TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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. 

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

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


Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jack Hughes

Exits With Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Brad Marchand

Suffers New Injury Blow
Patrick Kane

Becomes NHL's Highest Scoring U.S-Born Player
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Expected to Miss a Week
Mike Conley

Sits Out Thursday's Game
Cason Wallace

Returns to Thunder Lineup
Rudy Gobert

Available Against Thunder
Collin Gillespie

Returns From One-Game Absence
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Take on Nets
Jamal Murray

Active Against Nets
Brandon Williams

Available Against Hornets
Klay Thompson

Back in Action Thursday
Grant Williams

Won't Play Against Mavericks
Brandon Miller

Ready to Continue Hot Streak Thursday
Kel'el Ware

Good to Go Against Bulls
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Available Against Hawks
Norman Powell

Ready for Action Thursday
Tyler Herro

Davion Mitchell Remain Out Thursday
Jalen Smith

Available Thursday Night
Tre Jones

Remains Out Against Heat
Josh Giddey

Won't Play Thursday
Dennis Schröder

Zach LaVine Coming Off the Bench Thursday, Dennis Schroder Starts
Malik Monk

Out Thursday
Joel Embiid

Ready to Face Kings
Quentin Grimes

Misses Second Straight Game
Ryan McDonagh

Ready to Rejoin Lightning Lineup
Logan Thompson

Unavailable Thursday
Dylan Guenther

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Shayne Gostisbehere

Ready to Face Mammoth
Anton Lundell

Out Thursday
Elias Lindholm

Won't Play Against Flyers
Evgeni Malkin

Good to Go Thursday
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Isaac Paredes

Not a Lock for Opening Day Lineup?
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
Corbin Carroll

a Top Fantasy Outfielder After Joining 30-30 Club
Jonah Tong

Won't Pitch in the World Baseball Classic
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
James Reimer

Stops Avalanche Wednesday Night
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Collects Two Points Against Avalanche
Ondrej Palat

Enjoys Multi-Point Debut With Islanders
Zach Werenski

Has Fifth Multi-Point Outing of the Month
Travis Konecny

Questionable for Thursday
Rasmus Ristolainen

Doesn't Finish Wednesday's Loss
Blake Coleman

Out Until Olympic Break
Aaron Judge

Appears to be Past his Elbow Issues
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Dan Vladar

Returns to Flyers Crease
Denton Mateychuk

Back in Action Wednesday
Stephen Halliday

Unavailable Versus Avalanche
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Evan Carter

Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP