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FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Friday, 2/21/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Alperen Sengun - Fantasy Basketball Rankings, DFS Picks, NBA Injury News

Dan's favorite FanDuel NBA DFS picks for today, Friday - 2/21/25. His top daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for FanDuel DFS contests.

We have a full nine-game slate on FanDuel tonight, while those who play on DraftKings have just six games to choose from. FanDuel has tended to include the late games more often this season, and I don't mind it. It might even give us an edge if we are willing to use players from those late games more often in our lineups.

I always make it a point to recommend some higher-priced players for cash games and GPPs while highlighting some of my favorite value plays and game stacks. If you want DraftKings picks, see who Zach Thompson likes by reading his piece here.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 2/21/25. 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 FanDuel. 

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FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

De'Aaron Fox, SAS - PG/SG ($9.3K) 

With Wemby going down for the season, Fox stepped up last night with a huge performance and didn't disappoint as heavy chalk, racking up 57 FD points against Phoenix.

Expect heavy rostership tonight again as Fox's price has not adjusted to his role on a Wemby-less Spurs team. Even with Detroit being a decent defensive team, it's hard to advocate for a fade of Fox here, as he's just too good of a player.

He's going to end up $10K+ very soon, and we should expect many more 50+ FD point outings going forward. I'll eat the chalk in cash and tournaments tonight.

Alperen Sengun, HOU - C ($8.7K)

The Rockets welcome back Jabari Smith Jr. but will still be without veteran point guard Fred VanVleet when they face the Timberwolves tonight. I like both sides of this game a lot, and I'm going to be anchoring lineups with Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who feels underpriced at $8.7K when he's been a $9K+ player for much of the season.

Sengun has been fantastic against the Timberwolves this season. He is a tough cover for Rudy Gobert with his ability to stretch the floor and his elite passing ability should be on display again as he helps to initiate the offense more with VanVleet out.

Gobert is questionable tonight, too, so Sengun could have an even better matchup if he ends up being guarded by an undersized player like Naz Reid or someone like Luka Garza.

Naz Reid, MIN - PF/C ($7.8K)

As a starter this season, Reid is averaging 39.6 FD points, and despite his recent run of production, he's still priced under $8K. He went for 44 FD points against the Rockets in 36 minutes when the teams last met earlier this month.

Anthony Edwards is questionable tonight, and if he misses, then Reid becomes the top option on offense for the Wolves. I'd rather Edwards play, as I think Reid is best suited as the second option in this offense.

Just because Reid has been a $5K player most of the season as a backup, it doesn't mean he's overpriced here. If anything, he's still a few hundred bucks too cheap for his steady production as a starter. He makes for a solid cash game option with a very reliable floor.

Others Under Consideration: Kyrie Irving - PG ($9.2K), Cade Cunningham - PG ($10.4K)

 

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

P.J. Washington, DAL - SF/PF ($7.2K)

Washington is currently questionable and missed a bunch of games leading up to the All-Star break; however, with another extra week of rest, he could be trending toward suiting up and we know that Dallas badly needs healthy bodies in its lineup -- especially big men.

Washington will likely play most of his minutes at center tonight, and the Pelicans have been brutal against big men, allowing huge production all season long on the interior.

We've seen Washington put up some big numbers when he's playing heavy minutes and getting an increased role this year. I'm taking advantage of a discount on his price here (he should be $8K) and hoping that the Q-tag keeps other DFS players away.

Paolo Banchero, ORL – SF/PF ($8.7K)

I made the mistake of going heavier on Franz Wagner yesterday than Paolo. It was Banchero who went off last night against Atlanta, reminding us and the rest of the league of what he's capable of doing.

He's now strung together three straight games with 40+ FD points. His offense is slowly ramping up, and he continues to be a plus rebounder and passer. He's running the offense from his PF position, averaging over five assists per game this season.

Memphis is playing its second game in as many nights, too, so this game could be high-scoring, and Orlando is getting an upgrade in pace here as well.

Jimmy Butler, GSW - SF/PF ($7.9K)

Butler has settled into his role in Golden State quite nicely. He's offering steady production as a secondary option next to Stephen Curry, and he brings a high ceiling with his ability to rack up defensive stats, as we saw when he cracked 50 FD points against the Bucks with four steals.

The Kings have been a poor defensive unit all season long, as I like attacking them with a player like Butler, who can do a lot of damage in the mid-range and at the basket (and free-throw line). His price is just high enough to keep players away, but he has an elite ceiling at this price point.

Repeat after me -- target players in the $7.5K to $8.5K range in tournaments for low ownership!

Others Under Consideration: Domantas Sabonis - PF/C ($9.8K), Jalen Duren - C ($6.9K), Isaiah Collier - PG ($5.9K)

 

FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Chris Paul, SAS – PG ($5.9K), Stephon Castle - PG/SG ($5.8K)

Both Spurs guards were solid last night in the first San Antonio game in the post-Wemby part of the season. Paul drew the start, dropping 10 dimes and playing more minutes than Castle, but Castle was very effective in his minutes and a force on the boards with 10 rebounds. They are only $100 different, and I'd get exposure to both guys in tournaments tonight.

Keldon Johnson, SAS - SF/PF ($4.2K)

Johnson is the cheapest Spurs value tonight that I trust. He went for 23 FD points in 25 minutes off the bench last night. That's plenty of time on the floor for him to make 5-6x value. He saves a ton of salary and is eligible for two positions. He's my favorite cheap building block on this slate.

Max Christie, DAL - SG/SF ($5.8K), Naji Marshall, DAL – SF/PF ($5.6K)

I'm stretching the value parameters here a little as these two Dallas wings are getting close to $6K but still positioned well tonight to keep their run of 30+ FD outings going as the Mavericks continue to be short-handed and have a good matchup against a bad New Orleans team.

Christie has been starting and playing heavy minutes. He's fresh off a season-high 40 FD points in his final game before the break. Meanwhile, Marshall is coming off the bench for Dallas but thriving in that role. He's a good bet for at least 25 FD points with a 40 FD-point ceiling if this game goes off.

Others Under Consideration: Kyshawn George - SF/PF ($5.1K), Bub Carrington - PG ($5.2K), Jose Alvarado - PG ($6.1K)

 

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: De'Aaron Fox
  • My favorite CASH play on the slate: De'Aaron Fox
  • My favorite GPP play on the slate: P.J. Washington
  • My favorite VALUE play: Keldon Johnson


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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
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Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
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Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
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Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
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Kai Kara-France

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Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
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Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

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TB

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Jordan Spence

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Matthew Knies

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Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
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Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Chase Elliott

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Brad Keselowski

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NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

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Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
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Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
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Spencer Schwellenbach

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Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
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Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

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Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
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Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
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Russell Wilson

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Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

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Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
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Looks For His Third Win In A Row
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Returns At UFC 317
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Adam Hadwin

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Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
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Joel Dahmen

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Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
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a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
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Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
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a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF