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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. 

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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

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Active on Sunday Night
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Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert Available Sunday
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Iffy for Monday
Larry Nance Jr.

Won't Play Sunday
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Monday's Action
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Officially Available for Game 1 Against Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Named MVP for Second Straight Year
Jonah Coleman

is an Intriguing Power Back to Target in Dynasty Leagues
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Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
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Lacking Long-Term Upside for Dynasty Managers
Keaton Mitchell

a Prime Dynasty Handcuff Option Entering First Season in L.A.
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Bucky Irving

Expected to Be Ready for Training Camp
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Deep Threat Kyle Williams Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time
Michael Pittman Jr.

Could Receive Short-Term Value Uptick in PPR Leagues
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A Dynasty Sell Candidate With Veteran QB Returning?
Bones Hyland

Wants to Stay in Minnesota
Mike Conley

Hints He Will Continue Playing Next Season
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Sunday Night
Caris LeVert

Questionable for Game 7
Duncan Robinson

Back on Injury Report Ahead of Game 7
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Likely Out Sunday Due to Illness
Munetaka Murakami

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Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Aaron Rodgers

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Blake Snell

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Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
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Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

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Mark Stone

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Considered Day-to-Day
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in Line for Reduced Role in Denver?
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Duncan Robinson

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Cade Cunningham

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Jalen Duren

Bounces Back With Double-Double
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Highly Effective in Blowout Win
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Kyle Schwarber

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Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Max Fried

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Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
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Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
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Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
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Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
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Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
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Daniel Santos

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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Tarik Skubal

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Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
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Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

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Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
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Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

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Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

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NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
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Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
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Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
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Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
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Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
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Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
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Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
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Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
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Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
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Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
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Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF