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DraftKings NBA DFS Picks for Today (Thursday, 3/6/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Paolo Banchero - NBA DFS Lineup Picks, Daily Fantasy Basketball

Dan's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Thursday, 3/6/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.

After a wild slate last night with some high-scoring lineups due to all the value that emerged late in the day, we are back for a six-game slate on Thursday night that should be (fingers crossed) less eventful in terms of the number of players sitting out.

Let's dive in and find some good options to build around from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Koby Hanson's FanDuel picks!

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/6/25. 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. 

Black Friday Special! Save 50% on any Big-4 Sports Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL from from proven winners! Dan Palyo leads the team with exclusive picks for DFS picks, Props, betting. Enhance your game with industry-leading tools like our Lineup Optimizers, Team Sync Platform, DFS Cheat Sheets and more. GAIN ACCESS

 

DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks

Caris LeVert, ATL – SG/SF ($5.3K)

I like to mix things up, and I doubt you see LeVert's name as a core play in too many other articles today. But the goal here is to give you insights that others may not, and frankly, just writing up the most expensive or obvious plays isn't always that helpful.

Let's talk about what LeVert is doing in Atlanta since being jettisoned by the Cavs at the deadline for De'Andre Hunter. He could have sulked about being traded away from the best team in the NBA onto a fringe playoff team, but he has done the total opposite.

If anything, he has helped energize an Atlanta team that looked dead in the water after losing Jalen Johnson for the season. In 10 games for the Hawks, LeVert is averaging nearly 17 points per game while adding four boards and 2.6 assists in 28 minutes off the bench.

That's been good for 29.5 DK points per game. He's been even better lately, going for 35, 45, and 34 DK points in his last three. This game between Indiana and Atlanta is the most attractive one for DFS tonight, with a big total and tight spread. And LeVert is easily my favorite piece on a point-per-dollar basis.

Draymond Green, GSW– C ($6.0K)

We usually get a lot of attractive high-priced options at the center position, but today's group falls off pretty quickly after Alperen Sengun and Karl-Anthony Towns. So, why not lock in five times the value or better with Green, who has been incredibly consistent over the last month and is playing some of his best basketball in years?

Green has gone for 30 or more DK points now in nine straight games and 11 of his last 12. He's the ultimate glue guy who keeps this GSW offense moving, and he's managed to adapt to Jimmy Butler III's presence in the lineup seamlessly. If anything, having Butler as another option on offense has had a positive impact on all the other starters, including Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Dray.

These two cheap pieces give us a lot of flexibility to stack studs around them once we have a better idea of which Celtics are playing and what Chicago is doing.

Others Under Consideration: Luka Doncic - PG ($11.2K), Paolo Banchero - PF ($8.9K)

 

DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Quentin Grimes, PHI - SG/SF ($6.1K)

Here's what we know about the Sixers going into tonight's game against Boston. They won't have Joel Embiid (done for the season), Tyrese Maxey (already ruled out, tired of carrying the team and still losing), and Paul George is officially questionable (and was a regrettable addition to the team this year based on his performance).

Sorry for dumping on the Sixers and editorializing a bit there, but if there is one bright spot for Philly, it's been the emergence of Quentin Grimes, who it fleeced Dallas for at the deadline.

Grimes had 44 points against the Warriors in Philly's only win in weeks and then added 30 points in its most recent loss to Minnesota. I have a hunch PG13 won't play tonight and a shutdown is looming as this team is toast. If we get Grimes taking 20 shots again tonight, I'm interested at this price, even if it's a matchup with Boston.

The Celtics rested Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday last night and could choose to sit some other regulars tonight as they know they don't need their full lineup to handle this pathetic Philly team.

Alperen Sengun, HOU - C ($9.4K)

Centers vs. the Pelicans -- rinse and repeat. Sengun is in a great spot here, as we have been targeting New Orleans with centers all season with great success. He's not cheap, but he has flashed enough 50+ DK points games this year that I'm interested in his ceiling here for tourneys.

It helps that Fred VanVleet will be out for this one. In his absence, we usually see Amen Thompson and Sengun pick up the slack in terms of facilitating on offense and creating for their teammates.

Sengun is one of the most talented passers out of the high and low posts. He's averaged 6.5 assists in two games against New Orleans already this season. And the Pels look like they will have Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum in the lineup, so they could keep this game close enough for us to target it in DFS.

