NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/29/25)

April 29, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Max's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on April 29, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Tonight, the Pacers, Knicks, and Celtics are all looking to finish their first-round series with a Game 5 home win, while the Nuggets and Clippers head into a crucial game tied at 2-2 in the series.

These articles focus on the best plays, typically more suited for cash games. However, some exceptions may apply, depending on the size of the slate. The key to succeeding in NBA DFS is making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always essential to have a game plan and zero in on the best players and spots before making those adjustments.

This article will provide my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/29/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our excellent NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 6 p.m. EDT on DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

These are the guys you can build around, offering a mix of floor and upside for both cash games and tournaments.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - PF/C ($11.3K DK, $11.9K FD)

With Damian Lillard back on the sidelines after a torn Achilles, Antetokounmpo must be Superman to help the Bucks force a Game 6 back in Milwaukee. With a usage rate already at 37 percent for the series, it's hard to imagine the Bucks not living or dying by Antetokounmpo the rest of this series, which should push him back toward the 40 percent usage rate he saw in Game 1. With a lackluster supporting cast around him, Antetokounmpo might have to do it all to live to see another day this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo this series:

36 PTS - 12 REB - 2 BLK - 60% FG
34 PTS - 18 REB - 7 AST - 70% FG
37 PTS - 12 REB - 6 AST - 73% FG
28 PTS - 15 REB - 6 AST - 45% FG

Bucks down 1-3 — What else can he do?? pic.twitter.com/3VMY1nxtjr

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 28, 2025

Nikola Jokic, DEN – C ($11.5K DK, $11.8K FD)

Coming off the highest fantasy score posted by any player (82.25) in these playoffs so far, Jokic is simply too dominant not to be considered on every single slate he's a part of. He's averaging 69.6 fantasy points through the first four games of this series, and somehow, his price didn't increase at all after that 82-point eruption.

Jokic is rarely priced this low, which is ironic considering he's still the most expensive player on the slate, so take advantage while you can.

Jalen Brunson, NYK – PG ($8.8K DK, $9.2K FD)

Hate or love his play style, there's no denying his ability to produce. Brunson has the third-highest usage rate in this opening round of the playoffs (33.6 percent) and has delivered 30+ points and seven or more assists in all four games against the Pistons.

His floor/ceiling combination is only topped by the two other players already mentioned. He'll undoubtedly see another massive workload with the Knicks looking to avoid a trip back to Motown for a Game 6.

Others To Consider: Cade Cunningham, DET - PG

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

These players might fly under the radar, but have the ceiling to match the chalkier options.

Paolo Banchero, ORL – PF/SF ($9.2K DK, $9.4K FD)

Banchero and the Magic are in a win-or-go-home scenario, and I would expect to see him on the floor for 40+ minutes again. He took on a much larger role on offense during Games 1 and 2 on the road, posting 61 and 58 DK points in the two games in Boston to start the series, so we know the ceiling is there. A nightly triple-double threat, perhaps he can put the Magic on his back one more time and make the defending champs take a trip down to Orlando.

Kawhi Leonard, LAC – SF/PF ($8.4K DK, $8.6K FD)

Kawhi Leonard looks as healthy as he has in years, and he's been the go-to guy for L.A. in this series. He's already shown the ability to take over and steal a game on the road, as he did in Game 2. I expect him to see a large workload in such a pivotal game as the team's superstar in a road playoff game.

Kawhi Leonard was 15-of-19 from the field last night. Watch how many of those makes were contested.

This was one of the most impressive shotmaking displays I've witnessed. He was like the older sibling dominating everyone on a nerf hoop. pic.twitter.com/aDGJGDMJSi

— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) April 22, 2025

Others To Consider: Jalen Duren, DET - C

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

Kevin Porter Jr., MIL - PG/SG ($5K DK, $5.3K FD)

When Lillard went down in Game 4 after only nine minutes of playing time, Porter stepped in and stepped up for the Bucks. He played 33 minutes and posted 43.75 fantasy points.

Even if he doesn't start for some reason (head coach Doc Rivers typically started Ryan Rollins when Lillard was out with blood clots toward the end of the regular season), he is the best healthy PG the Bucks have on their roster. He will be heavily owned, potentially even the most owned player on the slate tonight.

T.J. McConnell, IND – PG ($4K DK, $4.2K FD)

McConnell has posted 20+ fantasy points in three of the four games so far this series. The Bucks rank in the bottom 10 against PGs on the season, and that matchup only gets softer against the young and inexperienced healthy options for Milwaukee.

McConnell, who might not be the most athletic player in the NBA, always plays hard and makes good decisions, and is averaging five assists per game this series despite only averaging 17.5 minutes per game.

Christian Braun, DEN – SG/SF ($5.4K DK, $5.4K FD)

Braun joined Denver's starting unit in relief of Russell Westbrook, who was dealing with a foot injury. Westbrook is in danger of missing Game 5 due to the same injury. Even if he does play, I would expect him to see reduced minutes, which would result in more opportunities for Braun.

Others to Consider: Gary Trent Jr., MIL - SG/SF, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, ORL -SG

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: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Nikola Jokic
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Kawhi Leonard
• My favorite value play: Kevin Porter Jr.

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