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Zach's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Monday, 3/26/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
The final Wednesday of March features a six-game main DFS fantasy basketball slate on DraftKings. While contests lock at 7:00 p.m. ET when the Wizards and Sixers tip off in Philly, three games get started at 7:30 p.m. ET in Brooklyn, New York, and Indianapolis. The two later games wrap up the action at 9:00 p.m. ET from Brooklyn and 10:00 p.m. ET from Phoenix. With 12 teams to choose from, plenty of options are available at a wide variety of salaries as you build a winning roster on Wednesday.
Of the 12 teams in action, only the Knicks are playing for the second day in a row while the Pacers, Lakers, and Wizards are scheduled to finish their back-to-back set of games on Thursday. Taking a look at all the matchups, some players stand out as strong options from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. Check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks here!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/26/25. 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
Jamal Murray, DEN – PG/SG ($8.6K)
The Nuggets will likely remain without Nikola Jokic ($12.5K; ankle, doubtful) on Wednesday when they host the Bucks, who remain without Damian Lillard (calf). Since Murray will have to carry more of the offense and have a favorable matchup against Dame's backups, he's one of the top plays to build around on Wednesday.
Murray missed a couple of games with an ankle injury of his own, but he returned with 39 points and 56 DraftKings points against the Rockets on Sunday, followed by 28 points and 47.75 DraftKings points against the Bulls on Monday.
Jamal Murray stuffed the stat sheet in a big win for the Nuggets!
🎯 39 PTS
🎯 7 AST
🎯 4 REB
🎯 4 3PMDenver wins the battle of West #2 vs. #3. pic.twitter.com/ybWJqhLnDC
— NBA (@NBA) March 24, 2025
Murray has at least 42 DraftKings points in five of his last seven games and has averaged a team-leading 40.9 DraftKings points in the nine games he has played this season without Jokic. In those games, his usage increases by more than a full percentage point to 25.5%. Against the Bucks' backups, he has an extremely high ceiling on Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard, LAC – SF/PF ($8.8K)
The Clippers listed James Harden ($9.8K; foot) as questionable for Wednesday's game in New York City, which could leave even more work for Kawhi Leonard. Harden has played in all but three games this season, and Kawhi has not played one without his running mate all year.
Although he's been limited to 28 games this season, Kawhi's production has been outstanding lately. He has played in 12 of the team's last 14 games, averaging 41.8 DraftKings points on 23.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals in 36.3 minutes per game.
Kawhi Leonard has averaged 26.3 PPG on 67.4% TS over his last six games ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9aOYHWQju0
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 24, 2025
He has been remarkably consistent with at least 23 points and at least 43 DraftKings points in six straight and should be able to keep rolling on Wednesday in his visit to Madison Square Garden, where he has scored 25+ points in four of his last six games.
Alexandre Sarr, WAS – C ($6.3K)
The Wizards' rotation is frustratingly inconsistent from a fantasy perspective, but they usually do a good job of getting Sarr enough minutes to produce. The No. 2 overall pick from last year's draft has shown a very high ceiling and a ton of upside over the last month.
In his last 11 games, Sarr averaged 35.4 DraftKings points on 17.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 blocked shots per game. He has over 32 DraftKings points in six of his last seven games, highlighted by a 34-point game against the Nuggets that earned him 54.5 DraftKings points.
Alex is makin' his presence known 💪 pic.twitter.com/XLVH52FVz8
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 25, 2025
He's still very affordable for this matchup with the Sixers, who remain extremely short-handed in the frontcourt, leaving him a great matchup on Wednesday.
Others Under Consideration: Karl-Anthony Towns - C ($10K), Tyrese Haliburton - PG ($8.4K), Scottie Barnes - PG/SF ($8.7K), OG Anunoby - SF/PF ($6.9K)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - PF/C ($11.5K)
The Bucks could be without Lillard for a while, which could mean that they'll lean even more heavily on Giannis to carry the load on offense. Antetokounmpo posted back-to-back 30-point double-doubles in the last two games on the Bucks' current trip, earning 62.25 DraftKings points against the Kings and 54 DraftKings points against the Suns.
This Giannis Antetokounmpo guy is pretty good. Oso Ighodaro is still trying to figure out where Giannis went pic.twitter.com/zIvov2cMtf
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) March 25, 2025
In his seven games this season without Lillard, Giannis averaged 56.6 DraftKings points in 32.4 minutes per contest with a 38.1% usage rate.
He's questionable for Wednesday's matchup with a foot injury, but if he plays through the issue, he'll be a great pay-up option with an extremely high ceiling as the Bucks look to knock off the Nuggets.
Quentin Grimes, PHI – PG/SG ($9.1K)
The Sixers game Grimes Monday night off for rest, but he is not on the injury report for Wednesday, so he should be ready to return to a starring role against the Wizards. He has filled in admirably for all the injured Sixers and produced over 40 DraftKings points in eight straight games.
Quentin Grimes is putting together an incredible March:
28.2 points
5.1 assists
4.9 rebounds
2.2 steals
63.1 TS%
40.9 3PT%The Sixers possess Grimes’ restricted free agent rights this summer, but don’t be surprised if a team makes an aggressive offer. pic.twitter.com/dhet1oikVt
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 24, 2025
A well-rested Grimes should be set to go off against the Wizards on Wednesday. No team in the NBA has given up more DraftKings points per game to point guards than Washington this season.
Kristaps Porzingis, BOS – C ($8.4K)
The Celtics will likely be without Jayson Tatum ($11K; ankle, doubtful) in Phoenix on Wednesday night, leaving more work for the rest of the roster to pick up. Jaylen Brown ($8.9K) just returned from his own injury issue, so Porzingis could be in a place to carry the load on Wednesday in a favorable matchup against the Suns.
Porzingis had 35.5 DraftKings points on Monday against the Kings, but before that, he posted back-to-back double-doubles that earned him over 50 DraftKings points against the Nets and Jazz.
Kristaps Porzingis is going nuts in his return to action 👏
24 points (12 in 4th)
8-of-13 FGpic.twitter.com/q91m9O2468— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 16, 2025
He played 31 minutes in that win over the Kings, so he seems to be past the viral illness that sidelined him earlier this month and ready to get in form down the stretch and into the postseason.
Porziningis is a little too volatile to be a core play for me on this slate, but I love his upside, especially without Tatum.
Justin Edwards, PHI - SF/PF ($5.7K)
The Sixers have been getting great work from Edwards, who has emerged as a fantasy force over the last few games. In each of his last five contests, Edwards has scored at least 18 points and chipped in strong enough non-scoring numbers to average 33.2 DraftKings points per game.
Justin Edwards in the last 5 games:
20.6 PPG
46.8% FG
50% 3PT
3.2 RPG
1.0 SPGUndrafted rookie btw
pic.twitter.com/Pd07OdYBI6— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) March 25, 2025
For as long as the Sixers stay so short on options, look for the rookie to stay very involved. He isn't as cheap as he was at the start of this productive stretch, but he still makes a lot of sense at his salary under $6K.
Others Under Consideration: LeBron James - SF/PF ($10.3K), Derrick White - PG/SG ($8.1K), Michael Porter Jr. - SF/PF ($7.2K), Nicolas Claxton - C ($5.9K), Pascal Siakam - PF ($8.2K), Jordan Poole - PG ($6K), D'Angelo Russell - PG ($5.8K)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Jamal Shead, TOR – PG ($4.4K)
With so many players injured or resting, there is no shortage of value plays on Wednesday. Shead will likely get the start in place of Immanuel Quickley (rest). The rookie started in IQ's place on Sunday against the Spurs and had a career-high 17 points, six assists and 30 DraftKings points in 27 minutes.
17 points for Jamal Shead tonight—career-high vibes ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ilwbo1Mwqe
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 24, 2025
He had 14 points in just 20 minutes the following night off the bench and has at least 23 DraftKings points in five of his last six games.
On the road against the Nets, he's a great value option under $5K this Wednesday as he looks to continue this strong run as he closes out his rookie season.
DeAndre Jordan, DEN – C ($5K)
Jordan didn't play at all for 10 straight games earlier this month, including the first three games that Jokic was out. On Sunday, though, he got the start against the Rockets and went off for 11 points, 17 rebounds, and 38.75 DraftKings points against the Rockets while starting and playing 38 minutes.
