FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Tuesday 3/11/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

These are the guys I'll be leaning on to carry my FanDuel lineups tonight.

Giannis Antetokounmpo - MIL - PF ($11,500)

Priced at  $11,500 it feels like you’re selling your soul to fit him in tonight, but Giannis is the slate-defining force tonight. The Bucks roll into Indiana as 3-point favorites with a 117.5 implied total, and the Pacers’ defense is waving a white flag against him. They rank 17th in defensive rating, which isn’t terrible, but their 28th-ranked rebounding rate is a glaring neon sign screaming “Giannis Smash!” He’s averaging 58.7 FD points on the season, and over his last three games, he’s ticked up slightly, so I'm thinking around 60+ FD points is a realistic floor if he gets his usual run.

His 36% usage rate is absurd, and with Bobby Portis out (suspension), there’s no one clogging the paint to siphon off those easy buckets or boards. Indiana’s frontcourt, led by Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, can’t match his physicality. Turner might swat a shot or two, but he’s not keeping Giannis off the glass, where FanDuel rewards those rebounds at 1.2 points apiece. Recent trends show Giannis grabbing 12.0 RPG, and with Milwaukee’s pace (9th) syncing nicely with Indiana’s (8th), this game’s 232.0 total suggests plenty of possessions for him to rack up stats.

For cash games, he’s your safety net, 30+ real points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists are basically guaranteed. In GPPs, he’s the guy who could hit 70+ FD points if the Bucks lean on him late. You’re paying up, but he’s worth every penny.

James Harden - LAC - PG ($9,600)

Harden’s the kind of player who makes you feel smart for rostering him, especially on a night like this. The Clippers face a Pelicans team that’s limping into battle, Norman Powell’s out (hamstring) for LAC, but New Orleans is the real casualty ward: Dejounte Murray (Achilles), Kelly Olynyk (rest), and Herbert Jones (shoulder) are all sidelined. That leaves a NOP defense ranked 30th in defensive rating ripe for Harden to exploit. He’s been the Clippers’ steady hand all season, averaging 46.4 FD points, and over his last three games, he’s bumped his scoring by 5.7 points per game and holds a slick 1.33 FD points-per-minute rate.

The Pelicans’ backcourt is a sieve without Murray, and their 26th-ranked points allowed per game mean Harden’s step-back threes and drives to the rack could pile up fast. His playmaking is the X-factor, averaging 8.5 assists per game, with 13.9 potential assists, and a depleted NOP roster means more open looks for guys like Kawhi and Ivica Zubac.

In cash games, he’s a no-brainer, as 40+ FD points feels like his baseline. For GPPs, if the Pelicans keep it close (223.5 total, LAC -6.5), Harden could flirt with 55+ as the primary engine. At $9,600, he’s a bargain compared to the $10K+ tier, and the injury boost seals the deal.

Cade Cunningham - DET - PG ($10,500)

If you’re drooling over a matchup, this is the one. Detroit’s hosting the Wizards, who are a DFS dream, 4th in pace, 28th in defensive rating, and a 14-point underdog with a 234.0 game total. The Pistons’ slate-high 124.0 implied total is a green light for Cade, their do-everything point guard. He’s averaging 50.9 FD points on the year, and his usage rate has spiked from 32% to 34% over his last three outings.

Washington’s backcourt defense is a disaster, allowing 15.4 potential assists per game to opposing PGs, and with Jordan Poole and company focused on scoring, they’re not stopping Cade’s penetration or vision. He’s dishing 9.3 APG (up slightly recently) and scoring 25.6 PPG (up 2.4), which translates to a juicy FD stat line. Oh, and Jaden Ivey’s leg injury? If he’s out or limited, Cade’s usage could touch 38%, pushing his minutes past 35 (he’s at 34.6 lately). The Wizards’ 4th-ranked pace keeps this game fast, and Detroit’s 11th-ranked pace ensures Cade gets his touches.

For cash games, I love his 50-point floor, but GPP players should salivate at the 60+ ceiling if this game stays close and he keeps cooking. At $10,500, he’s pricey but worth it for the matchup alone.

Evan Mobley - CLE - PF/C ($8,500)

Mobley’s the quiet assassin of this slate, and at $8,500, he’s a steal for what he brings. Cleveland’s a massive 18.5-point favorite against the Nets, who are stumbling in at 27th in offensive rating and 25th in rebounding rate. Brooklyn’s frontcourt, Nic Claxton is solid, but he’s not enough to handle Mobley’s length and versatility. The Cavs’ 122.3 implied total is the second-highest on the slate, and Mobley’s been a double-double machine, averaging 40.1 FD points with a recent minutes boost to 33.9 over his last three games.

What makes him pop on FanDuel? His across-the-board production. He’s at 18.5 PPG (steady), 9.3 RPG (up 1.0), and 3.1 APG, with a knack for blocks (1.5+ per game, 3 FD points each). Brooklyn’s 30th-ranked pace might slow things down, but Cleveland’s 10th-ranked pace should keep the possessions flowing. His 1.33 FD points-per-minute rate is elite for his price, and the Nets’ lack of size means he’ll dominate the glass and paint.

For cash games, he’s a lock for 35-40 FD points in this spot. In GPPs, Mobley could sneak into the 50s with a 20-12-3 line and a couple of swats. At $8,500, he’s your mid-tier anchor with high-end upside.

