RADIO
Zach's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Wednesday, 3/12/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
After a monster slate on Monday and a smaller slate on Tuesday, the NBA is looking for that "just right" size by going with a seven-game slate this Wednesday night on DraftKings. There are actually nine games on the schedule for Wednesday, but the two games that start at 10:00 p.m. ET are on a different slate. Of the 14 teams in the main player pool, only the Clippers are playing for a second night in a row as they visit the Heat. None of these teams are scheduled to play on Thursday.
Even without as many back-to-back sets of games, injuries and rest are huge pieces of the slate each night. Looking at the information we have coming into the day, let's dive in and find some of the top options from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. For FanDuel advice, check out my colleague Thunder Dan's breakdown of Wednesday's slate.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/12/25. 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.
DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Dyson Daniels, ATL – PG/SG ($7.3K)
The Hawks were without Trae Young ($10K; quad) on Monday, and the superstar point guard is questionable for Wednesday's home game against the Hornets. In his absence, Daniels stepped up with 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and 48.5 DraftKings points.
The Great Barrier Thief rolls on! 🔥
Dyson Daniels continues to thrive, adding another great scoring night to his already impressive campaign.
📊 25 PTS | 9 AST | 6 REB | 2 STL | W pic.twitter.com/gMRIw3rJQF
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) March 11, 2025
Daniels has been excellent all season for Atlanta and is averaging 38.7 Draftgns points in his 17 games since February 1. He averaged 45.25 DraftKings points in the four games he played without Trae, so if Young sits again on Wednesday, Daniels will be a great core piece to build around.
Even if Trae returns, Daniels offers enough multi-category production to be a solid play at just over $7K, but his ceiling is much higher if he's running the offense in this favorable spot against Charlotte.
Desmond Bane, MEM – SG ($8.3K)
After putting together an impressive week last week, Bane had an off night on Monday, managing only 24.75 DraftKings points in a win over the Suns. He should be able to bounce back on Wednesday in a very favorable matchup against the Jazz, who allow more DraftKings points per game to shooting guards than any other team in the NBA.
Over his last few games, Bane has been getting more usage due to the injury to Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle). Before Monday's letdown, Bane posted over 45 DraftKings points in five of his previous six games, including a huge triple-double against the Hawks that earned him 66 DraftKings points.
Over his last seven games, he has played a team-high 36.6 minutes per game while producing 48.1 DraftKings points per contest on a 25.4% usage rate. His usage with or without Jackson on the floor is stable, but he does more work on the glass when Jackson isn't locked in down low.
Desmond Bane is putting up career highs in FG%, off rebounds, def rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and AST/TO ratio, all while shooting 49/37/88 on the lowest usage rate since his rookie year.
But hey, don’t let the facts get in the way of your agenda.
— WrippedJitty (@WrippedJitty) March 12, 2025
John Collins, UTA – PF/C ($6.6K)
Collins hasn't played very much over the last few weeks, but when he has been available, he has been very effective, and he is not on the injury report for Wednesday against Bane and the Grizzlies. Collins will be in a good matchup with JJJ and Santi Aldama (calf) being out, while Zach Edey ($4.8K; ankle) and Brandon Clarke ($4.2K; knee) are questionable. The Grizzlies typically play so fast that it's a great pace-up matchup for Utah.
On Monday, Collins played just his third game since the All-Star break. He logged 34 minutes against the Celtics and finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 49 DraftKings points. He also had 49 DraftKings points in his previous start, which was almost two weeks ago. He had 29 points and 12 rebounds in just 27 minutes in that game against the Timberwolves.
John Collins this season:
18.9 points
8.2 rebounds
2.1 assists
1.0 block
1.0 steal52.4% from the field
40.0% from 3pt range
85.4% from FT line62.6% TS%
12 of the Jazz 15 wins have come in games John plays in.
Utah is 3-23 without JC in the lineup. pic.twitter.com/H1jBjwmnMO
— Karce (@Karsonnnn) March 11, 2025
When he's been available, he's been productive, and he is a great play under $7K against Memphis on Wednesday.
Others Under Consideration: Alperen Sengun - C ($9.7K), Ja Morant - PG ($9.3K), Onyeka Okongwu ($7.1K)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC - PG ($11.4K)
The Thunder are in Boston to take on the defending champs in the marquee matchup of the night. SGA always brings a very high ceiling if you can afford to save up the salary cap space to spend on him. Even though he's pricey, he has been delivering big enough games to still be a solid value lately.
On Monday, SGA and the Thunder lost to the Nuggets in the second game of their back-to-back set. That loss snapped a six-game winning streak, and during that streak, SGA had 30+ points and 55+ DraftKings points five times.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Michael Jordan as the only players in the last 40 years to record 30+ PTS in 40+ games over 3 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A826noAHvc
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) March 10, 2025
He had 40 points and 64 DraftKings points on Sunday against Denver, and he usually rises to the occasion with huge stat lines when the Thunder have a big showdown like this one. Earlier this season, he had 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 67.25 DraftKings points against the Celtics.
He'll have to carry even more work on Wednesday without Jalen Williams (hip). In the three games he has played without Williams this season, SGA had a 35.8% usage rate and averaged 51.8 DraftKings points per contest.
Jalen Green, HOU - PG/SG ($7.2K)
The Rockets won't have Amen Thompson (ankle) but will likely get back Fred VanVleet ($6.8K; ankle, probable) on Wednesday night when they host the Suns. Phoenix has allowed the most points per game in the NBA over its last 15 contests, so this should be a great spot for Green to step up and score.
On Monday, without Thompson and FVV, Green had 15 points and eight assists to produce 39.25 DraftKings points and lead the Rockets to the win over the Magic.
Jalen Green to Alperen Sengun easy bucket
— AlperenSengunMuse (@AlperenMuse) March 11, 2025
In what should be a higher-scoring game against the Suns, Green has a very high ceiling since he can put up points in a hurry. Getting FVV next to him in the backcourt could jumpstart his offensive game after a few lower-scoring games over the last week, and his ceiling is high enough to make him a strong tournament option.
Jakob Poeltl, TOR - C ($6K)
The Raptors will be without RJ Barrett (personal), Immanuel Quickley (rest), and possibly Scottie Barnes ($8.7K; hand, questionable) when they take on the 76ers on Wednesday night. Poeltl just rested on Monday, so he's not on the injury report and is expected to return for this favorable matchup against Philly.
Poeltl has been resting off and on lately but has produced over 34 DraftKings points in each of the last three games he played. On Saturday, he had 21 points, five assists, five rebounds, and 37.75 DraftKings points in just 24 minutes against Washington.
He may have to work with a patchwork lineup, but he should get enough usage to be a strong play at just $6K, and he brings a high ceiling, especially if Andre Drummond ($5.4K; illness, questionable) is out or at less than full strength.
Klay Thompson, DAL - SG/SF ($6.4K)
The Mavericks have been stretched extremely thin by all their recent injuries, but Thompson has stepped up to carry more of the scoring load and shown enough upside to be a solid tournament play when the Mavs head to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Wednesday.
Klay has 25+ points in three of his last four games, including in the first game of this two-game set on Monday. Thompson had 26 points and 34.5 DraftKings points in the Mavs' 133-129 victory.
Klay Thompson in his last four games:
23.8 PPG
3.8 RPG
3.0 APG
37.8% 3PT (11.3 3PA)Vintage Klay hoops.
pic.twitter.com/VQu7uwrbac— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) March 12, 2025
With a rematch on Wednesday and plenty of work expected to come his way, Thompson is a very solid option and brings good eligibility at guard and forward to make him fit in many lineup constructions as a solid mid-salary target with good upside.
Others Under Consideration: Scottie Barnes - PG/SF ($8.7K), Devin Booker - PG/SG ($9.2K), Stephon Castle - PG/SG ($6.3K), Derrick White - PG/SG ($7.1K), Isaiah Collier - PG ($6.2K), Kevin Durant - SF/PF ($9.8K), Chet Holmgren - PF/C ($8K)
Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Jamie Calandro! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Jamie's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code ZTsports at checkout to save 10 percent.
DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
A.J. Lawson, TOR – SG ($4K)
With the Raptors missing so many regulars, they bring a ton of potential value to their matchup against the Sixers. Lawson has been playing big minutes for them over the past few games, even with IQ and Barrett in the mix, and he has shown a good fantasy upside. On Monday, he had a massive game with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 53.5 DraftKings points.
A.J. Lawson goes off for career highs in points, threes and rebounds to lift the @Raptors!
🔥 32 PTS
🔥 12 REB
🔥 7 3PM pic.twitter.com/fPyGsPssZO— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2025
Lawson has played 25+ minutes in four straight and should be in for a big workload again on Wednesday, making him a steal at only $4K.
Keldon Johnson, SA – SF/PF ($4.6K)
The Spurs have had to adjust to life without Victor Wembanyama (blood clot), and one player who has helped pick up some of the available work has been Keldon Johnson. Johnson has scored at least 11 points in 10 of his 11 games since the All-Star break.
