X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Tuesday 1/21/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Nikola Jokic - NBA DFS Lineup Picks, Betting Picks, Daily Fantasy Basketball

CeeGee's favorite FanDuel NBA DFS picks for today, Tuesday 1/21/25. His top daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for FanDuel DFS contests.

What’s up, RotoBallers! After an action-packed MLK Day slate yesterday, we’re dialing it back a bit today with a smaller 5-game slate tonight. As usual, key injury news will create plenty of opportunities to find an edge in your DFS lineups.

I’m here to help you navigate this slate and strike the perfect balance between cash game safety and tournament upside. Let’s dive into the top FanDuel plays and start building those winning lineups!

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/21/25. 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. 

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code WIN! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks

Nikola Jokic - DEN - C ($12,700)

Jokic is the most expensive player on Fanduel tonight, but, he is as safe as it gets and a near-lock for 65+ fantasy points in this matchup. He's been on a tear recently with 4 triple-doubles in his last 5 games and tonight he gets a matchup against the Sixers without Joel Embiid.

Jokic is in a prime spot to dominate against a Philadelphia frontcourt that simply lacks the size and skill to slow him down. Jokic does it all scoring, rebounding, assisting and he’s averaged 68.5 FD this season. Denver’s implied team total is 121.5 and we know the offense will run through him. If you’re building around one player tonight, Jokic is your guy. His versatility makes him safe for any format.

Anthony Davis - LAL - PF/C ($11,400)

The Wizards are ranked dead last in defensive efficiency and rebounding percentage. This is a dream matchup for Anthony Davis and the Lakers tonight who have a 121.8 implied total. Davis has been in solid form (53.1 FD points per game recently), he’s a strong building block for your lineups tonight.

I expect him to dominate the boards and thrive offensively, especially if the game can remain competitive. Davis’ ability to rack up blocks and steals makes him especially valuable on FanDuel, where defensive stats are key. You can play him with confidence in both cash and GPP formats tonight.

Tyrese Maxey - PHI - PG ($9,700)

With Joel Embiid out again, the Sixers turn to Maxey to lead the charge. His usage rate has skyrocketed to 30% over the last three games, and he’s been delivering 44.5 FD points per contest during that stretch. With Denver’s fast pace, Maxey should have extra opportunities to rack up fantasy points tonight.

The Nuggets defense has struggled to contain dynamic guards this season and Maxey's ability to score and facilitate gives him a solid ceiling and floor on this slate.

Jalen Brunson - NYK - PG ($9,200)

Brunson has been rock solid for the Knicks this season. He's been averaging over 40 FD points per game over his last three games tonight he gets a juicy matchup against the Nets who rank 25th in Defensive Efficiency this season. The Nets play at the 2nd slowest pace in the league, but, the efficient offense of the Knicks who rank 2nd in Offensive Efficiency should allow Brunson to thrive in this matchup

The Knicks have a team total of 116 and we know Brunson is going to be heavily involved as both a scorer and a playmaker. He's always got a solid floor because of his ability to contribute in multiple categories and he should be a safe bet for another 40+ fantasy point game tonight. His ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him a solid choice for cash lineups, and his efficiency gives him a respectable ceiling for tournaments as well.

 

FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots

Jordan Poole - WAS - PG/SG ($7,300)

Poole’s volatility always makes him a tournament option for me. He's facing the fast-paced Lakers tonight and Poole has the potential to go nuclear, especially if he gets hot from beyond the arc.

The Lakers struggle to defend opposing guards, and Poole’s high usage (29%) gives him a path to 40+ FD points tonight. While he’s not a safe cash play, his ceiling is massive, and he should carry lower ownership due to inconsistent recent performances.

Christian Braun - DEN - SG/SF ($5,100)

Braun offers sneaky upside at a mid-tier price. He’s been seeing steady minutes and has flashed strong per-minute production, averaging 25.8 FD points per game over his last three.

With a 13.5-point spread Denver is expected to handle Philadelphia comfortably, Braun could see extended run, making him a great pivot for tournament lineups. His ability to rack up rebounds and defensive stats adds to his appeal on Fanduel.

Paolo Banchero - ORL - PF ($8,800)

Banchero recently returned from an injury and he has yet to break the 30-minute mark in any of the 5 games he's played. His recent struggles will likely drive his ownership down, making him an intriguing GPP play. The matchup against Toronto presents an opportunity for a bounce-back performance, as their defense struggles against versatile forwards.

