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Dan's favorite FanDuel NBA DFS picks for today, Wednesday - 3/19/25. His top daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for FanDuel DFS contests.
We haven't had a slate like this in a while! There are 11 games on the docket tonight and an absolutely loaded player pool, thanks to major mismatches and value that has opened up with injuries and players resting.
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 3/19/25. 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.
FanDuel NBA DFS Core Picks
Quentin Grimes, PHI - SG/SF ($7.9K)
It's a case of sticker shock when you see Grimes listed at this price, but his production with the Sixers in full tank mode has been something special, and I don't think I can fade him on this slate - especially considering the Thunder will be without their two best players tonight.
Quentin Grimes has been on FIRE for the 76ers 🔥😤
Averaging 32.6 PTS in his last five games ‼️
46 PTS, 13 REB, 55.6 FG%
28 PTS, 6 AST, 52.6 FG%
29 PTS, 3 STL, 47.8 FG%
35 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 56 FG%
25 PTS, 6 AST, 46.2 FG%He was traded from the Mavs in February. pic.twitter.com/haNQSAZZAX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 18, 2025
Grimes has been over 40 FD points in five straight games and went for 70 last time out against Houston in a game that went to overtime. Kelly Oubre Jr. is doubtful, and we know that Paul George has been shut down for the season. He's sporting a 31% usage rate over the last nine games, and it's time we start approaching him as a superstar for the rest of the season (at least for DFS purposes).
Aaron Wiggins, OKC - SG/SF ($5.6K)
As I mentioned, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have already been ruled out for the Thunder tonight. Isaiah Hartenstein is questionable, too, which would leave Chet Holmgren as the only regular starter from OKC in the lineup.
Aaron Wiggins has thrived in these situations. He sees a huge increase in usage, rebounding rate, and assist rate when you take SGA and Williams off the floor. We've seen pop-offs for some huge numbers when OKC is short-handed, and he's far too cheap for his role tonight.
Philly's defense is a joke, and I expect Wiggins and the Thunder to score a bunch of points. It's a game with the potential to be high-scoring, and if the Sixers can keep it close, then we could see huge performances from Wiggins, Holmgren, Grimes, and others.
Kyle Filipowski, UTA - PF/C ($6.6K)
UPDATE: Walker Kessler is NOW IN. But Lauri Markannen is out, and the Jazz don't have many healthy big men, so we could see KF start at power forward, and he's still in consideration for my core tonight.
The Jazz continue to rest players periodically as they enter their yearly tank cycle, so they won't have John Collins or Walker Kessler available tonight. Lauri Markkanen should start at the four, but that leaves Filipowski to start at center in a fantastic spot against Washington.
The last time the rookie faced Washington, he posted 23 points and 13 rebounds in just 29 minutes! Big men vs. Washington has been a recipe for success all season. There's no way I am not locking in Filipowski into my builds tonight, especially with the PF eligibility that will allow us to play another center, too.
Others Under Consideration: Luka Doncic- PG ($12K), Devin Booker - SG/SF ($9.3K)
FanDuel NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C ($9.7K)
I'll go on the record here that I think Miles McBride, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby are all viable for tournaments tonight against a very poor defensive Spurs team that is without its two best players and very clearly set to tank the rest of the way.
The Spurs have been particularly vulnerable to centers, allowing the sixth-most FD points to big men over their last 15 games. The loss of Wemby hurts their ability to protect the rim, and they have no other healthy bigs who can really stop anyone in the paint.
With Jalen Brunson out of the lineup, Towns should be the first option on offense tonight and get whatever shots he wants. It's just a matter of him not settling for threes and getting his butt down in the paint, but I love his upside at this price. If this game shoots out, Towns has some massive upside with his ability to score and scarf up rebounds.
Jonas Valanciunas, SAC – C ($7.5K)
It's a shame that Domantas Sabonis can't stay healthy, but we've seen his backup, JV, put up some huge numbers when he has had an opportunity to start in his stead lately.
The Kings will need to lean on JV for his size tonight as they face the twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen from Cleveland. The Cavs dropped their second straight game in a row last night and allowed Ivica Zubac to have a "Barbara Walters special," aka 20-20 game, against them.
Valanciunas is a great rebounder and should get plenty of opportunities to score in the post tonight. I expect the Kings to keep this one close with Cleveland, as the Cavs are on a back-to-back. Don't be surprised if he goes for 6-7x his price in this spot at relatively low ownership.
Tari Eason, HOU - SF/PF ($6.7K)
I know that matchup may keep some people away (Orlando is a solid defensive unit), but the minutes and opportunities being afforded to Eason lately have me intrigued with him and his price has been slow to catch up to his recent productivity.
Tari Eason : 21 points (8-19 shooting, 2-7 from 3 & 3-4 from the FT line), 8 rebounds & fouled out in 39 minutes pic.twitter.com/mbGJQ15yKK
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) March 18, 2025
In his last three starts, he's gone for 37, 50, and 34 FD points. The Rockets are missing Amen Thompson in the rotation and Eason has seen his minutes trend up lately as well as an expanded role on offense where he usually is one of the last options, getting his buckets organically without any plays being called for him.
Others Under Consideration: Chet Holmgren - PF/C ($8.2K), Desmond Bane - SG/SF ($8.8K)
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FanDuel NBA DFS Value Picks
Julian Champagnie, SAS – SG/SF ($4.3K)
It's Julian, not Justin who I am eyeing tonight as he's super cheap and starting to crack the 20-minute mark in San Antonio's rotation. He can do a little of everything and pile up stats quickly.
Luke Kennard, MEM - PG/SG ($4.8K)
Ja Morant is out, so we can fire up Desmond Bane as a GPP play, but Luke Kennard is also a very attractive option tonight - especially if Scotty Pippen Jr. misses another game.
Kris Murray, POR - SF ($3.9K)
The "other Murray twin" started for the Blazers last time out and played 35 minutes. He's not a great per-minute producer, but if he's going to get that much run with Jerami Grant out, then he's worth a shot at this price.
Tyus Jones, PHX – PG ($4.8K)
Bradley Beal is out again, so look for Jones to continue to play solid minutes either as a starter or the first guy off the bench. The Bulls defense sucks and they are awful against point guards. Expect an easy 5x from Jones tonight with the potential for 6-7x if he gets rolling.
Bub Carrington, WAS - PG (5.1K)
Jordan Poole is doubtful, Malcolm Brogdon, Marcus Smart, and Khris Middleton are all out, and Carrington is the most likely guy to slide into the starting point guard role where he has flourished at times this season. Washington played a lot of guys last game, so I am a bit nervous about their rotation but it seems like Carrington is a good bet for 30 minutes in a good spot against Utah.
Others Under Consideration: Jaxson Hayes - C ($5.1K), Matas Buzelis - SF/PF ($5.1K), Davion Mitchell - PG ($4.2K)
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: Kyle Filipowski
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Quentin Grimes/Aaron Wiggins pairing
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jonas Valanciunas
- My favorite VALUE play: Tyus Jones
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