Keldon Johnson since the All-Star Break:
- 16.6 PPG
- 61/44/70 splits
- 70% true shootingHe has the second highest eFG% in the entire league over that span 😳 pic.twitter.com/gDIDboQ7Hu
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) March 11, 2025
On Monday against the Mavs, KJ had 37.75 DraftKings points while matching his season-high with 28 points in 29 minutes. His scoring has been steady, and if he mixes in some non-scoring stats, he brings a good ceiling as a forward under $5K.
Lonnie Walker IV, PHI – SG ($4.3K)
Walker joined the Sixers around the All-Star break after spending time in the EuroLeague with Zalgiris Kaunas. He went off for 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 50.25 DraftKings points against the Jazz on Sunday and has posted over 24 DraftKings points in four of his five games this month.
Lonnie Walker IV 25-11-5 in the W pic.twitter.com/mgy6Yq4F9Q
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 10, 2025
With Tyrese Maxey (back/finger) and Paul George (groin) out and Kelly Oubre Jr. ($6.8K; ankle) questionable, there should be plenty of opportunity again for Walker. His recent emergence has been one of the few bright spots this season for the Sixers, and he has proven that he can still produce in the NBA, likely earning a bigger opportunity going forward.
Mouhamed Gueye, ATL – PF/C ($3.7K)
Gueye has started the last 11 games in a row for the Hawks, and his production is starting to increase as he adjusts to the NBA after a successful run in the G League. Gueye has played over 21 minutes in each of his last four games and produced at least 14 DraftKings points. He had one of his best games of the season on Monday while helping to fill in for the absence of Trae Young.
He still only played 21 minutes but had 14 points, seven rebounds, and 32.75 DraftKings points against the Sixers.
Mo Gueye in 21 min (+14)
14 PTS
7 REB
2 BLK
1 STL#TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/rDPgrABWF5— Coach Ant (@CoachAntG) March 11, 2025
With his salary under $4,000, Gueye is a solid place to get some great value as the Hawks host the Hornets.
Others Under Consideration: Collin Sexton - PG/SG ($5.6K), Jamal Shead - PG ($4.4K), Harrison Barnes - SF/PF ($4.6K), Nick Richards - C ($4.4K), Cason Wallace - PG/SG ($4.5K), Jamison Battle - SF ($3.2K), Jared Rhoden - SG ($3.3K), Brandon Clarke - C ($4.2K)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Jazz at Grizzlies (239.5 total)
The Grizzlies are in the top game stack once again. They led the NBA in pace during this season, but the Jazz have had the highest pace in the league over their last five games. Both teams rank in the top 10 in the NBA in most points allowed per game over the last 10 games
The Jazz have rested lots of players lately but could have most available on Wednesday. Keyonte George ($7K; foot) is doubtful, and Lauri Markkanen ($6.9K; back) is questionable, along with Jordan Clarkson ($6.4K; foot). If George does sit, there will be more work for Collin Sexton ($5.6K) and Isaiah Collier ($6.2K) in the backcourt as part of a good stack with John Collins ($6.6K) and Walker Kessler ($7.2K). Kyle Filipowski ($5.9K) has shown upside but may struggle for playing time with more players healthy.
The Grizzlies are a great stack to build around, too, with Desmond Bane ($8.3K) and Ja Morant ($9.3K) as the major core pieces. Without JJJ and Adlama, Brandon Clarke ($4.2K) and GG Jackson II ($4.2K) have been getting more work at power forward, while Vince Williams Jr. ($3.8K) has also been ramping back up and is off the injury report for Wednesday. Luke Kennard ($4.3K) is also ready to return after missing two games, and Jay Huff ($3.9K) will be a good bargain play if Zach Edey ($4.8K) is out.
Mavericks at Spurs (237.5 total)
The Mavericks and Spurs just played on Monday, with the Mavs winning, 133-129. P.J. Washington ($7.3K; ankle) is questionable, but the Mavs will still deal with multiple absences, even if he returns. Naji Marshall ($7.5K) and Klay Thompson ($6.4K) have been carrying more of the work, with Spencer Dinwiddie ($5.7K) chipping in as well at times. Dante Exum ($4.3K; hamstring) is also questionable, and if he's out, Dinwiddie and Max Christie ($5.3K) would pick up additional usage in the backcourt.
On Monday it was Harrison Barnes ($4.6K) who led the way with 29 points and 44.5 DraftKings points. He and Keldon Johnson ($4.4K) may have to step up and carry the load again on Wednesday since Devin Vassell ($6.1K; wrist) and Jeremy Sochan ($5K; calf) are questionable. Stephon Castle ($6.3K) will also be a very strong play as he continues to take on more work as well.
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: Dyson Daniels
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: John Collins
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- My favorite VALUE play: A.J. Lawson
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!