These are the guys who might not be on everyone’s radar, but they’ve got the juice to rival the core picks and give you that GPP edge.

Pascal Siakam - IND - PF ($8,300)

Siakam’s lurking in the shadows right now, and that’s exactly why he’s a GPP dream. Tyrese Haliburton’s hip injury has him listed as questionable, and if he’s out, or even limited, Siakam’s usage is about to go through the roof. He’s already sitting at a 24% usage rate on the season, but over his last three games, that’s jumped to 29%, and his scoring has ticked up by 3.2 points per game. He’s averaging 38.0 FD points, and with Haliburton’s status up in the air, we could see Siakam pushing 40% usage as Indiana’s go-to guy.

The matchup against Milwaukee is tricky, the Bucks rank 9th in defensive rating, so they’re no pushover. But here’s the crack in their armor: they’re 19th in rebounding rate, and Siakam’s got the versatility to exploit that. He’s averaging 7.2 RPG (down slightly recently), but with a 232.0 game total and Indiana’s 8th-ranked pace meeting Milwaukee’s 9th, there’ll be plenty of chances for him to crash the glass and finish in transition. His 20.8 PPG and 3.3 APG give him a solid floor, but if he’s the focal point sans Haliburton, expect more shots and playmaking, think 25-10-5 potential.

At $8,300, he’s a brilliant pivot off the Giannis chalk. Everyone’s going to be jamming in the Bucks’ star on a small slate, but Siakam could match his output at $3,200 less. A 50+ FD point night isn’t out of the question if the stars align.

Kawhi Leonard - LAC - SF/PF ($8,100)

Kawhi’s like that quiet guy at the party who suddenly steals the show, and tonight could be his moment. His minutes are trending up, 37.8 over his last three games, a hefty 8.9-minute jump, and with Norman Powell sidelined (hamstring), the Clippers need Kawhi’s scoring punch. The Pelicans are a walking wounded unit: no Murray (Achilles), no Olynyk (rest), no Jones (shoulder). That leaves a NOP defense ranked 28th in rebounding rate and 26th in points allowed per game as Kawhi’s personal playground.

He’s averaging 31.9 FD points on the season, but don’t sleep on his recent form, he’s hit 40+ FD points in a game over the last week, thanks to a 6.5-point scoring boost (now at 18.2 PPG). The Clippers’ 21st-ranked pace meets NOP’s 13th, and with a 223.5 total, this game could stay competitive enough for Kawhi to cook.

At $8,100, he’s lower-owned than Harden, who’s soaking up the Clippers buzz. GPP players should love this, Kawhi’s got a 50 FD point ceiling if he gets hot, and his ownership could stay in the single digits. Sneaky and lethal.

Trey Murphy III - NOP - SF/PF ($8,200)

If you’re chasing a GPP moonshot, Murphy’s your guy. The Pelicans are down half their roster, Murray, Olynyk, and Jones are out, and that’s turned Murphy into a usage monster. He’s averaging 38.3 FD points on a 23% usage rate, and with New Orleans desperate for offense (108.5 implied total), he’s stepping into a starring role tonight. Over his last three games, he’s been a hair under his season norms but tonight, against the Clippers, that could change.

LAC’s defense is elite, 2nd in defensive rating, but their 7th-ranked rebounding rate might not matter if Murphy’s bombing from deep. He’s averaging 21.8 PPG, with a knack for threes, and his 5.2 RPG give him a nice multi-category boost. The Clippers’ 21st-ranked pace isn't terrible, and NOP’s 13th-ranked pace ensures Murphy gets his shots. Usage could climb past 25% with so many teammates out, and if his shot’s falling, he’s a lock for 40+ FD points with a ceiling pushing 50.

At $8,200, he’s a GPP dart throw with massive leverage. The chalk will flock to Harden and Giannis, but Murphy’s upside rivals them if New Orleans leans on him. Risky? Sure. Rewarding? Oh, yeah.

Donovan Mitchell - CLE - SG/PG ($8,700)

Mitchell’s the overlooked star in Cleveland’s galaxy, and that’s your GPP ticket to differentiation. The Cavs are 18.5-point favorites against a Nets team that’s 27th in offensive rating, 30th in pace, and 11th in points allowed per game. Brooklyn’s a mess, and Mitchell’s averaging 40.6 FD points on 30% usage, perfect for exploiting this cupcake matchup. Over his last three, he’s held steady at 24.2 PPG (up 1.8), with 4.8 APG and 4.3 RPG, giving him that FanDuel-friendly stat-stuffing profile.

The 122.3 implied total for Cleveland is a green light, and while Mobley and Garland might steal some shine, Mitchell’s the guy who can erupt early. Brooklyn’s slow pace could cap possessions, but Cleveland’s 10th-ranked pace should keep the tempo up enough for him to feast. His 1.26 FD points-per-minute rate is elite, and if this turns into a blowout, he could pile up 40+ FD points before the bench takes over. Think 25 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and a steal or two.

At $8,700, he’s cheaper than Cade and Harden, and his ownership will lag. A 55+ FD point night is in play if he catches fire. He’s the contrarian stud you may need to climb the leaderboards on a small slate.