth-most FPPG to opposing forwards, and Walker should play 35+ minutes.

RayJ Dennis, IND - PG ($4,800 DK/$4,800 FD)

RayJ Dennis is going to be another exciting value that DFS players should be flocking to. Before Quenton Jackson stepped up, Dennis was filling the T.J. McConnell role at 1.2 FPPM while being a catalyst off the bench. Whether he starts or not, he should be looking at elevated minutes and usage.

Dennis has a 20.7% usage rate and 29.6% assist rate with the aforementioned Pacers out, and he contributes defensive counting stats as well (2.17 steal %). It's possible he's the highest-owned player tonight, but is well worth it.

Jeremiah Fears, NO - PG ($5,000 DK/$5,600 FD)

The Pelicans' lottery pick has come out of the gate firing in Zion Williamson's absence, slamming an elite 28.1% usage rate and 27.7% assist rate. His turnover rate is bonkers (not in a good way), but he's rattling off 30 minutes a game. Dallas is only 21st in defensive efficiency (which would, of course, get better if Anthony Davis were to return). Jeremiah Fears is on the second end of a back-to-back, so his price hasn't moved.

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

Heat at Nuggets (242.5 O/U) - The slate's highest implied total by far, although stacking it is tricky since you really have to include Nikola Jokic to maximize upside. Normal Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Aaron Gordon, Davion Mitchell, and Nikola Jovic are cheaper names to make it work.

Nets and Pacers (233.5 O/U) - These two teams are in a tailspin and have one win combined between them. However, neither plays any semblance of defense, which is fantastic for fantasy purposes. Start with Pascal Siakam, who has slate-breaking upside, and fill in with the many values that can be found on both squads (particularly the Pacers).

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: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Cade Cunningham
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Cam Thomas
• My favorite VALUE play: RayJ Dennis

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis