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Max Kulish's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Tuesday, 4/8/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! Tonight, we have an eight-game slate, headlined by the Celtics at the Knicks on TNT. These articles focus on the best plays, typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate.
The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and access our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/8/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EDT on DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Ja Morant, MEM - PG ($8.9K)
Morant has scored 42+ fantasy points in nine straight games, and it's hard to imagine he'll struggle against the Hornets and their bottom-five defense. Morant hasn't played in five days due to a rest day on Sunday, and with so much uncertainty surrounding the upper echelon of pricing, it opens up a lot of room for someone priced as cheaply as Morant to access the slate's ceiling.
JA WINS IT FOR THE GRIZZLIES AT THE BUZZER 🚨🔥#TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/wK40AWOTmi
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2025
Darius Garland, CLE - PG ($7.8K)
Garland hasn't been very effective lately, only scoring 40+ fantasy points once in his last 11 games. Don't let that deter you tonight, the spot is too good to pass up. With Donovan Mitchell ruled out, this game sporting the highest implied total on the slate, and the Bulls' allowing the third-most fantasy PPG to PGs, Garland checks all the boxes as a premier core play.
Others Under Consideration: Trae Young, ATL - PG ($10.1K), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC - PG ($11.4K)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Anthony Edwards, MIN - SG ($9.4K)
Edwards always profiles well for cash games due to his extreme volume, but with PG being the most top-heavy position on the slate, it's hard to pair Edwards with one of those heavy hitters. This should result in his ownership coming in lower than usual, and perhaps even into the single digits.
Paolo Banchero, ORL - PF ($9.8K)
Banchero is a nightly threat for a triple-double. However, at this price tag, even a balanced box score can fall short in DFS if a player doesn't score enough points. Banchero scored 31 & 36 in his two previous matchups with the Hawks this season. The Hawks allow the second-most fantasy PPG to PFs, which makes this an appealing matchup and could provide Banchero with a monster boxscore.
Others Under Consideration: Myles Turner, IND - C ($6.1K), Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - PF/C ($12.6K), Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C ($9.8K)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
The Lakers
As of the time of writing, the Lakers have ruled six of their top seven players as either questionable or out against the Thunder. The Lakers, who are currently the No. 3 seed, are right in the thick of a six-team cluster in the West that is separated by two games in the playoff race.
It would make sense to give all their key players a night off against the best team in the NBA, which seems to be the direction things are heading. Two guys that feel like shoe-ins for expanded roles tonight are Jaxson Hayes and Dalton Knecht, but of course, this will ultimately depend on what the Lakers decide to do with their injury report.
Reece Beekman, BKN - PG ($4K)
This play is very straightforward; Beekman stepped into the Nets' starting lineup in the absence of D'Angelo Russell and Keon Johnson and posted 31.5 fantasy points in 36 minutes of playing time. He profiles as a great value and has a plus matchup with the Pelicans.
Others Under Consideration: Jalen Wilson, BKN - SG/SF ($4.1K), Ty Jerome, CLE - PG ($4.3K), Yves Missi, NO - C ($5.3K)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Bulls at Cavs (238.5 O/U)
One of two games with the highest implied total on the slate, this one should be the most widely played. With big names sitting out for both teams, the value available on both sides is strong top to bottom.
Wizards at Pacers (238.5 O/U)
Besides being tied for the highest implied total on the slate, what stands out about this game is how ridiculously easy it is to stack, with only one player priced higher than $8K. Overall, I think this game is better suited for tournaments, due to the inconsistencies of the Wizards' younger players and the large number of mid-range options.
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: Ja Morant
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Darius Garland
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Paolo Banchero
- My favorite VALUE play: Ty Jerome
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