NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (5/14/25)

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Zach's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on May 14, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! On Wednesday night, the NBA has a pair of Game 5 matchups on tap with the Knicks and Timberwolves each looking to join the Pacers in the next round, while the Celtics and Warriors look to avoid elimination and force the need for a Game 6. Stephen Curry (hamstring) remains out for this game, and Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is out for the Celtics, so their teams will face an even more difficult task in the absence of their superstar players.

These daily 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 5/14/25. 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.

Jalen Brunson, NYK - PG ($8.9K DK, $8.9K FD)

The Knicks continue to rely heavily on Brunson, who has led them on this impressive playoff run. He has produced at least 44 DraftKings points in four of his last five games and eight of his 10 games in the postseason. He has averaged 49.1 DraftKings points and 46.6 FanDuel points per game with a 33.2% usage rate in New York's 10 playoff contests. He has continued his clutch play from the regular season and has been unstoppable down the stretch.

THIS IS INSANE. #Knicks

4th quarter points through first 10 games of one NBA Playoffs since 1997:

2025 | Jalen Brunson | 102 points
2003 | Kobe Bryant | 100 points
2001 | Kobe Bryant | 100 points
2023 | Stephen Curry | 99 points
2008 | Kobe Bryant | 99 points pic.twitter.com/jtURKqt3tq

— Adam Silverstein (@SilversteinAdam) May 13, 2025

He doesn't get an added boost from one of his teammates being out like the other core options available, but after posting 39 points, 12 assists, 62 FanDuel points, and 66 DraftKings points in Game 4, Brunson continues to be the heart of the Knicks, who will try to advance to face the Pacers by closing out the defending champs in Boston on Wednesday night.

Jaylen Brown, BOS - SG/SF ($8.2K DK, $8.6 FD)

Without Tatum, the Celtics will need big games from multiple players to keep their season alive. Brown is at the top of that list and has proven he can produce monster games when called on as the primary scoring option. Without Tatum in Game 2 against the Magic in the first round, Brown delivered 36 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists for 55.5 FanDuel points and 60.5 DraftKings points. He averaged 43.2 DraftKings points and 42.6 FanDuel points per game in the seven games he played without Tatum during the regular season, and his usage rate climbed over 30% in those contests. If the Celtics force a Game 6 back in New York it will most likely be because Brown comes up huge.

Jonathan Kuminga, GS - PF/SF (FD Only) ($5.5K DK, $5.5K FD)

Kuminga has stepped up in the three games without Curry and has emerged as a great value play for the Warriors.

Kuminga last three games:

23.7 PPG
59.5 FG%
44.4 3P%

Leading the Warriors in points in that stretch. pic.twitter.com/uYcUFRXXtx

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 13, 2025

Kuminga showed his extremely high ceiling in Game 3, going off for 30 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 36 minutes to earn 46.5 DraftKings points and 45.7 FanDuel points. He followed that up with 23 points in Game 4 but didn't have as many non-scoring numbers. In a must-win game for the Warriors, look for Kuminga to step up once again, bringing both a high floor and a high ceiling at this price point.

Others To Consider: Anthony Edwards, MIN - SG/PG (DK Only)/SF (FD Only)

Today's NBA DFS Pivots

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

Derrick White, BOS - PG/SG (FD Only) ($7.7K DK, $7.4 FD)

Without Tatum, the Celtics will need big games from multiple players to keep their season alive. White is one proven playoff option who has the potential to go off and carry the team without Tatum. He has been consistent in this series with over 31 DraftKings points in every game and over 40 DraftKings points in the Celtics' two home games.

White had 16 points and 34.25 DraftKings points in the first round when Tatum missed a game and averaged 40.1 DraftKings points in the 10 games he played without Tatum during the regular season.

Julius Randle, MIN - PF/C (DK Only) ($7.9K DK, $7.7K FD)

Randle has come up huge for the Timberwolves in the three games they have won in this series. He had his massive triple-double in Game 3 that earned 63.5 DraftKings points and 59 FanDuel points. While his assists and rebounds came down in Game 4, he increased his scoring output to produce 31 points, his highest mark in the postseason. With many fantasy managers focused on the Celtics and Warriors hunting usage, Randle's consistent contributions in the last three games may go a little overlooked and make him a strong leverage option.

Julius Randle over the last 9 games —

31 PTS - 5 REB - 3 AST
24 PTS - 10 REB - 12 AST
24 PTS - 7 REB - 11 AST
18 PTS - 3 REB - 6 AST
23 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST
25 PTS - 7 REB - 3 AST
22 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST
27 PTS - 4 REB - 6 AST
16 PTS - 5 REB - 5 AST

THRIVING this postseason. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/o5CTVU0PyR

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 13, 2025

Kristaps Porzingis, BOS - PF/C ($5K DK, $5.4K FD)

Porzingis has not done hardly anything in this series against the Knicks, averaging only 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. He needs to step up for the Celtics without Tatum and definitely has the potential to go off at this price point. He's extremely high-risk, though, so he's really best used only in GPP lineups.

Others To Consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, NYC - C, Jimmy Butler III, GS - PF/SF (FD Only), Mikal Bridges, NYK - SG/SF

Want more NBA DFS tools and exclusive content? Check out our premium daily content from proven winner Jamie Calandro! Grab an NBA season pass and get access to our daily projections, optimizer, Jamie's personal picks, props, advice, and VIP chat rooms. Use promo code ZTsports at checkout to save 10 percent.

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.

Payton Pritchard, BOS - PG/SG ($5.2K DK, $4.5K FD)

Especially on FanDuel, Pritchard comes at a very affordable salary given his huge upside. He stepped up with 23 points and 35.5 DraftKings points in Game 3 when the Celtics won, and he'll need to help pick up Tatum's usage in Game 5 if the Celtics extend their season. Pritchard earned Sixth Man of the Year honors this season and will need to step up whether he continues to come off the bench or moves into the starting five. He is a little boom-or-bust, but with the extra usage, he should deliver strong value.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, MIN – SG/SF ($3.3K DK, $3.8K FD)

Alexander-Walker had 20 points in Game 2 and 13 points in Game 4 but went scoreless in Game 1 and Game 3, although in Game 3, he had four assists to still give his fantasy owners something. NAW is a key contributor off the bench every game, but his contributions can come in a variety of ways, some of which show up in the box score and some of which don't. Coming home for Game 5, though, look for him to step up and deliver good value once again as the Wolves look to eliminate the Warriors before Curry has a chance to return.

🇨🇦 Represent The Canadians 🇨🇦

Nickeil Alexander-Walker | vs. Golden State - Game 4

13 POINTS
2 REBOUNDS
2 ASSISTS pic.twitter.com/aidTGdxpL0

— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) May 13, 2025

Kevon Looney, GS – C ($3.1K DK, $3.6K FD)

With his salary barely over the minimum, Looney can be an option if you pay up for other superstars and go cheap in the middle. He had eight points and eight boards in Game 4 in just 14 minutes, but if he earned a little more playing time with that showing, he could be a key value. His uncertain role makes him high-risk, but the potential is there if coach Steve Kerr calls on him for more work.

Others to Consider: Mike Conley, MIN - PG

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: Jalen Brunson
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Jonathan Kuminga
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: Derrick White
• My favorite value play: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis