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Zach's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Wednesday, 2/5/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
The NBA is ready to roll this Wednesday with a fun nine-game slate of games set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Everyone is excited to get a first look at the new-look Spurs in Atlanta, but that's just one of several interesting storylines to follow. Of the 18 teams in action, the Nets, Bulls, Cavs, Heat, Sixers, and Raptors are each playing for the second night in a row, while the Nuggets, Warriors, and Timberwolves are each starting a back-to-back set of games that will finish on Thursday.
With a deep player pool of 18 teams to examine, plenty of great options are available at a wide variety of price points. 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 Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/5/25. 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
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM – PF/C ($8,300)
With or without Ja Morant ($9,000), the Grizzlies continue to roll, and now that they'll be without Desmond Bane (foot) for a while, the team will continue to adjust and adapt to a new rotation. Jackson has been a consistent contributor all season for the Grizz and is coming off back-to-back big games on Sunday and Monday to lead Memphis to nice wins over the Bucks and Spurs.
On Sunday, he had 37 points and 49.75 DraftKings points and followed that with 31 points and 51.5 DraftKings points in just 31 minutes against the Spurs.
Jaren Jackson Jr. over his last 8 games:
31 PTS - 6 REB - 3 AST
37 PTS - 5 REB - 7 3PM
21 PTS - 4 REB - 4 AST
21 PTS - 4 REB - 2 BLK
28 PTS - 3 REB - 71% FG
29 PTS - 5 REB - 7 AST
22 PTS - 6 REB - 1 AST
24 PTS - 11 REB - 2 BLK(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/Dnp6tYqytv
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025
Over those eight games, he averaged 41.6 DraftKings points per game at the rate of 1.32 DraftKings points per minute. With Bane off the floor this season, Jackson's production climbs to 1.40 DraftKings points per minute, so he should continue to put up outstanding numbers while helping to carry more of the offensive workload.
On Wednesday night, he'll do that in a favorable road matchup in Toronto against the Raptors who may be without Chris Boucher ($3,600; illness) who missed Tuesday's games and Jakob Poeltl ($6,300; hip) who left with an injury. The Raptors give up the fifth-most DraftKings points per game to centers, so it will be a great matchup for Jackson either way.
Jamal Murray, DEN – PG ($7,700)
Another star stepping up who should continue to get more work while a teammate is out, Murray should be busy again on Wednesday with Russell Westbrook (hamstring) out a third straight game. Murray has 20+ points in four straight contests and went off for 52.25 and 60 DraftKings points in road games against the Knicks and Sixers last week.
On Monday, he had 20 points, eight assists, and 42.75 DraftKings points against the Pelicans, and he'll face the same favorable spot on Wednesday in the second game of their two-game set in Denver. Murray has averaged 44.1 DraftKings points in his three games this year against the Pelicans.
🇨🇦 Represent The Canadians 🇨🇦
Jamal Murray | vs. New Orleans
20 POINTS
8 ASSISTS
5 REBOUNDS
2 STEALS pic.twitter.com/TMZDxztK4M— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) February 4, 2025
Rudy Gobert, MIN – C ($6,800)
Continuing the theme of players from Western Conference teams without key pieces, Gobert has had to step up for the Timberwolves with Julius Randle (groin) out. Overall, Gobert has been solid this season, averaging 30.8 DraftKings in 33.2 minutes points per game, but he has stepped up in the last two games with 50 DraftKings points against the Wizards and 47.2 DraftKings points against the Kings.
🇫🇷 Rudy Gobert today highlights vs. Kings:
🏀 19 POINTS
🏀 13 REBOUNDS
🏀 3 ASSISTSTimberwolves lost to Kings 114-116 ❌ pic.twitter.com/PUyxCVt3J9
— DV highlights (@DVhighlights) February 4, 2025
Gobert is still under $7,000 in a great matchup against the Bulls on Wednesday. Chicago has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season and Gobert had 37.75 DraftKings points against them earlier this year, even though Randle played that game. Without Randle, Gobert has a good shot to outproduce his price point and be an excellent core play this Wednesday.
Others Under Consideration: Trae Young - PG ($9,600), Scottie Barnes - PG/SF ($9,300), Dyson Daniels - PG/SG ($7,300)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($12,800)
Look at that salary! Jokic is up to almost $13,000, and the numbers actually indicate he should be even more expensive. If you have the salary available and can make the rest of the roster work, The Joker is a great tournament play since he brings such incredible upside. He posted 83.25 DraftKings points against the Hornets and 70 DraftKings points against the Pelicans in his last two contests with a pair of beautiful triple-doubles.
Jokic is averaging a ridiculous 69.1 DraftKings points per game over his last 16 contests at the rate of 1.89 DraftKings points per minute. He smashed the Pelicans on Monday and will look to continue his dominance on Wednesday in the rematch.
The Western Conference @Kia Player of the Month for January is Nikola Jokić! #KiaPOTM
27.0 PPG | 12.8 RPG | 11.4 APG pic.twitter.com/hFYzl95LHb
— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2025
Trey Murphy III, NO - SG/SF ($8,100)
Without Dejounte Murray (Achilles) the Pelicans will have to lean very heavily on Murphy and CJ McCollum ($7,900) to carry the offense. Murphy is having a breakout season, averaging 22.6 points and 38.4 DraftKings points in 35.3 minutes per game.
He tied his career-high in the first game of this miniseries with the Nuggets, dropping 41 points in 31 minutes and finishing with 59.25 DraftKings points.
Trey Murphy III 41 on 13/21 (24 in Q3) pic.twitter.com/uYxNq2kLrS
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) February 4, 2025
That ceiling game definitely didn't come out of nowhere, though, because Murphy had 40 points and 56.25 DraftKings points in his previous game against Boston and has 50+ DraftKings points in five of his last 10 games. Getting him at just over $8,000 is a great way to get an elite ceiling without paying top dollar.
Jonas Valanciunas, WAS - C ($6,000)
Center is overstacked with good options at the position on Wednesday, so it makes sense to go with one in your UTIL spot. Valanciunas has been one solid midrange play to consider while carrying the load with Alexandre Sarr (ankle).
Valanciunas posted back-to-back double-doubles on the road against Minnesota and Charlotte to earn 30.5 and 42.5 DraftKings points, respectively. He had 14 points and a season-high 17 boards in his most recent game against the Hornets and should stay very active in another favorable spot on Wednesday in Brooklyn.
Keyonte George, UTA - PG ($6,300)
The emergence of rookie Isaiah Collier ($5,200) pushed George to the bench for the last six games for the Jazz, but he still continued to get good usage and post solid numbers, averaging 14.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 29.7 minutes per game in the second unit.
George could be back in the starting five on Wednesday, though, against the Warriors since Collin Sexton (ankle) will be out at least a week. George stepped up in the game that Sexton left early with 16 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds for an impressive 45 DraftKings points in 31 minutes.
Whether he stays in the second unit or returns to the lineup, Sexton's absence opens up enough work for this versatile guard to bring an extremely high ceiling at this salary, especially in an up-tempo matchup against Golden State.
Others Under Consideration: CJ McCollum - PG ($7,900), Cade Cunningham - PG ($10,500), Mark Williams - C ($8,700), Onyeka Okongwu - C ($6,500), Josh Giddey - PG ($7,100), D'Angelo Russell - PG/SG ($6,600), John Collins - PF/C ($6,700)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Christian Braun, DEN – SG/SF ($5,500)
Braun was also in my core plays, but since he's under $6,000, he is a great fit here in values. The third-year guard is putting together by far his best season in the NBA, and he has stepped up even more with Westbrook out. Braun is averaging personal bests across the board with 14.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 rebounds in 32.6 minutes per game.
On Monday, he had 11 points and 26.5 DraftKings points against the Pelicans, but he was even better on Saturday in Charlotte, where he showed off his ceiling with 47.25 DraftKings points on 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He has over 25 DraftKings points in three straight games and seven of his last nine contests.
Christian Braun in the @nuggets win over Charlotte:
⛏️ 24 PTS
⛏️ 11 REB
⛏️ 2 STLThe career year continues for 0️⃣ 😤 pic.twitter.com/59GfYWKah6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 2, 2025
Gradey Dick, TOR – SG ($4,200)
Dick got more work on Tuesday with RJ Barrett (concussion) unable to play, and he'll be a good value if Barrett is out again on Wednesday. On Tuesday against the Knicks, Dick finished with 14 points and 23.25 DraftKings points, giving him double-digit points in four straight games and 11 of his last 12.
While he doesn't typically stuff the stat sheet with non-scoring production in his complementary role next to Immanuel Quickley ($5,700) and Scottie Barnes ($9,300), he does bring consistent production at a high enough level to be worth considering at just over $4,000 like on Wednesday night's slate.
Vasilije Micic, CHA – PG ($4,800)
Aside from the game he left injured, Micic has been a consistent fantasy contributor while filling in for LaMelo Ball (ankle) in the Hornets' starting lineup. Micic had 13 points, five assists, and 25.75 DraftKings points against the Wizards on Monday after leaving Saturday's game against the Nuggets with an ankle injury.
🇷🇸 Vasilije Micić today highlights vs. Wizards:
🏀 13 POINTS
🏀 5 ASSISTS
🏀 3 REBOUNDSHornets lost to Wizards 114-124 ❌ pic.twitter.com/1D3krUIbcC
— DV highlights (@DVhighlights) February 4, 2025
Micic has double-digit points in six of his last seven games while filling in for Ball with the one exception being the game he left hurt. He has over 25 DraftKings points in three of his last four games as well, and he brings both a good floor and a good ceiling for as long as he keeps starting for Charlotte. He is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with Milwaukee, but if he plays his usual workload, he's a solid affordable point guard play.
Zaccharie Risacher, ATL – SF/PF ($4,500)
Risacher returned from a two-week absence due to injury and has stepped right back into a very key role for the Hawks, especially following the loss of Jalen Johnson (shoulder) for the season.
The No. 1 overall pick has scored double-digit points in each of his four games since returning, highlighted by his 30-point game against the Cavs last Thursday. In that monster game, Risacher finished with 39.25 DraftKings points in 25 minutes, but he has followed it up with two more strong games, producing 27.75 DraftKings points against the Pacers and 26.75 DraftKings points against the Pistons with 17 points in each contest.
Zaccharie Risacher's road trip:
3 Games
64 Points
0 Turnovers— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 4, 2025
Others Under Consideration: Stephon Castle - PG/SG ($5,300), Isaiah Collier - PG/SG ($5,200), Ricky Council IV - SF/PF ($4,300), Ja'Kobe Walter - SG/SF ($3,200), Rob Dillingham - PG ($3,500), Kelly Olynyk - C ($3,300)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Spurs at Hawks (240 total)
This is the game everyone will be watching and has the highest over/under on the slate. De'Aaron Fox ($8,000) is a wild card since we have no idea how he'll work with his new team but should step right into a large role. Stephon Castle ($5,300), Devin Vassell ($6,200), Keldon Johnson ($4,400), and obviously Victor Wembanyama ($10,800) have all been playing well lately but will have to adjust to the new rotation. They each come with high upside but also a little extra risk since we haven't seen them with Fox.
For the Hawks, Trae Young ($9,600), Onyeka Okongwu ($6,500), Zaccharie Risacher ($4,500), and Dyson Daniels ($7,300) have all stepped up and helped carry the load without Jalen Johnson. With Clint Capela (back) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (personal) out, Larry Nance Jr. ($4,400) and Vit Krejci ($4,800) will also be in the mix on Wednesday in what should be a high-scoring spot against San Antonio.
Grizzlies at Raptors (239.5 total)
Memphis plays with the fastest pace in the NBA, just barely edging out the Hawks. They'll head north of the border on Wednesday, and Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,300) and Ja Morant ($9,000) should carry the load while Bane is sidelined. The supporting cast around them has shifted a little as well, but Zach Edey ($4,800), Santi Aldama ($4,600), and Luke Kennard ($4,300) have all shown the ability to deliver excellent value. Marcus Smart ($3,800; finger) is also questionable and appears to be nearing a return after missing the last 21 games.
The Raptors' injury report will be an important one for the slate since Barrett, Poeltl, and Boucher are all uncertain. Their absences would open up big-time usage and value for the rest of the Raptors in a pace-up spot against Memphis. Scottie Barnes ($9,300) and Immanuel Quickley ($5,700) will be strong plays as they finish the back-to-back with Gradey Dick ($4,200) and Ja'Kobe Walkter ($3,200) as strong value plays. If Boucher and Poeltl are out, Kelly Olynyk ($3,300) and Orlando Robinson ($3,000) could end up with big minutes in the middle, making them potential punt plays with huge upside if minutes come their way.
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: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Rudy Gobert
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Trey Murphy III
- My favorite VALUE play: Christian Braun
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