NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (5/13/25)

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 May 13, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Tonight, the Cavaliers return to Cleveland as the first team facing elimination in the second round, while the Thunder and Nuggets return to OKC to break a 2-2 series tie. The slate tonight will be heavily influenced by Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell's availability. As of the time of writing, he is considered a game-time decision. Be sure to keep an eye out for his status throughout the day.

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 5/13/25. 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

You can build around these guys, offering a mix of floor and upside for both cash games and tournaments.

Nikola Jokic, DEN - C ($11.4K DK, $11.5K FD)

After noticeably struggling in Games 2 & 3, Jokic slightly bounced back in Game 4. Although he still didn't shoot very well from the floor (7-22), he went 11-14 from the free throw line, and drastically decreased his number of turnovers (only 2 compared to 14 in Games 2 and 3). With the Nuggets back on the road, Jokic should be leaned upon heavily tonight. So far these playoffs, Jokic averages seven more fantasy PPG on the road compared to at home, with three of his four highest scoring fantasy performances in the playoffs coming away from home.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC - PG ($10K DK, $10.6K FD)

Like Jokic, SGA was also not at his best during Game 4. Game 4 was SGA's worst full-workload fantasy performance of the playoffs, which broke a streak of five games straight scoring at least 50 fantasy points. He'll welcome a return to his homecourt, as he shot 50% during the two home games this series compared to only 36.5% on the road.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently averaging north of 27 points and 6 assists during the playoffs, without eclipsing a 7% turnover rate.

The only player to do that for a full playoff run is Michael Jordan in 1993.

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) May 12, 2025

Aaron Gordon, DEN - PF/C ($6.2K DK, $6.7K FD)

There is a serious case to make for Gordon being Denver's best player in this series when looking at game-to-game consistency and his game-winning shot in Game 1. Gordon has scored 43+ fantasy points in all three of the competitive games this series, and is shooting the ball exceptionally well; 46% overall for the series, and a scorching 54% from 3. Gordon has been excellent through four games against the Thunder, and he has all the makings of a great play once again.

Others To Consider: Tyrese Haliburton, IND

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

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

Donovan Mitchell, CLE - PG ($9.1K DK, $9.3K FD)

Mitchell has tried his best to carry Cleveland on his back throughout this series. He had huge performances in the first three games of the series and was leading the charge once again in Game 4 before getting injured. It's hard to imagine him sitting out with his season on the line, so assuming he plays, his ownership will take a hit due to his injury designation.

Evan Mobley, CLE - PF/C ($7.5K DK, $7.9K FD)

Like the rest of the Cavs, Mobley had a miserable Game 4, and his price going into Game 5 reflects that. In the two other games he's played this series, he's posted a double-double and fantasy scores of 40 and 54.25. Mobley will have to live up to his new title of Defensive Player of the Year and impact the game defensively like he did in the Cavs' lone win this series when he had three blocks and three steals. Mobley's ability to dominate a game defensively gives him the ability to break a slate open.

Evan Mobley in his return:

19 PTS
11 REB
3 STL
3 BLK

Joins LeBron as the only Cavs with a 15/10/3s/3b playoff game. pic.twitter.com/v2qkZT6Xz6

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 10, 2025

Chet Holmgren, OKC - PF/C ($7.2K DK, $7.6K FD)

In the four games of this series, he's had two games with 42+ fantasy points and two games with fewer than 32. He has a teammate at the same position who's priced significantly cheaper than him, who will attract more ownership, giving him massive leverage. Holmgren checks all the boxes for a GPP play tonight.

Others To Consider: Myles Turner, IND - C

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Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

These are the guys who are your salary savers. Priced $5.5K or less, they project to be some of the best per-dollar plays on the slate.

Max Strus, CLE - SG/SF ($5.4K DK, $5.5K FD)

Strus has been one of the bright spots for the Cavs in a series without much to cheer about. He's scored 25+ fantasy points in every game this series, headlined by him posting 6+ rebounds in each contest, compared to his regular season average of 4.5 per game. Strus legitimately has one of the best floor/ceiling combos on the slate relative to price.

Bennedict Mathurin, IND – SG/SF ($4.4K DK, $4.2K FD)

Mathurin had posted 20+ minutes and averaged 24 fantasy PPG through the first three games of this series against Cleveland, before getting ejected after less than a minute of playing time in Game 4. He's been the first guy off the bench for the Pacers in every game, and it never hurts to have a little extra rest and motivation from getting ejected.

Cason Wallace, OKC – PG/SG ($3.2K DK, $3.8K FD)

Wallace was a key contributor for the Thunder in their Game 4 victory. He had his best performance of the postseason with 24.25 fantasy points, including hitting three 3's. He's played 20+ minutes in the three competitive games this series, and has the best role out of all players priced under $4k.

Others to Consider: Alex Caruso, OKC - PG/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: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Aaron Gordon
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Evan Mobley
• My favorite value play: Max Strus

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis