NBA DFS Picks Tonight: Best Value Plays, Sleepers for DraftKings & FanDuel (12/3)

December 3, 2025

Get winning NBA DFS lineup picks and player projections for tonight's games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Jamie Calandro's expert analysis helps you build optimal daily fantasy basketball lineups for December 3rd, 2025.

It's Wednesday again, which means we have a pretty packed slate! Tonight is a rare time when both sites have the same amount of games (nine), so I'll be exploring different builds for each. Stacking should be fun, as two of these games have O/U's north of 240 points (we see you, modern NBA).

Can Ryan Nembhard do it again? This article will explore that, along with the best paths to fitting in some of the top studs (Nikola Jokic is going to take some creativity on our parts). Be sure to jump into the RotoBaller Discord and join our community as we analyze the best matchups right up until tip-off.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 12/3/25. 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 ($10,600 DK/$10,800 FD)

Detroit is about as healthy as they've been this season with Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris back, but it just hasn't mattered for Cade Cunningham. The Detroit superstar has elevated his ceiling immensely this year, averaging 55.5 DK points on a 32.8% usage rate (good for fourth in the NBA).

Cunningham has played 36, 36, 40, 38, and 38 minutes in his last five contests, and has averaged 30.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 7.6 APG in that span. Milwaukee ranks 21st in defensive efficiency and has allowed the fifth-most FPPG to opposing PGs. This is an eruption spot for Cade, and his floor and ceiling is raised in this matchup.

CADE CUNNINGHAM IS CLUTCH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AMlBkWdKjo

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 2, 2025

Alperen Sengun, HOU - PF/C ($9,700 DK/$9,900 FD)

Sacramento has historically been a favorable matchup for opposing centers, and this season is no different. The Kings are hemorrhaging production in the paint, and it's Alperen Sengun that's up next. The Rockets' big man is still averaging a shade under 50 DK PPG despite the addition of Kevin Durant and the ascension of Amen Thompson.

Sengun is "Jokic-lite" with his 22.9/9.1/7.3 average, and the Kings have allowed the most FPPG to opposing centers. In addition, they've also plummeted to the bottom of the ranks in rebounding rate since Domantas Sabonis went down, and rank 25th in defensive efficiency. Sengun has triple-double upside in this one.

NBA DFS GPP Pivots

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($13,400 DK/$12,800)

Speaking of Nikola Jokic, he's on this slate as well, but his price has risen to an incredible $13,400 on DK and $12,800 on FD. This price is not unfounded, as Jokic is once again averaging a massive triple-double per game on the season with a per-game mark of over 68 DK PPG.

If you want Jokic in your lineup, he's going to cripple the rest of your roster (you'll have $5,228 per remaining player to work with). For that reason, his ownership is going to be low unless multiple values open up during the day. Jokic has proven time and time again that he's in a tier of his own for upside and can break the slate against any opponent. Indiana is a pushover inside, ranking 25th in rebounding rate and allowing the fifth-most FPPG to centers.

Jamal Murray is also questionable for this one. If he sits, Jokic sees a 4%+ spike in his already inflated usage (28.4%).

Jalen Johnson, ATL - PF on DK ($10,100), SF/PF on FD ($10,200)

Jalen Johnson's price tag has gone over the $10k mark, which is making some players uncomfortable. However, Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis will continue to sit, giving Johnson a GPP-winning ceiling. With those two off the court, Johnson's usage rate goes up by 4.2% and he's put up absolutely gaudy numbers over the last three games.

Jalen Johnson in the last 3 games:

29 PTS, 12 REB, 12 AST

41 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST

29 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST

Unreal player 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XGMH7MrY8k

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 2, 2025

The Clippers are a mess defensively as their disaster season continues. They're ranked 28th in defensive efficiency and have allowed 1.23 PPP in transition (third worst in the league). If Atlanta can dictate the pace (they're eighth, the Clippers are 28th), they could put up massive numbers in this one, led by Johnson. The SF eligibility on FD is big.

NBA DFS Value Picks

Miles McBride, NYK - PG/SG ($5,400 DK/$4,900 FD)

Miles McBride has been playing big minutes since entering the starting lineup. Over the last four games, he's averaged 36 MPG and has hit value for his price tag in all four. This should continue until OG Anunoby returns on 12/7, and Deuce has a great matchup to exploit. The Hornets rank 29th in half-court defense and 24th in overall team defensive efficiency.

Jay Huff, IND - PF/C on DK ($5,300), C on FD ($5,300)

It has to be said right away that Jay Huff is an immense foul risk against Nikola Jokic. However, he's hit value in his last four games as the starter, and his price tag is slow to adjust. The biggest positive for Huff is his defensive prowess, as he has 20 blocks in his last six games. This is especially useful on FD, where three points are awarded per stock.

Egor Demin, BKN - PG on DK ($5,100), PG/SG on FD ($5,100)

The Nets drafted a literal boatload of rookies in this past draft, but Egor Demin is looking like the one who's paying immediate dividends. Demin is consistently playing minutes in the upper 20s, and just rocked a 26.5% usage rate over his last two games. Terance Mann is out for this one, and Demin has a 6% higher assist rate with Mann off the court. He's playing in a pace-up spot, as the Bulls rank second in the league.

Ryan Nembhard, DAL - PG ($4,400 DK/$4,600 FD)

Where did Ryan Nembhard come from?? When he was announced as the starter for Dallas last game, DFS players tentatively made him their "last click". They were rewarded handsomely, as Nembhard went off for 28-3-10 (50.2 DK points) on a 20.7% usage rate against Denver. Nembhard's insertion allowed Cooper Flagg to play off the ball more, which immediately boosted Dallas' offense. Nembhard is in an even better spot against Miami, who ranks first in the NBA in pace factor.

Ryan Nembhard is the first point guard in NBA history to record:

25+ PTS
10+ AST
0 TOV
100% TS pic.twitter.com/NIfKxpmvHz

— Real Sports (@realapp) December 2, 2025

Today's Top Game Stacks

Heat at Mavericks (241.5 O/U) - Pace game! These two teams rank first and fourth in pace factor this season and are both bottom ten in half-court defense. Anthony Davis gives you a legit stud to build stacks around, and the aforementioned Ryan Nembhard is the value of the night. P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford both have questionable tag,s which could condense the Dallas offense even more. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro have upside enough in this to round out our bringbacks.

Hornets at Knicks (236.5 O/U) - The 9.5-point spread adds some uncertainty for upside, but that's what GPP stacks are for! Charlotte ranks 29th in half-court defense and the Knicks are on a pace to break the record for threes attempted in a season. If their shots are falling, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns have massive ceilings. Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson are solid value plays. LaMelo Ball's questionable tag looms large for Charlotte, as Brandon Miller and Tre Mann are already out.

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: Cade Cunningham
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Alperen Sengun
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jalen Johnson
• My favorite VALUE play: Ryan Nembhard

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis