NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/24/25)

April 24, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Koby's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on April 24, 2025.

Welcome Back, RotoBallers! We have our first set of Game 3s for the first round. On this slate, we have two games tied at 1-1, between the Knicks/Pistons and the Clippers/Nuggets. Our other game is the blowout game of the playoffs between the Thunder and Grizzlies, which has resulted in two 19-point-plus losses by the Grizzlies.

We don't have much in terms of injury news for this slate. Michael Porter Jr., though, is questionable with a shoulder injury. With a smaller slate, it becomes more challenging to play cash games. I will do my best to give you guys some Core plays, Tournament picks, as well as some value plays to make this slate easier for you.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/24/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7 p.m. EDT on DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($11.6K DK, $11.8K FD)

Just like during the regular season, Jokic has been cooking during the playoffs. He is by far the most expensive player on the slate, but also the most efficient. In his first two games, he finished with 67 and 56 FP. Jokic's ability to do everything on the court and get his triple-doubles makes him an elite DFS option, especially on DK, where you get the triple-double bonus.

On top of all that, he has played 43+ minutes in both games! His floor is insanely high even for his price. I will start most of my lineups with Jokic, as he is the best raw points play on the slate.

NIKOLA JOKIĆ, HISTORYMAKER!

🃏 29.6 PPG (3rd in NBA)
🃏 12.7 RPG (3rd in NBA)
🃏 10.2 APG (2nd in NBA)

Since per-game stats began in 1969-70, Nikola Jokić is the FIRST player to finish top 3 in PPG, RPG, & APG in a single season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/19advhKc3c

— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2025

If, for some reason, MPJ is out for this one, that only strengthens the case for starting Jokic. He sees a near five percent usage increase when MPJ is off the floor.

Kawhi Leonard, LAC - SF/PF ($8.5K DK, $9K FD)

Keeping it in the same game here with Kawhi, who looked like vintage Kawhi. He went off last game with 39 points to seal their win in Game 2.  Like Jokic, Kawhi is playing massive minutes, having seen 39+ in both games so far.

Kawhi Leonard 39 points on 15/19 pic.twitter.com/6dUhlw159c

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) April 22, 2025

The Nuggets gave up the 11th most fantasy points to opposing PFs across the last 30 games. That showed in their last game as they weren't able to do anything to stop Kawhi from getting whatever he wanted. He finished with 58 FP in the last one, which is good for 6.5x his price. If we get anything similar, I'll consider that a win.

Tobias Harris, DET - SF/PF ($6.1K DK, $6.6K FD)

I don't remember the last time I wrote something about Tobias Harris. He has been a big part of this young Detroit team, keeping games close and winning in their last outing. He has put up 37 and 34 FP in Games 1 and 2.

The minutes are solid, and with how well he is shooting and rebounding the ball. He could be an elite core play, especially at his price. Harris should see a slight increase in usage if Isaiah Stewart is out once again. Harris rebounded extremely well in their last one, which helped give him a boost in the fantasy department.

Others to consider: James Harden, LAC - PG, Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK - C

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

Chet Holmgren, OKC - PF/C ($7.2K DK, $7.9K FD)

Chet, I feel like he has kinda flown under the radar here. He has been sneaky good in the first two games, even with them being blowouts. Even though he only played 21 and 33 minutes, that didn't stop him from dropping 43 and 47 FP. At his price, that is good for 6x, which is incredible value here. Plus, with PF eligibility, pairing him alongside Jokic could be a great option. I won't be targeting this game much, but for his price, Chet could be a solid tournament pivot.

Chet Holmgren vs Memphis Grizzlies G2 Highlights

20 PTS
11 REB
5 BLOCKS
60 TS%

Dominant 2-Way performance pic.twitter.com/koJEImitxS

— 𝐙 (@homahoops) April 23, 2025

Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($8.6K DK, $8.6K FD)

I think a lot of people are going to move towards Cade Cunningham with how well he played in Game 2. Jalen Brunson is over 1k cheaper, though, and has averaged 49 FP during the playoffs so far. Scoring 34 and 37 points to go along with eight and seven assists.

As long as Brunson keeps the turnovers low, we should see him hit in the 50+ FP range, which would be good for 6x his price. At his price with his production, I think he is one of the best guards to play on this slate.

Others to Consider: Aaron Gordon, DEN - PF/C (DraftKings Only), OG Anunoby, NYK - SF/PF, Jalen Williams, OKC - SF/PF, Cade Cunningham, DET - PG

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Kris Dunn, LAC - PG/SG ($4K DK, $4.7K FD)

Kris Dunn is going to put up amazing numbers soon. His ability to secure steals and blocks on defense is a significant reason why he works effectively alongside the rest of the starters. He is still dirt cheap, being under 5k on both sites. If he can put up close to 28, then that would be nearly 7x his price.

He has been good for nearly 30 minutes in each game, too, so he should get plenty of time to fill up the stat sheet in his own way.

Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC - C ($6.1K DK, $5.9K FD)

I was a bit surprised to see Hartenstein's price on FD. He seems a bit low, but it does come with the risk of a blowout, as we saw in Game 1. He has finished with 34 and 23 FP in the first two playoff games in 25 minutes or less. I would still prefer the likes of Jokic or KAT at center, but if you're looking to pay up elsewhere and save some money at center. Hartenstein makes for a cheaper value center that could produce.

Malik Beasley, DET - SG/SF ($5.1K DK, $5.3K FD)

This is about as boom or bust as it gets. We have seen Beasley become a big scorer for this Pistons offense, but he can also be a dud. We need the Beasley that led the league in threes this season to get us in the positive range. If we get into the 30 FP range, that will be a big win for the value guys on this slate.

Others to consider: Norman Powell, LAC -SF/SG, Luguentz Dort, OKC - SG/SF, Alex Caruso- OKC - PG (DraftKings Only)/SG/SF 

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: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Kawhi Leonard
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Chet Holmgren
• My favorite value play: Kris Dunn

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