DeAndre Jordan : 11 points (5-7 shooting & 1-3 from the FT line), season-high 15 rebounds & 4 assists in a season-high 38 minutes pic.twitter.com/31smFe5Y7T
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) March 24, 2025
He followed that up on the second night of Denver's back-to-back with another start against the Bulls. He only played 31 minutes in that game but finished with 43.75 DraftKings points on 10 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists.
I'm not sure exactly where this spry version of Jordan came from, but if he gets another start on Wednesday against the Bucks, he needs to be on your radar at this salary.
Kevin Porter Jr., MIL – PG ($4.6K)
With Dame out, the Bucks will turn to Ryan Rollins ($4.5K) and Porter to fill in the backcourt. Rollins had 30.75 DraftKings points in his first start in Lillard's place but managed just 8.5 and 18.75 DraftKings points in his two games since. Porter had just 10.5 DraftKings points in Rollins' big game but posted 30.75 and 20.5 DraftKings points in the last two games.
While both options are volatile, Porter offers more scoring upside and could be given more of the work now that it looks like Dame will be out a while. KPJ has shown a very high ceiling but has also had a wildly fluctuating role sine arriving in Milwaukee at the trade deadline.
Ryan Dunn, DEN – SF/PF ($4.4K)
Dunn started the last six games for the Suns while Bradley Beal (hamstring) is out, and the rookie has been very solid. He averaged 28.4 DraftKings points on 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 27.7 minutes per game.
RT TO MAKE RYAN DUNN'S POSTER BE SEEN BY EVERYONE 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/QmF3wj4LkV
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 25, 2025
Dunn and the Suns will have a tough matchup against Boston, but he's a great value given his extra workload lately.
Others Under Consideration: Ziaire Williams - SG/SF ($4.5K), Trendon Watford - PF/C ($4.6K), Ochai Agbaji - SF/PF ($4K), AJ Johnson - PG/SG ($4.5K), Tristan Vukcevic - C ($4.3K), Gary Trent Jr. - SG/SF ($4.4K), Colin Castleton - PF/C ($4.1K)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Lakers at Pacers (235 total)
The Lakers are a little tricky to figure out while Luka Doncic ($12K), LeBron James ($10.3K), and Austin Reaves ($8.3K) are all available. If any of those three sit, the other two become great values, but the usage is uncertain if all are healthy. They are an expensive risk to take on Wednesday, although Jaxson Hayes ($4.7K) and Dorian Finney-Smith ($4.4K) do have solid potential as value plays under $5K.
The Pacers have been getting great numbers from Tyrese Haliburton ($8.4K) when the All-Star point guard is available. Hali has 11 straight double-doubles and fuels the offense, with Pascal Siakam ($8.2) featuring as his co-star in the frontcourt. Myles Turner ($6.4K) always has a boom-or-bust high ceiling, while Bennedict Mathurin ($5.2K) and Andrew Nembhard ($5.6K) bring a lot of upside but have higher salaries from when Hali was out. Obi Toppin ($4.3K) has also been outstanding off the bench for the Pacers over their past several games.
Wizards at 76ers (230 total)
It probably won't be the prettiest game to watch, but since both the Wizards and Sixers are great matchups to stack against, this early contest will be very important to the slate this Wednesday.
The Wizards listed Kyshawn George (ankle), Khris Middleton (ankle), and Marcus Smart (finger) out for this game, which helps bring a little clarity. If Alexandre Sarr ($6.3K) gets his normal minutes, he should be an outstanding play, while Jordan Poole ($6K) and Bub Carrington ($5.3K) both have been volatile options with high ceilings in the backcourt. AJ Johnson ($4.5K), Justin Champagnie ($4.6K), and Colby Jones ($3.4K) will fill in for George and Middleton on the wing and bring affordable value as well.
You can definitely build around Quentin Grimes ($9.1K) as the centerpiece of the stack with Guerschon Yabusele ($5.8K), Justin Edwards ($5.7K), and Chuma Okeke ($5K) as solid midrange plays in the mix as well. Adem Bona ($4.8K) to 19 minutes in his return but has also shown a high ceiling, while Marcus Bagley ($3.3K) is the latest addition to the rotation on a 10-day contract.
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: Jamal Murray
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Alexandre Sarr
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Quentin Grimes
- My favorite VALUE play: Jamal Shead
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