We know Banchero’s ceiling is sky-high when he’s firing on all cylinders, and his usage remains elite at 33%. At his salary, he’s a solid tournament option who could separate your lineup from the pack.

Karl-Anthony Towns - NYK - C ($10,000)

Towns is an interesting contrarian play due to his price tag and potential low ownership. He has a realistic path to 50+ fantasy points tonight, against a Nets team that ranks 24th in rebounding percentage and 25 in defensive efficiency.

The Knicks are favored by 10.5 points so there is some blowout risk, but, we know Tom Thibodeau like's to ride his starters and give them heavy minutes. I'm expecting Towns to dominate on the boards and contribute plenty offensively in this matchup. He’s a high-upside pivot from Nikola Jokic for those looking to differentiate in GPPs.

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Will Priester! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Will's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code THUNDERDAN at checkout to save 10%

 

FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks

Cole Anthony - ORL - PG/SG ($6,500)

Anthony is a great value option tonight with Jalen Suggs out of the lineup. His ability to score and contribute in multiple categories has been on full display recently. Over the last 9 games, he's played around 30 minutes per night and is scoring consistently around 30 fantasy points per night.

Anthony is poised to outperform his salary tonight in a game where the Magic are projected for 4.6 more points than their season average. He’s viable in both cash and GPP lineups, offering a safe floor with some upside.

Rui Hachimura - LAL - SF/PF ($5,700)

Hachimura is a standout value play against his former team tonight. With Washington ranking last in defensive efficiency, Hachimura should excel in this revenge spot. He's averaging close to 30 minutes per game and 30 fantasy points per game over his last 3 games.

His increased minutes and offensive involvement in recent games make him a strong candidate to exceed value. At his salary, he’s one of the most appealing mid-range options on the slate.

Duncan Robinson - MIA - SG/SF ($4,300)

Robinson’s sharpshooting makes him an intriguing punt play tonight against a porous Portland perimeter defense that ranks 29th in 3-point percentage allowed. He’s averaging 19.5 FD points over his last three games and has shown the ability to get hot from deep.

Robinson could see extended minutes if Miami opts to space the floor and attack Portland's weak 3-point defense. He’s a riskier option but offers excellent salary relief with an upside for GPPs.

Tristan Da Silva - ORL - PF/SF ($4,600)

Da Silva has quietly carved out a consistent role in Orlando’s rotation. Even with Banchero back, he's still playing close to 30 minutes a night. He can stretch the floor and contribute across categories which makes him a sneaky value play.

Against Toronto, a team that struggles to contain stretch forwards, da Silva has a path to 25+ FD points at a bargain price. He’s a solid option to round out your lineup without sacrificing upside.

 

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

  • Favorite Overall Play: Nikola Jokic - DEN - C ($12,700)
  • Favorite Value: Rui Hachimura - LAL - SF/PF ($5,700)
  • Favorite Cash Play: Tyrese Maxey - PHI - PG ($9,700)
  • Favorite GPP Play: Anthony Davis - LAL - PF/C ($11,400)


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!

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Waddle

Good to Go For Thursday Night Football
Tucker Kraft

Suffers "Little Knee Tweak," Checks Out OK
Jaylen Waddle

Expected to Play and be a "Big Factor" on Thursday Night
Tucker Kraft

Suffers Knee Injury During Thursday's Practice
Clayton Kershaw

Will Retire at the End of the Season
Malcolm Brogdon

Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon Both Staying with the Knicks?
Detroit Pistons

Charles Bediako Agrees to a Training Camp Deal with Detroit
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery, Uncertain for Training Camp
Charlotte Hornets

DaQuan Jeffries Waived by the Hornets
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday
Braden Schneider

Limited in Training Camp
Lars Eller

Recovering From Abdominal Procedure
Nick Jensen

in Danger of Missing Start of Season
Brandon Montour

to Miss Two Weeks After Ankle Surgery
Gabriel Landeskog

a "Full Go" for the Season
Samuel Girard

Avalanche Hope to Have Samuel Girard Available for Start of Season
Mackenzie Blackwood

Out Week-to-Week
Alex Tuch

Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury
Jordan Greenway

to Sit Out Training Camp
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Simon Edvinsson

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Mikael Backlund

Signs Two-Year Extension
Connor Ingram

to Be Waived by Mammoth
Zach Hyman

Misses Start of Training Camp
Nick Paul

Out Until November
Kris Letang

Cleared for Training Camp
David Pastrnak

Out for Start of Training Camp
Matthew Tkachuk

Expected to Be Out Until December
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
Brooklyn Nets

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP