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Zach's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Wednesday, 1/22/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
This Wednesday, the NBA has a spectacular seven-game slate set up on DraftKings featuring some fun matchups, including several superstars squaring off. It should be a great night to soak in all the action, and there are plenty of top plays and values to consider as you assemble your fantasy team. Of the 14 teams taking the floor, only the Nets are playing the second half of a back-to-back set of games. That should leave us fairly regular rotations for most teams, although, at this point in the season, injuries are always a factor to keep a close eye on.
Wednesday's main slate features some strong fantasy options to consider, so let's look at the best of these matchups from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Chris Galligan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/22/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Donovan Mitchell, CLE – PG/SG ($8,400)
The Cavaliers are on the road in Houston this Wednesday and will be without Evan Mobley (calf) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) for a third straight game. The other Cavs have stepped up without Mobley, with Mitchell leading the way to back-to-back wins over the Timberwolves and Suns even without the rising star forward.
Mitchell has scored at least 33 points in three of his last four games with over 50 DraftKings points in each of those matchups as well.
Donovan Mitchell in 30 MINS vs Suns:
33 PTS
5 REB
5 AST
1 STL
4-9 3PTShooting Guard 1, Don’t Forget. 💫
pic.twitter.com/d5XOFCza8G— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) January 21, 2025
In the four games he has played so far this season without Mobley, Mitchell averaged 52.1 DraftKings points with a 34.4% usage rate and 31.5 points per game. The Rockets have been in very high-scoring games lately, so this should be a good pace-up spot to target Mitchell as he takes on more work.
Jalen Duren, DET – C ($5,500)
Wednesday's slate offers several strong midrange centers who offer elite value, and two go head-to-head as Duren's Pistons visit Atlanta and take on Onyeka Okongwu ($5,600) and the Hawks. Duren has been a little more stable, which is why he gets my pick as a core play while Okongwu is a strong tournament option discussed below.
Duren is coming off three straight double-doubles against the Pacers, Suns, and Rockets. In those games, he posted 43.25, 31.5, and 50 DraftKings points. He did a little bit of everything on Monday in Houston, finishing with 16 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks in 30 minutes.
He and the Pistons are in a good pace-up spot and getting him under $6,000 is a great way to save salary and still get a core with a very high ceiling.
Jalen Duren has been playing really good ball and is an underrated part of why Detroit is thriving
In December, he averaged 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks over 26.7 MPG
In January, those numbers are up to 11.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1… pic.twitter.com/fZmjsw1xqC
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) January 20, 2025
Others Under Consideration: Darius Garland - PG ($7,400), Jaren Jackson Jr. - PF/C ($8,400), Naz Reid - PF/C ($5,500)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
LaMelo Ball, CHA - PG ($10,700)
LaMelo Ball is hardly ever a bad play for fantasy when he's on the court. The 23-year-old is averaging 51.4 DraftKings points per game on the season, producing at the elite rate of 1.51 DraftKings points per minute.
Ball is a high-ceiling, high-floor play since he has the highest usage of any player in the NBA. He has scored at least 23 points in each of his last nine games and has at least nine assists in each of his last four contests as well. He has a five-figure salary but has also dropped 50+ DraftKings points in four of his last five, meaning he brings enough upside to be worth his salary.
Lamelo Ball shotmaking & creativity
He’s one of a kind. Nobody else hoops like this. pic.twitter.com/M5eUUBIlIC
— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) January 22, 2025
The Hornets are in Memphis on Wednesday, and since the Grizzlies play at the fastest Pace in the NBA, Ball should have a good chance to keep posting impressive numbers.
Desmond Bane, MEM - SG ($7,600)
On the other side of that matchup, Bane also brings great upside. He has been very consistent for the Grizzlies while the rest of the lineup continues to shift around him. Bane has scored 20+ points in five straight games, with over 34 DraftKings points in each of those contests.
He also showed his upside by torching the Spurs for 22 points and 14 assists on his way to 57.5 DraftKings points last Friday. Getting him under $8,000 is a great way to get a high ceiling without paying to the top of the salary structure.
Mark Williams, CHA - C ($7,000)
Williams has been extraordinary for the Hornets lately, and the Nick Richards trade has opened up even more minutes for the big man, who is proving he's fully over the injury issues that sidelined him for almost a full year.
Williams has four straight double-doubles coming into Wednesday night's game against the Grizzlies and had over 50 DraftKings points in three of those matchups.
Mark Williams, 9’9 standing reach pic.twitter.com/3z7XR56Z05
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 21, 2025
He continues to anchor Charlotte's frontcourt and has multiple blocks in each of his last two games as well. He'll have a tough matchup against Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400) in what will be an awesome showdown to enjoy on the blocks down low.
Onyeka Okongwu, ATL - C ($5,600)
There are so many strong center plays on Wednesday's seven-game slate that I'm using my UTIL on a center in just about every build. Okongwu has been surging lately for the Hawks, and the only reason he isn't a core play is that his role is a little less secure.
He has over 30 DraftKings points in four straight, dating back to his huge game against the Suns, where he posted 22 points and 21 rebounds in just 28 minutes on his way to 52.75 DraftKings points. He followed that up with big games against the Bulls and Celtics before slowing down a little in Monday's loss to the Knicks. Ironically, Monday was his first start ahead of Clint Capela ($4,700).
Whether he comes off the bench or sticks in the starting five, Okongwu will be a good play under $6,000 on Wednesday, especially if Jalen Johnson ($8,700; shoulder, questionable) is out.
Others Under Consideration: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG ($10,500), Anthony Edwards - PG/SG ($9,300), Kyrie Irving - PG/SG ($9,100), Devin Booker - PG/SG ($9,000), Jarrett Allen - C ($6,800), Jalen Green - SG ($7,700), Keyonte George - PG ($7,000), Tobias Harris - PF ($5,600)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Rob Dillingham, MIN – PG ($3,100)
The Timberwolves traded up to grab Dillingham with the No. 8 overall pick in last year's NBA Draft, but the rookie from Kentucky hasn't had much chance to make an impact. He has been hampered by an ankle sprain and has gotten limited opportunities, averaging just 9.8 minutes in 18 games this season.
However, the situation may be changing in a hurry for Dillingham now that Donte DiVincenzo (toe) is out indefinitely.
In each of the three games that DiVincenzo has missed, Dillingham has played over 13 minutes and been very productive. He had nine points and 14.25 DraftKings points against the Knicks, 12 points and 15.5 DraftKings points against the Cavs, and then a new career-high 15 points and 23.25 DraftKings points on Monday in Memphis.
Rob Dillingham, you will never be out of the rotation again.
15 points, three assists, and two rebounds so far today. He is a +15 in 16 minutes, which certainly backs up the eye test. pic.twitter.com/vEVwwqNr4g
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) January 20, 2025
He just turned 20 and is still a work in progress, but getting him at barely more than the minimum salary opens up so much potential on the rest of your roster. He should continue to work in a larger role for as long as DiVincenzo is out.
Nick Smith Jr., CHA – SG/SF ($3,200)
Let's stay ultra-cheap for another bargain play that sizzles with upside. Smith has scored 15 and 19 points in his last two games for the Hornets, finishing with 24.25 and 27.75 DraftKings points. With Brandon Miller (wrist) out indefinitely, Smith should continue to get a chance to make significant contributions for the Hornets.
Nick Smith Jr. 19 PTS on 7/13 (5/8 3P) pic.twitter.com/oOAFgEhpoA
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 20, 2025
At barely more than the minimum salary, he has excellent flexibility. He can fit at either guard or forward, making him an elite value that's easy to work into any build.
Cason Wallace, OKC – PG/SG($4,400)
With Jalen Williams ($8,200; hip) questionable, Wallace could continue to get more usage in the starting five, but Wallace has been productive enough to be a solid guard to consider regardless of Williams' status.
Cason Wallace's last 8 games
11.4 PPG
4.0 RPG
3.1 APG - 0.6 TPG
1.5 SPG
57% from 2
48% from 3
62 TS%
+90The long-term starter? pic.twitter.com/6qAlPhO20S
— TF (@ThunderFocus) January 20, 2025
Over those eight games, Wallace has averaged 25.1 DraftKings points, and he should continue to be a good value in this favorable spot against the Jazz on Wednesday.
Ausar Thompson, DET – SF/PF ($4,300)
There's a shortage of strong forward options overall on Wednesday, so let's finish with a good value if you opt to go cheap at the position. Thompson has been solid but not spectacular, which has kept his salary from ballooning like his brother's.
The Thompson twins were productive in their lone matchup of the regular season 👀
📊 Ausar: 11 PTS I 9 REB I 1 BLK
📊 Amen: 17 PTS I 6 REB I 5 AST I 3 STL #NBAPhilippines #NBAHighlights pic.twitter.com/ivRhBfOydN— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) January 21, 2025
Thompson has started each of his last seven games for the Pistons and produced 23.4 DraftKings points per game over that stretch. He had 11 points and nine rebounds in Monday's win on his way to 22.75 DraftKings points. He has been over 20 DraftKings points in six of those seven contests, making him a solid option to go with in what should be an up-tempo matchup in Atlanta.
Others Under Consideration: Isaiah Stewart - C ($3,100), Luguentz Dort - SG/SF ($4,500), Josh Green - SF ($3,500), Zach Edey - C ($3,900), Ty Jerome - PG ($3,600)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
Hornets at Grizzlies (239.5 total)
As you can tell from my picks above, the Hornets are a great place to start your lineups as my top stack of the day in this pace-up spot in Memphis.
LaMelo Ball ($10,700) and Mark Williams ($7,000) aren't cheap but can be mixed with Nick Smith ($3,200) and Josh Okogie ($3,000) to help even things out. Miles Bridges ($7,600) is another key piece of the stack to consider with usage available from Miller's injury.
On the other side, Desmond Bane ($7,600) and Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,400) are both solid anchors for a Memphis stack with Zach Edey ($3,900) extremely underpriced as well. Ja Morant ($8,500) is not on the injury report and always brings a high ceiling to the entire offense as well.
Pistons at Hawks (235.5 total)
The other game I really like targeting is this matchup in Atlanta, and like the Hornets, the Pistons are a solid stack to consider in a pace-up spot on the road.
Cade Cunningham ($10,200) continues his breakout season, and Jalen Duren ($5,500), Ausar Thompson ($4,300), and Tobias Harris ($5,600) have all been playing well lately. You can also sprinkle in Malik Beasley ($5,100) and Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,000) as outside shooting options who can go off if they get hot.
Any Hawks stack starts with Trae Young ($9,600), but Onyeka Okongwu ($5,600) has brought excellent value and is now in a starting spot. If Jalen Johnson ($8,700) plays, he'll be a strong option well, but if he sits, De'Andre Hunter ($5,900) and Vit Krejci ($4,400) will be good value plays to consider.
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: Donovan Mitchell
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jalen Duren
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: LaMelo Ball
- My favorite VALUE play: Nick Smith Jr.
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