Others Under Consideration: LeBron James - SF/PF ($10.5K), Stephen Curry - PG ($9.3K)

 

DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks

Andrew Nembhard, IND – PG/SG ($5.0K), Aaron Nesmith, IND - SG/SF ($4.8K)

Two cheap Pacers who will help us fit in the stars we want are Nembhard and Nesmith. I will like them both more if we see Bennedict Mathurin sit out again. He's currently questionable, so keep an eye on that situation. But both players should start, regardless, in an up-tempo game that has a ton of DFS appeal.

Jalen Smith, CHI – C ($4.2K), Talen Horton-Tucker, CHI – SG/SF ($4.1K)

Nikola Vucevic is doubtful, so we should see Zach Collins and Jalen Smith split the minutes at the center position for Chicago tonight. Smith is an uber-efficient player who only needs 15-20 minutes to put up 20+ DK points.

Meanwhile, THT could be in line for another big allotment of minutes if Josh Giddey doesn't play (currently questionable). He played 30 minutes on Tuesday and posted an impressive 22-4-6, which was good for 36 DK points and nine times value on this price.

Wendell Carter Jr., ORL - C ($5.3K)

WCJ is coming off a dud but is still relatively cheap and has a great matchup here against Chicago. As I mentioned earlier, I don't mind paying down at the center position today; other than Sengun, I don't see any other high-priced big men worth using on this slate.

Others Under Consideration: Clint Capela - C ($4.5K), Tre Jones - PG  ($4.8K), Moses Moody - SG/SF ($4.6K)

 

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: Caris LeVert
  • My favorite CASH play on the slate: Draymond Green
  • My favorite GPP play on the slate: Alperen Sengun
  • My favorite VALUE play: Andrew Nembhard


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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Joe Mixon

Not Expected to Play This Season
Chris Godwin

Attending Thursday's Practice
Bucky Irving

Continues Practice Attendance
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Joe Burrow

Bengals Haven't Ruled Out Joe Burrow for Week 12
Connor McMichael

Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
Nic Dowd

Out on Thursday
Adam Lowry

Inks Extension With Jets
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Paolo Banchero

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Kawhi Leonard

Remains Out Against Magic
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Ruled Out for Two Weeks
Tyler Herro

Targeting Return on Monday
Brian Thomas Jr.

Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Jerami Grant

Available Wednesday Night
Jalen Brunson

Returns From Two-Game Absence
Jalen Smith

Available to Play Wednesday
Tre Jones

Downgraded to Out
Shaedon Sharpe

Misses Wednesday's Game
Dereck Lively II

Cleared for Action Wednesday
Daniel Gafford

Available Wednesday
Caleb Martin

Won't Play Against Knicks
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Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
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Absent Due to Ankle Injury
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Starts on Wednesday
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Joins Starting Unit Wednesday
Saddiq Bey

Cleared for Wednesday's Action
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Returns to Action Wednesday
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Out Wednesday
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Won't Play Wednesday
Conor Garland

to Return on Thursday
Thomas Harley

to Miss Road Trip
Eetu Luostarinen

Out Week-to-Week After Barbecue Accident
Curtis Lazar

to Miss at Least Three Games
Vladimir Tarasenko

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Remains Out Wednesday
Charlie McAvoy

Out Indefinitely After Facial Surgery
Joe Burrow

to Potentially Return in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Not Seen at Wednesday's Practice
Dak Prescott

Lands on Injury Report Ahead of Week 12 With Hip Injury
Rhamondre Stevenson

Targeting a Return in Week 12?
Isiah Pacheco

Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars "Optimistic" About Brian Thomas Jr.'s Week 12 Status
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Will Not Practice on Wednesday
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
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Commanders Considering Shutting Down Jayden Daniels?
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Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
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Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
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Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
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Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
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Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
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Ruled Out Again in Week 12
Drake London

Falcons Hoping That Drake London Will Return in Week 13
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Penix Jr.

Needs Reconstructive Surgery on Torn ACL
Jaxson Dart

Expected to Return to Practice on Wednesday
Shedeur Sanders

Will Start Against Raiders
Dalton Kincaid

Ruled Out Against Texans
Connor Bedard

Continues Tear With Hat Trick
Macklin Celebrini

Pots Hat Trick in Tuesday's Win
Jake Guentzel

Records Eighth Career Hat Trick
Sammy Blais

Injured Versus Blues
Alexander Romanov

Injured in Tuesday's Win
Ryan Hartman

Considered Week-to-Week
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

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PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

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Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
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Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
Matt Murray

to Miss Six Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

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CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
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Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
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Edwin Díaz

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Islam Makhachev

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